FCS Football Talk

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...

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 nationa...

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...

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...

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/spo...

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...

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 disc...

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...

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 offi...

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....

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 wi...

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...

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...

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 bett...

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 od...

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.betm...

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://...

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.b...

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://...

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...

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...

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...

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:/...

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.