Starting with the FCS National Championship Game on Monday, January 5, 2026, the #2 Montana State University Bobcats won their first national championship after edging the Illinois State University Redbirds. It was the Bobcats' second-ever title at the NCAA Division I level after winning the then-NCAA Division I-AA title in 1984.
Montana State finished the 2025-2026 season at 14-2 overall with the win, while Illinois State's season ended at 12-5.
Read the recap of the game, from the Montana State perspective, by clicking here.
For the Illinois State point of view, please click here.
Also, here's a quick moment to recognize the other "national champions" below the FBS level:
Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State
NCAA Division II: Ferris State
NCAA Division III: Wisconsin-River Falls
NAIA: Grand View
And now, the final overall prediction totals for the 2025-2026 college football season:
FBS Group Of Five Bowl Predictions Special: 10-5 (.667)
FCS Semifinal and Small College National Championship Games: 4-2 (.667)
FCS and NCAA Division III National Championship Games: 1-1 (.500)
Final Overall Record: 724-323 (.691)
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