​NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 05: Justin Lamson #8 of the Montana State Bobcats warms up prior to the FCS Championship against the Illinois State Redbirds at FirstBank Stadium on January 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images Few teams in college football have had to face the unique challenge that the Montana State football team will deal with over the next five months. Of course it is the goal of every champion in every sport at every level to double up and go back-to-back. Seldom does it happen. That’s a very common battle that teams face year in and year out. The honor of such a burden is bestowed upon one group every season. To win all the marbles twice in a row is hard. That, however, is not necessarily the main obstacle that is standing in the way of last year’s FCS national champion. The 2026 MSU Bobcats have the privilege… and immense pressure… of being the heavy favorite to do it again and that makes the push for a repeat so much harder. Montana State’s win last year in Nashville was about as dramatic as you’ll find in the sport. While shaking off a flurry of mistakes, Brent Vigen’s team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat time and time again in FirstBank Stadium until they were standing alone at the mountain top, trophy in hand. It was, by all measures, a landmark victory for a program that had so desperately sought one over the last four decades. More so the game itself taught the ‘Cats just how difficult it really is to be the shoo-in pick and what can happen when all the chips to win are on their side. It’s lesson that comes in oddly handy for this season because, as we enter game week for the first time this fall, that’s exactly how most of the country views them again.Look at any national poll right now and you’ll see one thing in common. That #1 sits firmly behind Montana State. Media, coaches and fans alike have the Bobcats penciled in at the top spot again and rightfully so. The team returns almost everyone that contributed in a major way last year. Quarterback Justin Lamson is back after throwing for 3,172 yards. Receiver Taco Dowler, who has already come down with a handful of the biggest catches in program history, turned down what had to be some pretty hefty NIL offers to stay in Bozeman. Running back Adam Jones. Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler. The list goes on. They’re all back and, because of that, MSU is the unanimous pick to repeat. Depending on who you ask, it’s a matter of how not if they’ll do it.If you’re a fan, it’s as exciting as it gets. If you’re a player or coach? It could be a nightmarish distraction.“The biggest thing for me is that everyone in our organization is entirely committed to the ‘26 effort,” Vigen said earlier this offseason. “That’s got to be the first thing. We’ve got to turn the page and we’ve got to be as hungry as ever.” But turning the page has to be hard when parades