July 30, 2025 • 37 mins
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
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
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
All right, welcome back to the FCS Football Talk podcast.
We have another guest interview here as I'm super pumped
to have on Sacramento State football play by play broadcaster
Jason Ross. So much to talk about. I'm very intrigued
with the upcoming football season for Sacramento State, and of
course we'll dive into you know, some of the FBS
you know desires as well for the Hornets and kind
(00:37):
of where everything stands as of right now. But first, Jason,
thank you so much for your time today. Thank you
for coming on the podcast. How's your summer been going
so far?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You know what, So far, so good, Sam. Not as
busy as your summer, but still productive and exciting.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
And you know, this is.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
About the time normally most years I would get really
excited for football, but it's been going for a while
because the Hornets, as you know and you've been writing about,
have been very very busy this offseason.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
So you've been i mean following and covering Sex State
football for a while, but just with this last year,
you know, following you know, the program, not just necessarily
the football program, but athletics as a whole. I mean,
this could be a thirty minute answer right here. So
it's as open ended as it can be. What has
this last year been like following this athletic department and
(01:28):
the university as a whole.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
In all the years I've done this, So this I
think will be my twenty eighth football season coming up,
and I've done stuff with a basketball program before too.
I have never seen or heard about the Hornets being
on a splash page of ESPN or pick your sports
website of choice. The athletic there's an athletic article on him.
You guys have been writing about him. People have been
(01:50):
talking about him to this level, and whether it's something
as hiring Brendan Marian, hiring Mike Bibbie, Shaquille o'neillotential FBS.
I mean, this is the kind of stuff that other
programs get, certainly not the FCS level, and I haven't
seen it ever happen with Sacramento State. And as much
(02:11):
as they've turned the program around and built a school
that a football program that had made the playoffs for
four years, they won three games last year and they
are getting this kind of attention, which is exciting. I mean,
it really is. And it also is now they're seemingly
as expectations, which they're not running away from. But I
guess the word is exciting, and it's been a shocking
(02:33):
off season because of all the attention they've received.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, and I do want to talk about the twenty
twenty five team. But first, as far as the push
to join the FBS, where do things stand right now?
I mean, the last update or whatever you want to
call it, was last month, late June, when the D
one Council denied that FBS independent waiver. I think shortly
after that there was a report from Pete Bammel that
(02:57):
the school had retained a well known sports attorney, Jeffrey Kessler,
who anyone that follows off the field stuff, they know
that name very well. So I guess where where do
things stand right now with that FBS push?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so there's still obviously a strong desire led by
the president. A president would definitely has this desire. I
think athletics would like this desire. I think that there's
the community is intrigued by a push to go forward.
There's a couple of things in play, as you know.
I mean, obviously it's a lot easier if they said
conference from the FBS said Yeah, sure, Hornet's come on
into the PAC twelve, to the Mountain West, to Conference USA,
(03:34):
whatever conference, but that hasn't happened yet. Now, as you said,
there are other things, other angles that they still can pursue.
My latest that I can tell you, Sam, is I
know there's still the desire they're pushing for it. You
kind of need two parties to tango here, so and
there's been constant movement. So, I mean, my other kind
(03:54):
of patent answer has been if you told me ten
years ago college football at the FBS level would have
a playoff if people want it, but I'll never see it.
We have it five years ago, do we ever have
athletes really getting paid?
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Well, we have it now.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Would Texas and Oklahoma be in the SEC, UCLA and USC, Oregon,
Washington be in the past a Big ten? None of
those things seem possible. So even a year from now,
two years from now, does there even become a bigger
one mega conference at the FBS level, And then that
even opens up a door at the FBS for maybe
more regionalized conferences where the Hornets could slide in. So
(04:29):
I don't know, I know they still have this incredible
desire to do it, but it's not all there yet,
so they're not stopping. They're pushing, but they're not over
the goal line obviously yet.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
And those that have followed me and listened to me,
you know, read some of my thoughts like they know
that I've been mostly supportive of sax State's FBS push
or supportive whatever word you want to call it, Like
I've explained it and kind of rationalize it for other
fans of why I think it makes sense. You know overall,
you know, certainly question things here or there as far
(05:02):
as the public campaigning and messaging, but still, you know,
there's FCS fans out there that just pose a fair
question of like why sax States or why is their
desire from sax State to make this move to the FBS.
And you can explain it as well as anyone in
the media. So maybe I should have asked this from
the start, But why overall is sax State one and
so badly to make this jump to the FBS.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Yeah, you know, it's an interesting question because I think
you could go through different people even through the university
or fans of the program may even debate whether it
is the best decision, but certainly those that are making
the decisions for the university. I think that's their thirst,
their desire to play at the highest of levels. They've
done as THEFCS level, finally become a playoff team, as
I'd mentioned, four years in a row when the Big
(05:45):
Sky three times, it's a great conference. I personally, as
a fan of the sport, I love the FCS playoff system.
I kind of like that, and I even vision, Okay,
if the Hornets magically we're in the FBS and got
to a bowl game and what a bowl game it was,
and played some team from I'll just say Conference USA again,
is that better for them?
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
I honestly don't know the answer to that. But I
think the thought of playing at the highest level is
what is drawing people, and you know that potentially revenue
sharing and different things, bigger stadium.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
If you get into a league of that ILK.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Let's say Pack twelve Mountain West, well there's more money opportunities.
