We will find out soon, but here is where the so called experts have us going...

FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions on Eve of Selection Sunday
Drake vs. Illinois State 

FCS Football Bracketology 
Drake vs. Illinois State

2024-25 FCS Playoff Projections 
Drake vs. Villanova 

FCS Playoff Predictions: 2024 Final FCS Bracketology 
Drake vs. Montana

One more... 

FCS Bracketology: Predicting The 2024 FCS Playoff Bracket
Drake vs. Montana

Definitely not Villanova.  Illinois State wouldn't surprise me at all.

Tarelton State would be fun, because Wederquist is on our broadcast team.  But the committee will keep this regional, if they can.

Here is another... 

2024 FCS Bracketology Show
Drake vs. Illinois State

I have seen Tarelton State, Abilene Christian, and SEMO in past predictions but that looks to have changed with today's results. 

Another few this morning... 

FCS Bracketology: Predicting The 2024 FCS Playoff Bracket
Drake vs. Montana

Final FCS Playoff Bracket Projection
Drake vs. Illinois State 

2024 FCS playoff bracket predictions
Drake vs. Montana

They did change the seeding requirements this year, so geography matters less, but it still plays a part. The rules tend to favor a Drake vs. Montana match-up because more teams are coming from the east, but it will depend on how they seed and place the southern teams. 

I don't if the matchups are out yet but I heard the Redbirds can't host first round due to stadium conflict. If so, that means D would host if those two teams play. Sadly I think that chance is more remote now that D lost twice and that playing the Grizzlies seems the more likely outcome. Hopefully I'm wrong

Darth Vader
Lord of the Sith
Founding Father - Drake Spirit Committee (1990)

It’s Tarleton 

If Wederquist is ever going to be on the podcast, this is the perfect week.  Maybe he has some tips on good barbeque in the area. ..

First pre-game articles... 
Bulldogs Set for Playoff Bout at Tarleton State 
Playoff Bound: Tarleton State Football makes FCS Playoffs, to host Drake 
Playoff Bout Tarleton State vs. Drake 
Tarleton State vs. Drake in FCS Playoffs

Kickoff set for 2pm CST on the 30th. 

In case helpful for those going to the game...

Flights
Closest airport with direct flights from Des Moines = Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Depending on traffic it can be 1:45 drive to the stadium.

Some Area Holiday Events
27th 
5:30 - 9:00pm - Dallas Zoo Lights
Dallas Zoo Lights
28th
10:00am-2:00pm - Family Feast at The Purple Goat 
The Purple Goat
All Day - Visit the Villa
Visit the Villa
29th
1:00pm - 8:00 pm -  Lucky Vines Big Deals
Lucky Vines Vineyard & Winery 
Lucky Vines Vineyard & Winery
30th 
10:00am - Ville and Parade
Ville and Parade
2:00pm - Game Tarleton State vs. Drake
1st 
11:00am - 9:00 pm - Dallas Holiday at Arboretum/Pecan Grove 
Holiday at the Arboretum 
Pecan Grove

Dallas area tourism 
Visit Dallas

Double check times and dates. More team events to come. Happy postseason!!!!
🏈🥔🌲🍾🏈🥔🌲🍾🏈🥔🌲🍾

Championship photo... 
Championship Photo

Playoff Selection... 
Playoff Selection

Matching the Bulldogs against Illinois State would have meant a home game for Drake.  Illinois State has given up the home game they would have been entitled to as a seeded team, because of a prior commitment to host high school football this weekend.

I know nothing about Tarleton. What are your thoughts on that team?

Tarelton finished second in the United Athletic Conference behind Abeline Christian.  Not exactly MVFC level competition, but they beat nine scholarship opponents.

Their running back, Britten, is the #2 rusher in FCS.  They are also notable for forcing a lot of turnovers.

Pregame articles... 
Drake football ready to win playoff game
Behind The Numbers: 2024 FCS Playoffs 
2024 FCS Playoffs: First-Round TV Schedule 
2024 FCS football playoff bracket: Predictions, picks for every FCS playoff game and round
2024 FCS Playoffs: First-Round Preview and Predictions 
2024 FCS Playoffs: First-Round Predictions 
Drake travels to Texas for NCAA Football Championship First Round Outing 
2024 PFL Weekly Report
NCAA Division I Football Championship Bracket
Tarleton State Game Notes
Drake Game Notes

More of preseason video, but good general info on who is Tarleton State... 
Todd Whitten: Our Goal Is to be an FBS Program Sooner Rather than Later | Tarleton State Texans

Happy Holiday Season! 🏈🥔🎄🍾

Good luck down at Tarleton. Get the W and we’ll see you in Vermillion. 

I'm hoping Tarleton's coach's name is Eberflus

Or hopefully their coach at least went to his theory of coaching school. 😁

For those going to the game can visit the Pecan Innovation Center. 
Texas Pecan Organizations Collaborate with TSU to Establish Pecan Innovation Center 

Hopefully they will treat us better than Arkansas State did in 1969 Pecan Bowl. 😁 Maybe they will give out Pecan Pie.🥔

Other facts about Tarleton State... 
Founded: 1899
Parent: Texas A&M University System
Students: 14,092
Nickname: Texans
Conference: WAC (UAC)
Recent NFL players: Richard Bartel, James Dearth, Saalim Hakim, Rufus Johnson, Garrett Lindholm, Tywain Myles, Deshaun Phillips, Derrick Ross, E.J. Speed, Nick Stephens
Common alumni with Iowa: Mary Madison (Iowa House 31st District)
Other famous alumni: Ryan Bingham (singer), Chad Fox (MLB), George Kennedy (actor), J.W. Fritz (investigator)
Texans vs. Bulldogs: Men's Basketball Paradise Jam Championship, Drake 71 - Tarleton State 64, Nov 21, 2022 (DeVries 100th win)

And a few added pregame articles...
How to Watch Tarleton State Texans vs. Drake Bulldogs | FCS Playoffs 
Football Playoffs Primer: Championship pick, sleeper to watch, and who’s on upsetting alert
2024 FCS Playoffs 1st Round Previews & Predictions
2024 FCS bracket predictions: Every playoff game, national champ picked