Idaho (2-2) squares off against Montana (3-0) in the 90th edition of the “Battle for the Little Brown Stein,” which is one of the most heated and spirited rivalries in all of FCS football.
This game kicks off at 10:15 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPN2. Montana is listed as 10.5-point favorites in the contest with a total set at 54.5 points
Here’s my Idaho vs. Montana predictions and college football picks for Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Idaho vs. Montana Prediction
- Idaho vs. Montana Pick: Montana -10.5 (Play to -13.5)
My Montana vs. Idaho best bet is on the Grizzlies to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Idaho vs Montana Odds
| Idaho Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | +285 |
| Montana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | -360 |
- Idaho vs Montana point spread: Montana -10.5
- Idaho vs Montana over/under: 54.5 points
- Idaho vs Montana moneyline: Idaho +285, Montana -360
Idaho vs. Montana Preview
Idaho Vandals Betting Preview: Mediocrity All Around
Idaho has had an up-and-down season up to this point, as the Vandals have overperformed against FBS competition with two losses by a combined six points against Washington State and San Jose State.
On the other hand, Idaho has been really unimpressive in a seven-point win against FCS Non-Scholarship St. Thomas University and a sluggish home win against Utah Tech.
We have seen the rush-heavy Vandals rely on running back Art Williams, along with quarterback Joshua Wood, in the run game as those two have combined for 605 rushing yards and five rushing scores this season.
The pass game has been serviceable, but we have seen very little downfield explosiveness from the receivers, and I worry about this offensive attack going on the road here in a hostile environment in Missoula.
Defensively, Idaho has really just been mediocre as the Vandals are surrendering 4.8 yards per carry on the ground and 6.1 yards per play overall this season.
The stop unit was unable to put the handcuffs on St. Thomas and was shredded by San Jose State last week while giving up 420 yards and 8.9 yards per play.
Idaho has struggled to create a pass rush and opposing quarterbacks have faced very little pressure as the Vandals have registered just three sacks and 19 tackles for loss up to this point.
The pass defense is susceptible to big plays given up and could be in trouble here if the defensive line cannot provide pressure to Montana quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat.
Montana Grizzlies Betting Preview: Hasn't Scratched the Surface
Montana comes in 3-0, but we still have not seen this team play its best football after a sluggish first half against D2 Central Washington and a thrilling comeback win against North Dakota.
This was before it demolished Indiana State, which has been ravaged by injury and is significantly challenged with its overall composite talent levels.
Montana has received solid quarterback play from Ah Yat and Eli Gillman has exploded at running back while averaging 9.1 yards per carry on the ground with six rushing touchdowns.
The Griz defense is still coming together after losing 10 starters from last year’s stop unit, but this group appears to be improving each week and playing more cohesively together.
Montana has been stout on third down and in the red zone and I expect this group to send pressure on Idaho’s quarterback Joshua Wood in an attempt to rattle him early in what will be an electric environment Saturday night.
Idaho vs. Montana Pick, Betting Analysis
I am going to lay it with Montana here in this one, -10.5.
The Griz have a really powerful offensive attack and quarterback Ah Yat is really starting to grasp the passing offense. Last week against Indiana State, he completed 22/27 passes for 313 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns.
Montana excels in acquiring chunk plays through the air and has already registered nine pass plays in excess of 20 yards this season.
Idaho has been torched through the air and has the third-worst passing coverage grades in the Big Sky Conference per PFF.
Idaho is generating very little pass rush on its opponents this season and has also struggled in defending the run at times.
I fear this front will really get overwhelmed here against the Montana offensive line, which should open holes for their explosive running backs.
If down early, Montana should feed off of the crowd and this could go sideways for Idaho, similarly to how we saw a road contest last season at Montana State play out.
Idaho has been dealing with running back injuries and has relied on Wood to run the ball a ton this season.
I would expect Montana to really plug up the run lanes in this one, so the pressure is going to be put on Wood to make plays through the air.
I don’t have confidence in the Idaho receiving corps to make plays and move the chains consistently enough for Idaho to see enough scoring chances to keep this one within the number.
The Vandals are just not explosive enough or consistent enough offensively to hang here on the road.
This will be a fun one, and it should remain a close game into the third quarter, but I completely envision Montana throwing a few major blows in the fourth quarter to pull away and win this one by 14-17. Lay it with Montana.
Pick: Montana -10.5 (Play to -13.5)