So I think that's the desire. I've certainly heard the negatives. Yeah,
they were a three win team last year, win an
FCS title first. Those are all fair questions, but it
is one of the largest markets. I think that's their
biggest carrot, is kind of the desire to get into
(06:39):
the Sacramento region, this top twenty five market as far
as media wise.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
But you know, again, there's other.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
People that are making these decisions that have to ultimately
let them get there. So the next year at this time,
the fact that they are without a conference is also
intriguing and yet scary for me.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I love the Big Sky, but will no longer be
in the Big Sky? Would they be.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
FCS independent, FBS independent, Could they get an FBS league,
Could they get in another FCS league. So there's still
a lot more movement coming sam for the Hornets.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Do you think the school in the Athletic department was
surprised that the D one council denied the waiver? Like obviously,
a couple of weeks before that, the FBS Oversight Committee
recommended no, and so by that point we kind of figured, Okay,
the D one Council is also going to say no
to this waiver. Do you think that was a surprise
that this independent waiver was denied?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yes, I would say yes, that was the surprise because
and I'm going to go based on what I read
and what a lot of other people said I thought
more people said, well, the committee will recommend them, and
then there's that second step. Once they didn't get the recommendation,
I think we all kind of thought, well, the second
one is probably going to fall in line with that
first recommendation. So that's where now lawyers are getting involved potentially,
(07:57):
and you know, what else can the hornets do? So
you know, I'm gonna go back to maybe some of
the other critics that might say, yeah, there's talk of
a stadium being built and that's they're pursuing. Well, it's
not built, so would they be better off if it
was built? Would they be better off if a lot
of this stuff was more concrete laid out, you know,
smacking the decision makers in the face as opposed to
(08:19):
these are goals and desires and dreams, and how much
of it is is reality? So I love the vision,
I love the thought, but also I think some are
looking for a little bit more of the substance in
front of them. But you know, I don't know ultimately
what the decision makers are thinking there, but it's kind
of fun to watch and observe and ultimately see where
it goes.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Do you know, as far as the twenty twenty six schedule,
I mean we'll talking football specifically here where things stand
right now, because we're i mean, we're really close to
the twenty twenty five season coming, which means we're almost
less than a year away from the twenty twenty sixth season.
And right now, you know, SAX doesn't really have a schedule.
(09:00):
I know, even you know, before the FBS oversight and
doing council meetings, you know, President would has said that
there's there's conversations out there about you know, scheduling agreements
and you know getting uh, you know independent you know
schedules out there, and you know, I kind of floated
the idea out there. I believe it was on Nuance
is now out in Montana about even if even if
(09:22):
Sacramento State is classified as an FCS program in twenty
twenty six, like there's nothing stopping them from playing eight
FBS opponents in twenty twenty six. Now they need to
get that on the schedule. And it's tougher to schedule though,
is if you're classified as an FCS team just because
you know, FBS opponents don't want to play multiple you know,
FCS programs just for both eligibility. So any idea kind
(09:46):
of on where twenty twenty six is at as far
as forming a football.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Schedule, Yeah, I think it's pretty open. I think that
what I read your idea, I think that's a really
good one. That could be an avenue they've run. I've
even heard some suggestions that if the Hornets stay FCS independent,
why couldn't they really run it like an FBS independent, Right,
if you're not attached to a league, Yeah, maybe you
take on all the big boys and you might have
a really rough year. But they've shocked some teams before.
(10:10):
Initially too, Sam, I thought, well, okay, they're out of
the Big Sky, but they kind of were inherently in
the Big Sky schedule. Why wouldn't they just play kind
of who was roughly scheduled for that year.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Well, once the Big Sky added.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Southern Utah and Utah Tech, I think they've already changing
their schedule. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised if
the Hornets. Hornets have alienated some people too. It's like, well, no,
you're leaving us and we're not going to play you.
So there's a lot of legs to this and branches.
One of them two is the rival with UC Davis.
I know they want to continue it, but if Sacramento
(10:43):
State went up to FBS and Davis stayed in the FCS, Personally,
I think that's a bad game now for the Hornets
because Davis is good and if they beat you at
quote unquote a lower level, that's a really bad loss.
If you beat them by two, hey, you didn't beat
them by enough. It happened before when the Hornets were
FCS and Davis was d two, and Davis would win
that game a lot, so that ended up being a
(11:04):
bad game for them.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
So I don't want that rivalry to go away.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
It'd be nice if they both went up to the
FBS level and that could be something that happens in
the future. But no concrete word, I guess long answer
for you, Sam on the on the schedule, but I
know they're exploring everything, and I heard the same thing
as you did that. I know there's interest from a
lot of different people, but the schedule isn't really laid
out concrete that they've got that set, and part of
it is waiting to see where they're going to be from.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
What you've sensed. What's the temperature when it comes to
the Sacramento State fan base. On one hand, you mentioned
the national headlines, you know, and all the hype that's
been generated and kind of parlaying that into getting really
good recruiting classes and you know, making splash on the
recruiting trail and you know, even landing some high level
(11:51):
four star transfers from the Power for Level. But you
know that's kind of the positives the negatives of the
FBS push. And you've also mentioned this is you know,
ruffling some peasures, ruffling some feathers, you know, across not
only in the FCS, maybe a little bit of the
FBS as well with some of the public promises. So
what's the split between the fan bases as far as
(12:12):
like loving all of this and also maybe some fans
that are thinking, like, maybe we're getting ahead of our
skis a little bit here? Have you since there's I mean,
maybe it's all one hundred percent loving this, Maybe there's
no divide, but you know, what's what's the temperature that
you're kind of feeling.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Yeah, I don't know if I have the full pulse,
but I would say probably more people are excited than
the other. But that doesn't mean there aren't There aren't
people out there that are questioning, is is this the
best move?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Is this the right move?
Speaker 2 (12:35):
But I think when you're being talked about more so
more in a general positive the athletic or articles written
about you, and being talked about your school and your program,
which really hasn't happened before, I still think of that
as a as a general positive and the destination of
where they're trying to get to.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I still think excites people.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
And you've had some local leaders and others that are
really trying to back it. And if you you know,
if you really see it and if it does happen,
like if we go full optimism here Sam, and you
see a new stadium, a higher level league, potential, more money,
this nil and the recruits that are coming. This is
stuff that has never happened. So I would say if
we're generalizing, more people are excited. But I also don't
(13:19):
I don't want to be naive enough to say, well,
certain things have been said and certain things haven't come
through yet, so what is real? So but I would
say if I'm leaning one way, it's probably more excitement.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely. You know, from it was interesting from January
through early June. I was kind of operating under the
assumption that sax State probably wasn't going to be eligible
for the twenty twenty five FCS playoffs because I thought,
you know, probably like the school as well, that the
waiver was going to get granted and the pathway was
going to be there. And I remember saying, I can't
(13:51):
remember where I was like, you know, like again, I
understand why the FBS push is there, you know, totally
understand it, but I wish maybe they could push it
back one year because I want to see what this
twenty twenty five squad can do if they can make
the playoffs. If they make the playoffs, what can they
do you know in that twenty four team bracket. So
I know FBS is obviously the ultimate goal, but for
(14:12):
the fans, is there, you know, like a level of
excitement now where it's like, well, now we kind of
have something to play for in twenty twenty five. You know,
being playoff ineligible is kind of an awkward spot. Missouri
State went through it's last year, same thing with Delaware. Well, now, like, hey,
whatever the future is, we don't know, but in twenty
twenty five, we think we have a really good squad.
