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The Montana State Bobcats take on the Idaho Vandals in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Montana State is favored by -16.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -720. Idaho, meanwhile enters as a +16.5 underdog and is +450 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 58.5 total points.
Here’s my Montana State vs Idaho prediction and college football pick for Friday, October 2.
Montana State vs Idaho Prediction
- Montana State vs Idaho Pick: Idaho +16.5
My Idaho vs. Montana State best bet is on the Vandals to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Montana State vs Idaho Odds
| Montana State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -111 | 58.5 -113o / -113u | -720 |
| Idaho Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -115 | 58.5 -113o / -113u | +450 |
- Fresno State vs Washington State Spread: Montana State -16.5 (-111), Fresno State +16.5 (-115)
- Fresno State vs Washington State Over/Under: 58.5 (-113o / -113u)
- Fresno State vs Washington State Moneyline: Montana State -720, Idaho +450
Montana State vs Idaho College Football Preview
Montana State Bobcats Betting Preview: Stars All Injured
Montana State continues to impress and remains atop the Big Sky standings, but this week, the team will take on a different look with much of its offensive star power sidelined due to injury.
The Bobcats found a way to grind out a 28-14 win over Northern Arizona in a game that was tied at the half. NAU had four red-zone trips (three of them goal-to-go situations) that resulted in zero points, so Montana State was seriously threatened on homecoming against the feisty Lumberjacks.
Quarterback Justin Lamson missed the game last week, giving Patrick Duchien his first career start as a Bobcat. The senior, who had only ever played sparingly in blowouts, was efficient, completing 16-of-20 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown.
Duchien showed good chemistry with receiver Carter Dahlke, who hauled in seven passes for 117 yards. He's taking command of the playmaking left behind by Taco Dowler, who's also out with an injury and will miss this contest.
Adam Jones has been such an electrifying player at the running back position, but Jones also missed the game against NAU and will be out this week as well.
Colson Coon was called upon and stepped up at running back, rushing for 199 yards while showing good vision to hit the hole hard and gain yards after first contact.
The star power isn't there right now, but this offense still performed. Now, the task will be to take this operation on the road against an 0-4 Idaho team that's starved for a win — and has been close many times this season.
The Bobcat defense continues to battle several injuries, and 5-6 key contributors will be out for this matchup.
Montana State has been without defensive back Caden Dowler for several weeks, and linebacker Bryce Grebe and defensive end Dominic Solano have also missed time.
The defense hasn't been the lockdown, iron-clad defensive unit we've become accustomed to seeing in Bozeman. The result has been closer-than-expected games that were tightly contested into the fourth quarter against NAU, a Big Sky opponent, and more surprisingly, Central Connecticut State the week before.
Idaho is well rested and will be able to move the football here on this defense.
Idaho Vandals Betting Preview: Close to a Win
The Vandals are starved for a win, and the team has been close on several occasions this season. Each of its first three games involving FCS competition have resulted in losses, with each game decided by six points or less.
The offense has been plagued by turnovers in key moments and failed situational execution, but the Vandals are coming off the bye week, so we should see the best effort of the season out of this bunch at home on Friday night.
Quarterback Joshua Wood gives this offense a chance to move the football on every drive with his ability to create on the move and deliver the football downfield.
Wood has thrown for 1,005 yards this season, and his offense should find success here against a banged-up Bobcats secondary.
Tony Harste and Ryan Jezioro serve as the primary receiving targets, but tight end Noah West-Baranco has also been more involved as a receiver and should factor into the game plan.
The ground game hasn't been successful this season outside of Wood, who leads the team with 170 yards and six rushing scores. The team rushing average is just 3.2 yards per carry, and while a handful of backs have split carries, this is a position where someone needs to step up and emerge as a leader.
Idaho’s defense has undergone some transition and struggled, allowing 461 yards and 42 points per game. Stopping the run has been a problem, as the Vandals are giving up 237 yards per game and 5.7 yards per rush.
However, the front has played better each of the last two weeks against Lamar and Abilene Christian prior to the bye week.
Idaho has been better at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, as the front has registered five sacks over the last couple of weeks.
Montana State vs Idaho Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with Montana State listed as a 14.5-point favorite with a total set at 58.5. Montana State has taken some money in the market, pushing this line out to 16.5. I'm willing to take Idaho +16.5 in this situation.
The Vandals have been very close this season in all three of their FCS games, losing all three by just one score. The offense has playmakers at the receiver position who will have opportunities to win one-on-one battles against Montana State.
This Montana State secondary has given up some big plays through the air, and both NAU and CCSU found ways to throw the ball on this defense. I expect Idaho to have a game plan put together to take and connect on some deep shots.
Wood will have time to assess the defense and let plays develop in this game. Montana State recorded four sacks against Central Connecticut State, but that's the only game since the opener in which the Bobcats have registered more than one sack.
Wood has an elusive nature to his play where he can wiggle out of trouble, and his mobility will create problems for this Bobcat defense.
Idaho is coming off a bye week and in a real spot to try to salvage its season after starting 0-4 with three close losses. Montana State is on a short week off a homecoming win against Northern Arizona.
But the Bobs are without their starting quarterback, running back, receiver/return specialist and several defensive starters, and now must go on the road to a place where they've historically struggled.
This is going to be a fun one on Friday night, and I think we'll see Idaho in another close game. Montana State will win this game, but the Vandals should compete at home.
Pick: Idaho +16.5
