South Dakota State (9-4), seeded 14th, is facing third-seeded Montana in a second-round FCS Playoff game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+. Last week, SDSU defeated New Hampshire, while Montana had a bye. The stadium is being prepared for the game with extensive snow removal efforts, as snow blanketed Missoula, and the stadium staff began snow clearing early Friday to ensure safety and accessibility. The game is expected to draw a crowd of over 20,000, with stadium officials prioritizing clearing stairs, corridors, and the field, including plowing the lines for visibility. Historically, SDSU has struggled at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, losing playoff games there in 2009 and 2015, but they have been a strong road team this season, winning away from Brookings in four of five games, including victories at Montana State and North Dakota. Montana boasts a 36-7 record in home playoff games, with their last loss at home in 2013. The game presents challenges for SDSU, especially in handling the environment and Montana’s strong home crowd. Key matchups include SDSU’s defense against Montana’s star running back Eli Gillman, who is one of the best in the nation. SDSU previously shut him down last year, holding him to 12 yards on 10 carries, but he is expected to be more effective this time. On offense, SDSU’s quarterback Chase Mason, who has an 8-0 record when starting, demonstrated exceptional arm strength and accuracy last week and will need to perform at a high level to succeed against Montana’s defense, which has 29 sacks this season. Lineup considerations include potential returns of offensive tackle Sam Hagen and Cullen McShane, which could bolster SDSU’s offensive line. The game will also test Mason’s mobility, as Montana’s defense is capable of pressuring the quarterback. The outcome hinges on SDSU’s ability to handle the hostile environment, contain Montana’s key players, and execute effectively on both sides of the ball.