Key Highlights
- Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The 2025 FCS season concludes with a fascinating matchup between two schools hoping to break long title droughts in Montana State and Illinois State. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe second-seeded Bobcats (13-2) are the clear favorite, flying high with a 13-game winning streak after opening the season with a loss at Oregon and a double-overtime defeat against South Dakota State.
- Montana State lost a heartbreaker to North Dakota State in last year's final and is looking for its first championship since winning the I-AA title in 1984. Underdog status won't bother the unseeded Redbirds (12-4), who have had an unprecedented run of coast-to-coast road victories on their way through the bracket.
- After an ugly home loss against Southern Illinois to close the regular season, Illinois State has won at Southeastern Louisiana, North Dakota State, UC Davis and Villanova to reach the championship game for the second time. The Redbirds fell to NDSU in the final 11 years ago and have never won a national title. Who will lift the trophy Monday night?
- Here's everything you need to know to watch. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat time is the FCS championship game?Date: Monday, Jan.
- 5Time: 7:30 p. m.
