Montana Grizzlies’ Road to Glory: Every Key Game on the 2026 Schedule

A new head coach, two new conference teams on the schedule, and an FCS title in mind — the Montana Grizzlies enter the season with big expectations. They open the year with a three-game homestand against two new conference opponents and the Drake Bulldogs.

The season begins on August 29 when Montana faces Southern Utah for the first time since 2021. In their last meeting, the Grizzlies escaped with a narrow 20–19 home victory, the closest margin between the two programs. Montana enters this matchup riding a four-game winning streak against the Thunderbirds.

Next up are the Drake Bulldogs, whom Montana has not faced since 2018 — their only meeting ever. In that matchup, the Grizzlies dominated the Bulldogs 48–16 at home. This time, the Bulldogs will look for revenge while Montana aims to keep its perfect record intact.

The three-game homestand wraps up against another new conference opponent, the Utah Tech Trailblazers. Although the series history is brief, Montana has controlled the matchup, winning both meetings. In their most recent game in 2023, the Grizzlies traveled to St. George, Utah, and dominated the Trailblazers 43–13.

Oregon State Road Test Could Define Montana Early

Montana’s first road test comes against Pac-12 opponent Oregon State. The Grizzlies have not faced the Beavers since 1996, when Montana earned a 35–14 win on Oregon State’s home field for just its second victory in the series. Montana carries a two-game winning streak into this year’s matchup and will look to make it three against a team that has shut out the Grizzlies in half of their 16 all-time meetings.

Staying on the road, Montana heads to Davis, California, to battle UC Davis. In their last meeting in 2024, the Aggies defeated the Grizzlies 30–14 in Missoula. Montana will be seeking revenge while also defending its unbeaten all-time road record of 6-0 vs the Aggies.

Back to Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Montana hosts Northern Colorado. The Grizzlies have won four straight against the Bears, including three shutouts during that stretch, and have never lost to Northern Colorado at home. However, the Bears will come in motivated after suffering a 24–0 shutout loss in Greeley last season.

Next, Montana travels to Flagstaff, Arizona, for its 55th all-time meeting with Northern Arizona. In their 2024 matchup, the Grizzlies pulled away in the fourth quarter with two late touchdowns to secure a 31–20 home victory.

Returning home, Montana renews its rivalry with Idaho in the battle for the Little Brown Stein Trophy. The Grizzlies have won two straight over the Vandals, including a 41–30 home win last season. Montana will aim to defend the trophy, while Idaho hopes to reclaim it for the first time since 2022.

The road trip continues with a matchup against Eastern Washington. Montana enters riding a four-game winning streak over the Eagles, including a 29–24 home victory last season. But Eastern Washington will be eager to defend its home turf, where the Eagles hold a solid 11–13 record against the Grizzlies, and snap Montana’s recent run.

Back in Missoula for two straight home games, Montana first takes on Portland State. The Grizzlies have won six consecutive games against the Vikings since 2019 and are coming off a dominant 63–17 road victory last season.

The final home game of the season features Idaho State. Montana has controlled this match-up for years, riding a remarkable 16-game winning streak over the Bengals dating all the way back to 2003. Last season, however, Idaho State pushed Montana to the limit before the Grizzlies escaped Pocatello with a narrow 42–38 win.

As always, the regular season ends with the fiercest rivalry in the Big Sky: Montana vs. Montana State. The Bobcats have won three straight over the Grizzlies, including a crushing playoff victory last season. Montana’s last win in the rivalry came in 2023, when the Grizzlies earned a 37–13 home victory. This year, Montana must accomplish something it has not done since 2015 — beat Montana State in Bozeman.

With dominant stretches, revenge opportunities, and major challenges throughout the schedule, the Grizzlies have the talent and motivation to make another deep postseason run. The question is whether this team can build on last season’s success and finish the job with an FCS championship this year.