It’s FCS national championship game week.
No. 2 seed Montana State and unseeded Illinois State square off in Nashville. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on Jan. 5. They’ll have the football TV spotlight to themselves with the game airing on ESPN.
This year, there is a two-week break between the semifinals and the title game compared to the usual three weeks. It still gives us media folks plenty of time to break down and predict what we think will happen.
But what do those in the coaching profession think about the final outcome?
I asked several FCS head coaches and assistant coaches across the country to share their anonymous predictions and reasoning. Here are their (unedited) takes.
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Montana State. They have been dominant all season long. Feels like it is their time. They have been to 3 championships since 2021. I feel like they are seasoned and ready to win it. Like what ISU has done in the playoffs but Montana State has the better defense from what I have seen and defense Wins championships. I got the Cats 31-20.
Illinois State, 27-24. Daniel Sobkowicz has a day and the Red Birds Defense forces a couple timely Turnovers.
Montana State is the pick. Illinois State is battle tested and on an unprecedented run, but the Cinderella story ends in Nashville. A classic Big Sky vs. MVFC slugfest but Montana State wins by 3 scores. Too much firepower and the travel, road games, etc. finally wears out Illinois State. Explosive plays by Montana State will open up a lead they never give up as they physically overpower them.
The match up will be a real test of who makes the fewest mistakes. Illinois state is arguably on the hottest run through the playoffs. Yet, Montana State has done everything that we expected the best team in the country to do. Should be high octane game. I’m looking for Illinois State to ride this wave and pull off the upset to win a shoot out in Nashville
Montana State 35, Illinois State 24 is my final prediction. Montana State has been on the cusp of a national title for years and this is the year I think they’ll break through. They have an explosive offense and a strong defense that compliments the great coaching of Coach Vigen. Illinois State has had a remarkable run, but I think the Bobcats are too complete as a team.
I think Montana State will win. I think they have the most complete roster and will be able to dominate all 3 phases of the game. However, Illinois State will have a good plan that involves controlling the time of possession. If Illinois State can not allow Montana state to have their first half explosives, then it could be a lot closer than I am thinking. I think Montana State comes out on top 38 – 17
Illinois St has surprised all the prognosticators including the selection committee since the playoffs have begun. Who they haven’t surprised are the staffs of the teams that they have beaten in the playoffs. Watching them and preparing for them makes you realize just how sound they are. Coach Brock Spack and his staff have done the best job of getting the most production out of a team, especially on the road. They are extremely sound and well-prepared on defense, attacking from many different areas and creating many different looks for the QB. Tommy Rittenhouse is one of my favorite players that I have ever coached against. He is a someone that will figure out how to win and does so. With all that being said, this will be a 60 minute game and if Montana St can keep from turning over the football, they will win 31-27. Otherwise, the Redbirds will be National Champions!
I think it will be Montana State– 35 Illinois State- 31. Illinois state is hot right now and is dangerous. Montana state has a great team. Will be closer than Vegas spread at +10.5
I haven’t watched much of either of them so don’t have much reasoning behind it but give me Montana State
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Illinois State in a close game but one these 3 find a way to make a play to win the game. QB – Tommy Rittenhouse is a find a way qb makes plays with brain, arm, legs. Top WR – Daniel Sobkowitz – best hands in college football. LB – Tye Niekamp – tackling machine. They are a bunch of guys that love football and have won some tough road games
I think it’s Montana State. Winners of 13 straight, and have really rolled through the Big Sky and playoffs. When you get to these games, everyone is good in every phase, so I’m looking more at the intangibles. It seems like Montana St has bought into the idea of “Unfinished Business” and will look to finally close it out this year after seasons of coming up just short.
Montana State wins 35-20. The Bobcats’ ground game should control the clock and wear down Illinois State’s defense, while their experience in high-stakes games (multiple recent title appearances) proves decisive against a Redbirds team that’s defied odds but faces its toughest test yet. Illinois State keeps it competitive early with big plays, but Montana State’s physicality pulls away in the second half for their first FCS title in over 40 years.
Illinois State has been extremely impressive & their veteran led team has consistently come up with big plays when they’ve needed them during their road warrior run to the championship. But Montana State has been building towards this moment for years. Both of their lines are some of the most impressive groups that I’ve seen in the FCS this year. Justin Lamson has done great job stepping in at the QB spot and is surrounded by plenty of talent to hurt you in multiple ways. Combine of Caden Dowler & the Bobcat defense, that have been stingy all year, along with the explosiveness of Taco Dowler in the return game and it feels like it will be too much for the Redbirds to keep up with.
Montana State. They been in this situation last year and didn’t finish against NDSU. They have all the momentum to take this year. Defense is playing at a high high rate where it is hard to score points on them. They have one of the best RB in College football with Adam Jones. Just a lot of fire power offensively and defensively. Hungry Team that wants to revenge what happened last year.
I think that Montana St will win the game on Jan 5th. They appear to be as complete a team as anyone over the last few seasons. They do not appear to have any weaknesses in all 3 phases. However, don’t count out the Redbirds! They are having a “magical” run in these playoffs! Their QB does a great job running the offense, has great chemistry with their WR (#2) and they are a very physical team in all 3 areas! Should be an exciting contest!
The 2 strongest teams set up for what should be a terrific title match. Having seen the Red Birds first hand they are extremely well coached and are very strong and physical on both sides of the ball. And it appears as though MSU is built the same way. In my opinion whoever can consistently stay in 3rd and 4 or less has the best chance to win the game. That means efficient runs on 1st and 2nd down. I do think ISU has some magic to them right now, especially on offense so I think it’s going to be a nail biter. I’m taking MSU by a FG.
I think momentum and confidence is a huge deal and Illinois State is playing with a ton of both. Both teams are very well coached and disciplined. I just think it’s Montana States year and the experience of being in this game before will allow them to win.
I think Montana State is going to win. I think they are going to continue to have success with their rushing attack offensively and they have forced a ton of turnovers this season defensively and I think they will continue to make big plays in that regard. I think they are going to be too much for Ill St.
Montana State has all the tools and runs deep w skill players and a tough minded front 7. They have the been there done that mentality which is a big plus.
