FCS Football Talk Network

On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss some storylines for Week 0.
Games include:
No. 5 UIW at Nicholls (ESPN2)
Idaho State at UNLV (Mountain West Network)
No. 10 Tarleton State at Portland State (ESPN2)
No. 8 UC Davis vs. No. 11 Mercer (ESPN)
NC Central vs. Southern (ABC)
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit Hero Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss some questions heading into the season.
-In alphabetical order, these were the first 4 teams left out of the 2024 FCS playoff bracket - Chattanooga, Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern Utah, Stony Brook. Which of these teams is most likely to make the 2025 playoff bracket?
-In alphabetical order, these were the last 4 teams selected into the 2024 FCS playoff bracket - Eastern Kentucky, Northern Arizona, Tennessee State, UT Martin. Which of these teams is LEAST likely to make the 2025 playoff bracket?
-What is South Dakota State's most likely record after its first 2 games?
-Will the House settlement era (schools revenue-sharing with players, in-house NIL, no scholarship limits unless conferences individually set them) create more parity in the FCS nationally, or will it widen the gap even more?
-Which FCS conference will see the next team move to the FBS?
-What are your expectations for the Ivy League champion and their FCS playoff debut this season?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit Hero Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss their Top 25 ballots for the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Media Poll.
Sam’s ballot can be found here. Zach’s can be found here.
They discuss:
-Why did they rank some teams where they are
-Top teams with new starting quarterbacks
-Teams returning strong experience
-Teams that didn’t make the 2024 playoffs that will in 2025
-And more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

On this episode, Sam is joined by Sac State football play-by-play broadcaster Jason Ross
They discuss:
-Sac State’s FBS push and where things stand right now
-2026 plans and schedule
-Fan thoughts on FBS push
-2025 squad and competing for an FCS title
-Recruiting
-New stadium
-NIL pledges
-And more

HERO Sports was on site for MVFC Media Day on July 21 in Sioux Falls, SD. Here is some audio from head coach and player interviews with the media. Stay tuned for more stories and coverage on herosports.com
0:00:00 -- SDSU HC Dan Jackson, DT Kobe Clayborne
0:18:01 -- YSU HC Doug Phillips, DB DJ Harris
0:28:21 -- NDSU HC Tim Polasek, LB Logan Kopp
0:44:10 -- SIU HC Nick Hill, QB DJ Williams
1:00:48 -- Murray State HC Jody Wright, RB Jawaun Northington
1:15:40 -- USD HC Travis Johansen, RB Charles Pierre Jr.
1:34:53 -- Indiana State HC Curt Mallory, LB Dallas Westhoff
1:46:00 -- UND HC Eric Schmidt, LB Malachi McNeal
1:55:25 -- Illinois State HC Brock Spack, DL Jake Anderson
2:13:20 -- UNI HC Todd Stepsis, TE Derek Anderson

On this episode, Sam is joined by North Dakota head coach Eric Schmidt.
They discuss:
-Being a first-time head coach in the new era of college football
-UND's facilities and growth
-Early recruiting success
-Opting in and revenue-sharing
-The Dakotas' strength in the FCS and aiming for that standard
-Alerus Center
-2025 squad
-And more

On this episode, Sam is joined by Zach McKinnell of FCS Football Central and The Bluebloods.
They discuss:
-Transfer portal
-UIW additions
-USD and SDSU outlooks
-Sac State’s FBS push
-W&M joining the Patriot League
-Early preseason Top 5
-And more

On this episode, Sam is joined by Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich. 
They discuss:
-Leading the Harvard football program
-The Ivy League now sending its champ to the FCS playoffs
-Recruiting to the Ivy League
-Being protected from the transfer portal
-The Game
-Harvard's one captain tradition
-2025 outlook
-And more

On this episode, Sam is joined by UIW head coach Clint Killough. They discuss:
-Offseason excitement
-Retaining top talent
-Making splash additions via the transfer portal
-Chasing an FCS championship
-QB competition
-UIW football's growth
-Being a young head coach
-Non-conference scheduling
-And more

On this episode, Sam is joined by UTRGV head coach Travis Bush. They discuss:
-Helping build UTRGV football from scratch
-Assembling his staff
-Recruiting high schoolers and the transfer portal
-Benefits to UTRGV's location
-Community excitement and selling out season tickets
-Practicing last fall
-And more