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FCS Football Talk
FCS Football Talk
Author: HERO Sports
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FCS Football Talk is a weekly FCS podcast, presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Senior FCS Analyst Sam Herder hosts the show throughout the year. During the season, FCS Football Central Senior Editor Zach McKinnell joins as a co-host. In the offseason, Sam brings on guests from all around the FCS for in-depth conversations.
406 Episodes
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On this episode, Sam is joined by Timothy Rosario, co-host of The Bluebloods on FCS Football Central.The two discuss:-Most surprising offseason headline-Big-picture questions ahead of the 2026 season-Is it Montana State vs. the field?-Who are some dark horses?-Can Illinois State keep its momentum going?-Who can take a step forward with impressive transfers?-And moreThe 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 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 moreThe 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 Tennessee Tech general manager and director of player personnel Justin McMullen.The two discuss:-The role of a college football GM-Recruiting the transfer portal -Player retention-Revenue-sharing -Communication with agents -Tampering -Transfer portal windows -TN Tech program momentum-And more
On this episode, Sam is joined by Zach McKinnell of FCS Football Central and The Bluebloods.The two discuss:-NDSU going to the FBS, why it makes sense for the Bison, and what it means for the FCS-Bobby Hauck retiring as head coach at Montana, and then quickly coming out of retirement to take the Illinois DC gig-Travis Johansen stepping down as South Dakota’s head coach to take the Rutgers DC job-Sac State’s FBS pushThe 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 Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill.The two discuss:-Bobby Hauck’s retirement-Montana State winning the natty-Nashville experience-Update on Sequence Equity’s pitch for the FCS playoffs -Southern Utah and Utah Tech joining the Big Sky-Jersey patches-Scholarship caps in the House era-Collective bargaining in college football-Western Realignment-And more
On this episode, Sam is joined by FCS Nation Radio’s Stone Labanowitz.The former Southern Illinois quarterback turned FCS media member talks all things quarterbacks. Sam and Stone chat about the top returners in 2026, discuss why many of the top signal-callers returned, and talk about some risks of the transfer portal.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 FCS Fans Nation’s Jamie Williams. The two discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2025 FCS season. Which teams surpassed preseason expectations? And which teams did not live up to the hype?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 recap an epic FCS championship game as Montana State defeats Illinois State in overtime. They also talk about how ISU and MSU can reload for next season. And then they discuss the experience in Nashville, which made its debut hosting the game.The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Audio from Montana State's and Illinois State's FCS championship postgame press conferences.
Montana State head coach Brent Vigen met with the media in Nashville two days before the FCS championship game.
Illinois State head coach Brock Spack met with the media in Nashville two days before the FCS championship game.
On this episode, Sam and Zach preview the FCS championship game between Montana State and Illinois State. What are some key matchups, things to watch, and storylines heading into this game?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 Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports and ESPN Montana. They discuss:-Montana State’s journey to the national title game-How this year’s team has a different personality from last year’s team-Is last year’s championship result a motivating factor?-Is this the best coaching job by Brent Vigen in his time at MSU?-Justin Lamson and the new-look offense-Illinois State matchup-Nashville-And moreThe 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 John Fitzgerald, the play-by-play voice for Illinois State. They discuss:-Illinois State’s playoff journey to Nashville-When did things click for Illinois State-The win at NDSU-Expected crowd in Nashville-Key players for Illinois State-Brock Spack-Illinois State adapting to the new age of college athletics-The matchup against Montana State-And moreThe podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, offensive lineman JT Reed, and defensive tackle Paul Brott met with the media for a virtual press conference a week before the FCS championship. In-person media interviews will be conducted two days before the game in Nashville. Here is audio from the Dec. 29 presser.
Illinois State head coach Brock Spack, quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, and linebacker Tye Niekamp met with the FCS media for a virtual press conference a week before the FCS championship. In-person media interviews will be conducted two days before the game in Nashville. Here is audio from the Dec. 29 presser.
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:-Recapping the semifinal games as Montana State defeats Montana in an epic atmosphere, and Illinois State’s incredible run continues with a win at Villanova.-They then give a 500-foot view of the FCS championship matchup and the atmosphere it’ll be in Nashville.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:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from the quarterfinals-Previewing the semifinal round-How hyped is the Montana-Montana State game? How unexpected is the Illinois State-Villanova game? What are the keys to victory? And is new blood in one semifinal matchup good for the FCS?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:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from the 2nd round.-What do we make of NDSU’s loss and Mercer’s performance? Meanwhile, USD and Montana impress in their wins.-Game-by-game previews for the quarterfinals and Celebration Bowl.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:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from the 1st round-Game-by-game previews for the 2nd roundThe podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.




