FCS Football Talk Network

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 a good idea.

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 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 discusses what the UD fan base is like in its level of expectations and what the athletic department is doing to be a big-time FCS contender.

They also talk about Danny Rocco's firing, the Ryan Carty hire, and where UD and the CAA are at in conference realignment.

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 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 makes an FCS school a good target for an FBS conference?
-What is the future of FCS-to-FBS moves?
-Reasons why FCS-level athletic departments would want to go to the FBS.
-Was NDSU a C-USA target?
-What is NDSU's path to the FBS?
-If the Mountain West lost teams to the Big 12, would it then look to NDSU or the Montana schools? And where is the Big 12 at on wanting to add more teams?
-Could a group of FCS teams form their own FBS conference?
-What FCS teams are all-in on trying to be FBS at some point?
-Will the Power Five ever split off from the Group of Five, creating a G5-FCS merger?
-And the likelihood of a G5 team/teams moving to the FCS like Idaho did.

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.

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 officially an FBS program a year sooner than usual.

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 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.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

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 win and why?

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 odds.

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 Sports and BetMGM.

Visit https://herosports.com/ for FCS coverage and https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

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://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports for FCS betting odds.

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 betting odds.