On this episode, Sam is joined by Idaho head coach Thomas Ford Jr.
They discuss:
-Taking over as Idaho’s head coach
-Ford’s rise in the coaching profession
-Navigating the transfer portal
-Idaho fans’ thirst for more success
-A look at the 2025 squad
-And more

On this episode, Sam chats 1-on-1 with North Dakota State head coach Tim Polasek.
They discuss:
-NDSU’s championship run
-Not losing any players to the transfer portal after the title game
-Former Bison players on the coaching staff
-FCS changes while he was in the FBS from 2017-2023
-Ever-changing CFB landscape
-2025 QB competition
-And more

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss:
-Three Game Balls and A Flag from the first round of the playoffs
-The Top 3 finalists for the Walter Payton Award and Buck Buchanan Award
-Most intriguing second-round matchups
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Chris Grant joins the show to discuss his first months as Southland Conference Commissioner. What were the conversations like with UIW and McNeese when they were considering leaving the conference? What went into Lamar coming back to the Southland this summer? And is the Southland looking to add more members? Sam and Chris also discuss how the conference can improve on a national FCS scale, and what the future of D1 football looks like.

John Liddle, a play-by-play broadcaster for Tarleton State and the Southland Conference, joins the show. Sam and John discuss Tarleton's move to D1, their level of commitment to D1 success, and their desire to be an FBS program. They also talk about the WAC, the Southland finding stability, and future realignment.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Zach McKinnell of The Bluebloods joins the pod to discuss a range of FCS topics, including:
-New top-tier QBs
-Strongest FCS position group
-NDSU's top challenger
-Jackson State's preseason rankings
-Realignment
-Potential G5/FCS merger
-Pros and cons of the transfer portal
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

The news of USC and UCLA leaving for the Big Ten in 2024 sent shockwaves around college football. From an FCS perspective, the trickle-down effect could be massive. Just like last fall when Texas and Oklahoma announced they are leaving for the SEC, the dominos eventually led to three FCS teams leaving for the FBS.
Will the same happen this time? Could the Mountain West lose teams and then have openings for a combination of FCS programs like North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana, Montana State, or UC Davis?
Or is there a chance that this has zero impact on the FCS? Or is it possible that this is a giant step toward a P5 split and FCS/G5 merger?
All scenarios are on the table. Sam gives his thoughts and then shares audio in a joint podcast going over many hypotheticals with the crew at FCS Fans Nation.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Craig Haley, the FCS Senior Editor for Stats Perform and The Analyst, joins the show to talk about top storylines in the FCS. Sam and Craig discuss:
-voting panel for the Top 25 media poll and national awards
-Early favorites for the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan Award
-Will Sam Houston and Jacksonville State be eligible for Top 25 votes this season?
-FCS-to-FBS realignment concern
-FCS playoff expansion
-Ivy League in the playoffs
-Top storyline in the FCS entering this season
-National title picture
-Frisco
-Future of D1 football
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Chris Hammond, an Idaho fan and an admin for FCS Fans Nation, joins the show to talk about Idaho’s move from the FBS to the FCS. What led to that decision, how did fans feel then, and how do they feel now about the FCS?
Chris and Sam also talk about what Moscow is like as a football town, what kind of resources the football program has, the level of expectation from the fan base, and the new excitement around the program with the hiring of Jason Eck.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by Nathan McCreary, a co-host of the AQ10 podcast who also spent time as the play-by-play voice for Kennesaw State football.
The two discuss the ASUN-WAC Challenge being extended into 2022 and beyond. How good will this joint league be, and how many playoff teams could it have this season? They also talk about potential future FBS teams out of the ASUN-WAC, what does Kennesaw State need to do to take the next step as an FCS program, and is the preseason hype for SFA deserved?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Sam is joined by Dom Izzo, the Sports Director at WDAY in Fargo, the TV play-by-play voice for NDSU, and an FCS Top 25 voter. They discuss several topics, including:
-How the 2022 Bison team compares to past teams
-Cam Miller at QB
-FBS interest in Matt Entz
-How Fargo is feeling about the FCS
-Is there a realistic path for NDSU to go FBS, or is it a long shot
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Sam is joined by South Dakota State beat writer Matt Zimmer. They discuss the season outlook for the 2022 Jackrabbits and if this is the year we finally see an NDSU-SDSU matchup in the national championship.
They also take a big-picture look at the program: how its expectations have grown, the next steps it needs to take to become elite, the fan base, John Stiegelmeier’s time as HC, and where SDSU is positioned in the changing landscape of college football.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by Kevin Marshall of FCS Nation Radio to talk SoCon and FCS football. They discuss where the SoCon is at right now after taking a step back as a premier conference. Is the top-to-bottom competitiveness of the SoCon better than having a top-heavy league with multiple quarterfinalists? And what does it need to do to gain more national respect?
They also talk about national FCS storylines, including the 2022 title picture, the changing landscape of the FCS, and if the subdivision is stronger or weaker in 2022 compared to 2012.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss playoff scenarios in each conference. Which teams are in contention for a Top 8 seed, and who are bubble teams to pay attention to?

Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports and ESPN Missoula joins the show to discuss the Montana and Montana State football programs. Sam and Colter talk about:
-the passion for the Griz and the Bobcats in the state
-Troy Andersen
-Montana and Montana State's dip in national relevancy in the mid-2010s and their rise back up
-Jeff Choate, Brent Vigen, and Bobby Hauck
-How close Montana and Montana State are to being legit threats to win an FCS title
-How good will the Griz be in 2022?
-Will MSU return to the championship game this season?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by HERO Sports’ HBCU contributing writer Duane Nash. The two discuss numerous HBCU topics, including:
-NC A&T’s conference movement and the reaction from its fans
-The future of the MEAC
-The rise of the SWAC and its brand
-How good will Jackson State be?
-What would it take for the MEAC and SWAC to send its conference champ to the FCS playoffs?
-The Celebration Bowl experience
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by Jamie Williams, a co-host of the FCS Fans Nation podcast and a Stats Perform FCS Top 25 voter and national awards voter.
The two discuss numerous FCS topics, including:
-JMU’s 1st year in the FBS
-FCS teams that need to step up with JMU, SHSU, and JSU departing
-increased national conversation and attention on the FCS
-analyzing the CAA and the SoCon
-2022 national title picture
-thoughts on the new WAC and ASUN conferences
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander joins the podcast to discuss new football-playing member Bryant. Sam and Kyle go over the process of adding teams and what all goes into it.
Kyle also talks about the challenges of losing multiple members recently.
They then discuss the Big South-OVC Association that is forming for the 2023 season. How was the association formed, and how does it impact the Big South’s search for new members?

Former Montana athletic director Jim O'Day joins the show. O'Day was a part of the administration for 15 years at UM and spent the last seven as the AD from 2005-12. He has since remained plugged into collegiate athletics through consulting work.
O'Day was a part of the FCS championship site committee back when it moved from Chattanooga to Frisco. He and Sam discuss what that selection process was like, who all submitted bids, and O'Day shares his thoughts on how Frisco has been the ideal fit.
The two also dive into the FCS-to-FBS talk. Montana had two opportunities to make the jump when O'Day was the AD. Why was the decision made back then to remain FCS? And how has the FCS landscape changed from the 2000s to now? As more FCS bluebloods leave, has the appetite to go FBS increased for Midwest FCS powers?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid joins the show on this episode. Reid is a former player and coach at North Carolina Central before shifting to media. He breaks down some of the top FCS prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft and which players have caught his attention.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Sam is back to going solo for this week as he talks about the FCS success at the NFL Combine and why testing numbers are important. He then dives into his opinions on possible FCS playoff expansion. What are the pros and cons of expanding? He also addresses some social media reactions to the podcast/article, along with whether having a different host city for the national title game every year is a good idea.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.
Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Sam is joined by Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill. The two discuss different offseason FCS topics, including:

-The Big Sky’s facilities arms race

-FCS playoff expansion

-Is seeding more than eight teams a discussion?

-The national championship game field issues

-Conference realignment

-How can the FCS brand grow nationally, and what realistic improvements can be made to the playoffs?

Guest Daniel Steenkamer joins the podcast. Daniel has covered Delaware and CAA Football for HERO Sports since 2019 and grew up following the Blue Hens.

He provides insight into what led to UD's dip in the 2010s, including why K.C. Keeler was let go two seasons after a national title appearance, and what the blueblood program needs to do to get back to a national title-contending level. Daniel discusses what the UD fan base is like in its level of expectations and what the athletic department is doing to be a big-time FCS contender.

