FCS College Football Championship Game January 1, 2025
While the world is waiting for the NCAA FBS’s first 12-team College Football Playoffs to wrap-up, the NCAA FCS teams have already been duking it out on the field in their playoff format. Twenty-four teams entered the playoffs and we’re down to just two. We picked that North Dakota State and Montana State would be facing each other and now they are. Let’s take a look at the FCS College Football Championship preview, picks, and best bets.
FCS College Football Championship Preview, Picks, and Best Bets
Why North Dakota State Could Win
First, let’s make a case on why we should place our bets on North Dakota State to win the FCS College Football Championship. North Dakota State isn’t new to playing in the FCS Championship games. Their last appearance was just two years ago when they lost to South Dakota State. Just a year before that, they faced off against Montana State and won 38-10. These are different teams now though. Don’t forget North Dakota State’s three-peat Championships from 2017 to 2019.
North Dakota State finished this year averaging 39 points. They averaged 229 passing yards a game and 195 rushing yards. Their defense gave up 17 points per game. The Bison allowed 194 yards through the air per game and just 119 rushing yards per game. They upset South Dakota State in the semi-finals in their last game, a game we called for them to win as +140 underdogs.
Now they find themselves as +3.5 (-110 at BetMGM) underdogs again and +140 on the Moneyline (BetMGM) with a tough opponent standing in their way. However, North Dakota State is a very well-coached team. They went toe-to-toe with Colorado earlier this year, a team that should have blown them out. They’re a well-coached program that has recent experience in the Championship game. They will most definitely be competitive and could win this one.
Why Montana State Could Win
Now let’s take a look at why we should place our bets on Montana State to win the FCS College Football Championship. Montana State has remained undefeated this entire year. They covered a majority of their games as well, going 9-6 against the spread. Their run game is one of the best we’ve seen in past years and North Dakota State will have to do everything they can to stop it.
Montana State has been to the big game recently, back in 2021 when they lost to North Dakota State. Despite a lot of different players on both teams, will revenge be on their minds? It was Montana State’s first appearance in the FCS Championship since they won it back in 1984! They’ll be looking to add to their football program’s accolades.
Montana State’s offense averaged 41 points per game. They accumulated 306.9 rushing yards per game in the regular season and 186 passing yards. Their defense held opponents to an average of just 17 points per game, 190 passing yards, and 115 rushing yards. While they didn’t play a team as hyped as Colorado, they did play an FBS team against New Mexico. They won that game even though they gave up two defensive touchdowns.
Montana State’s quarterback Tommy Mellott looks to cap off what has been a great career so far with only a championship missing from his impressive resume. He’s completed 69% of his passes while also rushing for 915 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on less than eight carries per game.
Who Will Win The FCS Championship
These teams are similar in a lot of ways. They both averaged around 40 yards per game. They both relied on a strong run game, although Montana State’s was much stronger. North Dakota State made up for that with more passing yards. Both of their defenses are better a stopping the run than the pass.
I think North Dakota State has the offense to keep up, despite going against the FCS’s second-ranked defense. However, I don’t think they can keep up enough. Tommy Mallett and the number one ranked offense will look to cap off their perfect season by raising the Championship trophy. Both teams are very well-coached but Montana State’s Brent Vigen is 47-9 since becoming head coach. He’ll be ready for everything North Dakota State throws at him.
FCS Championship Best Bets: Montana State (-3 @ Caesars Sportsbook) and Over 56.5 (-110 @ Bet365)
