- Montana State is a 3.5-point favorite over North Dakota State in the FCS Championship on Monday, January 6
- The Bobcats are the first team in FBS or FCS history to start 15-0 and score at least 30 points in each game
- Check out the North Dakota State vs Montana State preview and early prediction, below
Since 2011, only four teams have won the FCS National Championship. On Monday, January 9th, Montana State will be looking to add its name to that list.
The Bobcats will challenge nine-time champ North Dakota State for this year’s crown, and they’ll do so as chalk per the latest College Football odds.
NDSU vs Montana State Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State Bison | +3.5 (-110) | +136 | O 55.5 (-110) |
| Montana State Bobcats | -3.5 (-110) | -162 | U 55.5 (-110) |
Montana State opened up as 3-point favorites, before getting bet up half a point. The game’s total hasn’t budged from its 55.5-point opener, and that number is one we’re looking to target early, as we’ll discuss.
Kickoff for this championship matchup is set for 7pm ET at Toyota Stadium, in Frisco, TX, with ESPN and ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.
Odds as of December 23 at 1:00 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best sportsbook promotions before placing a bet on any College Football matchup this week.
A Historic Season for Montana State
The Bobcats lone FCS title came all the way back in 1984. They last appeared in the final back in 2022, losing to this same NDSU program 38-10.
Montana State began the season by taking down an FBS opponent in New Mexico, and haven’t looked back. They’ve compiled a 15-0 record so far, accomplishing history along the way.
The Bobcats have scored at least 30 points in each outing. No other team in FBS or FCS history has been perfect through 15 games and accomplished that, not even the top contenders in the College Football Playoff bracket.
Montana State is strong on both sides of the ball, but it’s the offense that steals the headlines. They lead the nation by averaging 41.3 points per game, producing a 54.35% success rate. The run game is virtually unstoppable, averaging 301 yards per outing.
They feature a pair of 1,100+ yard rushers in Scottre Humphrey and Adam Jones, while QB Tommy Mellott has also chipped in 915 yards on the ground. The trio has combined for 43 rushing TD this season, and over 7.0 yards per carry.
Who’s the most electric player in college football?
Ashton Jeanty? No.
Travis Hunter? No.
It’s touchdown Tommy Mellott hurdling a guy, getting hit in the legs and flipping over pic.twitter.com/QXYAEAw8tm
— Joe DiTullio (@DiTullioJoe) December 21, 2024
Speaking of Mellot, he’s also incredibly efficient as a passer. The Senior has a 69% completion rate, and a 25-to-2 TD-to-INT mark.
Mellot scored twice on the ground in the semifinal rout of South Dakota, and will be out to avenge a 35-34 loss to NDSU in last year’s FCS playoffs.
Familiar Territory for North Dakota State
The Bison, meanwhile, enter play after a narrow one-score win over South Dakota State. Cam Miller threw three touchdown passes to Bryce Lance in the victory, and rushed for another.
NDSU is making its 11th championship game appearance, and, like its counterpart, have the offense to thank. The Bison are averaging 38.3 points per game, with a 52.64% success rate. Miller is averaging 9.22 yards per throw, and the team is converting 75.4% of their red zone trips into touchdowns.
A Fargo farewell for Captain Cam Miller on Saturday.
The final home game for a Bison legend. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/AbEGk0qSVr
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 19, 2024
North Dakota State hasn’t put up 30+ points in every outing, but they’ve been close. They’ve failed to hit that mark in just five of 15 games, scoring 110 points in three postseason contests.
Like Mellot, Miller rarely commits turnovers, helping the offense stay on schedule. He threw just four picks this season on 329 attempts. His career INT rate is just 1.7%, while he’s only been sacked on 5% of his total dropbacks.
NDSU vs Montana State Early Prediction
It would be foolish not to mention the strength of each of these defenses. Both units have held opponents to a sub-40% success rate, and both were among the FCS leaders in scoring defense.
However, these two offenses are electric. They produced 69 points in their meeting last year, and another track meet is likely on deck. Mellott and Miller are two of the most efficient dual-threat QB’s at the FCS level, and both are likely to draw interest from NFL clubs.
No team has been able to slow down Montana State this season, and NDSU has the talent and championship pedigree to punch back.
This total is still available at its opening line at most online sportsbooks, but some have already bumped it up to 56.5. The rest will follow as kickoff draws near, as more casual bettors get to the window. It wouldn’t be shocking to see this number close closer to 60, so grab over 55.5 now while you still can.
- North Dakota State vs Montana State Pick: Over 55.5 (-110)
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The FCS Championship game between North Dakota State University (NDSU) and Montana State is set to be an exciting matchup between two powerhouse teams. Both teams have had impressive seasons so far, with NDSU coming in as the defending champions and Montana State looking to make a statement with a strong showing in the championship game.
NDSU, led by head coach Matt Entz, has been dominant throughout the season, boasting a 13-1 record and a high-powered offense that has been able to score at will against their opponents. Quarterback Cam Miller has been a standout player for the Bison, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. The defense has also been stellar, holding opponents to an average of just 14 points per game.
On the other side, Montana State has had a solid season as well, finishing with a 12-2 record and earning their spot in the championship game with impressive wins over top-ranked teams. Head coach Brent Vigen has done an excellent job leading the Bobcats to success this season, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into the championship game.
In terms of early predictions, it’s shaping up to be a close matchup between these two teams. NDSU will have the advantage of experience, having won multiple championships in recent years, but Montana State has shown that they have what it takes to compete at a high level. It will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively on game day.
Overall, fans can expect an intense and competitive game between NDSU and Montana State in the FCS Championship. Both teams have proven themselves to be worthy contenders, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup. Be sure to tune in to see all the action unfold on game day.