Our Montana vs. South Dakota State prediction based on the best college football odds believes the Jackrabbits should secure a second-straight FCS Championship on Sunday.
Two of the best teams in the FCS will compete for a crown when No. 1 South Dakota State (14-0) meets No. 2 Montana (13-1) in the 2024 FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday in a game that will be broadcast on ABC.
Despite the fact these are the two best teams in the FCS, there is a clear gap between them heading into this matchup. South Dakota State, which is vying for its second-straight FCS title, is nearly a two-touchdown favorite ahead of Sunday's showdown. But can Montana pull off the upset?
Here is our best Montana vs. South Dakota State prediction and our college football picks (odds via our best college football bettin g sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Montana vs. South Dakota State prediction: FCS Championship
It might seem a bit square to lay nearly two touchdowns in the FCS Championship, but that's how dominant South Dakota State has been thus far. The Jackrabbits are on a 28-game win streak, and only two of those games were within a single possession.
South Dakota State looked mortal in a 23-12 win over Villanova during the FCS quarterfinals, but weather impacted that game. The Jackrabbits proceeded to roll past UAlbany, 59-0, in the semifinals last time out.
The Jackrabbits are loaded on both sides of the ball, with an offense led by quarterback Mark Gronowski and running back Isaiah Davis. Gronowski was a Walter Payton Award finalist after throwing for 2,8883 yards and recording 35 total touchdowns. Davis is the best running back at the FCS level, recording 4,461 yards and 49 touchdowns in his four-year career.
But what makes this South Dakota State team truly special is its defense. The Jackrabbits lead the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 9.7 points per contest. No team has scored more than 21 points against them, with seven opponents scoring in the single digits.
Montana has had a remarkable run, winning 10 straight games since falling at Northern Arizona in late September. The Grizzlies have needed overtime in their previous two wins to get to this point. But this is where their run comes to an end.
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Montana vs. South Dakota State best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State -13 | South Dakota State -12.5 | South Dakota State -12.5 | South Dakota State -12.5 | South Dakota State -12.5 |
| -110 | -110 | -120 | -110 | -110 |
Three of our best sports betting apps are offering standards -110 odds to lay 12.5 points with South Dakota State. We chose FanDuel out of personal preference, particularly because that same shop is offering -105 odds on the Jackrabbits to win by 14-plus points.
Most public projections are expecting a comfortable win for South Dakota State, including a 19-point margin of victory via SP+. Pinnacle, which is one of the sharper shops among the best sportsbooks, is charging -116 on the same spread. That's a sign that this number may move, and it's worth scooping up this current line before Sunday.
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Montana vs. South Dakota State odds analysis
For the most part, the lines on the FCS Championship haven't moved much. The spread has hovered around 12.5 and 13 at all of our best sports betting sites, while the total has been steady at 49.5 via our best live betting sites.
Montana vs. South Dakota State game info
- When: Sunday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. ET
- Where: Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX
- How to watch: ABC
- Weather: 45 degrees, 10-mph winds, 0% chance of precipitation
Montana-South Dakota State prediction made Thursday at 11:25 a.m. ET.
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