College Football FCS Championship Odds 2025: North Dakota State Trails South Dakota State
With just a few weeks before the playoffs, the FCS championship odds continue to be dominated by programs from the Dakotas and Montana.
Among the highlights:
- Despite losing to North Dakota State 13-9 in October, South Dakota State (+165) remains the FCS favorite
- Thanks to that win over their in-state rival, the Bison (+175) are the second-favorite and remain undefeated in FCS play
- North Dakota State's lone loss came at the hands of Colorado and Heisman Trophy odds favorite Travis Hunter
- South Dakota State has two losses after falling to Oklahoma State earlier in the season when the Cowboys appeared to be in the College Football Playoff odds race
- The undefeated Montana State Bobcats (+225) are the only other team with odds shorter than 10/1
While the Jackrabbits and Bison remain the favorites at our college football betting sites, both play FCS championship contenders to close out the regular season.
FCS championship odds 2025
FCS championship odds from our best sports betting apps; last updated Nov. 14
| Team | Odds (DraftKings) | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +160 | 38.46% | $16 |
| North Dakota State | +175 | 36.36% | $17.50 |
| Montana State | +225 | 30.77% | $22.50 |
| South Dakota | +1000 | 9.09% | $100 |
| UC Davis | +1500 | 6.25% | $150 |
| Missouri State | +2500 | 3.85% | $250 |
| Montana | +3000 | 3.23% | $300 |
| Idaho | +3000 | 3.23% | $300 |
| Southeast Missouri State | +4000 | 2.44% | $400 |
| Mercer | +6000 | 1.64% | $600 |
2025 FCS college football championship favorites
South Dakota State (+160)
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. Still, South Dakota State has won back-to-back FCS titles with each coming under a different head coach.
Head coach 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 season.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski is 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 on 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.
At this price, a $10 winning bet pays a $16 profit. 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.
Best odds: +160 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 38.46%
My FCS college football championship team to watch
North Dakota State (+175)
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 by defeating South Dakota State. He also has arguably the second-best QB in 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.
To me, Miller is the reason I'd back the North Dakota State over Montana State as the team with the best shot of unseating South Dakota State in the FCS Playoff.
With that said, I still have concerns about the Bison's secondary, especially with All-American safety Cole Wisniewski out indefinitely. But if any team can take down SDSU, it's NDSU ... and they've already proven that.
The Bison don't have an easy schedule down the stretch, but they likely will pull off an undefeated season in FCS play. That's why this price will likely get shorter. For now, a $10 winning bet on NDSU pays a $17.50 profit.
Best odds: +175 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 36.36%
2025 FCS championship odds over time
Latest odds via DraftKings.
| Team | Opening odds (July 30, 2024) | Sept. 26 | Nov. 21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | +200 | +110 | +160 |
| Montana | +300 | +900 | +3000 |
| North Dakota State | +350 | +370 | +175 |
| Montana State | +600 | +350 | +225 |
| South Dakota | +800 | +1500 | +1000 |
| Villanova | +1500 | +3000 | +10000 |
| Sacramento State | +2500 | +9000 | OFF |
| Idaho | +2500 | +1000 | +3000 |
| Albany | +3000 | +10000 | OFF |
| William & Mary | +5000 | +8000 | +20000 |
| Illinois State | +5000 | +9000 | +20000 |
| Southern Illinois | +7500 | +7000 | OFF |
| Richmond | +7500 | +10000 | +10000 |
| North Dakota | +7500 | +1500 | +10000 |
| Incarnate Word | +7500 | +10000 | +6000 |
| Furman | +10000 | +20000 | +50000 |
| Chattanooga | +10000 | +20000 | +10000 |
| Youngstown State | +10000 | +15000 | OFF |
| Central Arkansas | +15000 | +7500 | +20000 |
| 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. Its odds of +160 imply a 38.46% probability the Jackrabbits will win the national 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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