They also talk about Danny Rocco's firing, the Ryan Carty hire, and where UD and the CAA are at in conference realignment.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

Sam is joined by Matt Brown, the publisher of Extra Points -- https://www.extrapointsmb.com/
Matt discusses all things realignment, both FCS-to-FCS and FCS-to-FBS. Talking points include:

-What are the next moves for FCS conferences that are low on membership numbers, like the OVC, ASUN, and Southland? Is a conference merger on the table?
-How many D2 schools could we see move up to the FCS?
-What makes an FCS school a good target for an FBS conference?
-What is the future of FCS-to-FBS moves?
-Reasons why FCS-level athletic departments would want to go to the FBS.
-Was NDSU a C-USA target?
-What is NDSU's path to the FBS?
-If the Mountain West lost teams to the Big 12, would it then look to NDSU or the Montana schools? And where is the Big 12 at on wanting to add more teams?
-Could a group of FCS teams form their own FBS conference?
-What FCS teams are all-in on trying to be FBS at some point?
-Will the Power Five ever split off from the Group of Five, creating a G5-FCS merger?
-And the likelihood of a G5 team/teams moving to the FCS like Idaho did.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss:
-Week 11 Three Game Balls and A Flag
-A conference-by-conference look at teams still in contention for a Top 8 FCS playoff seed
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

There is plenty to talk about a month after the FCS season ended. Realignment continues as the CAA added Hampton and Monmouth. What does this mean for the Big South? And what other conferences are getting low on membership numbers? Former FCS players are making an impact on Super Bowl rosters. And soon-to-be NFL players are showcasing their talents at all-star games. Finally, James Madison is officially an FBS program a year sooner than usual.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

NDSU wins another national title, dominating Montana State. Sam shares his thoughts on a fun week in Frisco, the game, and, of course, the field. He also discusses what the landscape of the FCS looks like in the 2020s. Plus, who are the Top 5 teams heading into next season?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Game week is finally here! On this episode, Sam talks about the upcoming FCS title matchup between Montana State and NDSU. First, the NCAA came out with their COVID contingency plan, but should that generate much worry about the game not happening this week? On the field, what are the keys for both teams to be victorious? What are the difference-makers in this game? And finally, who is going to win and why?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

NDSU and Montana State square off next week in the FCS title game. How did their paths to Frisco come about? What were their preseason expectations, and what were the national expectations for both teams in September, October, and November as the season progressed? Sam looks back at the months and games leading up to the championship for the Bison and the Bobcats.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam offers his thoughts and analysis on the semifinal games. What was most impressive about NDSU’s and Montana State’s wins? JMU is off to the FBS now, but what’s in store next for SDSU after falling short of Frisco? And finally, how fun is Frisco going to be with these two fan bases there?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam shares his thoughts on the quarterfinal results before breaking down the four remaining teams. He explains why NDSU, JMU, Montana State, and SDSU each have what it takes to win a national title, and also gives reasons why they can’t win it all.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam reacts to the second-round results in the FCS playoffs. Who had the most impressive wins? And which wins weren’t quite as impressive? The quarterfinals are set, and it’s a good group of eight teams. How do the teams match up this weekend?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam reacts to the first round of action in the FCS playoffs. Who had great wins? Which results were surprising? He discusses the Southland going 2-0 while the MVFC went 2-3. Also, a look ahead to the second round. Which games are the most intriguing, and who are the favorites?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam discusses his trip to Missoula before diving into the playoff bracket. How did the committee do? Who got tough draws? Which first-round games look to be the best, and could we see some second-round upsets? Also, we could be in store for some great quarterfinal and semifinal games. Finally, who are the top-tier title contenders?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

What does the playoff picture look like with one week of games remaining? Sam discusses the auto-bid scenarios, which teams are in line for playoff spots, and which teams are in the hunt. He also looks at who can be seeds, and discusses how the bracket is formed by the committee.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

On this episode, FCS Playoff Committee chair Matt Larsen and the NCAA’s Ty Halpin join the podcast to help break down many topics:

-New format seeding the top 16 seeds

-The committee using new metrics — KPI, Massey Ratings, and ESPN’s Football Power Index

-Are ranked wins counted

-What criteria or metric is usually discussed the most when forming the bracket, whether it be rankings, overall record, eye test, strength of schedule, ranked wins, etc.?

