Bison Illustrated Podcast

'Tis the season, that special time of year, where the FCS Playoff Selection Committee draws the ire of fans across the nation with Selection Sunday barreling at us! Swany and Brady talk about a dominating Bison win at Youngstown State and the emergence of Cam Miller as one of the best QBs in the Missouri Valley. We talk about the Herd's huge matchup this weekend with a red-hot South Dakota team fresh off its Hail Mary win against the Jacks. We also dive deep into potential playoff scenarios and who's deserving of the Top 4 seeds. Swany tells you why the Selection Committee should put Sam Houston State and James Madison on the same side of the bracket as the No. 1 and No. 4 seeds, and then place South Dakota and South Dakota State in potential second round showdowns with the Bearkats and Dukes. We aim to make everyone torqued, this week, where champions come to podcast, the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

It's that age-old football cliche–unstoppable force meets immovable object. In this case, the immovable object is the historically good Bison defense versus the high-flying Jackrabbits offense. For the Bison to bring the Dakota Marker back to Fargo from Brookings, Code Green needs to clamp down on an SDSU attack that lit them up for more than 300 yards rushing last spring in Fargo. Cam Miller continued his strong play last week, throwing for three touchdowns. Swany and Brady talk about Miller's performance and the Bison offense looking like the unit we thought they'd be. We also discuss what, and who, will decide this game, and tell you why. Turn the radio up, and let's talk about the Rock, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

It's THE question among Bison fans this week after Cam Miller came off the bench to lead North Dakota State to two fourth quarter touchdowns in a 27-20 comeback win over Missouri State. Who will be the starting QB for the Herd going forward? Miller was an electric 7-of-9 in relief for 112 yards with two big scores to Phoenix Sproles and Christian Watson. Quincy Patterson tops NDSU in rushing through seven games, in yards and scoring, and piloted the Herd to big wins against North Dakota and Northern Iowa.

Swany Says both QBs will be needed by the Bison if they are to return to Frisco. Swany and Brady recap Miller's performance, the QB questions, and the fact NDSU controls its own destiny when it comes to Dome-field advantage in the playoffs. The Missouri Valley Football Conference race is heating up, as the weather cools, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

A week after a 34-20 demolition of a Northern Iowa program on the rise, the Herd looks to spoil Illinois State's homecoming. Quincy Patterson torched the Panthers for four touchdowns, including a dynamite 85-yard precision guided bomb to Christian Watson. Watson, the most explosive offensive weapon in the FCS, finished with five catches for 163 yards and a score. A big punt return by Jayden Price, followed by a strip sack by Will Mostaert, setup two Bison touchdowns early in the second half.

Swany and Brady talk about a Herd offense on the rise, and the suffocating Code Green/"Best Friends Defense." Swany says he expects NDSU's offense to be aggressive in attacking the Redbirds today, and ISU's problems getting off the field on third down will be costly against the Herd. Patterson's growing chemistry with his receivers, combined with his running skills and the Bison ground game, are heating up.

The guys also discuss some surprise teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and a slate of big matchups this weekend - including North Dakota at Southern Illinois, and South Dakota at UNI.

The Bison offense continues the march, this week, where champions come to talk, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

North Dakota State ruined the University of North Dakota's party at the Alerus Center last weekend, riding a dominating performance from Code Green to a 16-10 win. The Herd did just enough offensively to down the Fighting Hawks, but will undoubtedly look for a stronger offensive showing this weekend against one of the hottest teams in the FCS, Northern Iowa. While the Herd has won seven in a row against the Panthers, the Bison will need to be on top of their game against a resurgent UNI team featuring new signal caller Theo Day. Day, a Michigan State transfer, led an explosive Panthers offense to a 34-7 thrashing on Saturday against Youngstown State. Swany and Brady deep dive into the UND game, some curious fourth down decision making, Code Green, and, of course, the Bison offense. The guys say that some fans need to back away from Crazy Town in going bonkers over a "mere" six point win against a Top 10 team and in-state rival. Swany Says the Herd will be tested by a very good Panthers team. The Herd looks for some homecoming fireworks of its own, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

North Dakota State kicks off Missouri Valley Football Conference play against in-state rival North Dakota. The Herd trounced the Hawks 34 - 13 last spring in Fargo, as the teams play for the second time in six months. It's a contrast of styles. While NDSU looks to pound the rock, the Hawks are actually throwing for more yards per contest than they're getting on the ground. Turnovers may be a big story as UND committed five against Drake last week. Swany and Brady break down the matchups within the game. Swany likes NDSU's defense against UND. Brady likes the Herd's ability to run the ball. The guys rewind the clock as Swany fondly remembers moments from yesteryear in the Bison v. Hawks series. Flush twice this week to make sure it gets all the way to Grand Forks, where champions come to podcast, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast.

North Dakota State won its opener in convincing fashion, riding the stalwart defensive effort by Code Green to a 28 – 6 victory over Albany. Quincy Patterson was solid in his debut as the Bison quarterback, while the Rams and running attack took things over in the second half. Swany and Brady go through what they liked about Saturday’s win, which improved to NDSU 9-1 all-time against the CAA. Next up for the Herd is Valparaiso. The guys talk about the areas where they’d like to see the Herd make strides between games one and two, and tell you their go-to tailgating foods. The championship train keeps on chugging, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

In a spring season filled with ups-and-downs, the FCS crowned a new champ in Sam Houston. The Bearkats earned it by going through North Dakota State, James Madison, and South Dakota State. With that said, did we learn anything about the FCS landscape this fall with the unprecedented spring season. Swany and Nolan are joined by the newest member of the podcast team, Brady Drake (B-Drake), to discuss. Swany and Nolan see things quite differently as to the NDSU QB situation, and its impact on the fall. B-Drake with some dynamite insight on the Bison roster as a whole, and comments on the transfer portal. It's back to business, this week, where champions come to talk!

Despite a bevy of injuries, departures for the NFL Draft, and a key starter leaving for the transfer portal, North Dakota State was one play away from advancing to this year's FCS semifinals. With 23 freshmen and sophomores on the two-deep depth chart, the Herd fell agonizingly short at Sam Houston, 24-20. “Our young guys are our depth. It’s been a good thing, there have been growing pains at times, but it will all payoff in the long run,” said NDSU coach Matt Entz following a 42-20 playoff win against Eastern Washington. Swany is joined by the Bison Report's Ross Uglem to recap this spring, and talk about an awfully good football team coming back with big things in store this fall.

Stop me if you've Herd this one before. North Dakota State enters a big playoff game against Sam Houston State and the Bison offense imposes its will and physicality on the Bearkats. Will it be more of the same this Sunday in Huntsville in the FCS Quarterfinals, or is this year's version of SHSU different? With a roster loaded with young talent, the Herd seemingly found its footing and some momentum with an impressive 42-20 win over Eastern Washington. The question is, can NDSU build off last week's performance. Swany Says yes, it's boat racing time! Nolan expects a closer fight. We close with some NFL Draft talk, and what it means for NDSU to have Trey Lance, Dillon Radunz, and Jabil Cox be high round picks. It's Bison Pride, coast to coast, this week, where champions come to talk!