Bison Illustrated Podcast

Another week, another dominating performance. NDSU piled up 690 yards in a 57-21 win against Western Illinois, improving their record to 10-0. It's Senior Day this weekend at the Dome as the Herd faces South Dakota, with a win clinching at least a share of NDSU's ninth straight league title. Swany and Nolan talk about how special this Bison team is, and how they're getting better each week with the emergence of playmakers, including Christian Watson, who is establishing himself as one of the best WRs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The guys go over potential playoff scenarios, including who would outbid who to host a first round playoff game between South Dakota State and North Dakota. With the temps cooling down, playoff fever is heating up, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

North Dakota State has built a championship reputation on the back of a fierce defense, and its pound the rock offense. This fall, the Bison have aggressively attacked on offense, and can score points in a big hurry -- just ask Youngstown State. With their roster of home run hitters, we tell you why this might be the best offense in school history. Swany and Nolan preview the final three conference games, and discuss the potentially historic run this team could embark on if they continue getting better each week. The guys also discuss whether anyone else in the FCS can touch the Bison when they're firing on all cylinders, and the playoff field is shaping up. It's a high-octane production, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

And down the stretch they come! North Dakota State walked into Dykehouse Stadium and spoiled SDSU's big ESPN day in Brookings. Adam Cofield's 71-yard TD run on 4th Down & Marker was one of the biggest plays in NDSU history according to Swany. The Bison lead the Missouri Valley, but face another big road test this Saturday against Youngstown State and the Fighting Pelini's. Always tough on defense, the Penguins are battling for their playoff lives. Swany and Nolan recap a huge Dakota Marker win, and Swany tells you why he loves Coach Entz's style. The guys dip into the waters of the upcoming playoff pool and scenarios. It's too damn hot out for a penguin, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

In this special Bison Illustrated Podcast, Swany gives you a taste of his other podcast, The Thundering Herdcast! ESPN's College GameDay showcases the Dakota Marker game as one of the premier rivalries in all of college football. Swany and 740AM The Fan's Chase Miller discuss what it means for ESPN to feature the Dakota Marker, which marks the third time College GameDay has highlighted NDSU's program since 2013, and why it speaks volumes of the caliber of football in the Dakotas. Swany says the fact the broadcast is in Brookings shouldn't detract from the experience for Bison fans --- and that Bison fans should start their legendary migration to Brookings, showing ESPN what the legendary NDSU fanbase is all about. It's a game for the ages, on a podcast for the ages, this week, on the Bison Illustrated/Thundering Herdcast!

Josh Swanson is on paternity leave following the birth of his son Maverick Allan Swanson. Congratulations Josh and his wife Libby! However, there is football to be discussed as well. Nolan Schmidt is joined by 740 The Fan's Chase Miller to chat about this week's Homecoming game against Northern Iowa. The two discuss the Missouri Valley landscape and have audio from UNI head coach Mark Farley and Bison senior offensive lineman Zack Johnson. Swany may be gone, but the energy is palpable on this new Bison Illustrated Podcast!

Well, they don't call the Missouri Valley the Gauntlet of Terrors for nothing. North Dakota State begins conference play on the road at No. 6 Illinois State this Saturday, before seeing three more ranked foes in the next four weeks. Swany and Nolan tell you about the salty Redbirds and their similarities with the Bison. Both teams had an extra week to prepare coming off open weeks, guaranteeing a clash where execution and protecting the ball will play decisive roles. Can Code Green contain bowling ball back James Robinson, and how will NDSU's offense respond after the UC-Davis game? Start Bigtober with an Oktoberfestival of fun, with your pals at the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

It's not debatable, no matter what Brian McLaughlin from Hero Sports says! Just kidding, B-Mac, much respect, we just differ on who should be ranked No. 1 in the FCS after North Dakota State notched another Top 25 win against a very talented UC-Davis squad. It was NDSU's third Top 25 win this year, more than any other team in the FCS. When it mattered most, it was the Bison who made the big plays with the game at stake to earn a 27-16 win. Swany and Nolan recap why NDSU fans should be happier than ants on a sugar pile with the Herd's 4-0 start heading into a tough MVFC slate that features four ranked opponents in the next five games. What would College Football be if we weren't debating the rankings, whether polls matter, or something else totally arbitrary, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

It's the marquee non-conference matchup everyone in the FCS has been waiting for as No. 1 North Dakota State faces No. 4 UC-Davis in a heavyweight fight at the Fargodome. The Bison look to flex their offensive muscles against a resurgent UC-Davis program led by QB Jake Maier, one of the preseason favorites for the Walton Payton Award. Swany and Nolan dissect how the Aggies brand of football will -- or will not -- translate against a tough Code Green Defense in one of the best environments in all of college football. Trey Lance leads the FCS in several passing categories, and looks to make another large impression on a nationwide audience paying attention to whether UC-Davis is as good as their early season ranking. Put your tray tables and seatbacks in their upright positions, because we could see some aerial fireworks, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

Start the hype train. North Dakota State QB -- The Sensation (TM) -- Trey Lance is taking the FCS by storm. The young gun from Marshall, MN, put up another 4 TDs against in-state rival North Dakota as the undisputed champs of the FCS flexed their muscles. Swany & Nolan say the rest of the FCS should be on notice, this dude can flat out ball, and the Bison haven't missed a beat. Speaking of missing a beat, did you see Delaware struggle against Rhode Island? We did, and we tell you about it. Swany has a little edge as he tells Delaware to go back to the rock quarry. Are there even rock quarries in Newark? Mookalakaheeki, pass the poi, Maholo, because we're in Delaware, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

North Dakota State invaded downtown Minneapolis on the green and yellow brick road in an epic Bison weekend. In one of the most memorable debuts in NDSU history, freshman sensation QB Trey Lance threw four TDs and rushed for another two scores, dazzling the packed house at Target Field with his pin-point precision accuracy and rushing ability. Things get amped up this Saturday as UND comes to town for the Dome Opener and National Championship banner raising ceremony. Swany and Nolan discuss whether the game is still a rivalry, and what it means to Bison fans. A rivalry, or not a rivalry, that is the question, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!