FCS Semifinals ‘Brawl Of The Wild’ Montana At Montana State Preview
Summary
The FCS semifinals on December 20th feature a high-stakes rematch between rivals Montana State and Montana. Ranked second and third nationally, they meet for the first time in the playoffs following Montana State’s 31-28 regular-season victory. Both teams possess powerful offenses, but strong winds forecast for Bozeman and two top Big Sky defenses could limit scoring, favoring Montana State’s dominant ground game.
A win sends Montana State to its second consecutive FCS title game. The rivalry’s intensity is reflected in ticket prices, which exceed those for the concurrent College Football Playoff games. This matchup promises to be a fiercely contested battle with significant championship implications.
The College Football Playoff kicks off Dec. 19-20 with four first-round games drawing major watch and wager action led by top quarterbacks. But a hidden gem also kicks off Dec. 20 as college football FCS semifinals begin with Big Sky champions Montana State Bobcats (10-2 / 8-0 Big Sky) hosting rival Montana Grizzlies (11-1 / 7-1) in Part 2 of the ‘Brawl of the Wild’.
Montana State is ranked No. 2 in FCS, and Montana is No. 3. The game is televised nationally on ABC at 3 pm local Central Time, followed at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 for Illinois State at No. 12 Villanova.
Montana at Montana State
Montana at Montana State (-4.5), game total 58
Pick: Under
Situated in the Gallatin Valley in Southwestern Montana, the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Big Sky Country is also the “Gateway to Yellowstone” for outdoor enthusiasts. You can see such in this video from a friend at his property this week.
Very high winds, 25-30 mph and gusting beyond 45 mph, are hitting the Gallatin Valley Wednesday through Friday ahead of this FCS semifinal clash in Bozeman, where seating capacity at Bobcat Stadium is just under 21,000. Game day may have lighter winds as you monitor the weather and mid-40s conditions, but high winds and weather won’t keep fans away. The cheapest ticket for the Grizzlies-Bobcats game is $675 on Gametime Tickets – surpassing ticket prices for the four FBS College Football Playoff games this weekend.
Montana State (17.1 ppg defense) and Montana (23.5) feature the two top defenses in the Big Sky, but also the top-2 offenses, with the Bobcats averaging 38 ppg and the Grizzlies 41 points per game with their wild, wide-open offense. Offensive production was on display in the FCS quarterfinals, with both the Grizzlies and Bobcats surpassing 43 points in high-scoring double-digit wins.
On Nov. 22, Part 1 of the Brawl of the Wild saw Montana State hold on for a 31-28 road win over Montana in Missoula, with a 34-yard pick-6 interception return touchdown late in the third quarter, giving the Bobcats a 21-17 lead that they would not relinquish. The Bobcats pound the ground running game went for 241 yards on 41 carries, and a similar tough running game approach is expected and favors Montana State more and less scoring than expected if the stronger winds are blowing.
Montana State has won 12-straight games since starting the season 0-2, including a blowout loss at College Football Playoff entrant Oregon. A win by Montana State would give the Bobcats their second-straight appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision title game. Montana State lost to powerhouse North Dakota State 35-32 in last year’s FCS Championship Game. Montana is playing in its second FCS semifinal in the last three years.
This is the first time Montana and Montana State have met in the FCS playoffs, and it’s sure to be a brawl and another big rivalry game worth watching.
You can bet on it.
Plenty of live/in-game betting options beyond just the point spread, total, and moneyline wagering on this game and college football. Follow all the matchups, odds, sports news, and betting information at BetOnline.
