FCS Football Talk

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?

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.

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...

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 this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Big-picture outlook of NDSU beating SDSU and how it shapes the national title picture -Week 8 Three Game Balls and A Flag -How far should voters have dropped Villanova and Mercer after upset losses in Week 8? -Is Tommy Mellott a dark horse pick for the Walter Payton Award? -Week 9 previews: No. 24 WCU at No. 14 Mercer and No. 4 USD at No. 3...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 7 Three Game Balls and A Flag -Montana State gets a statement win, while North Alabama, Northern Colorado, and SFA pull off upset wins -Week 8 previews: An in-depth preview for No. 1 SDSU at No. 2 NDSU No. 16 Rhode Island at No. 24 New Hampshire implications Is Weber State at Sac State already a playoff elimination game? Is Mercer at Sa...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 6 Three Game Balls and A Flag -What are the biggest midseason questions? 1. How good is Montana State? 2. Who has the best odds to win the FCS title? 3. What do we make of the CAA race? 4. Can a RB win the Walter Payton Award? -Week 7 previews No. 7 Idaho at No. 3 Montana State No. 24 North Arizona at No. 14 Montana The podcast is prese...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 5 Three Game Balls and A Flag -Which team had the most impressive win in Week 5? -Week 6 previews: No. 7 North Dakota at No. 2 NDSU No. 18 Illinois State at No. 19 SIU No. 5 Central Arkansas at No. 16 ACU No. 25 NAU at No. 10 Idaho The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and htt...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 4 Three Game Balls and A Flag -No. 4 Montana’s comeback win over No. 24 Western Carolina -How open is the race for the FCS National Championship? -Week 5 previews: No. 12 Mercer at No. 23 Wofford No. 17 SIU at No. 5 South Dakota No. 2 NDSU at No. 18 Illinois State No. 19 Lamar at No. 7 Central Arkansas No. 4 Idaho at No. 14 UC Davis The...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 3 Three Game Balls and A Flag -Southern Illinois & Idaho win statement games against ranked opponents -Should we be concerned about North Dakota State’s defense after struggling against ETSU? -Will the recent conference realignment impact the FCS? -South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and Villanova look unimpressive in Week 3 win...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Week 2 Three Game Balls and A Flag -No. 23 North Dakota’s win over No. 4 Montana -No. 1 South Dakota State’s statement win against No. 12 Incarnate Word -How do we view South Dakota State and Montana after two weeks? -Multiple preseason-ranked programs fall to 0-2 -Week 3 previews: No. 17 UAlbany at No. 4 Idaho, No. 23 Mercer at No. 14 Chatt...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 1 -NDSU’s battle against Colorado -No. 6 Villanova’s win over No. 25 Youngstown State  -Missed opportunities for FCS programs to pull off FBS upsets -No. 12 UIW at No. 1 SDSU will tell us a lot about both teams  -Can No. 23 North Dakota pull off the upset against No. 3 Montana? -Other FCS matchups to watch i...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 0 -Montana State’s FBS win -NDSU-Colorado preview -SDSU-Oklahoma State preview -Youngstown State-Villanova preview -Intriguing Week 1 FCS-FBS 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...

On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss: -Top 2024 storylines -FCS playoff seeds increasing to 16 -The FCS championship game moving to Monday night -Week 0 preview

On this episode, Sam is reunited with Brian McLaughlin. The two go on a wide-ranging conversation, including discussing the FCS level, what has changed, and if more changes could be coming.

On this episode, Sam is joined by Commissioner Michael Cross at SoCon Media Day. The two discuss: -His first year on the job -Challenges for mid-majors -How the SoCon/FCS fits into the future of college football -Facilities, scholarships, and revenue-sharing -Conference membership -SoCon rising in the FCS ranks -And more

On this episode, Sam is joined by Cole Neely, former Furman football player and current TV analyst, to preview the Paladins. The two discuss: -Last year's memorable run -2024 expectations  -QB Carson Jones -Offensive question marks -Defensive holes to fill  -High school recruiting  -SoCon gaining more respect -thoughts on the FCS landscape -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetM...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Zach McKinnell of FCS Football Central and The Bluebloods. The two discuss some FCS over/unders, including: -Win totals for SDSU, NDSU, Montana, Montana State, USD, and Nova -Number of playoff teams from the Big Sky, CAA, MVFC, and SoCon -Number of Big Sky/MVFC teams in the semifinals -Number of FCS over FBS wins -Micah Davey tackles -ShunDerrick Powell/Kayvon Bri...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Jay Elsen of Midco Sports to preview the upcoming South Dakota football season. The two discuss: -the difference between last offseason and this offseason for USD football -Offensive talent returning -Aidan Bouman's progression -Defensive question marks and names to step up -USD's portal additions -Overall roster talent improvement -2024 expectations -And more The...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Brian Marceau, host of Tubs at the Club, to chat Idaho football. The two discuss: -Excitement around Idaho football -Jason Eck -Jack Layne at QB -Offensive weapons -OL progression -Strength of the defense -2024 expectations -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Stone Labanowitz, former SIU QB and current co-host of FCS Nation Radio The two discuss: -Mark Gronowski staying at SDSU -Analysis of Cam Miller, Cole Gonzales, and Tommy Mellott -Under-the-radar QBs -Transfer portal regrets -Frisco experience -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://s...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Ed Benkin to preview the upcoming Villanova football season. The two discuss: -Nova's run to the quarterfinals last year -Year-to-year inconsistencies -QB Connor Watkins -Nova's defensive potential -Villanova and the CAA -Battle of the Blue future -Villanova football following -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.c...

On this episode, Sam is joined by CAA writer Daniel Steenkamer to preview UAlbany. The two discuss: -UAlbany's rise last year -The departures and transfer additions -QB battle -Defense rebuilding -Recruiting -2024 schedule thoughts -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit herosports.com for FCS coverage and sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by NDSU radio play-by-play announcer Sam Neidermann The two discuss: -the energy around NDSU football this offseason -new head coach Tim Polasek -Eli Green entering the portal -NDSU's offense -Can the defense elevate its play? -Colorado matchup -NDSU's national title chances -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ f...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Montana football analyst Colter Nuanez. The two discuss: -Montana fandom at a fever pitch after the national title game appearance  -Bobby Hauck's contract -Biggest question for the 2024 Montana football team -Starting QB situation -How good can the offense be? -How the defense looks to reload -Impact transfers -Will Montana take another step toward winning a nati...