College Football FCS Championship Odds 2025: SDSU Favorite Heading Into Quarterfinals
The playoffs are down to the final eight teams with back-to-back champ South Dakota State (+190) leading the FCS championship odds.
Despite being the No. 3 seed in the playoff bracket this year, the Jackrabbits are the favorites to three-peat and just beat a tough Montana squad 35-18 to advance to the quarterfinals.
However, Montana State (+200) and North Dakota State (+240) are the top two seeds in the playoffs and trail SDSU only slightly in the FCS championship odds race.
So while the Jackrabbits remain the favorites at our college football betting sites, they face a tough road to the championship.
FCS championship odds 2025
FCS championship odds from our best sports betting apps; last updated Dec. 11
| Team | Odds (FanDuel) | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +190 | 34.48% | $19 |
| Montana State | +200 | 33.33% | $20 |
| North Dakota State | +240 | 29.41% | $24 |
| South Dakota | +1100 | 8.33% | $110 |
| UC Davis | +2800 | 3.45% | $280 |
| Idaho | +5000 | 1.96% | $500 |
| Incarnate Word | +10000 | 0.99% | $1,000 |
| Mercer | +13000 | 0.76% | $1,300 |
- South Dakota State (+190): The Jackrabbits beat the Grizzlies, but take on Incarnate Word in the quarterfinals before a probable rematch with North Dakota State
- Montana State (+200): The top-seeded Bobcats haven't lost a game this season and just hammered UT Martin 49-17 with Idaho up next
- North Dakota State (+240): After a slow start against Abilene Christian last week, the Bison won 51-31 and they play Mercer in the quarterfinals
- South Dakota (+1100): The only other team with shorter than 28/1 odds, the Coyotes took SDSU to OT and beat NDSU in the regular season, they play a UC Davis program that's soon to be jumping to the FBS next
FCS college football championship odds favorites 2025
South Dakota State (+190)
South Dakota State took the baton from rival North Dakota State and didn't appear to be relinquishing it until the 13-9 loss to the Bison in the regular season. Still, South Dakota State has won back-to-back FCS titles, with each coming under a different head coach.
Sideline boss Jimmy Rogers hadn't lost a game in FCS play after taking over for the legendary John Stiegelmeier until NDSU's defeat of SDSU. So while a second straight undefeated season isn't happening, the Jackrabbits' four-point loss to the Bison won't derail their campaign.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski is arguably the best player in the FCS and a potential NFL draft pick. He's won FCS Championship Game MVP in back-to-back seasons and took home the Walter Payton Award last year. Gronowski alone makes the Jackrabbits a threat to three-peat.
But it's not just him in this offense, with running back Amar Johnson and receiver Griffin Wilde emerging as two of the best players in the Missouri Valley Conference. And the defense is loaded too, with linebacker Adam Bock leading the way.
A $10 winning bet pays a $19 profit at this price. While it's a little short for my liking, I wouldn't want to bet against the Jackrabbits bouncing back from a loss to their arch-rival. They're also on the other side of the bracket from Montana State as the No. 3 seed, but will likely have to play NDSU in the semifinals.
Best odds: +190 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 34.48%
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My FCS college football championship odds team to watch
North Dakota State (+240)
The last three North Dakota State head coaches won multiple FCS titles, so there's just a little bit of pressure on first-year bench boss Tim Polasek.
Luckily for Polasek, he's already pulled off the impossible while defeating South Dakota State. He boasts arguably the second-best QB in the FCS with Cam Miller, who nearly led an upset over Deion Sanders' Colorado program in Week 1.
With Miller and receiver Bryce Lance, Trey's younger brother, the Bison should be able to keep pace with any offense in the country.
Miller is why I'd back North Dakota State over Montana State as the team with the best shot of unseating South Dakota State in the FCS Playoff. And the one-point loss to South Dakota is no reason to worry, with the Bison still the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
However, I'm still concerned about the Bison's secondary, especially with All-American safety Cole Wisniewski hitting the transfer portal after being out all season. But if any team can take down SDSU it's NDSU, a team that's already proven itself in this situation.
