FCS Playoff Bracket 2025-26 Date, Schedule for Illinois State vs. MTST Championship

One of the powers of FCS football takes on the biggest Cinderella story in the history of the FCS football tournament in the 2026 FCS National Championship.

The Montana State Bobcats, who were the runner-up in 2025, take on the Illinois State Redbirds in Nashville on January 5.

Montana State is the clear favorite in the title clash as the No. 2 overall seed.

Illinois State made the championship thanks to four straight road wins, including a round-of-16 upset over the reigning champion North Dakota State Bison.

FCS Semifinal Scores

No. 2 Montana State 48, No. 3 Montana 23

Illinois State 30, No. 12 Villanova 14

FCS National Championship Schedule

Date: Monday, January 5

Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN.com or ESPN app

Montana State was expected to be in this position.

The second-seeded Bobcats fell short against North Dakota State last year and then proceeded to go 10-2 to earn the No. 2 seed in the FCS bracket.

Montana State won the "Brawl of the Wild" rivalry contest with the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday. The Bobcats used a 21-point fourth quarter to beat their top rival, the Montana Grizzlies, and land a spot in Nashville.

The Bobcats had to beat a pair of top-eight seeds in the last two rounds to qualify for the championship. Their half of the FCS bracket was far more chalky than the top half.

Illinois State sent chaos into the FCS bracket with its round-of-16 upset over North Dakota State.

The Redbirds then went on to win two more road games, including Saturday's semifinal triumph over Villanova.

Illinois State burst out to a 21-6 halftime advantage and didn't concede again until late in the fourth quarter when the result was wrapped up.

The Redbirds scored at least 29 points in each of their last three games, so they are capable of challenging Montana State in a potential offensive battle.

Montana State carries far more experience in this level of game, though, and that might be the X-factor for the team out of the Big Sky.

Whichever team wins in Nashville will become the first team from outside the Dakotas to win the FCS title game since 2021 and just the third non-Dakota squad to win it all dating back to 2012.