Maybe let's make a runhead an FCS title. Can you
(14:34):
can you get a sense of that side of the
excitement as well?
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Yeah, absolutely, I know.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I'll tell you exactly how I felt that same thing
you said, Sam, because as much as there, you know,
would have sounded great if there was word they got
approval on the on the waiver and people were saying
we're good, they're going forward. But twenty twenty five you'll
be playoff ineligible. I would have been bombed. I honestly
would have been because this year, more than any I
(14:59):
don't have a great read on the team, just because
of seventy three new players, thirty eight transfers that are
coming in. There are recruits, like you said, they've never
had before. I think the highest was a two to three.
Now they got four star guys, four star quarterbacks. I mean,
recruits that are leaving respectable programs coming here. And I'm
thinking this could be really special and it would be
(15:23):
a shame if they were not eligible this year.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
So as a.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Little caveat to it, if we have to wait, or
if they never make it to the FBS level, I'm
excited to see what this year could be but like
I said, this is the biggest uncertainty. If you told
me twelve and zero, oh wow, everything went right. If
you told me four and a, they just didn't gel Okay.
I mean I really don't know, and that kind of
(15:47):
makes it exciting to be honest.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, I did the the Sacramento State team preview within
the last couple of weeks. They're all kind of blading together.
But I know, like for my preseason ballots, I believe
I have Sacramento State right at number ten in my
preseason ballot. So but but going through you know, when
you're can when you can dive more into the team itself.
(16:09):
You know a lot of skill position guys as well.
You know, great linebacker play. I think the second area
is gonna be super talented. The one thing I was
kind of noticing was, well, I'm not sure about the
offensive and defensive lines. You know, the offensive line does
return three starters from last year and traditionally, you know,
the last five six years, Like I've really liked Sacramento
(16:29):
State and their offensive line, you know, defensive line depth.
I've also questioned, you know as well, just kind of
going through the roster and that those are two areas
where you really need to be a lead at to
win an FCS national titles. So, I know you said
there's a lot of unknowns about the roster and how
it all gels, but you know, overall, what do you
think are the strengths for this upcoming team and maybe
(16:51):
some areas you know, similar to me, where you're kind
of looking at and go, well, you know, I'm not
I'm not really sure in this specific area.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
So, well, I mean the fact that but there is
basically one returning coach and that's coach Richardson to the
offensive line that's been one of the strengths of this
team for years. So he is still at the program,
still with the team, and that line still as you said,
as three starters returning and basically a fourth because Jose
Solo got hurt in I think it was the first
game last year against San Jose State and they were
(17:19):
really high on him. He's back, so we could argue
that four fifths of the projected starting lineup is there.
The fifth one has got drafted in the NFL last
year in Jackson Slater. So this is a good returning
offensive line. Again goes back to health because they got
banged up last year. Behind that, the running game is
in this go go offense potentially could be spectacular, and
(17:41):
I think the totals are eight thousand rushing yards coming back.
Have a Peyton Award to finalist and Jamar Curtis up
there Hammond from Pity. I mean, there's a lot of
guys that are coming in here to this new offense
had a potential to run behind that offensive line. And
then Jayden Rishta as the QB is the highest decorated quarterback.
(18:02):
Now he hasn't played in a couple of years, so
there's some question not a lot of college snaps, but
the pedigree and the hype around him is pretty legit.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
The receiving group is all new.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I mean, that's probably an area that you know, get open,
catch the ball and get downfield, but that's brand new. Defensively,
it's going to be a whole new scheme, a whole
new defense. So there's question marks, but there's a lot
of talent coming in, and to me, I always kind
of question that just because how quickly can you put
together a lot of what seems to be talented players
(18:33):
to gel on one group like that?
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Yeah, and I'm sure you've looked ahead, you know, to
the schedule a little bit here, and South Gota State
right away and then an FBS opponent Nevada right after that.
And I think I had either number two or number
three as far as most likely FCS over FBS wins.
I really like that matchup for sax State playing Nevada.
But it's interesting because I mean South Gota State or excuson,
(18:58):
Montana State will be oh in one after week one
because they play Oregon and then they they play South
Dakota State, and so you're looking at their schedule, you go, man,
like Montana State number preseason number two. They could be
oh and two, or they could be one and one
with a splash, you know when in week two South
Kota State they could be two and oh one and
one or oh and two. Sacramento State could be two
(19:19):
and oh with like hey here we are like two
big wins in a row. Or they could be oh
and two in some of that momentum slides. So yeah,
just what do you make of these first couple of
games here for the Hornets.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
So I always try to look at it. I kind
of look at the non league. So if we do
not only those two. I mean, what a tough start
South Dakota State. Though you could argue maybe the right
year to get them, just because of their you know,
change a quarterback, change a coach.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
I mean that to.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Call them retooling feels unfair because that's a dynamite program
on Nevada.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
You know.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
As far as playing up, they I would say the
Hornets in their history have played more difficult games. Doesn't
mean there's no way that's easy. It'll probably be underdogs
in that game, and that's still on the road. I
kind of look at it sam as the first four
as well, so I up and Mercyhurst in Central Arkansas,
which will both both be at home. In Central Arkansas
has been an FCS playoff team before my target. You know,
(20:09):
the program, the coaches will probably have a higher goal.
I really want them two and two after four, Like
I feel like if they're there, that may be low
for some, but I don't want them to see them
lower than that. And then if they get in the
big sky and kind of they're adjusted, they've played four games,
I think there's a buy maybe after that fourth game
or fifth game, so then like they're in it now,
they're in the meat of it now they can really
chase some of the goals they want. Now if they
(20:30):
get higher than that, they're three and one or somehow
four and oh, then some of the things, some of
the hype, some of the swaggers, some of the stuff
that they've been.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Putting out there.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
It's like, you know what, maybe this is really a
special team. So it's such a great sport. The week
to week is so important. You stumble and people doubt you,
you thrive and people like this team's great. It's that fragile.
But that's what the first four games are to me.
