Griz vs SDSU: 2029 Vegas Kickoff Classic on ESPN

Just a few weeks ago, on The Daily Drive with Ace Sauerwein, the Voice of the Griz, Riley Corcoran, shared his belief that the FCS needs more marquee "kick off" games to begin the season.

For example, when North Dakota State opened up the season at Washington-Grizzly Stadium against the Montana Grizzlies.

That game was an epic clash between two FCS titans with national exposure in week zero. All college football fans, FBS or FCS, tuned in because there were no FBS games scheduled at the same time.

Not to mention, the game was incredible and came down to the final play.

We've had some other marquee FCS games to kick off the season, but they're not as prevalent as they should be.

That won't be the case in 2029.

Montana vs South Dakota State in Las Vegas, Nevada

The Grizzlies' social media accounts announced this week that Montana will play South Dakota State in 2029 at the home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.

I LOVE this idea. These marquee neutral site games are a rarity for Montana. Outside of the National Championship games, I can't recall a neutral site game.

It gets eyeballs on the Griz, gives fans something to look forward to, and provides fans with a chance to travel to an awesome city like Vegas.

It gets eyeballs on the FCS, too. If the FCS wants to stay relevant in conference realignment, it needs to capitalize on these early week 0 games. The FCS needs to showcase the big dogs like Montana, SDSU, NDSU, and MSU to make it feel important.

Oh, and I suppose it's good the Cats play North Dakota State in the Vegas Classic in 2027.

But I'm more of a Griz guy.

Viva Las Vegas, Griz Nation.