Montana vs South Dakota State FCS Championship Prediction & Picks: Will the Jacks Go Back-to-Back in Frisco?

Tomorrow night, the #1 and #2 teams in the final CFP rankings will face off in the College Football Playoff National Championship, as #2 Washington will take on #1 Michigan in Houston. The FCS playoffs will also wrap up with a Lone Star State title tilt between the top two teams, as #2 Montana and #1 South Dakota will meet in today’s championship game in Frisco (2:00 pm ET, ABC).

The Grizzlies (13-1) are playing for the championship for the first time since 2009, and they are seeking their first title since 2001, when they beat Furman 13-6 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

To end that two-decade wait for a title, Montana must pull a mighty upset against the team of the moment in the FCS.

The Jackrabbits (14-0) have won 28 straight games since losing to Iowa to start last season, and they are back in Frisco aiming for a repeat of last year’s 45-21 title throttling of North Dakota State.

Dominance has been the name of the game for the Jackrabbits on the way to their return trip to Toyota Stadium. They have outscored their three playoff opponents 123-12, and only two of their games this season have been decided by single digits.

Montana, on the other hand, has done things much like Washington has. The Grizzlies needed overtime to fend off Furman and North Dakota State in the playoffs, and they have played—and won—six one-score games this season.

Montana vs South Dakota State Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you’re interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

• Montana +14 (-115)
• South Dakota State -14 (-105)

Over/Under

• Over 48.5 (-105)
• Under 48.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Montana +460
• South Dakota State -600

2023 Season Results for #2 Montana (13-1)

• Butler (home): won 35-13
• Utah Tech (away): won 43-13
• Ferris State (home): won 17-10
• Northern Arizona (away): lost 28-14
• Idaho State (home): won 28-20
• UC Davis (away): won 31-23
• Idaho (away): won 23-21
• Northern Colorado (home): won 40-0
• Sacramento State (home): won 34-7
• Portland State (away): won 34-10
• Montana State (home): won 37-7
• Delaware (FCS Playoffs Second Round – home): won 49-19
• #7 Furman (FCS Playoffs Quarterfinal – home): won 35-28 (OT)
• North Dakota State (FCS Playoffs Semifinal – home): won 31-29 (2OT)

2023 Season Results for South Dakota State (14-0)

• Western Oregon (home): won 45-7
• Montana State (home): won 20-16
• Drake (Minneapolis, MN): won 70-7
• North Dakota (home): won 42-21
• Illinois State (away): won 40-21
• Northern Iowa (home): won 41-6
• Southern Illinois (away): won 17-10
• South Dakota (away): won 37-3
• North Dakota State (home): won 33-16
• Youngstown State (away): won 34-0
• Missouri State (home): won 35-17
• Mercer (FCS Playoffs Second Round – home): won 41-0
• #8 Villanova (FCS Playoffs Quarterfinal – home): won 23-12
• #5 Albany (FCS Playoffs Semifinal – home): won 59-0

Montana vs South Dakota State Prediction and Picks

Montana vs South Dakota State Prediction: South Dakota State to win

Last year, South Dakota State was up 31-14 at halftime against North Dakota State and 38-14 after three quarters, so it will be progress if Montana is able to keep things competitive into the final quarter.

Can they do that? I don’t think it will be a one-score game, but this is a sizable spread, and I think the Grizzlies can stay within range.

Montana vs South Dakota State Picks

Montana vs South Dakota State Spread and Over/Under Picks: Montana +14 & Montana/South Dakota State over 48.5

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on NCAA football? Check out our college football betting guide.