The FCS Quarterfinals are being broadcast on ESPN Networks, with Furman vs Montana on ESPN 2 and Villanova vs SDSU on the main ESPN channel. All four games can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Odds as of December 7th at ESPN Bet. Sign up at the newly launched using promo code Dime to bet on FCS playoffs this weekend.
Furman vs Montana Prediction Pick
Kicking off the FCS Quarterfinals is a matchup between No. 2 Montana and No. 7 Furman on Friday evening. The Grizzlies dominated Delaware 49-19 in the opening playoff round, while Furman secured a 26-7 win over Chattanooga.
The Montana vs Furman odds list the Grizzlies as 17.5-point favorites on ESPN2 in Missoula. The Grizzlies have clear edges in this game, including in coaching as 13-year veteran Bobby Hauck is the winningest coach in Big Sky history. Dual-threat senior quarterback Clifton McDowell is also a game-changer.
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There s little doubt Montana will win this game, but will they cover the spread? Furman s defense has been excellent at getting to the quarterback this season, posting 36 sacks, including half from the linebacking corps. The team is also getting healthy with starting QB Tyler Huff and RB Dominic Roberto returning from injury last week.
We think Montana will pull away in this game, especially with it being played Friday night at home, but there s some value on Furman to stay within the number. They haven t been blown out by an FCS opponent all season, and their elite defense (16.8 PPG) should keep them in the game.
Pick: Furman +17.5 (-110)
Villanova vs South Dakota State Prediction Best Bet
Kicking off the Saturday FCS schedule is a quarterfinal matchup between No. 8 Villanova and No. 1 South Dakota State at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. This is another large FCS quarterfinal spread, with the Jackrabbits priced as 20.5-point favorites on their home field.
It isn t hard to see why oddsmakers are heavily favoring SDSU, as the team is on a 26-game winning streak, including a remarkable 19-game streak at home. The reigning champs rank in the top 10 of scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense, and total defense, while boasting the nation s leading point differential (plus-331).
In a dominating effort, advances to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs at a 41-0 win over Mercer.🐰🏈
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The key matchup in this game will be South Dakota State s run game facing Villanova s run defense. Jackrabbits senior RB Isaiah Davis is arguably the best in the FCS, rushing for 1,192 yards and 14 TDs this season (6.7 ypc). He will face a Villanova defense surrendering only 99 rushing yards per game to FCS opponents.
There s not much value with the spread here, as our projections have this game as a 20.5-point victory for the home squad. We like the under with both teams boasting strong defenses and rushing attacks. The Wildcat defense has held their opponents to 18 points per game, while the Jackrabbits defense has held half their opponents to seven points or fewer.
Pick: Under 51 (-110)
