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The Idaho State Bengals take on the Montana Grizzlies in Missoula, Montana, on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
Montana is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -320. The total is set at 65.5 points.
Here’s my Idaho State vs. Montana prediction and college football pick for Saturday, November 14.
Idaho State vs Montana Prediction
- Idaho State vs Montana Pick: Over 65.5 (-106)
My Montana vs. Idaho State best bet is on the over total points. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and download the Action Network app for the latest picks and analysis.
Idaho State vs Montana Odds
| Idaho State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -113 | 65.5 -106o / -120u | +235 |
| Montana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -113 | 65.5 -106o / -120u | -320 |
- Idaho State vs Montana point spread: Idaho State +7.5 (-113), Montana -7.5 (-113),
- Idaho State vs Montana over/under: 65.5 (-106o / -120u)
- Idaho State vs Montana moneyline: Idaho State +235, Montana -320
Idaho State vs Montana College Football Preview
Idaho State Bengals Betting Preview
Idaho State has been one of the best surprises at the FCS level this season, but the Bengals’ inability to close out tight games has this bunch on the ropes with two games remaining.
Idaho State needs to win out in all likelihood to secure an at-large bid in the FCS playoffs, which is such a shame considering how good this team has been.
A dominating win over FBS-level Utah State turned heads early, but four one-possession losses have tarnished the resume. Now, a trip to Missoula awaits as Idaho State takes on Montana.
The offense has been the story here for years under head coach Cody Hawkins, but frankly, I have been disappointed in the totality of Idaho State's performance this year.
Jordan Cooke turned heads last season with a Week 0 performance against UNLV that put this offense on the map, but Idaho State hasn't found the heroic play from the offense this season.
Cooke has thrown for 2,517 yards with 18 touchdowns this season, but the Bengals went through a midseason slump against NAU, Cal Poly and Weber State.
The ground attack is mediocre and averages 126 yards per game and 4.1 yards per attempt. Tytan Mason averages 7 yards per carry but has been limited the last couple of weeks due to injury. Carson Sudbury is the second-leading rusher with 240 yards but has yet to rush for 50 yards in any one game.
The top four receivers have combined to catch 176 passes, and every one of them has more than 500 yards with 17 combined touchdowns. Idaho State wants to throw the ball, and it should have success here in this game.
The defense has improved significantly this season, as what once was one of the worst defenses in the country has turned into a top-three unit in the Big Sky Conference.
The pass rush is more than formidable, as Idaho State has registered 25 sacks and 71 tackles for loss this season, while the run defense has improved drastically over the last five weeks.
Situational execution has been sound as Idaho State is allowing just 34% on third down and less than half of all red zone trips have ended in touchdowns.
Montana Grizzlies Betting Preview
Montana has one of the best offenses in the country, led by two of the best players in the sport in quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat and running back Eli Gillman.
Ah Yat has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever put on a Griz jersey, and he has completed 70% of his passes for 2,866 yards with 27 touchdowns this season.
Ah Yat throws the ball around the yard every time out, and Brooks Davis is the dude he's looking to get the rock to most. Davis has caught 81 passes for 1,233 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns this season.
Landon Ransom-Goelz and Lekeldrick Bridges have caught passes for 781 combined yards, and Gillman is a reliable receiver out of the backfield as well.
Gillman is among the best running backs in the FCS and is a contender for the Walter Payton Award as the best player in the FCS. The numbers are eye-popping, as Gillman has rushed for 1,357 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per attempt.
The Montana offense is averaging 489 yards and 40 points per game.
The defense isn't strong and hasn't been for some time, even going back to when Bobby Hauck was the head coach here.
The Griz are allowing 406 yards and 28 points per game, but when facing elite offenses, the stop unit has provided no answers. They gave up 510 yards to Southern Utah, 508 to Oregon State and most recently 493 yards to Idaho.
The defense struggles both on third down and in the red zone, and Montana has had to win shootouts most of the season, with six of the last seven contests involving the Grizzlies seeing at least 69 points.
Idaho State vs Montana Pick, Betting Analysis
This game opened with Montana listed as a 7.5-point favorite with a total set at 65.5. I like the over in this matchup.
Montana will score a ton of points in this game at home on Saturday night. Montana has scored no less than 36 points in six straight games while averaging 543 yards per game during that stretch.
This offense is elite, potentially the best at the FCS level, and it won't be contained in this matchup.
The offensive line has played excellent football for Montana this season as the Griz have surrendered just nine sacks. I would expect Ah Yat to have plenty of time to throw the ball and the quartet of playmaking receivers will make plays as they have all season.
Gillman has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games with six rushing scores during that stretch, and there are just too many weapons to try to pin down this offense for four quarters. It can't be done by this Idaho State defense.
The Griz defense is a major liability, and Idaho State eill throw the ball around the yard against the Montana secondary, which is giving up a 62% completion rate with 20 touchdown passes.
Cooke will have to play his best football for a desperate Idaho State team that needs to win out to make the playoffs.
This is a spot where the Bengals need to pull out all the stops, as kicking field goals in the red zone and punting on fourth-and-short are simply not options. I expect a few risks to be taken and for Idaho State to keep pace with Montana for most of this game.
This should be another high-flying affair in Montana on Saturday night. It's going to be cold, but there's no wind in the forecast and zero precipitation expected. Strap in for an excellent football game, one where I expect the points to come in bunches.
Pick: Over 65.5 (-106)
Idaho State vs Montana Betting Trends
