The Montana Grizzlies take on the Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis, Oregon, on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET on USA.
Oregon State is favored by -17.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1050. Montana, meanwhile, enters as a +17.5 underdog and is +660 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 53.5 total points.
Here’s my Montana vs. Oregon State prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 19.
Montana vs Oregon State Prediction
- Montana vs. Oregon State Pick: Oregon State Team Total Over 34.5
My Oregon State vs. Montana best bet is on the Beavers to score 35-plus points. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Montana vs Oregon State Odds
| Montana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -114 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | +660 |
| Oregon State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -106 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | -1050 |
- Montana vs Oregon State point spread: Oregon State -17.5, Montana +17.5
- Montana vs Oregon State over/under: 52.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Montana vs Oregon State moneyline: Montana +660, Oregon State -1050
Montana vs Oregon State College Football Preview
Montana Grizzlies Betting Preview: Red-Zone Bailouts
Most knew it was going to be a bit turbulent for Montana this season while enduring a coaching change and trying to reload for another Big Sky push.
Bobby Kennedy was elevated to the head coaching position left behind when Bobby Hauck went to Illinois to become its defensive coordinator.
Kennedy was the receivers coach at Montana prior to the switch and has never been a head coach, but there are also adjustments in personnel along the offensive and defensive lines that have created close games for Montana all season.
The offense is led by quarterback Keali’I Ah Yat, who has exploited three weaker FCS defenses while throwing for 793 yards and five passing touchdowns over the first three weeks.
All-American running back Eli Gillman has run for 332 yards on 6.7 yards per attempt with seven rushing scores already.
Brooks Davis and Lekeldrick Bridges have stepped up nicely at the receiver position and are reliable outlets for Ah Yat.
The offensive line lost five starters from last season but has played cohesively together during these first three weeks. This will be a test on the road against Oregon State.
The defense isn't good, though. Southern Utah moved the ball up and down the field against Montana and finished with 510 yards. However, five drives stalled inside the Montana 40-yard line, resulting in just three total points in a 28-21 Griz win.
Non-scholarship Pioneer League member Drake threw the ball all over Montana’s secondary as well, and it also had five drives stall out inside the Montana 30-yard line.
The glaring indicator here is that this defense allowed over 400 total yards to Utah Tech, which is one of the worst offensive teams at the FCS level.
Oregon State is starved for a win after two rock-solid performances against Houston and Texas Tech, so this Beaver offense should carve up Montana here.
Oregon State Beavers Betting Preview: Complete Offensive Makeover
The Beavs are completely improved over preseason expectations, with the offense becoming a shining bright spot. That's big because Oregon State was so putrid last season, and the performances were embarrassing at times.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson transferred in from Mercer and has shredded two above-average Big 12 secondaries while throwing for 789 yards and three touchdowns.
The ground attack has had a tough go of it against stout defensive fronts but will have an easier time against Montana this week.
The emergence of true freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree has been remarkable. Legree is a complete dude, catching 13 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns. He's a threat to score every time he touches the football.
The offensive line has been overmatched against stronger fronts, allowing six sacks, but I believe the trench play will look better against a middle-of-the-road Big Sky front. This offense will move the ball and put up points.
The defense has played really good football given the competition. Oregon State has seen 98 rushing plays this season, and only three of them have been classified as explosive.
Its pass coverage has been exploited a bit, but Oregon State has faced a pair of really solid Power 4 teams. The defensive line still created pressure while the rest of this defense made Houston and Texas Tech work for everything they got offensively.
The performances have exceeded everyone’s expectations, and I believe this defense will show up in this game as well.
Montana vs Oregon State Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with Oregon State listed as a 9.5-point favorite. The Action PRO army hit this line pretty hard, seeing it balloon all the way to 17.5. The total sits at 52.5.
While the value on the side has diminished, I like Oregon State to exceed its team total, which sits at 34.5.
The Beavers will throw the football a lot in this game. Atkinson has made great decisions with the football and will find open receivers against Montana's coverage unit.
Legree will register explosive plays in this game, but I also look for Aeryn Hampton and DeCorion Temple to get more involved in this game. The Beavers have several capable weapons, and Atkinson will have more time to let plays develop before delivering the football.
Oregon State has cashed in for touchdowns on 80% of its red-zone trips against significantly better competition this season. Montana has allowed 11 trips inside the red zone in three games against weak competition, being saved only by careless turnovers, missed field goals and fumbles.
The Beavs have executed well situationally, so expect more red-zone trips with several ending in a score.
Montana has a good offense and will score some points in this game.
I don’t think Oregon State will ever be in a situation where it's comfortable sitting on a lead and salting the game away, so the Beavers should be pursuing scoring drives throughout this game.
Pick: Oregon State Team Total Over 34.5
Montana vs Oregon State Betting Trends
