College Football FCS Championship Odds 2025: Montana State Favorite Against NDSU
With the playoffs down to the final two teams, No. 1 seed Montana State (-162) leads the FCS championship odds ahead of the title game on Jan. 6.
Thanks to an upset win against South Dakota State, the back-to-back FCS champs, No 2 seed North Dakota State (+134) is set to play the Bobcats at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Monday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The top two teams in the playoff bracket, Montana State is a 3.5-point favorite across our college football betting sites.
FCS championship odds 2025
FCS championship odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Montana State: The Bobcats beat South Dakota 31-17 in the semifinal to give the program a shot at its first title since 1984
- North Dakota State: Despite being the No. 2 seed and beating SDSU in the regular season, the Bison were underdogs against the Jackrabbits before beating them again to punch their ticket to the title game
FCS college football championship odds favorite 2025
Montana State (-160)
Montana State is attempting to pull off a perfect year after going 12-0 in the regular season and winning its first three playoff games by a combined 79 points.
The Bobcats have been the best team in the FCS this season without question. They've won all but two games by 14 or more points and their closest win was by four points against an FBS team (New Mexico).
Quarterback Tommy Mellott has been an unstoppable force this season and is a Walter Payton Award finalist behind his 43 total touchdowns. His dual-threat ability with two 1,000-yard backs in Scottre Humphrey and Adam Jones makes this offense nearly unstoppable.
The defense isn't too shabby either with players like Kenneth Eiden IV and Brody Grebe. That's why it's hard to imagine NDSU upsetting the Bobcats in the championship.
Brent Vigen looks poised to bring Montana State its first title since 1984, and if he does, a $10 bet pays a $6.25 profit.
Best odds: -160 via bet365 | Implied probability: 61.54%
*Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
My FCS college football championship odds team to watch
North Dakota State (+140)
After winning nine FCS titles between 2011 and 2021, the Bison have been dealing with a two-year draught as arch-rival SDSU captured the last two championships.
However, first-year head coach Tim Polasek has North Dakota State back in the championship after defeating the Jackrabbits 28-21 in the semifinal. But can the Bison hand Montana State its first loss of the year?
Given the Bobcats' dominance, it's hard to bet against them, but NDSU has a star in QB Cam Miller. He's up there with Mellott for being one of the most dominant players at the FCS level.
Between Miller and wide receiver Bryce Lance, Trey's younger brother, the Bison have a terrifying offensive attack that's capable of pushing Montana State.
The bigger question is on the defensive side, where NDSU's secondary has been susceptible at times this season and now has to stop the best dual-threat QB in the FCS.
Ultimately, I think slowing Mellott will be too tough a task for North Dakota State. But a $10 bet pays a $14 profit if it can pull off the upset.
Best odds: +140 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 41.67%
2025 FCS championship odds over time
Latest odds via FanDuel.
| Team | Opening odds (July 30, 2024) | Sept. 26 | Dec. 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +200 | +110 | OFF |
| Montana | +300 | +900 | OFF |
| North Dakota State | +350 | +370 | +134 |
| Montana State | +600 | +350 | -162 |
| South Dakota | +800 | +1500 | OFF |
| Villanova | +1500 | +3000 | OFF |
| Sacramento State | +2500 | +9000 | OFF |
| Idaho | +2500 | +1000 | OFF |
| Albany | +3000 | +10000 | OFF |
| William & Mary | +5000 | +8000 | OFF |
| Illinois State | +5000 | +9000 | OFF |
| Southern Illinois | +7500 | +7000 | OFF |
| Richmond | +7500 | +10000 | OFF |
| North Dakota | +7500 | +1500 | OFF |
| Incarnate Word | +7500 | +10000 | OFF |
| Furman | +10000 | +20000 | OFF |
| Chattanooga | +10000 | +20000 | OFF |
| Youngstown State | +10000 | +15000 | OFF |
| Central Arkansas | +15000 | +7500 | OFF |
| Samford | +15000 | +20000 | OFF |
Past FCS championship winners
| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 2023 | South Dakota State |
| 2022 | South Dakota State |
| 2021 | North Dakota State |
| 2020 | Sam Houston |
| 2019 | North Dakota State |
| 2018 | North Dakota State |
| 2017 | North Dakota State |
| 2016 | James Madison |
| 2015 | North Dakota State |
| 2014 | North Dakota State |
| 2013 | North Dakota State |
How to bet on the FCS championship
First, find a reputable sportsbook that offers futures bets for the FCS championship. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if North Dakota State is at +300 and South Dakota is at +700, North Dakota State is favored to win.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on North Dakota State at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to track your bet.
Remember, futures markets see plenty of odds movement.
It's all about performance and perception. If a team starts performing better or worse than expected, their odds will shift. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and odds.
Changes in coaching staff, team dynamics, or even new player acquisitions can also affect odds. Public betting trends play a role too; if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to manage their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also sway public opinion and betting patterns. Understanding these factors helps you make smarter bets and potentially catch favorable odds shifts
How to read FCS championship odds
Odds are typically shown in formats like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would profit $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would profiit $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood.
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on various factors like team performance, injuries, coaching changes, and public betting patterns.
For example, if South Dakota State has +300 odds and Montana has +700 odds, South Dakota State is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on South Dakota State and they win, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
FCS Championship FAQs
Who is the FCS Championship favorite?
Montana State is the favorite by the 2024-25 FCS Championship odds. The Bobcats' odds of -160 imply a 61.54% probability they'll win the championship.
Who won the FCS Championship last year?
South Dakota State won the 2024 title last year, with a 23-3 victory over Montana.
When will the FCS Championship be decided?
The 2024-25 FCS Championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. The FCS Championship game had previously been played on a Saturday or Sunday every year since 2011, when it was played on a Friday.
Where will the FCS Championship take place?
The 2025 FCS Championship game will take place at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
When do the FCS playoffs start?
The FCS playoffs are slated to start with the first round on Saturday, Nov. 30. That's followed by the second round on Saturday, Dec. 7 and the quarterfinals on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14. The semifinals will be played on Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21.
How many teams make the FCS playoffs?
Unlike the FBS, the FCS has been using the playoff format to decide its champion since 1978.
Under the current system, 24 teams qualify for the playoffs, with 11 of them being conference champions and the other 13 being at-large bids. The top eight teams receive a first-round bye.
College football odds pages
| College Football Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds | Bowl Season Odds & Info |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds | |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
Here are our best college football betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
Related Articles
