The FCS Playoffs have been incredibly fun thus far, and now we're left with some powerhouses and some Cinderellas.
Saturday's FCS Playoffs slate features two semifinal games: Montana State vs. Montana in Brawl of the Wild 2.0 and Illinois State vs. Villanova.
I broke down both games and dished out a pick for each.
With that said, let's dive into my FCS Playoffs predictions and college football picks for both FCS games on Saturday, December 20.
FCS Playoffs Predictions, Picks, Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 4 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
FCS Playoff Pick: Montana State vs Montana Best Bet
This is going to be an incredible heavyweight bout after the first matchup just a couple of weeks ago.
The line has bounced around this week and currently sits at Montana State -6, with a total set at 54. I like this game to go over the total.
This Montana offense has played significantly better during the playoffs than it did at times during the regular season.
Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat has been sharp and played mostly mistake-free football, while receivers Brooks Davis and Drew Deck have really stepped up in the postseason. These receivers being reliable outlets for Ah Yat will really add an element to the offense.
If the ground game produces with Eli Gillman, the Griz could score into the 30s in this matchup. I expect a sharp performance here from this Montana offense.
We're also going to see the Bobcats lean on their counterpart for a good majority of the first three quarters before busting the dam wide open in the fourth.
That's the saga of the Montana State offensive line, and with a dynamic duo of Adam Jones and Julius Davis at running back, you often see fresh legs carrying the ball against tired defenders.
Quarterback Justin Lamson is throwing the ball well, completing 72% of his passes for 2,683 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also adds a significant running element.
Montana has a good defense, but it has had its struggles. This group allowed 400 yards per game this season, and the secondary can be had on the back end, as the Griz have surrendered 19 touchdown passes and 7.4 yards per pass.
With such a focus on the Bobs' ground attack, I expect Lamson to take some shots and find receivers in space on the back end. Taco Dowler is a name to watch as a guy who could really make some noise in the passing game.
Special teams will play a factor in this game.
Montana had a field goal blocked in the first Brawl of the Wild, and both of these squads have electric return units with Montana’s Deck and MSU’s Dowler both being able to house it at any given time.
I expect a couple of huge special teams plays, which will likely set up the benefiting team in excellent field position for quick scores.
This game — Brawl of the Wild 2.0 — is going to be an all-time. What more could you ask for in these wild 2025 FCS Playoffs, with a trip to the National Championship on the line?
I expect a tight game that goes down to the wire. We should see fireworks. I'll call for Montana State to eke out a gritty fourth-quarter win, 34-30. Go over.
Pick: Over 53.5 (Play to 56)
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FCS Playoff Best Bet: Villanova vs Illinois State Pick
This line has moved this week, with Illinois State flipping from a 2.5-point underdog to a favorite. The total has bounced between 52 and 53, settling at 52.5 at most shops.
I think this total is a hair too high, so I'm diving in on the under.
The strength of this Villanova group is its defense, particularly the defensive line. Nova possesses a top-10 PFF pass rush grade in the FCS ranks and has created a ton of pressure on each quarterback it has faced in the FCS Playoffs.
There's no other way around it: These guys have to show up and play good football.
Villanova completely shut down Harvard and created Havoc and turnovers in the first two games. Gang tackling, wrapping up the Illinois State running backs and getting ISU quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse off his mark will be critical for Nova to stay in this football game.
I think the Wildcats have to win the time-of-possession battle, and we should see unique personnel packages with 2-3 tight ends and various pre-snap motion as they showed against Tarleton State.
This Nova rushing attack isn't going to generate a ton of explosive runs, but these guys can move the sticks on third- and fourth-and-short.
Quarterback Pat McQuaide was also very comfortable the last couple of weeks taking underneath throws and hitting the easy completion. His 24:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio is no fluke; he's dialed in and has been playing excellent football down the stretch.
This game is going to be won or lost in the trenches.
The Villanova ball-carriers are going to find success against this Illinois State defensive front. With 2,200 combined rushing yards between Ja’briel Mace, Isaiah Ragland and David Avit (injured; may return this week), I expect the Wildcats to lean on their running game a good majority of the way.
Both of these defensive lines can frustrate opposing quarterbacks and create negative plays and throwaways, and both of these offensive lines have had trouble in pass protection.
These defensive lines should step up and make their mark on this game, creating stalled drives that result in punts and field-position battles.
As for who wins, this game appears to be a true toss-up. McQuaide and Rittenhouse are two experienced veteran quarterbacks, and the skill-position players have similar talent levels.
Villanova has a slight special teams advantage and a more explosive return game with Mace, and it's at home, where no team has lost in the FCS semis in the last 10 years. The Wildcats go to Nashville, 24-23. Go under the total.
Pick: Under 52.5 (Play to 51)
