James Madison and Jacksonville State are each headed to bowl games for the first time in their programs' histories, filling two openings because there were not enough eligible teams to take all 82 slots.
Both programs are transitioning from the FCS to FBS level, and NCAA rules state schools are not eligible for the postseason for two years during the transition.
But because there were not enough bowl-eligible teams to fill all the slots, the Dukes and Gamecocks are allowed to go bowling.
James Madison started the year 10-0 and at one point threatened legal action against the NCAA to become bowl eligible. But after suffering its first loss last week and knowing there was a possibility not enough teams would become bowl eligible, the school chose not to pursue a lawsuit.