-What is the selection process in determining the field and the order of seeds?

-There are a few playoff committee members whose school will be in the discussion for a spot somewhere in the bracket. How does that work if, for example, NDSU is being discussed when it comes to seeding?

-Minimum bids to host

-Several FCS playoff games getting a national spotlight

-Toyota Stadium renovations

-Frisco

What were the fallouts of last week’s ranked matchups and their results? With two games left in the regular season, what does the national title picture look like? What are the tiers in the championship discussion? And finally, what games this weekend impact the playoff picture the most?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam highlights the wins by Davidson, UNI, and William & Mary last week. He talks about Jacksonville State and Sam Houston likely being the next FCS teams to jump to the FBS. And then it's on to discussing some high-stake games for this weekend.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam highlights Weber State’s and UNI’s wins along with the play of SLU QB Cole Kelley. Plus, is Sac State in line for a playoff seed? In off-the-field news, how does JMU leaving for the FBS impact the FCS? Is it enough of a reason for other top teams to be worried and try to jump ship? Finally, what are some games to keep an eye on this weekend that will impact the playoff picture?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam highlights VMI's and Sac State's wins along with EWU's offense and NDSU's defense. He touches on the Montana schools after the Griz suffered their second loss while Montana State got its first ranked win to improve to 6-1 overall and 6-0 against the FCS. Plus, which teams that we expected to be postseason contenders are in playoff mode already? Lastly, what are some top games to keep an eye on this weekend?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam goes through the Top 10-ranked FCS teams and their path to get one of the eight playoff seeds. He dives into resumes, remaining games, how many ranked wins these teams could have, and where they could land in the playoff seeding. How high could a team be seeded if they win out? Or if a team drops a game, how far could they fall?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

Sam highlights some teams with impressive wins this last weekend and shakes his head about a blowout loss. He ponders how high of a seed UC Davis can get. And he breaks down some big-time matchups, including Montana at EWU and NDSU at UND.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS odds.

Sam discusses Austin Peay heading to the ASUN Conference. He also talks about the fallout of James Madison winning decisively at Weber State, which ranked teams are too high and too low, and how big the Sam Houston-Central Arkansas result will be.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS odds.

Sam Herder discusses Jacksonville State beating Florida State, how good James Madison is looking, Duquesne getting another FCS over FBS win, Missouri State's big win over Central Arkansas, and how Monmouth has looked in the first two weeks. He also talks about how wide-open the playoff picture looks this season. And lastly, what big games are coming up in Week 3?

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS odds.

Sam Herder recaps Week 1 with three segments: 3 Game Balls and a Flag, The 5-Emojis Don’t Sleep Team of the Week, and the Montana Griz Who’s Back of the Week Award. He discusses how much we should react, overreact, or underreact to certain FCS over FBS wins. And Sam looks ahead to Week 2 games.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS odds.

Sam Herder gives his brief thoughts on the Week 0 results. Then he breaks down the new starting quarterbacks for teams in the national title hunt -- SDSU, NDSU, Montana, and Montana State. Sam ends the podcast talking about how some Week 1 results could shift the conversation on social media.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS odds.

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss:
-The FCS Playoff Committee’s Top 10 rankings
-Week 9 Three Game Balls and A Flag
-SDSU’s big win over USD
-Week 10’s most intriguing games
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On the debut episode of the FCS Football Talk podcast, Sam Herder discusses how fair it is for FCS narratives to shift or form based off of the weird spring season. He talks about the FCS playing two seasons in one calendar year, upcoming Week 0 games, and an exciting Week 1 slate. Sam rips the #FearTheFCS hashtag, the NCAA FCS Twitter account, and questions if Jacksonville State can make the playoffs. But he ends on a positive note and says why there won't be a lot of game cancellations this fall.

B-Mac and Herd discuss their thoughts on the 2020 FCS season. Is there a chance we see games this fall? Or are we likely heading to a spring season for every team? Where is this all heading?

B-Mac and Herd continue their 2020 FCS preview series with the Patriot League. What’s the outlook on this conference, especially considering current events? What are we going to see this fall? And who could be the top contender? We discuss it all ...