If they can get out of there two and two,
Like I said, I think the coaches will want more.
They want to win every game. I know that, But
that's kind of my target is get through the first
(21:01):
four at two and two.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
A couple more off the field stuff for that. I know,
you know, some fans have been curious about it, and
you mentioned it a little earlier too, about the new stadium.
I know there's some renderings you know, out there and
it looks, you know, incredible, But where I guess, where
are things at with the new stadium, And like, is
there a fundraising process going on right now? Like kind
of where is that in the process.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Yeah, I mean I wish I had more full concrete
details for you, but I can help, but wonder if
they're all kind of interlocked. It doesn't mean I know,
they've been talking about doing a stadium in renovations for
whether it's renovations or a new stadium, for a couple
of years, so it's been independent of the push for FBS.
But now that's kind of lined up. There's been more
community support and so you know, if there was an
(21:47):
FBS announcement, maybe that helps push more sponsors, more people,
more money.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
But I know there's a desire. I know there's a need.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
They've been in the stadium a long time and they've
done a really good job with the tenants. It's grown
over the years, so there's been the thirst to get
out there. But me personally as someone that you know,
the track was something used to have Olympic trials here
and and really it was a pretty top notch Olympic
or track venue. But that still pushes the stands back.
I like that intimate you've been to you know, Montana
(22:17):
where you're just you're right on and you've been in
south OFAs some of these other venues. You're just you're
in the action, and I think that's something that they
need to build a football stadium only that's what they.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Want to do.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And you know, there's I don't have any further update,
but these are all still goals and desires that they're
chasing and you know, finding money too and funding and students.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Increase in in UH student enrollment has helped.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
There's there's all little pockets, but they got to put
it all together to ultimately across that finish line too.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Can you explain the NIL pledges? I mean, obviously there's
a there's a big figure out there, and you know,
some of the details are a little bit murky, you
know as far as how like I think these pledges
would be unlocked if sax State does get you know,
an FBS invites or gets into the FBS and you
know some of it, the total number might be spread
(23:07):
out over a number of years. So can you just
kind of break down these NIL pledges?
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Yeah, the best of my knowledge too. Sam.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Again, it's it's what I know that I do know now,
but it's I've been shocked by it because let's go
back to someone like Jaden Rashata, who comes here after
being heavily recruited at Florida, at Georgia, Arizona State. I mean,
these schools have had money and have offered money before,
and I'm thinking, Okay, well, sax State's not the only
school that's going to be interested in him. He's a
(23:36):
talented quarterback. How are the Hornets getting him? Why is
he not at Oregon or Michigan or pick your school.
And some people here locally, well, sax State is nil money.
Yes they do, but how do they have They don't
have more. I don't believe that they have more. And
I know they've been getting pledges and I don't know
this for a fact. But what I do know is
what took me off guard and caught me off guard, sam,
(23:57):
I should say, is when they did didn't get the
FBS approval right away and then had the waiver and
that didn't go through. I thought there might be a
little pushback and maybe a player or two that was here,
Mike go All, I like what you're doing. I like
Maren's message, but I'm leaving. And that didn't happen, And
(24:18):
in fact, there was another recruiting push like for twenty
seven and twenty six and none of those. You know,
all things can change, but just as many, if not more,
are coming to Sacramento State. So I personally this is
probably gonna be a question for Coach Mary, and like,
whatever your message is, Coach, it's working. But how again
(24:38):
I questioned how he's doing it.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
He's obviously persuasive, and I like what I've known when
I've heard when I've got a chance to talk to him.
But how is he getting these guys to come to
this program with not necessarily having more to offer than
Tennessee than pick your FBS school. So what they've been
able to do, whether it's via so social media or
being the cool thing, this is the program people are
(25:03):
wanting to come to. I give them all the credit
in the world because whatever they're doing right now seemingly
is working.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
And I just hope, I hope it keeps working.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Do you get a sense of, uh, more excitement for
this upcoming season than compared to you know, seasons pass
when it comes to the fan base, And you know what,
I've kind of hammered this point, you know, multiple times
whenever I see someone on social media taking a dig.
But and maybe it's just a camera, you know, angle
for sax at home games. But you know, the misconception
that no one goes to games like that's just not true.
(25:33):
I mean there's fourteen to fifteen thousand, you know, on average,
which is good for top fifteen, you know, I want
to say in the FCS. And so the fan support
has already, you know, I've been pretty strong for Sacramento State.
Do you sense an even you know, higher sense of
excitement coming or going into this upcoming year?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
And a lot of this is, to your point, is perception.
Like literally, you know, I do the games on radio
or TV, and if it's a TV game, the home
side is great. I mean, it's a big stadium, film
the other side and it's not full, not all the time,
the causeway, if they're playing Davis as it is, and
to the point on this is one story I've told
for years, Sam. It's probably now ten to twelve years
ago our local paper, the Sacramento to Be Davis and
(26:13):
Sacks State were both at home and the way the
article was describing the sax State football game recapped in
front of a disappointing crowd of like nine thousand, six
hundred and thirty whatever Hornets lose to. I don't remember
the school Eastern Washington two page and another page later,
the ride up on Davis in front of a rocous
crowd of seven thousand whatever Davis beat you know, Weaver State,
and I'm thinking, wow, literally there was two thousand more
(26:36):
and it was disappointing. But Davis Stadium is also smaller,
and it looks good and it's more filled in, So
you know, sometimes it's perception, but they've done so much better.
I think last year, and I'll have my numbers wrong, Sam,
but I think the Hornets were third in the Big Sky,
maybe fifteenth nationally in attendance, So I mean it's they're
doing great as far as attendants. They'll be a game
where there's eight thousand. There'll be a game where there's
(26:58):
fourteen sixteen. So the year they were twelve and zero
and a host of the Causeway had twenty two. I
mean the place was full. So I think there's intrigue.
