College Football FCS Championship Odds 2025: Montana State Favorite Ahead of Semis
With the playoffs down to the final four teams, No. 1 seed Montana State (+130) leads the FCS championship odds.
Could times be changing in the FCS? South Dakota State (+175) and North Dakota State (+400) have combined to take 11 titles since 2011, but it's the Bobcats who are the top seed in the playoff bracket and the favorites to win it all.
Can Montana State live up to its billing as the favorite at our college football betting sites, or will one of South Dakota State, North Dakota State, or South Dakota knock off Brent Vigen's squad?
FCS championship odds 2025
FCS championship odds from our best sports betting apps; last updated Dec. 16
| Team | Odds (FanDuel) | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State | +130 | 43.48% | $13 |
| South Dakota State | +175 | 36.36% | $17.50 |
| North Dakota State | +400 | 20% | $40 |
| South Dakota | +800 | 11.11% | $80 |
- Montana State (+130): The Bobcats crushed Idaho 52-19 in the quarterfinals to set up a semifinal matchup against No. 4 seed South Dakota
- South Dakota State (+175): The Jackrabbits beat Incarnate Word 55-14 in the quarterfinals and now play a North Dakota State team that they've already lost to in the semis
- North Dakota State (+400): Despite being the No. 2 seed and beating SDSU in the regular season, the Bison are home underdogs against the Jackrabbits in the semifinals
- South Dakota (+800): Nobody is giving the Coyotes a chance against Montana State, but it did beat NDSU in the regular season and take SDSU to OT
FCS college football championship odds favorite 2025
Monta State (+130)
Montana State is attempting to pull off a perfect year after going 12-0 in the regular season and winning its first two playoff games by a combined 65 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 40 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. Which is why it's hard to imagine SDSU or NDSU upsetting the Bobcats in the championship.
Vigen looks poised to bring Montana State its first title since 1984, and if he does, a $10 bet pays a $13 profit.
Best odds: +130 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 43.48%
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My FCS college football championship odds team to watch
South Dakota State (+190)
South Dakota State took the baton from rival North Dakota State and didn't appear to be relinquishing it until the 13-9 loss to the Bison in the regular season. Still, South Dakota State has won back-to-back FCS titles, with each coming under a different head coach.
Sideline boss Jimmy Rogers hadn't lost a game in FCS play after taking over for the legendary John Stiegelmeier until NDSU's defeat of SDSU. So while a second straight undefeated season isn't happening, the Jackrabbits' four-point loss to the Bison hasn't derailed their campaign.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski is arguably the best player in the FCS and a potential NFL draft pick. He's won FCS Championship Game MVP in back-to-back seasons and took home the Walter Payton Award last year. Gronowski alone makes the Jackrabbits a threat to three-peat.
But it's not just him in this offense, with running back Amar Johnson and receiver Griffin Wilde emerging as two of the best players in the Missouri Valley Conference. And the defense is loaded too, with linebacker Adam Bock leading the way.
A $10 winning bet pays a $17.50 profit at this price. Given how strong Montana State has looked, I wouldn't bet against the Bobcats, but I do think SDSU gets revenge on NDSU and meets Montana State in the FCS championship.
Best odds: +175 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 36.36%
2025 FCS championship odds over time
Latest odds via FanDuel.
| Team | Opening odds (July 30, 2024) | Sept. 26 | Dec. 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +200 | +110 | +175 |
| Montana | +300 | +900 | OFF |
| North Dakota State | +350 | +370 | +400 |
| Montana State | +600 | +350 | +130 |
| South Dakota | +800 | +1500 | +800 |
| 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 +130 imply a 43.48% 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.
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