The method is to take all FCS schools' latitude and longitude and find the mean. Note that MEAC, SWAC, and Ivy Leagues (before 2025) are not included as they do not participate in the playoffs. That mean is the first dot on the map in southern Illinois. In 2025, you can see a little shift northeast when the Ivies are now included.
The subsequent path shows the mean coordinates of schools in each round of the playoffs, i.e. All FCS > Round 1 > Round 2 > Quarters > Semis > Finals > National champion. It's clear that the FCS' "center of mass" moves north and west in the playoffs. 2025 is through the semifinals.
Caveats: The locations on the background map are close, but not perfect. The coordinates plotted in the Excel scatterplot don't take into account the map projection. The farther west the path moves, the more error there is north/south. I haven't been able to find a background map that allows me to accurately show the schools' locations as well as the mean locations. I have included 2021 without a background to give a feel of the schools' locations.
Any suggestions are welcome.
