The Final Stand in Nashville: Illinois State vs. Montana State

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The 2026 FCS National Championship is set for a primetime showdown in the Music City, Monday, January 5, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. The “Championship Sunday” atmosphere is already building for one of the most unique matchups in the tournament’s history.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the title fight between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Montana State Bobcats.

The Matchup: David vs. Goliath in Nashville

Who: No. 17 Illinois State (12–4) vs. No. 2 Montana State (13–2)
When: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT)
Where: FirstBank Stadium | Nashville, TN
TV: ESPN / ESPN+

The Storylines

1. The “Road Warrior” Cinderellas (Illinois State) Illinois State has made history as the first team to win four straight road playoff games to reach the final. After being one of the last teams to sneak into the 24-team bracket, the Redbirds took down a gauntlet of giants:

Round 2: Stunned No. 1 seed North Dakota State in Fargo with a last-second 2-point conversion.
Quarterfinals/Semis: Dominated on the West Coast (UC Davis) and the East Coast (Villanova).
The Mission: Win their first-ever FCS National Championship.

2. Ending the 40-Year Drought (Montana State) While the Redbirds are the “hot” team, the Bobcats have been the most consistent force in the FCS all year.

The Streak: Montana State has won 13 consecutive games since starting the season 0–2.
Championship Hunger: This is their third trip to the title game in five seasons, but they haven’t lifted the trophy since 1984.
The Mission: Prove they are finally the kings of the FCS after years of falling just short.

Key Players to Watch

Tommy Rittenhouse (QB, Illinois State): The engine of the Redbird offense. He has been surgical in the playoffs, utilizing his connection with star WR Daniel Sobkowicz to convert critical third downs.
The Bobcats’ Ground Game: Montana State enters the game with the #4 rushing attack in the nation. Watch for QB Justin Lamson and RB Adam Jones to test the Illinois State front seven early and often.
Jake Anderson (LB, Illinois State): The heart of a defense that held Villanova to just 14 points. He’ll be responsible for tracking Montana State’s relentless “downhill” run style.

The Forecast

Oddsmakers have Montana State as 10.5-point favorites, largely due to their physical line play and playoff experience. However, Illinois State has been an underdog in every game this month. If the Redbirds can stop the run and force the Bobcats into long passing situations, the Music City could witness the greatest upset in FCS history.