That loss to the Coyotes might be a good thing, too, with NDSU's odds lengthening from +175 to +240. Now a $10 winning bet on the Bison pays a $24 profit.
Best odds: +240 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 29.41%
2025 FCS championship odds over time
Latest odds via FanDuel.
| Team | Opening odds (July 30, 2024) | Sept. 26 | Dec. 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +200 | +110 | +190 |
| Montana | +300 | +900 | OFF |
| North Dakota State | +350 | +370 | +240 |
| Montana State | +600 | +350 | +200 |
| South Dakota | +800 | +1500 | +1100 |
| Villanova | +1500 | +3000 | OFF |
| Sacramento State | +2500 | +9000 | OFF |
| Idaho | +2500 | +1000 | +5000 |
| Albany | +3000 | +10000 | OFF |
| William & Mary | +5000 | +8000 | OFF |
| Illinois State | +5000 | +9000 | OFF |
| Southern Illinois | +7500 | +7000 | OFF |
| Richmond | +7500 | +10000 | OFF |
| North Dakota | +7500 | +1500 | OFF |
| Incarnate Word | +7500 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Furman | +10000 | +20000 | OFF |
| Chattanooga | +10000 | +20000 | OFF |
| Youngstown State | +10000 | +15000 | OFF |
| Central Arkansas | +15000 | +7500 | OFF |
| Samford | +15000 | +20000 | OFF |
Past FCS championship winners
| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 2023 | South Dakota State |
| 2022 | South Dakota State |
| 2021 | North Dakota State |
| 2020 | Sam Houston |
| 2019 | North Dakota State |
| 2018 | North Dakota State |
| 2017 | North Dakota State |
| 2016 | James Madison |
| 2015 | North Dakota State |
| 2014 | North Dakota State |
| 2013 | North Dakota State |
How to bet on the FCS championship
First, find a reputable sportsbook that offers futures bets for the FCS championship. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if North Dakota State is at +300 and South Dakota is at +700, North Dakota State is favored to win.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on North Dakota State at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to track your bet.
Remember, futures markets see plenty of odds movement.
It's all about performance and perception. If a team starts performing better or worse than expected, their odds will shift. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and odds.
Changes in coaching staff, team dynamics, or even new player acquisitions can also affect odds. Public betting trends play a role too; if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to manage their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also sway public opinion and betting patterns. Understanding these factors helps you make smarter bets and potentially catch favorable odds shifts
How to read FCS championship odds
Odds are typically shown in formats like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would profit $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would profiit $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood.
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on various factors like team performance, injuries, coaching changes, and public betting patterns.
For example, if South Dakota State has +300 odds and Montana has +700 odds, South Dakota State is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on South Dakota State and they win, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
FCS Championship FAQs
Who is the FCS Championship favorite?
South Dakota State is the favorite by the 2024-25 FCS Championship odds. The Jackrabbits' odds of +190 imply a 34.48% probability they'll win the championship.
Who won the FCS Championship last year?
South Dakota State won the 2024 title last year, with a 23-3 victory over Montana.
When will the FCS Championship be decided?
The 2024-25 FCS Championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. The FCS Championship game had previously been played on a Saturday or Sunday every year since 2011, when it was played on a Friday.
Where will the FCS Championship take place?
The 2025 FCS Championship game will take place at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
When do the FCS playoffs start?
The FCS playoffs are slated to start with the first round on Saturday, Nov. 30. That's followed by the second round on Saturday, Dec. 7 and the quarterfinals on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14. The semifinals will be played on Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21.
How many teams make the FCS playoffs?
Unlike the FBS, the FCS has been using the playoff format to decide its champion since 1978.
Under the current system, 24 teams qualify for the playoffs, with 11 of them being conference champions and the other 13 being at-large bids. The top eight teams receive a first-round bye.
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