Getty South Dakota State's Isaiah Davis looks to lead his team to a win on Saturday.
South Dakota State takes on Montana State for a spot in the FCS title game on Saturday, December 17.
The game (4 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on ESPN2, but if you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream on ESPN+, FuboTV or DirecTV Stream.
Those are the best live stream options if you’re cutting cable, but there are also some other alternatives, so here’s a full guide on the different ways to watch South Dakota State vs Montana State streaming live online:
Note: Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN2 and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the FuboTV app or FuboTV website.
Compatible devices for the FuboTV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Fubo credentials to do that.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” ESPN2 is included in every one, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the DirecTV Stream app or DirecTV Stream website.
Compatible devices for the DirecTV Stream app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your DirecTV Stream credentials to do that.
ESPN+
If you’ve used up all your free trials for other streaming services, this is the cheapest option, as all FCS, DII and DIII football playoff games, including the national championships, will be simulcast on ESPN+:
ESPN+ also includes dozens of other live sports, every 30-for-30 documentary and additional original content (both video and written) for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (or $13.99 per month for a bundle of all three of ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu).
Once signed up for ESPN+, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com.
Compatible devices for the ESPN app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox One or Series X/S, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung Smart TV, Oculus Go, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN2 and 40-plus other live TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Orange” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with the ESPN channels, and you can your first month for half off:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the Sling TV app or Sling TV website.
Compatible devices for the Sling TV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Sling credentials to do that.
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN2 and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which now also includes access to both ESPN+ and Disney+ at no added cost:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the Hulu app or Hulu website.
Compatible devices for the Hulu app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Hulu credentials to do that.
Vidgo
You can watch a live stream of ESPN2 and 65+ other TV channels on Vidgo, which does not come with a free trial:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch South Dakota State vs Montana State live on the Vidgo app or Vidgo website.
Compatible devices for the Vidgo app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Vidgo credentials to do that.
SDSU vs Montana State Preview
The old Buffalo Bills slogan of “Just Freeze, Baby” could apply to South Dakota State (12-1) and Montana State (12-1) on Saturday.
“We can’t wait,” MSU center Justus Perkins said via KULR8.com. “We’re a competitive group so if you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best so we’re staying with that attitude staying with that mentality so we’re going to get after it.”
SDSU, the top seed, will host the game with the weather at 10 degrees and a cold win at 20 miles per hour in Brookings, South Dakota. The Jackrabbits went to the FCS title game last time they hosted a semifinal game. That happened in the 2021 spring season with the weather well above single digits on a May afternoon.
The Jacks beat Delaware in that semifinal game, but this time around the Jacks face a Montana State squad full of players who made it all the way to Frisco last year. The Bobcats knocked out the Jacks in last year’s semifinals in Bozeman, Montana.
“We know that we’re not invincible, and we know that we have to play good defense and it’s not going to just come naturally,” Jacks defensive tackle Caleb Sanders said via The Mitchell Republic. “That’s really important to bring into this week to make sure that we’re locked in in practice and ready to play on Saturday.”
Something will have to give on Saturday as neither MSU nor SDSU have lost to an FCS team this season. The Jacks fell to Iowa 7-3 in their season opener, and the Bobcats came short of Oregon State, 68-28.
Both MSU and SDSU looked strong in their quarterfinal games. MSU stomped William & Mary 55-7 last week. The Bobcats previously beat Weber State in the second round.
SDSU knocked out a previously unbeaten Holy Cross squad 42-21 last week. The Jacks previously downed Delaware in the second round, 42-6.
Jacks quarterback Mark Gronowski has been solid this season with 2,555 yards passing for 21 touchdowns versus five interceptions. Jaxon Janke has been the go-to receiver with 54 catches for 723 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott can make plays when called upon in the passing game. He has 1,507 yards passing for 10 touchdowns versus four interceptions. Willie Patterson has been the go-to receiver with 40 catches for 579 yards and nine touchdowns.
How much passing either team will do remains to be seen with the cold temperatures and heavy winds. MSU likes to run the ball, and Mellott is one of their main threats with 1,058 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. SDSU has running back Isaiah Davis, who has 1,190 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
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