It all comes down to this matchup — Montana State and Illinois State will go head-to-head in Nashville for the 2025 FCS championship.
After coming up three points short in last year's final, this will be Montana State's third title game in five seasons. The Bobcats have been strong all season, winning 13 straight matchups and defeating rival Montana in the semifinals. Could they finally end their 40-year title drought Monday?
Illinois State, meanwhile, has defied all odds in the playoffs. Unseeded in the bracket, the Redbirds upset No. 1-ranked North Dakota State in the second round, and then continued a streak of dominance unlike any other on the road. This will be the program's first trip back to the championship since their heartbreaking title loss in 2014.
Don't miss out on this highly anticipated matchup.
Here's everything you need to know about Montana State vs. Illinois State, including TV channel and streaming options for the FCS Championship game.
What channel is Montana State vs. Illinois State on today?
Montana State vs. Illinois State will be broadcast live on ESPN with Dave Flemming, Brock Osweiler and Stormy Buonantony on the call. Viewers can also stream the game live on the ESPN app or Fubo.
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Montana State vs. Illinois State start time
- Date: Monday, Jan. 5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. CT | 5:30 p.m. MT
Kickoff between Montana State and Illinois State is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5.
The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Montana State vs. Illinois State radio station
- Radio station: SiriusXM channel 84
You can listen to the FCS championship radio broadcast on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channel 84 for those in vehicles.
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FCS playoffs schedule, scores 2025
National championship - Monday, Jan. 5
Game played at Nashville, Tenn.
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 2 Montana State vs. Illinois State | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
Semifinals - Saturday, Dec. 20
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 2 Montana State 48, No. 3 Montana 23 | — | — |
| Illinois State 30, No. 12 Villanova 14 | — | — |
Quarterfinals
Friday, Dec. 12
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 2 Montana State 44, No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 28 | — | — |
Saturday, Dec. 13
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 12 Villanova 26, No. 4 Tarleton State 21 | — | — |
| No. 3 Montana 52, No. 11 South Dakota 22 | — | — |
| Illinois State 42, No. 8 UC Davis 31 | — | — |
Second round - Saturday, Dec. 6
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 11 South Dakota 47, No. 6 Mercer 0 | — | — |
| No. 12 Villanova 14, No. 5 Lehigh 7 | — | — |
| Illinois State 29, No. 1 North Dakota State 28 | — | — |
| No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 41, No. 10 Abilene Christian 34 | — | — |
| No. 4 Tarleton State 31, North Dakota 13 | — | — |
| No. 2 Montana State 21, Yale 13 | — | — |
| No. 3 Montana 50, No. 14 South Dakota State 29 | — | — |
| No. 8 UC Davis 47, No. 9 Rhode Island 26 | — | — |
First round - Saturday, Nov. 29
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| Yale 43, No. 15 Youngstown State 42 | — | — |
| No. 9 Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut State 19 | — | — |
| No. 12 Villanova 52, Harvard 7 | — | — |
| Illinois State 21, No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana 3 | — | — |
| No. 10 Abilene Christian 38, Lamar 20 | — | — |
| North Dakota 31, No. 13 Tennessee Tech 6 | — | — |
| No. 11 South Dakota 38, Drake 17 | — | — |
| No. 14 South Dakota State 41, New Hampshire 3 | — | — |
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