FCS Final Four 2025: Semifinal Matchups, Start Times and Broadcast Details

Four teams are still competing for this year’s trophy in the 2025 FCS championship semifinals. No. 2 Montana State, No. 3 Montana, No. 12 Villanova, and Illinois State are among the 24 teams in the FCS playoff bracket who still have a chance to win the championship.

All the information you require regarding the national semifinals is provided here:

Saturday, Dec. 20 | No. 3 Montana vs. No. 2 Montana State | 4 p.m. on ABC

Montana State’s goal is to play in consecutive FCS championship games. Since beginning the season 0-2, the Bobcats have won 12 straight games. With a top-10 scoring offense and defense and a top-five rushing attack that has become a Bozeman tradition under head coach Brent Vigen, Montana State dominated the Big Sky standings.

The Bobcats also won on the road in Montana in the regular-season finale Brawl of the Wild. Montana State will seek to extend its winning streak at home in the playoffs, maintaining a trend of teams reaching the FCS title game after having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

On the other side, Montana will look to revenge its sole loss of the season to the Bobcats. Montana will compete in the FCS semifinals for the second time in three years.

The Grizzlies have started the playoffs on fire, averaging 51 points in two games. Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat has been on a tear, with over 300 passing yards per game, completing more than 70% of his passes, and throwing for at least three touchdowns. Star wide receiver Michael Wortham has also been outstanding, catching 11 receptions for 201 yards and two scores in the quarterfinals while also rushing for a score.

Both teams are performing at the top level at the appropriate time, as Montana and Montana State meet for the first time in the FCS playoffs during their long rivalry.

Here’s more on how Montana and Montana State compare:

Saturday, Dec. 20 | Illinois State vs. No. 12 Villanova | 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2

Unseeded Illinois State is on the verge of making history as it advances to the semifinal round. Youngstown State, the only unseeded team in the 24-team era, reached the national championship game in 2016. There were just eight seeds back then, and Youngstown State opened the playoffs at home.

No team has won all road games and advanced to the national championship game since the playoffs expanded to 24 teams. The last team to make the national championship despite playing every postseason game on the road was 2004 James Madison, which won the tournament in a 16-team field.

Illinois State is one win away from making history, following an already amazing run that saw them defeat the defending champion, North Dakota State.

In the semifinals, expect the Redbirds to rely on talented wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz. Sobkowicz recorded 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the quarterfinals, three receiving scores in the second round, and one passing touchdown in the first round. Sobkowicz’s success could continue against Villanova, who allowed a 100-yard receiver in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Villanova returns to the FCS semifinals for the first time since the 2009-10 season. The Wildcats get home-field advantage in the semifinals, which is surprising given their 12th seed.

However, Villanova is now on an 11-game winning streak that began in September. The Wildcat defense has been excellent, allowing only 14 points in the previous two playoff rounds before limiting Tarleton State’s FCS-leading scoring attack to 21 points.

The Villanova offense has also done its bit, with only six total turnovers this season, which is an FCS low. Quarterback Pat McQuaide has made clutch plays, while Ja’Briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland provide a formidable 1-2 punch.

The Wildcats enter the playoffs hoping to protect their home turf for the final time this season. Villanova will put a 23-game home victory run on the line, stretching back to September 2022, in hopes of advancing to Tennessee for the championship.

Interestingly, the state of Tennessee last hosted an FCS championship game in 2009, with Chattanooga serving as the host. Villanova’s last national title came in 2009.

Here’s more on how Illinois State and Villanova compare: