FCS Football Talk Network

By Sam HerderSports Football

FCS Football Talk Network episodes

June 29 Re-Airing: West Florida Broadcaster Will Kennedy Talks UWF’s DI Move
Note: This episode originally aired on April 8. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August.
On this episode, Sam is joined by West Florida broadcaster Will Kennedy. The two discuss UWF’s move to the FCS from D2, the football program’s rapid rise, the school’s investment in football, and more.
30 min
June 22 Re-Airing: College Athletics Consultant KC Smurthwaite
Note: This episode originally aired on March 18. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August.
On this episode, Sam is joined by KC Smurthwaite, HERO Sports writer and a college athletics consultant
The two discuss topics like future outlooks for conferences like the UAC and Summit League, future realignment dominoes, the college football landscape, and private equity in the FCS playoffs.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
54 min
June 15 Re-Airing: FCS Offseason Storylines (w/ Craig Haley)
Note: This episode originally aired on March 4. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August.
On this episode, Sam is joined by Craig Haley, the FCS Senior Editor for Stats Perform/The Analyst.
The two discuss:
-FCS championship future
-Private equity in the playoffs
-Penn hiring Rick Santos, and Yale hiring Kevin Cahill
-Future realignment
-Where has the FCS improved over Craig’s time covering the subdivision, and where has it weakened?
-Parity in the FCS
-And more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
42 min
May 27 An Early 2026 FCS Preseason Top 15
On this episode, Sam breaks down his early FCS Top 15 teams heading into the 2026 season.
32 min
May 15 Harvard Schedules Tough OOC Games + FCS Misses Prime Opportunity For Week 0 Scheduling
On this episode, Sam talks about Harvard branching out and scheduling tough non-conference games against FCS playoff contenders. He also discusses the Week 0 slate this year and how it was a missed opportunity for the FCS.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
17 min
May 06 Top Returning FCS Linebackers
On this episode, Sam breaks down his top 30 returning FCS linebackers. The ranking in article form can be found here.

The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
17 min
April 29 Top Returning FCS Quarterbacks
On this episode, Sam breaks down his top 25 returning FCS quarterbacks. The ranking in article form can be found here.
32 min
April 23 Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant
On this episode, Sam is joined by Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant. They discuss:
-Multiple Southland players as 2026 NFL Draft prospects
-Player retention and the transfer portal
-FCS playoff committee emphasizing D1 opponents
-FCS Kickoff status
-Autonomy subdivision discussions
-Update on private equity and the FCS playoffs
-Update on FCS championship game bid process
-And more
24 min
April 23 Top Returning FCS Running Backs
On this episode, Sam breaks down his top 30 returning FCS running backs. The ranking in article form can be found here.
30 min
April 08 West Florida Broadcaster Will Kennedy Talks UWF’s DI Move
On this episode, Sam is joined by West Florida broadcaster Will Kennedy.
The two discuss UWF’s move to the FCS from D2, the football program’s rapid rise, the school’s investment in football, and more.
30 min