FCS Football Talk Network

Kevin Marshall of FCS Nation Radio joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming FCS season.
What's the most intriguing storyline heading into the 2023 fall? And what are some storylines surrounding a few intriguing games? Kevin and Sam discuss Montana State at SDSU, UIW at UTEP, William & Mary at Virginia, Furman at Samford, and Ferris State at Montana.
They also talk about preseason rankings, where NDSU belongs, how good Furman can be, and who will be playing in Frisco.
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.

NDSU TV play-by-play voice and FCS Top 25 voter Dom Izzo joins to discuss the upcoming MVFC season.
Can anyone knock off SDSU? What do the 2023 Bison look like? Who's the No. 3 team? And how many playoff squads will the Valley have?
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.

Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports and ESPN Montana joins the podcast to chat about Big Sky football.
Sam and Colter discuss Montana State's FCS title hopes, how Montana can get back into that top-tier discussion, and also how both fan bases feel about the FBS and a potential move down the road.
They also talk about how the Big Sky compares to the rest of the FCS talent-wise, Idaho's hype, new head coaches at Sac State and Weber State, and if EWU can rise back up.
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.

HERO Sports writer Daniel Steenkamer joins the podcast to discuss on-field and off-field storylines in the CAA.
Off-the-field topics include the CAA's size at 15 members, the renewed media rights agreement with FloSports, and Delaware's FBS mindset.
On-field topics include Campbell's potential, the CAA's national reputation, W&M's and UNH's season outlook, CAA sleepers, and the FCS national title picture.
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 answers 26 questions from FCS fans on Twitter:
How long before St. Thomas moves to a scholarship football conference? Which one is most likely to jump in and scoop them up? Can they have success at a scholarship level like they did jumping into PFL?
How is it possible to make a champion and get an auto-bid when some teams in the same league go years without playing one another?
Best transfer class brought in?
Non mvc team who could win natty they won't but curious
Will off-field issues at Montana State derail the quest for a title?
If it’s the Football Championship Subdivision, shouldn’t a team compete for/in that championship race to be ranked within the division? Disclaimer: I like Ivy football and hope to attend Harvard v Yale this season.
Why can’t the BigSky move to FBS? Wac/ Asun isn’t a better conference. Build for the future
After losing their two best LineBackers, one to graduation and one to Georgia Tech, can the Vandals defense meet the high expectations this season?
Why do I keep moving myself to states without FCS teams?
How do you see the MVFC shaking out this fall?
Who is your surprise team to make a run to the quarters or semis this year?
Which Big Sky team with a new head coach is in better shape? Weber or Sac State?
Which non-D1 teams do you see most likely making the jump to FCS in the near future?
Why do FCS programs have better mascots and helmet logos than FBS?
Who’s the best bet to become the next Cooper Kupp or David Johnson to come out of the FCS?
Hey Sam, besides the champs, who’s the other top dog in the MVFC this year? What’s the percent chance that it’s UNI?
Which is your favorite FCS conference and why is it the Big Sky?
What teams would you like to see move down? I realize this is unlikely but it could be a fun discussion. Outside of the obvious (SHSU, App, JMU, and GSU returning) I think there's some schools playing bad football with poor fan support that could get a boost by moving down
It looks like the WAC-ASUN alliance is here to stay despite their earlier intentions. It's hard to believe the OVC-Big South alliance will stick beyond this year with the OVC adding WIU. What do you see happening with the 4 remaining Big South teams?
Do we see a conference with 7 members get into the playoffs in the next few years? Or is it 6, whichever the record would be.
Does Montana State have the toughest schedule in the history of college football?
How many FCS schools will move to the FBS due to pressure of their better athletes consistently leaving for FBS programs due to the transfer portal?
Who’s the next FCS head coach to leave for an FBS assistant coach position?
What conference will be the strongest in the FCS this year
Do you think Dakota and Montana schools would be at a similar disadvantage playing September games in SC or AL as SoCon/Southland teams are playing MT or SD in Nov/Dec? Do you think that’s why they typically won’t schedule home/home games with southern schools?
The question on the nation’s mind is singular: are the Hens back?

Keith Brake, the director of broadcasting at ETSU, joins the podcast to discuss several topics.
What are the expectations for ETSU football after falling short of 2022 expectations? Who are the top teams in the SoCon, and what does the conference need to do to get more teams into the playoffs?
Sam and Keith also discuss the 2023 FCS title picture before diving into realignment talk. Is more realignment coming? What are the next FCS-to-FBS moves? Could a spot open up for NDSU or the Montana schools? Is more FCS-to-FCS movement coming, and is the SoCon in a position/want to add more schools?
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 breaks down his early 2023 FCS preseason Top 25, explaining his order and why teams are slotted where they are.

Zach McKinnell of The Bluebloods joins the pod to do some over/unders on FCS props.
Sam and Zach discuss O/Us for regular-season team win totals, how many teams FCS conferences get into the playoffs, number of Big Sky/MVFC teams in the semifinals, number of FCS over FBS wins, statistical totals for Sean Chambers/Tommy Mellott, Jaden Shirden, and Parker McKinney, Holy Cross' playoff seed, UIW's PPG, and more.
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.

The Fargo Forum’s Mike McFeely joins the show to talk NDSU football. Sam and Mike discuss some uncertainties across NDSU's 2-deep and if this is really going to be a "down" year for the Bison. They also talk about the transfers leaving, SDSU jumping the Bison, FBS reality, the FCS landscape, and much more.
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.

Eastern Kentucky director of athletics Matt Roan joins the podcast to discuss EKU football's momentum, the ASUN-WAC's short-term and long-term goals, and potential changes coming to the FCS playoff bracket structure.