In surprise move, FCS denies playoff invite to Bethune-Cookman

The Football Championship Subdivision shocked Bethune-Cookman University this afternoon by declining to extend the Wildcats an at-large playoff invitation.

Last evening, B-CU Coach Brian Jenkins told the Orlando Sentinel that he thought his team’s playoff prospects were strong after clinching a 26-16 Florida Classic victory over FAMU.

“I’m hopeful that people take notice and do the right thing and put us in the playoffs,” Jenkins said. “Not only should we get one (an invite), we belong. You know, I’m gonna say this, ‘If we get overlooked and they take another team with a lesser record … that would be catastrophic, to me, in this division of college football. Something is wrong.”

B-CU received an at-large invitation last year after posting an 11-1 regular season record. The Wildcats lost in the first round to New Hampshire, 45-20.

Norfolk State (9-2), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion, will face off against Old Dominion (9-2) in the first round of the playoffs on November 26.