There's billboards all over, there's more money being spent on
this program. I mean literally, say, the amount of billboards
around the community. I've never seen this many, and they're
constantly changing different messaging different things for Mike Bibbie for basketball,
(27:22):
for football, getting tickets. So they're doing as much as
they possibly can to build that fan base. Students have
been great in their turnout. It's become much more of
a I mean I started this years ago and I'd
be like, man, we got six thousand tonight, and I
was happy with that. Now it's like the lowmark here
at eight to ten and the high mark sixteen to twenty.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
So they've done a great job with that.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Last question here. And you know, sometimes I like the
crystal ball question just because I think everyone understands that, like,
no one knows what's going to happen in two, three,
you know, five years, Yet it's still fun to kind
of speculate and kind of get a sense of what
other people think might happen. So I'm not even going
to ask five to ten years down the road, but
just two to three years down the road, what does
(28:08):
college football look like in your opinion? And where does
sack State potentially fit into that picture?
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Okay, well it's crystal ball, so that's I mean, I
can't go wrong because it's everybody's guess. I think there'll
be some sort of breakoff in the FBS, and I
don't know. I don't know how they're going to pick
forty sixty power teams and team sixty one forty one
whatever it is, and be upset that, hey, we should
be in that group, and maybe they should. I mean, honestly,
(28:36):
I think that if they did some sort of like
European Soccer relegation, I think that would be fantastic. I
don't know that universities will go for that, but if
I'm crystal balling it, I say SEC Big ten, ACC
power team, I don't know, some sort of merger with
a top forty to sixty and then everything else kind
of becoming what it was regionalized, and heck, I honestly
(29:00):
I think there could be a pretty good California conference,
Like I don't know if Stanford's not invited into that
and Cal Stanford, Cal, San Jose State, Fresno State, UC Davis,
sax State, San Diego State, Fresno, Cal Paul.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
I mean, that's that's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
That's a pretty good league that could you know, regionally,
it fits budget wise, rivalry wise, and maybe that's too
high in the sky, but I kind of think that
makes a lot of financial sense if you're not in
with the big boys, and I don't think sax State
would be. And so that's my best guess, and that
might be closer to five years to ten, but you know,
we're still in.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
And I'm glad a lot of the athletic.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Directors and conferences, as you know, they really did this
term of you know, these student athletes, and I like
that and respect that. But college football is a business
and I think now that they've kind of fully wrapped
their arms around that. So if you're going business model,
the people with the most money, you're going to chase
the most money. So that's going to be the Michigan's, Floridas, Texas,
you know, USC's, and more power to them. The others
(29:59):
will try to get to that. But can they get
a bye to that next you know the crumbs, And
I think there's still a lot to be had out there.
So I can envision some sort of West Conference, West Coast,
multiple regional, I mean most multiple conferences out here. If
that's an Oregon State, Washington State, Nevada, Idaho, Montane, I
don't know, there's spots for all those teams and hopefully
(30:20):
at similar levels.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
I think that'd be pretty great.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Yeah, it seems like there needs to be a big restructuring.
But it's not even the FCS, it's the Group of
five as well. It's kind of just there's nothing really
any of the non power fors can do. It's more
so just kind of waiting to see what the power
fours do, and even the even the the ACC in
the Big twelve, they're waiting to see what the top
(30:44):
two are doing. So it's it's kind of just wait
and see mode. But I've tweeted many times about there
should be three subdivisions. Yeah, you know in Division one
college football, and you know you at the top level,
which is NFL, and then there's that great middle tier
of I mean sax State and UC Davis and Montana
schools and the Dakota schools would fit in great with
(31:05):
the Mountain West. In this current structure, are they all
going to get into the Mountain West? No, because of
the TV deals. But if there's that middle subdivision, it's
a perfect home for the FCS, not only powers on
the field, but the ones with higher budgets like a
UC Davis and a sax State. So I, like you,
I don't know how we get there, but somehow, some way,
maybe we do the one of these years.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Yeah, And I guess I have a follow up for you,
because you're so much more dialed in as far as
the intricacies of this, Like, I don't know, I'll ask
you kind of a similar question more for sax State
in twenty let me pick three years, twenty twenty eight,
when we're on there are preseason podcast preview of the Hornets.
What do you think we're talking about? And let's go
with twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
I still feel like in in twenty twenty eight, I
kind of wonder if things are still going to be
somewhat similar to what they are right now as far
as fcs, FBS. It seems like maybe twenty thirty is
really when some fracturing could happen, because there's some TV
deal stuff, whether it's the CFP TV deal, whether it's
(32:09):
like I think the Big ten and SEC media deals
are up in twenty thirty twenty thirty one. So I
kind of feel like things are are going to stay
the same. I know some talking points on like realignment Twitter.
We're talking about this new governance structure that's that's going
to be voted in on which pretty much gives the
power for like sixty five percent weighted votes. There's some
(32:31):
speculation that with the power for having so much power,
the power for can create their own subdivision because they
have the power to do so now, kind of leaving
the group of five behind, and then that's when that
middle tier that we've talked about could happen. I know
there's some speculation that something like that could happen with
this new governance, but I've yet to read like any
(32:52):
actual reporting of hey, this is a possibility, you know.
I think Gross Dellinger like threw it out there, like,
oh there, you know, there's a discussion of a new subdivision,
but you know that's about it. And so this new
governance structure could really, you know, create some big changes
at the same time, you know, I remember you remember
the Transformation Committee like in twenty twenty one that was
(33:12):
supposed to completely restructure the NCAA, and nothing really happened
with that. So a part of me thinks the governance
structure could you know, create this huge wave of realignments.
Another part of me is like, well, maybe it's just
in the weeds changes of like making things more you know,
more expedited. Expedited as far as new rules changes, instead
(33:35):
of jumping through like Sack statest they had to go
through one committee and then another committee for this FBS waiver,
you know, when the SEC wants new rules instead of
going from the Oversight Committee then to the Board of
Governors then to the d one Board of whatever, like
they can just boom vote on it right there. And
so a part of me feels like the new governance
might just be in the weeds passing new rules more
(33:56):
quickly rather than this big broad restructuring of college football
that some people online are speculating about.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Gotcha, Yeah, I mean it's it's it's a constant follow
because it's it's constantly changing at this point.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
Yeah yeah, and I mean we'll see. I think, you know,
there's so many changes going on right now as well
with I mean, college football is almost unrecognizable now compared
to what it was, you know, a few years ago,
and so it and that kind of rounds us out
to Sack State, where like right now it seems like
the road is blocked to get to the FBS. And
(34:32):
I know, like a lot of listeners on this podcast
are NDSU fans as well, Like whenever there's a door
that opens up for NDSU, maybe it gets slam shut
and it looks like that road is blocked. But you
can never really definitively say like sax State's not going FBS,
it's not going to happen, or NDSUS can't go FBS,
it's not going to happen, just because you never know
what's going to happen here from now, two years for now,
So it'll just be interesting to watch it unfold and
(34:54):
and for sax State's perspective, like see what I don't
want to say loophole, but like some way they can
get around the roadblock if that's a possibility or not.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Yeah, I know they're trying. I know that.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
I mean again, like I think the constant thing what
we've been saying out there is like they want to
go to the party, but they got to get invited,
so they haven't been able to get the invite. Whether
it's you know, getting in a league gets it a
lot easier.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
I did.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
I personally didn't love the idea of FBS independent. I
thought that would have been really tough financially and a
lot of different things. But hey, if that's their goal
and their desire. If that's the first road, then maybe
that gets them into a league. So there's there's a
lot of moving parts. But I know they're they're not stopping.
