FCS Football Talk
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.
Episodes
December 2, 2025 • 66 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from the 1st round
-Game-by-game previews for the 2nd round
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from the 1st round
-Game-by-game previews for the 2nd round
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
November 25, 2025 • 53 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss the FCS playoff bracket. What were the biggest surprises in the seeds and on the bubble? They then break down each corner of the bracket before looking into the FCS championship odds.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
November 18, 2025 • 61 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss playoff outlooks for each conference. Who are some bid thieves? Who is on the playoff bubble? Who is in a position to earn a Top 16 seed and a Top 8 seed? They break it all down here.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
November 11, 2025 • 61 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 11
-USD, Mercer, Lamar, YSU, and NDSU all pick up wins in ranked matchups
-Playoff scenarios for teams and conferences, and how some Week 12 games impact the postseason picture
-Notable games include No. 14 Illinois State at No. 16 South Dakota State, No. 19 Lamar at No. 15 Stephen F. Austin, No. 17 South Dakota at No. 21 Southern Illinois, No. 9 UC Davis at No. ...
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 11
-USD, Mercer, Lamar, YSU, and NDSU all pick up wins in ranked matchups
-Playoff scenarios for teams and conferences, and how some Week 12 games impact the postseason picture
-Notable games include No. 14 Illinois State at No. 16 South Dakota State, No. 19 Lamar at No. 15 Stephen F. Austin, No. 17 South Dakota at No. 21 Southern Illinois, No. 9 UC Davis at No. ...
Mark as Played
November 3, 2025 • 52 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 10
-Which upsets were most surprising between:
No. 24/25 ACU beat No. 2/2 Tarleton State
Indiana State beat No. 4/5 SDSU
Idaho State beat No. 6/6 UC Davis
South Dakota beat No. 8/10 North Dakota
UIW beat No. 14/14 Lamar
Idaho beat No. 19/21 Northern Arizona
Southern Utah beat No. 22/24 Austin Peay
-What to do with teams like Tarleton State and SDSU?
-Did we jump the gun...
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 10
-Which upsets were most surprising between:
No. 24/25 ACU beat No. 2/2 Tarleton State
Indiana State beat No. 4/5 SDSU
Idaho State beat No. 6/6 UC Davis
South Dakota beat No. 8/10 North Dakota
UIW beat No. 14/14 Lamar
Idaho beat No. 19/21 Northern Arizona
Southern Utah beat No. 22/24 Austin Peay
-What to do with teams like Tarleton State and SDSU?
-Did we jump the gun...
Mark as Played
October 28, 2025 • 61 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 9
-NDSU rolls SDSU, James Conway breaks an FCS career record, Michael Wortham is a star, and UTRGV continues to impress
-Is it NDSU vs. the field? And where does SDSU go from here?
-Big implications this week for No. 2/2 Tarleton State at No. 24/25 Abilene Christian
-A look at Top 8 playoff seed scenarios
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HE...
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 9
-NDSU rolls SDSU, James Conway breaks an FCS career record, Michael Wortham is a star, and UTRGV continues to impress
-Is it NDSU vs. the field? And where does SDSU go from here?
-Big implications this week for No. 2/2 Tarleton State at No. 24/25 Abilene Christian
-A look at Top 8 playoff seed scenarios
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HE...
Mark as Played
October 21, 2025 • 44 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 8
-No. 1/1 NDSU at No. 2/2 SDSU preview. How crucial is Chase Mason’s status in this game? What are the key matchups? And what are the implications?
-No. 18/20 Illinois State at No. 21/NR South Dakota preview. A huge matchup for playoff hopes.
-No. 4/4 Montana at Sac State preview. A major game, plus some antics adding more drama.
-No. 3/3 Tarleton State at Easter...
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 8
-No. 1/1 NDSU at No. 2/2 SDSU preview. How crucial is Chase Mason’s status in this game? What are the key matchups? And what are the implications?
-No. 18/20 Illinois State at No. 21/NR South Dakota preview. A huge matchup for playoff hopes.
-No. 4/4 Montana at Sac State preview. A major game, plus some antics adding more drama.
-No. 3/3 Tarleton State at Easter...
Mark as Played
October 15, 2025 • 28 mins
On this episode, Sam discusses the FCS playoff committee's Top 10 ranking. He breaks down the order of teams, their resumes, and some teams just on the outside.
Mark as Played
October 14, 2025 • 45 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 7
-Projecting what they think the playoff committee’s Top 6 will be when it reveals its Top 10 ranking on Wednesday?
-Are the top two obvious? Who has the best argument for the No. 3 spot? We think we know who the five teams are to be sorted within the Top 5, but how many teams are in position for the No. 6 spot?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM...
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 7
-Projecting what they think the playoff committee’s Top 6 will be when it reveals its Top 10 ranking on Wednesday?
-Are the top two obvious? Who has the best argument for the No. 3 spot? We think we know who the five teams are to be sorted within the Top 5, but how many teams are in position for the No. 6 spot?
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM...
Mark as Played
October 7, 2025 • 51 mins
On this episode, Sam and Zach discuss:
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 6
-What do we make of multiple Top 7 teams escaping upsets?
-As we hit the midway point of the season, some hypothetical playoff seed scenarios get thrown into the discussion
-Week 7 preview
-And more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-3 Game Balls and a Flag from Week 6
-What do we make of multiple Top 7 teams escaping upsets?
-As we hit the midway point of the season, some hypothetical playoff seed scenarios get thrown into the discussion
-Week 7 preview
-And more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
September 30, 2025 • 58 mins
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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
September 23, 2025 • 55 mins
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 4
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-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 4
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
September 16, 2025 • 43 mins
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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
September 9, 2025 • 45 mins
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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
September 2, 2025 • 43 mins
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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
-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 more
The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.
Mark as Played
August 28, 2025 • 29 mins
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
-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
Mark as Played
August 26, 2025 • 56 mins
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
-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
Mark as Played
August 21, 2025 • 41 mins
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.
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.
Mark as Played
August 20, 2025 • 34 mins
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.
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.
Mark as Played
August 13, 2025 • 60 mins
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, No...
-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, No...
Mark as Played
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