On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 5-Discussing how we ranked the Top 5 nationally-Week 6 preview: No. 1 NDSU at No. 6 Illinois State, No. 2 SDSU at No. 24 Youngstown State, No. 5 Montana State at No. 13 Northern Arizona, No. 16 West Georgia at No. 22 Austin Peay-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 and Zach discuss:-A new model pitch for the FCS playoffs is being presented to commissioners. What is it? What are the positives? What are the negatives? Will it happen?-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 4The 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 Week 3-Montana beats UND in comeback fashion-Tarleton State and SIU dominate on the road-NDSU QB Cole Payton off to a hot start-Rhody improves to 3-0 -UIW makes a QB switch-Week 4 top games-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 and Zach discuss:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 2-SDSU's big win at Montana State -Abilene Christian gets a ranked win over SFA-The Pioneer gets two more big non-conference wins -Lamar knocks off South Dakota -Bryant and LIU earn FBS wins-Week 3 top games-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 and Zach discuss:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 1-Tarleton State and Austin Peay earn FBS wins-SDSU and Lehigh grab ranked victories-Two ranked SoCon teams get upset-Multiple FCS teams nearly beat FBS opponents-NDSU, Montana State, SDSU debut new QBs-Week 2 top games-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 Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant. The two discuss:-Nicholls’ upset over No. 5 UIW on ESPN2-Southland’s rise-UTRGV’s potential-New media deal-Moving to a 9-game conference schedule-FCS championship moving to Nashville-Conference realignment-New D1 governance-And more
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 0-Reacting to Nicholls knocking off No. 5 UIW-Thoughts on Mercer-UC Davis resulting in a no-contest due to lighting-Most intriguing Week 1 games. Will we see any FCS over FBS wins? Can Lehigh make a statement? How juicy is Sac State at SDSU?The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds
FCS representatives held a press conference on Thursday ahead of the 2025 season, giving the media an opportunity to ask questions about the FCS playoffs and championship game.In attendance were Chattanooga AD and FCS Championship Committee Chair Mark Wharton, Nashville Sports Council President Scott Ramsey, OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche, and NCAA Director of Championships Ty Halpin.Here is audio from the presser.
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 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 Sac State football play-by-play broadcaster Jason RossThey 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.com0:00:00 -- SDSU HC Dan Jackson, DT Kobe Clayborne0:18:01 -- YSU HC Doug Phillips, DB DJ Harris0:28:21 -- NDSU HC Tim Polasek, LB Logan Kopp0:44:10 -- SIU HC Nick Hill, QB DJ Williams1:00:48 -- Murray State HC Jody Wright, RB Jawaun Northington1:15:40 -- USD HC Travis Johansen, RB Charles Pierre Jr.1:34:53 -- Indiana State HC Curt Mallory, LB Dallas Westhoff1:46:00 -- UND HC Eric Schmidt, LB Malachi McNeal1:55:25 -- Illinois State HC Brock Spack, DL Jake Anderson2:13:20 -- 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
On this episode, Sam is joined by Montana State Director of Athletics Leon Costello. They discuss:-Reflecting on the 2024 football season-National title chase-Opting in to the House settlement-Scholarship caps-Brent Vigen-Sac State's FBS move-Realignment in the West-College football landscape-12-game FCS season-And more
On this episode, Sam is joined by SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. They discuss:-The SoCon’s approach to the House settlement-The vote to keep scholarship limits the same-How many FCS schools could afford to go above 63 scholarships-How many SoCon schools will opt in-The SoCon keeping its in-conference transfer rule-Governance changes in Division I-And more