I mean they're going to go until they firmly get
that no and no chance, but that they're not going
to stop.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Well, hey, this has been an awesome, you know conversation.
I know a lot of people will find this very
interesting as well. And I think sax State is one
of the more intriguing just you know, on the football field,
one of the more intriguing teams for this upcoming year.
So thank you so much Jason for giving the podcast
some time today.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Thank you Sam, And we got to get you. I
know it's audio, but I see your background. For those
that don't know that we need we need a hornet
helmet back there. We need the stingers up.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Yeah, I know, I gotta I gotta expand a little bit.
And you know, I even have some current FBS you
know teams on here just because they were former FCS
one so so my my my, uh it's it's filled
up right now. But I could easily take one down
put another one up, you know, just because I have
some some now current FBS teams up there, so yeah,
I'd be happy, happy to add one to to the
(36:28):
to the list here.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Well, thank you for having me and really appreciate your work.
Everybody I know that works in the FCS follows what
you do all the time because waiting to see your votes,
waiting to see your predictions, waiting to see your ride up.
So uh, you keep up the good work, Sam. We
really I appreciate what you do
Speaker 1 (37:02):
To do
All right, welcome back to the FCS Football Talk podcast.
We have another guest interview here as I'm super pumped
to have on Sacramento State football play by play broadcaster
Jason Ross. So much to talk about. I'm very intrigued
with the upcoming football season for Sacramento State, and of
course we'll dive into you know, some of the FBS
you know desires as well for the Hornets and kind
(00:37):
of where everything stands as of right now. But first, Jason,
thank you so much for your time today. Thank you
for coming on the podcast. How's your summer been going
so far?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You know what, So far, so good, Sam. Not as
busy as your summer, but still productive and exciting.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
And you know, this is.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
About the time normally most years I would get really
excited for football, but it's been going for a while
because the Hornets, as you know and you've been writing about,
have been very very busy this offseason.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
So you've been i mean following and covering Sex State
football for a while, but just with this last year,
you know, following you know, the program, not just necessarily
the football program, but athletics as a whole. I mean,
this could be a thirty minute answer right here. So
it's as open ended as it can be. What has
this last year been like following this athletic department and
(01:28):
the university as a whole.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
In all the years I've done this, So this I
think will be my twenty eighth football season coming up,
and I've done stuff with a basketball program before too.
I have never seen or heard about the Hornets being
on a splash page of ESPN or pick your sports
website of choice. The athletic there's an athletic article on him.
You guys have been writing about him. People have been
(01:50):
talking about him to this level, and whether it's something
as hiring Brendan Marian, hiring Mike Bibbie, Shaquille o'neillotential FBS.
I mean, this is the kind of stuff that other
programs get, certainly not the FCS level, and I haven't
seen it ever happen with Sacramento State. And as much
(02:11):
as they've turned the program around and built a school
that a football program that had made the playoffs for
four years, they won three games last year and they
are getting this kind of attention, which is exciting. I mean,
it really is. And it also is now they're seemingly
as expectations, which they're not running away from. But I
guess the word is exciting, and it's been a shocking
(02:33):
off season because of all the attention they've received.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, and I do want to talk about the twenty
twenty five team. But first, as far as the push
to join the FBS, where do things stand right now?
I mean, the last update or whatever you want to
call it, was last month, late June, when the D
one Council denied that FBS independent waiver. I think shortly
after that there was a report from Pete Bammel that
(02:57):
the school had retained a well known sports attorney, Jeffrey Kessler,
who anyone that follows off the field stuff, they know
that name very well. So I guess where where do
things stand right now with that FBS push?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so there's still obviously a strong desire led by
the president. A president would definitely has this desire. I
think athletics would like this desire. I think that there's
the community is intrigued by a push to go forward.
There's a couple of things in play, as you know.
I mean, obviously it's a lot easier if they said
conference from the FBS said Yeah, sure, Hornet's come on
into the PAC twelve, to the Mountain West, to Conference USA,
(03:34):
whatever conference, but that hasn't happened yet. Now, as you said,
there are other things, other angles that they still can pursue.
My latest that I can tell you, Sam, is I
know there's still the desire they're pushing for it. You
kind of need two parties to tango here, so and
there's been constant movement. So, I mean, my other kind
(03:54):
of patent answer has been if you told me ten
years ago college football at the FBS level would have
a playoff if people want it, but I'll never see it.
We have it five years ago, do we ever have
athletes really getting paid?
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Well, we have it now.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Would Texas and Oklahoma be in the SEC, UCLA and USC, Oregon,
Washington be in the past a Big ten? None of
those things seem possible. So even a year from now,
two years from now, does there even become a bigger
one mega conference at the FBS level, And then that
even opens up a door at the FBS for maybe
more regionalized conferences where the Hornets could slide in. So
(04:29):
I don't know, I know they still have this incredible
desire to do it, but it's not all there yet,
so they're not stopping. They're pushing, but they're not over
the goal line obviously yet.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
And those that have followed me and listened to me,
you know, read some of my thoughts like they know
that I've been mostly supportive of sax State's FBS push
or supportive whatever word you want to call it, Like
I've explained it and kind of rationalize it for other
fans of why I think it makes sense. You know overall,
you know, certainly question things here or there as far
(05:02):
as the public campaigning and messaging, but still, you know,
there's FCS fans out there that just pose a fair
question of like why sax States or why is their
desire from sax State to make this move to the FBS.
