FCS Semifinals Odds: 19 Iowans Are Still On A National Championship Run

Written By Russ Mitchell on December 16, 2021 - Last Updated on July 22, 2022
FCS semifinals

There are 19 Iowans in the FCS semifinals this weekend and if Iowa sportsbook analysts are right, there will be 19 Iowans in the FCS Championship game, too.

No. 2 seed North Dakota State is a 5.5-point favorite over No. 3 James Madison at DraftKings Sportbook in Iowa. The Bison have five Iowans listed on their roster.

South Dakota State is favored by six points at No. 8 Montana State as of Thursday morning. Fourteen Jackrabbits hail from Iowa.

How to bet on FCS Semifinals

Fans in South Dakota can’t bet on the Jackrabbits unless they come to Iowa. But, the folks at DraftKings will make it worth the short trip from Sioux Falls. Once SDSU fans cross the state line, they can find a WiFi spot, open a DraftKings Iowa account and take advantage of a great offer.

Deposit at least $5 into the new account. Then, the Jackrabbit faithful have their choice of college football bets, including the FCS odds or the weekend’s college bowl odds. A $1 bet, win or lose, unlocks the $100 bonus bet bonus for new customers.

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Fans can bet from anywhere in Iowa. South Dakota sports bets are limited to Deadwood in western South Dakota. And even then, bets on in-state teams are not allowed.

How to watch the FCS Semifinals

  • What: No. 3 James Madison (121) at No. 2 North Dakota State (121)
  • When8:15 p.m. Friday
  • Where: Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND
  • TV: ESPN2
  • What: South Dakota State (113) at No. 8 Montana State (121)
  • When1 p.m. Saturday
  • Where: Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, MT
  • TV: ESPN2

Iowans on the South Dakota State roster

Altogether, four linebackers, four offensive linemen, two defensive tackles, a long snapper a defensive end and two wide receivers come from Iowa:

  • Matt Barnett, soph. LB — Cedar Rapids
  • Logan Backhaus, sr. LB — Spirit Lake
  • Adam Bock, soph. LB — Solon
  • Davion Sterner redshirt fr. LB — Alvord
  • Jaden Mueller, redshirt fr. LS — Johnston
  • Colby Christensen, redshirt fr. OL — West Des Moines
  • Garret Greenfield, jr. OL — Rock Valley
  • Ethan Eilers, fr. OL — West Burlington
  • Egan Lickiss, sr. OL — Indianola
  • A.J. Coons, redshirt fr. WR — Solon
  • Grahm Goering, fr. WR — Iowa City
  • Ryan Van Marel, jr. DT — Sheldon
  • Caleb Sanders, sr. DT — Glenwood
  • Levi Vanden Bos, fr. DE — Rock Valley

South Dakota State FCS semifinals odds

Iowa Sportsbook South Dakota StateMontana StateO/U Total
DraftKings and
Betway Sportsbook
-6 (-110)
Moneyline -235
+6 (-110)
Moneyline +190
O: 47.5 (-110)
U: 47.5 (-110)
Caesars Sportsbook-6 (-110)
Moneyline -230
+6 (-110)
Moneyline +190
O: 47.5 (-110)
U: 47.5 (-110)
Unibet Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook and
Barstool Sportsbook
-5.5 (-108)
Moneyline -240
+5.5 (-113)
Moneyline +180
O: 47.5 (-110)
U: 47.5 (-110)

Iowans on the North Dakota State roster

The Bison have three Iowa defenders and two members of the offensive backfield on the roster.

  • Cam Miller, soph. QB — Solon
  • Anthony Coleman, soph. CB — Grimes
  • Luke Waters, jr. FB — Council Bluffs
  • Nick Kubitz, soph. LB — Dubuque
  • Kody Huisman, fr. DT — Pella

North Dakota State FCS semifinals odds

Iowa SportsbookNorth Dakota StateJames MadisonO/U Total
DraftKings and Betway-5.5 (-110)
Moneyline -210
+5.5 (-110)
Moneyline +175
O: 47.5 (-110)
U: 47.5 (-110)
Caesars-5 (-110)
Moneyline -210
+5 (-110)
Moneyline +175
O: 47.5 (-110)
U: 47.5 (-110)
Unibet, BetRivers and Barstool-4.5 (-108)
Moneyline -200
+4.5 (-113)
Moneyline +160
O: 46.5 (-113)
U: 46.5 (-108)

The FCS Playoffs Selection Committee awarded 11 automatic berths to FCS conference champions. The Missouri Valley and Big Sky conferences then received nine of the 13 at-large spots. The conferences rewarded the committee’s faith with three of the four semifinal spots. James Madison of the Colonial Athletic Association is the only exception.

The FCS Championship game is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX.

Photo by Andy Clayton-King / AP
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Russ Mitchell

Russ Mitchell has been covering news and sports in northwest Iowa since 1997, including 11 years as managing editor for one of the most acclaimed community newspapers in the state. He looks forward to keeping readers up to date on the growing sportsbook industry in Iowa.

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