FCS Playoff Second Round Odds: Spreads, Moneylines & Totals For Every Game

Written By

Ben Fowlkes

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South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) looks to pass during the first half of the FCS Championship NCAA college football game against the North Dakota State, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

College football’s 2023 FCS playoffs have entered the second round, and top online sportsbooks have odds on every game. All eight contests in this round of the subdivision playoffs are scheduled for Saturday.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the matchups and the betting lines for every game, including odds on defending national champion South Dakota State, currently at -31.5 against Mercer, plus Montana (-17.5) hosting Delaware.

FCS playoff second round odds

Below are odds on every playoff game in the second round, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Mercer at South Dakota State

South Dakota State (11-0) entered the playoffs as the top seed after an undefeated season, and the team hasn’t lost a home game since October of 2021. The Jackrabbits have won 25 games in a row against FCS teams, including the 2022 national championship. Only two teams even got within two touchdowns of SD State this season. Mercer (9-3) won four straight en route to its first ever playoff bid. This program has only been in existence since 2013, so making it this far is a measure of success already.

Youngstown State at Villanova

Youngstown State (8-4) romped through the first round with a 40-7 home win over Duquesne, but it will likely face a tougher test here against a team that made it to the quarterfinals in 2021. Villanova (9-2) hasn’t lost a home game so far this season, and it won six straight coming into the playoffs. Of those wins, five were by margins of three touchdowns or more, and only three teams have scored more than 20 points against the Wildcats this season.

North Dakota State at Montana State

North Dakota State (9-3) spent the better part of the last decade dominating these playoffs, notching nine national championships since 2011. It’s a rare season for the Bison that includes three losses, not to mention a home defeat to South Dakota. Still, QB Cam Miller has had his best season yet with 16 TDs and only four INTs, while maintaining a completion percentage just north of 75%. Montana State (8-3) made it all the way to the national championship game last season, losing to SD State. The team suffered a lopsided loss to rival Montana in its final regular season game with the Big Sky Conference title on the line.

Sacramento State at South Dakota

Sacramento State (8-4) made it this far on the strength of a high-powered offense that averaged 30.1 points per game during the regular season. The Hornets got by North Dakota in a 42-35 shootout in the first round, but that was the first road game the team had won since mid-October. South Dakota (9-2) had an excellent season in which it only lost to South Dakota State and Missouri in its season-opener. The playoffs have traditionally been a problem for the Coyotes, but this year’s team boasts an especially strong defense.

Delaware at Montana

Delaware (9-3) barely skated by Lafayette at home in the first round, 36-34, and it will likely have its hands full at one of the toughest venues in the FCS to win a playoff game as a visiting team. Montana (10-1) looked vulnerable early in the season but pulled it together to win its last seven, with the last four wins coming by margins of 24 points or more. The Griz are undefeated at home in Washington-Grizzly Stadium this year, and while the team is 35-24 all-time in the playoffs, it’s 32-7 in playoff games at home and hasn’t lost a postseason game on its own turf since 2013.

Chattanooga at Furman

Chattanooga (8-4) earned a playoff spot for the first time in six years, then barely got by Austin Peay in the first round. QB Chase Artopoeus transferred from UCLA and threw for over 2,600 yards this season with 20 TDs, making him a potent offensive weapon. Furman (9-2) posted a 17-4 road win over the Mocs three weeks ago but suffered an upset loss to conference bottom-dweller Wofford in its final regular season game.

Southern Illinois at Idaho

Southern Illinois (8-4) blanked Nichols 35-0 in the first round, proving yet again that the Salukis have a formidable defense. Idaho (8-3) rebounded from a surprising loss to Weber State by stomping Idaho State to finish the season. The Vandals have been tough at home, beating fellow playoff teams Montana State and Sacramento State there earlier in the year.

Richmond at Albany

Richmond (9-3) stumbled out of the gate this year, losing three of its first five, but it won seven straight to close out the season on a strong note. The Spiders were national champs in 2008 when they beat Montana in the finals, but they have struggled in the playoffs ever since. Albany (9-3) has one of the best teams it’s had in years and nearly pulled off an upset of Marshall earlier this season. The Great Danes won their last five, and none of those games had anything closer than a 14-point differential.

Explore CFB Odds

Looking for more College Football odds that aren’t FCS? Check out our complete list of odds below:

All College football odds
CFB Betting Sites
Week 14 CFB Odds

How to watch the FCS playoffs

All games are on Saturday, Dec. 2:

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Ben Fowlkes

Ben Fowlkes has been a sportswriter for over 15 years, writing for outlets such as USA Today, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, and others. For many years he specialized in combat sports coverage, and he served as president of the MMA Journalists Association. He’s also a published fiction writer whose work has appeared in Best American Short Stories, among other places.

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