And you can explain it as well as anyone in
the media. So maybe I should have asked this from
the start, But why overall is sax State one and
so badly to make this jump to the FBS.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Yeah, you know, it's an interesting question because I think
you could go through different people even through the university
or fans of the program may even debate whether it
is the best decision, but certainly those that are making
the decisions for the university. I think that's their thirst,
their desire to play at the highest of levels. They've
done as THEFCS level, finally become a playoff team, as
I'd mentioned, four years in a row when the Big
(05:45):
Sky three times, it's a great conference. I personally, as
a fan of the sport, I love the FCS playoff system.
I kind of like that, and I even vision, Okay,
if the Hornets magically we're in the FBS and got
to a bowl game and what a bowl game it was,
and played some team from I'll just say Conference USA again,
is that better for them?
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
I honestly don't know the answer to that. But I
think the thought of playing at the highest level is
what is drawing people, and you know that potentially revenue
sharing and different things, bigger stadium.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
If you get into a league of that ILK.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Let's say Pack twelve Mountain West, well there's more money opportunities.
So I think that's the desire. I've certainly heard the negatives. Yeah,
they were a three win team last year, win an
FCS title first. Those are all fair questions, but it
is one of the largest markets. I think that's their
biggest carrot, is kind of the desire to get into
(06:39):
the Sacramento region, this top twenty five market as far
as media wise.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
But you know, again, there's other.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
People that are making these decisions that have to ultimately
let them get there. So the next year at this time,
the fact that they are without a conference is also
intriguing and yet scary for me.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I love the Big Sky, but will no longer be
in the Big Sky? Would they be.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
FCS independent, FBS independent, Could they get an FBS league,
Could they get in another FCS league. So there's still
a lot more movement coming sam for the Hornets.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Do you think the school in the Athletic department was
surprised that the D one council denied the waiver? Like obviously,
a couple of weeks before that, the FBS Oversight Committee
recommended no, and so by that point we kind of figured, Okay,
the D one Council is also going to say no
to this waiver. Do you think that was a surprise
that this independent waiver was denied?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yes, I would say yes, that was the surprise because
and I'm going to go based on what I read
and what a lot of other people said I thought
more people said, well, the committee will recommend them, and
then there's that second step. Once they didn't get the recommendation,
I think we all kind of thought, well, the second
one is probably going to fall in line with that
first recommendation. So that's where now lawyers are getting involved potentially,
(07:57):
and you know, what else can the hornets do? So
you know, I'm gonna go back to maybe some of
the other critics that might say, yeah, there's talk of
a stadium being built and that's they're pursuing. Well, it's
not built, so would they be better off if it
was built? Would they be better off if a lot
of this stuff was more concrete laid out, you know,
smacking the decision makers in the face as opposed to
(08:19):
these are goals and desires and dreams, and how much
of it is is reality? So I love the vision,
I love the thought, but also I think some are
looking for a little bit more of the substance in
front of them. But you know, I don't know ultimately
what the decision makers are thinking there, but it's kind
of fun to watch and observe and ultimately see where
it goes.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Do you know, as far as the twenty twenty six schedule,
I mean we'll talking football specifically here where things stand
right now, because we're i mean, we're really close to
the twenty twenty five season coming, which means we're almost
less than a year away from the twenty twenty sixth season.
And right now, you know, SAX doesn't really have a schedule.
(09:00):
I know, even you know, before the FBS oversight and
doing council meetings, you know, President would has said that
there's there's conversations out there about you know, scheduling agreements
and you know getting uh, you know independent you know
schedules out there, and you know, I kind of floated
the idea out there. I believe it was on Nuance
is now out in Montana about even if even if
(09:22):
Sacramento State is classified as an FCS program in twenty
twenty six, like there's nothing stopping them from playing eight
FBS opponents in twenty twenty six. Now they need to
get that on the schedule. And it's tougher to schedule though,
is if you're classified as an FCS team just because
you know, FBS opponents don't want to play multiple you know,
FCS programs just for both eligibility. So any idea kind
(09:46):
of on where twenty twenty six is at as far
as forming a football.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Schedule, Yeah, I think it's pretty open. I think that
what I read your idea, I think that's a really
good one. That could be an avenue they've run. I've
even heard some suggestions that if the Hornets stay FCS independent,
why couldn't they really run it like an FBS independent, Right,
if you're not attached to a league, Yeah, maybe you
take on all the big boys and you might have
a really rough year. But they've shocked some teams before.
(10:10):
Initially too, Sam, I thought, well, okay, they're out of
the Big Sky, but they kind of were inherently in
the Big Sky schedule. Why wouldn't they just play kind
of who was roughly scheduled for that year.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Well, once the Big Sky added.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Southern Utah and Utah Tech, I think they've already changing
their schedule. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised if
the Hornets. Hornets have alienated some people too. It's like, well, no,
you're leaving us and we're not going to play you.
So there's a lot of legs to this and branches.
One of them two is the rival with UC Davis.
I know they want to continue it, but if Sacramento
(10:43):
State went up to FBS and Davis stayed in the FCS, Personally,
I think that's a bad game now for the Hornets
because Davis is good and if they beat you at
quote unquote a lower level, that's a really bad loss.
If you beat them by two, hey, you didn't beat
them by enough. It happened before when the Hornets were
FCS and Davis was d two, and Davis would win
that game a lot, so that ended up being a
(11:04):
bad game for them.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
So I don't want that rivalry to go away.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
It'd be nice if they both went up to the
FBS level and that could be something that happens in
the future. But no concrete word, I guess long answer
for you, Sam on the on the schedule, but I
know they're exploring everything, and I heard the same thing
as you did that. I know there's interest from a
lot of different people, but the schedule isn't really laid
out concrete that they've got that set, and part of
it is waiting to see where they're going to be from.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
What you've sensed. What's the temperature when it comes to
the Sacramento State fan base. On one hand, you mentioned
the national headlines, you know, and all the hype that's
been generated and kind of parlaying that into getting really
good recruiting classes and you know, making splash on the
recruiting trail and you know, even landing some high level
(11:51):
four star transfers from the Power for Level. But you
know that's kind of the positives the negatives of the
FBS push. And you've also mentioned this is you know,
ruffling some peasures, ruffling some feathers, you know, across not
only in the FCS, maybe a little bit of the
FBS as well with some of the public promises. So
what's the split between the fan bases as far as
(12:12):
like loving all of this and also maybe some fans
that are thinking, like, maybe we're getting ahead of our
skis a little bit here? Have you since there's I mean,
maybe it's all one hundred percent loving this, Maybe there's
no divide, but you know, what's what's the temperature that
you're kind of feeling.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Yeah, I don't know if I have the full pulse,
but I would say probably more people are excited than
the other. But that doesn't mean there aren't There aren't
people out there that are questioning, is is this the
best move?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Is this the right move?
