FCS Football Talk

On this episode, Sam is joined by South Dakota State beat writer Matt Zimmer. The two discuss: -Mark Gronowski returning? -Biggest questions for SDSU in 2024 -Who are the new weapons on offense? -How good can the defense be? -New offensive coordinator -SDSU's NIL collective -SDSU's chances at a 3-peat -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for F...

On this episode, Sam is joined by Missouri Valley Football Conference commissioner Patty Viverito. The two discuss: -MVFC's new multimedia deal that will include national TV -push to seed more teams in the 24-team FCS playoff bracket -FCS Oversight Committee and its top discussion points -transfer portal -future of D1 football and where the MVFC fits in -potential employee model in college athleti...

On this episode, Sam records a podcast in Indianapolis alongside HERO Sports’ G5 national writer Colton Pool. The two are in Indy for the NFL Combine. And they hit record to BS about the combine, what covering the G5 is like compared to the FCS, the similarities of the G5 and the FCS, if NDSU will ever get an FBS invite, the future of the CFP, will the G5/top-of-FCS merger ever happen, college ath...

On this episode, Sam is joined by HERO Sports contributor Daniel Steenkamer to discuss Delaware's decision to move to the FBS. They discuss what went into the decision, if Delaware's view toward CUSA changed, how the CAA's membership movement impacted the decision, how Delaware fans feel about the move, and more. The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for...

On this episode, Sam sits down with Stephen F. Austin Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. He is the co-chair of a working group made up of administrators from the FCS and Division I-AAA to help “redefine and actualize their distinctive role and value within Division I athletics and to chart a path for the future.” Sam and Ryan discuss: -the goal of this working group -how mid-majors want to fit into...

On this episode, Sam recaps a fun weekend in Frisco, discussing the scene, atmosphere, and the championship game. Also, where does this SDSU team rank among all-time FCS teams? Will the transfer portal impact SDSU and Montana? And how do the 2024 SDSU and Montana teams look? The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm...

On this episode, Sam previews the FCS championship with SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer and Montana reporter Colter Nuanez. (16:20) Matt Zimmer discusses the energy around SDSU’s football program and the team’s path to another national championship game. (54:35) Colter Nuanez talks about how Montana turned around its season and how much buzz around the state there is for the Griz. The podcast is present...

On this episode, Sam breaks down the semifinal results. SDSU destroyed UAlbany 59-0 as the scene in Brookings was more entertaining than the game. And in an instant classic, Montana beat NDSU 31-29 in double overtime. That sets up what will be an epic environment for the championship game in Frisco, Texas. The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS co...

On this episode, Sam looks back at the FCS quarterfinal games and looks ahead to the semifinal matchups. He also touches on the news of Matt Entz leaving NDSU after this season and where the Bison go from here. 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 previews the FCS quarterfinal games, looking at the matchups, some statistics, and the keys to victory. The predictions article can be read here. 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 recaps the second round of the FCS playoffs. SDSU and Montana looked the part of Top 2 seeds. CAA members UAlbany and Villanova dominated. South Dakota and Furman got convincing wins. And NDSU and Idaho won overtime thrillers. 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 be...

On this episode, Sam reacts to Delaware moving to the FBS. He dives into what type of impact this has on the FCS, attempting to balance this move hurting the FCS and that the FCS is getting watered down while still trying to calm the “FCS is going to die” online freakouts. The second half of the pod then previews what should be an excellent second round of FCS playoff action. The podcast is presen...

On this episode, Sam reacts to the playoff bracket, including thoughts on the seeds, the bubble, and first-round matchups. He also ranks the four corners of the bracket and which pod is toughest before giving his semifinal and national title game predictions. The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports f...

On this episode, Sam goes conference-by-conference to break down the playoff scenarios, whether it’s the auto-bid, at-large bids, or seedable teams in each league. He ends the podcast by looking at the overall seeding scenarios. There may be seven teams in good position already to secure a seed. And there are potentially four teams battling for the No. 8 seed. The podcast is presented by HERO Spor...

On this episode, Sam brings on a superstar guest lineup for an FCS roundtable discussion. Joining are Kevin Marshall of FCS Nation Radio, Zach McKinnell of The Bluebloods and FCS Football Central, and Jamie Williams of FCS Fans Nation. The guys discuss national award favorites, playoff scenarios in the SoCon/CAA/Big Sky/MVFC, and who the top four seeds will be. They also talk about teams like SDSU...

FCS playoff committee chair Kent Haslam joins the podcast to help break down many topics: -How often the playoff committee meets -Top 10 rankings reveal -Kent’s duties as the Big Sky rep, but what happens when his school (Montana) is brought up during the selection process -First-round hosting determinations -How the at-large bids and top 8 seeds are selected -How often strength of schedule is dis...

On this episode, Sam recaps Week 9 with the 3 Game Balls and a Flag segment, featuring nods to Idaho, Tennessee State, and Portland State RB Jobi Malary. Plus, what does Idaho’s win over Montana State mean for both teams moving forward? Other results around the FCS also caught the eye, including some unranked over ranked wins. Finally, five ranked vs. ranked matchups this weekend will help shape t...

Furman head coach Clay Hendrix joins the podcast to talk about this season’s football squad and its No. 3 ranking. He also discusses the Top 10 win over Western Carolina, the improvement of the SoCon, how Furman has built itself for playoff success, being motivated after last year’s UIW loss, plus more talking points.

On this episode, Sam recaps Week 8 with the 3 Game Balls and a Flag segment and also looks ahead to the best Week 9 games. The podcast also takes a gander at what the playoff committee’s Top 10 ranking could look like later this week.

On this episode, Sam recaps Week 7 with the 3 Game Balls and a Flag segment. He dives deeper into the Montana over Idaho win and the UND over NDSU win, including the Griz flipping the narrative and also asking the popular question this week on whether the Bison’s dynasty is dead. The podcast ends with a look at a few of the top games this weekend: No. 4 Furman at No. 8 Western Carolina, No. 1 Sout...

Idaho head coach Jason Eck joins the podcast to talk about this weekend’s ranked matchup vs. Montana, which will be played in front of a sell-out crowd and aired on ESPN2. The second-year head coach also discusses why he thought Idaho was a sleeping giant, the Vandals being ahead of schedule with their No. 3 ranking, what he’s learned about the Big Sky, plus some other topics.

There is plenty to dive into in this week’s episode. Sam recaps Week 6 with the 3 Game Balls and a Flag segment, plus some other takeaways. The pod then touches on a couple of news items. Sam shares his thoughts on the FCS media poll being added to the list of criteria playoff committee members can utilize to help evaluate teams. He also touches on the FCS-to-FBS transition fee increasing from $5K...

South Dakota State All-American OL Mason McCormick joins the podcast for an interview, discussing SDSU’s season so far and his decision to return for a sixth year. Sam and Mason also talk about a couple of other standout SDSU offensive linemen, the Jackrabbits playing with a target on their backs, new head coach Jimmy Rogers, paying attention to other Top 25 teams, and the buzz around SDSU footbal...

Eight ranked FCS teams lost last weekend, and six of them lost to unranked opponents. Sam reacts to the crazy week of action and then looks ahead to the best Week 6 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.

Sam is back from his Ireland trip to go through a long list of results from this last weekend. He touches on the impressive performances of Delaware, UT Martin, and Montana State. And a year after having Montana as high as No. 2, Sam questions why the Griz are still being ranked. Other performances talked about are Furman, Villanova, WCU, Chattanooga, Idaho, EKU, UCA, HCU, and EWU. The podcast end...