FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 4, 2026) – The Big Sky Conference announced Wednesday that the Idaho State-Montana football game on Saturday, Nov. 14, will air nationally on ESPN2, with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. MT at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.
The matchup was previously
announced as part of the Big Sky’s record five-game ESPN linear television package for the 2026 season, with its specific network designation unknown until today.
The contest will mark the third Big Sky football game to air on ESPN2 this season, joining Northern Arizona at Montana State on Sept. 26 and Eastern Washington at UC Davis on Oct. 3. The league’s other two nationally televised conference games aired on ESPN, with Idaho at Cal Poly on Aug. 28 to open the season and Montana State at Idaho on Oct. 2. The home team has won all four ESPN linear games so far this season.
Both Montana and Idaho State have been consistently ranked in the Top 25 this season, with the Griz coming in at No. 12 and the Bengals at No. 22 in the latest FCS Stats Perform Top 25 poll. Montana is vying for its 30th appearance in the FCS Playoffs, while Idaho State seeks its first postseason trip since 1983.
2026 Big Sky Football ESPN Linear Broadcast Schedule
Friday, Aug. 28: Idaho at Cal Poly – ESPN
Saturday, Sept. 26: Northern Arizona at Montana State – ESPN2
Friday, Oct. 2: Montana State at Idaho – ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 3: Eastern Washington at UC Davis – ESPN2
Saturday, Nov. 14: Idaho State at Montana – ESPN2
Since the Big Sky's partnership with ESPN began in 2021, the league has had 17 conference games air on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU, with 10 different schools being featured in those contests.
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