2023 FCS Quarterfinal Odds and Predictions: Furman vs Montana, Villanova vs SDSU, NDSU vs South Dakota & Albany vs Idaho

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits run out before the game against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at Dana J Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.The 2023 FCS playoffs are down to the quarterfinalsFurman battles Montana on Friday, while three other games take place on SaturdayRead below for 2023 FCS Quarterfinals odds, predictions, and picks

The quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs get underway this weekend, and there’s a heavy favorite to advance to the semifinals. No.1 South Dakota State is a 20.5- favorite over No.8 Villanova on Saturday, plus the clear favorite in the FCS Championship odds.

Among the other FCS playoff quarterfinal matchups is a clash between No. 2 Montana and No. 7 Furman on Friday in Missoula. Aside from the Jackrabbits in action, the Saturday slate also features matchups between North Dakota State and No. 3 South Dakota, plus No. 5 Albany vs No.4 Idaho.

Let’s dive into the 2023 FCS Quarterfinals odds, plus offer you predictions for all four games.

2023 FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals Odds

The FCS Quarterfinals are being broadcast on ESPN Networks, with Furman vs Montana on ESPN 2 and Villanova vs SDSU on the main ESPN channel. All four games can also be streamed on ESPN+.

Odds as of December 7th at ESPN Bet. Sign up at the newly launched ESPN Sportsbook using promo code ‘Dime‘ to bet on FCS playoffs this weekend.

Furman vs Montana Prediction & Pick

Kicking off the FCS Quarterfinals is a matchup between No. 2 Montana and No. 7 Furman on Friday evening. The Grizzlies dominated Delaware 49-19 in the opening playoff round, while Furman secured a 26-7 win over Chattanooga.

The Montana vs Furman odds list the Grizzlies as 17.5-point favorites on ESPN2 in Missoula. The Grizzlies have clear edges in this game, including in coaching as 13-year veteran Bobby Hauck is the winningest coach in Big Sky history. Dual-threat senior quarterback Clifton McDowell is also a game-changer.

The AFCA FCS Regional Coach of the Year for Region 5 is @Coach_Hauck head coach for @MontanaGrizFB

Read More Here ▶️https://t.co/XrfWX1DNKo pic.twitter.com/CKUofOqLlA

— AFCA (@WeAreAFCA) December 6, 2023

There’s little doubt Montana will win this game, but will they cover the spread? Furman’s defense has been excellent at getting to the quarterback this season, posting 36 sacks, including half from the linebacking corps. The team is also getting healthy with starting QB Tyler Huff and RB Dominic Roberto returning from injury last week.

We think Montana will pull away in this game, especially with it being played Friday night at home, but there’s some value on Furman to stay within the number. They haven’t been blown out by an FCS opponent all season, and their elite defense (16.8 PPG) should keep them in the game.

Pick: Furman +17.5 (-110)

Villanova vs South Dakota State Prediction & Best Bet

Kicking off the Saturday FCS schedule is a quarterfinal matchup between No. 8 Villanova and No. 1 South Dakota State at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. This is another large FCS quarterfinal spread, with the Jackrabbits priced as 20.5-point favorites on their home field.

It isn’t hard to see why oddsmakers are heavily favoring SDSU, as the team is on a 26-game winning streak, including a remarkable 19-game streak at home. The reigning champs rank in the top 10 of scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense, and total defense, while boasting the nation’s leading point differential (plus-331).

In a dominating effort, @GoJacksFB advances to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs at a 41-0 win over Mercer.#GoJacks🐰🏈 pic.twitter.com/sNkCDHVzy6

— #GoJacks 🐰 (@GoJacksSDSU) December 3, 2023

The key matchup in this game will be South Dakota State’s run game facing Villanova’s run defense. Jackrabbits’ senior RB Isaiah Davis is arguably the best in the FCS, rushing for 1,192 yards and 14 TDs this season (6.7 ypc). He will face a Villanova defense surrendering only 99 rushing yards per game to FCS opponents.

There’s not much value with the spread here, as our projections have this game as a 20.5-point victory for the home squad. We like the “under” with both teams boasting strong defenses and rushing attacks. The Wildcat defense has held their opponents to 18 points per game, while the Jackrabbits’ defense has held half their opponents to seven points or fewer.

Pick: Under 51 (-110) Early Betting Line for Alabama vs Michigan Rose Bowl CFP Semifinal GameRead More

North Dakota State vs South Dakota Prediction

Continuing the action on FCS quarterfinal Saturday is a clash between North Dakota State and No. 3 South Dakota at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota. NDSU is making a 14th straight appearance in the FCS playoff quarterfinals, while South Dakota is doing so for the first time.

The Coyotes hold home-field advantage in this game after winning 24-19 over the Bison during the regular season. USD’s quarterback was very efficient in the first meeting, completing 10 of 12 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

It’s very hard to beat a team twice in one season, which is part of why the Bison are being favored for the rematch. Oddsmakers are also aware the public perception is much higher for North Dakota State than it is for South Dakota, which means the line could be slightly inflated.

The Bison were gashed for over 500 yards of offense in a wild 35-34 overtime win over Montana State last weekend and have lost their previous two quarterfinals games played on the road. We like taking the points with the home underdog, as their run game is gaining momentum and their defense is dominant.

Pick: South Dakota (+6.5 -110)

Albany vs Idaho Picks & Predictions

Concluding the FCS quarterfinals games for Saturday is a matchup between No. 5 Albany and No. 4 Idaho at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho at 6:00 PM EST. This is the tightest spread in the weekend FCS odds, with oddsmakers pricing the Vandals as 4.5-point favorites over the Great Danes.

Albany’s defense is elite and could be the difference-maker in this game. The Great Danes are only allowing 16.8 points per game and lead all FCS teams with 47 sacks. Edge linemen Anton Juncaj and AJ Simon have combined for 26.5 sacks and helped the team produce an FCS-leading 27 turnovers.

Go get 'em @JoesphGreaney ☠️#UAUKNOW #WinTheDay 🟪🟨 pic.twitter.com/Rc0uPiXOYd

— UAlbany Football (@UAlbanyFootball) December 2, 2023

While the Great Danes hold key defensive edges, they are 0-8 in games played outside the Eastern time zone and 0-3 all-time against Big Sky Conference opponents. UAlbany head coach Greg Gattuso referenced the team’s road success this season and stated, “I’m not fearful of making a hard trip to play a game. It doesn’t worry me even a little bit.”

Idaho required a field goal in overtime to beat Southern Illinois, and we project this game could come down to a similar scenario. Vandals freshman QB Gevani McCoy has thrown eight interceptions with 14 TDs this season, and we aren’t confident he’ll be able to handle the ferocious Albany pass rush.

Pick: Albany +4.5 (-110)

 

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