(Stat Perform) - The two newest FCS conferences have combined on a scheduling alliance for this fall, which could allow the ASUN and Western Athletic conferences to receive an automatic playoff bid for its champion.

Separately, neither conference would have the NCAA postseason minimum of six eligible teams to receive an automatic bid, but they will by combining incoming ASUN members Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State and incoming WAC members Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.

On Tuesday, ASUN commissioner Ted Gumbart announced the alliance, known as the AQ7 and set to play under conference standings named the WAC-ASUN Challenge, and said the conference has applied to the NCAA for a playoff bid.

Kennesaw State and North Alabama, the two other charter members of ASUN football, will play a final season this fall as associate members of the Big South, which has a partnership with the ASUN. In 2022, the two conferences will create the ASUN-Big South Challenge series - head-to-head matchups between its members - over the final weekend of the FCS regular season.

The 2022 WAC standings also will include Dixie State and Tarleton, which have FCS independent programs, and Southern Utah, an associate Big Sky member.