Speaker 2 (12:35):
But I think when you're being talked about more so
more in a general positive the athletic or articles written
about you, and being talked about your school and your program,
which really hasn't happened before, I still think of that
as a as a general positive and the destination of
where they're trying to get to.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I still think excites people.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
And you've had some local leaders and others that are
really trying to back it. And if you you know,
if you really see it and if it does happen,
like if we go full optimism here Sam, and you
see a new stadium, a higher level league, potential, more money,
this nil and the recruits that are coming. This is
stuff that has never happened. So I would say if
we're generalizing, more people are excited. But I also don't
(13:19):
I don't want to be naive enough to say, well,
certain things have been said and certain things haven't come
through yet, so what is real? So but I would
say if I'm leaning one way, it's probably more excitement.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely. You know, from it was interesting from January
through early June. I was kind of operating under the
assumption that sax State probably wasn't going to be eligible
for the twenty twenty five FCS playoffs because I thought,
you know, probably like the school as well, that the
waiver was going to get granted and the pathway was
going to be there. And I remember saying, I can't
(13:51):
remember where I was like, you know, like again, I
understand why the FBS push is there, you know, totally
understand it, but I wish maybe they could push it
back one year because I want to see what this
twenty twenty five squad can do if they can make
the playoffs. If they make the playoffs, what can they
do you know in that twenty four team bracket. So
I know FBS is obviously the ultimate goal, but for
(14:12):
the fans, is there, you know, like a level of
excitement now where it's like, well, now we kind of
have something to play for in twenty twenty five. You know,
being playoff ineligible is kind of an awkward spot. Missouri
State went through it's last year, same thing with Delaware. Well, now, like, hey,
whatever the future is, we don't know, but in twenty
twenty five, we think we have a really good squad.
Maybe let's make a runhead an FCS title. Can you
(14:34):
can you get a sense of that side of the
excitement as well?
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Yeah, absolutely, I know.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I'll tell you exactly how I felt that same thing
you said, Sam, because as much as there, you know,
would have sounded great if there was word they got
approval on the on the waiver and people were saying
we're good, they're going forward. But twenty twenty five you'll
be playoff ineligible. I would have been bombed. I honestly
would have been because this year, more than any I
(14:59):
don't have a great read on the team, just because
of seventy three new players, thirty eight transfers that are
coming in. There are recruits, like you said, they've never
had before. I think the highest was a two to three.
Now they got four star guys, four star quarterbacks. I mean,
recruits that are leaving respectable programs coming here. And I'm
thinking this could be really special and it would be
(15:23):
a shame if they were not eligible this year.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
So as a.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Little caveat to it, if we have to wait, or
if they never make it to the FBS level, I'm
excited to see what this year could be but like
I said, this is the biggest uncertainty. If you told
me twelve and zero, oh wow, everything went right. If
you told me four and a, they just didn't gel Okay.
I mean I really don't know, and that kind of
(15:47):
makes it exciting to be honest.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, I did the the Sacramento State team preview within
the last couple of weeks. They're all kind of blading together.
But I know, like for my preseason ballots, I believe
I have Sacramento State right at number ten in my
preseason ballot. So but but going through you know, when
you're can when you can dive more into the team itself.
(16:09):
You know a lot of skill position guys as well.
You know, great linebacker play. I think the second area
is gonna be super talented. The one thing I was
kind of noticing was, well, I'm not sure about the
offensive and defensive lines. You know, the offensive line does
return three starters from last year and traditionally, you know,
the last five six years, Like I've really liked Sacramento
(16:29):
State and their offensive line, you know, defensive line depth.
I've also questioned, you know as well, just kind of
going through the roster and that those are two areas
where you really need to be a lead at to
win an FCS national titles. So, I know you said
there's a lot of unknowns about the roster and how
it all gels, but you know, overall, what do you
think are the strengths for this upcoming team and maybe
(16:51):
some areas you know, similar to me, where you're kind
of looking at and go, well, you know, I'm not
I'm not really sure in this specific area.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
So, well, I mean the fact that but there is
basically one returning coach and that's coach Richardson to the
offensive line that's been one of the strengths of this
team for years. So he is still at the program,
still with the team, and that line still as you said,
as three starters returning and basically a fourth because Jose
Solo got hurt in I think it was the first
game last year against San Jose State and they were
(17:19):
really high on him. He's back, so we could argue
that four fifths of the projected starting lineup is there.
The fifth one has got drafted in the NFL last
year in Jackson Slater. So this is a good returning
offensive line. Again goes back to health because they got
banged up last year. Behind that, the running game is
in this go go offense potentially could be spectacular, and
(17:41):
I think the totals are eight thousand rushing yards coming back.
Have a Peyton Award to finalist and Jamar Curtis up
there Hammond from Pity. I mean, there's a lot of
guys that are coming in here to this new offense
had a potential to run behind that offensive line. And
then Jayden Rishta as the QB is the highest decorated quarterback.
(18:02):
Now he hasn't played in a couple of years, so
there's some question not a lot of college snaps, but
the pedigree and the hype around him is pretty legit.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
The receiving group is all new.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I mean, that's probably an area that you know, get open,
catch the ball and get downfield, but that's brand new. Defensively,
it's going to be a whole new scheme, a whole
new defense. So there's question marks, but there's a lot
of talent coming in, and to me, I always kind
of question that just because how quickly can you put
together a lot of what seems to be talented players
(18:33):
to gel on one group like that?
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Yeah, and I'm sure you've looked ahead, you know, to
the schedule a little bit here, and South Gota State
right away and then an FBS opponent Nevada right after that.
And I think I had either number two or number
three as far as most likely FCS over FBS wins.
I really like that matchup for sax State playing Nevada.
But it's interesting because I mean South Gota State or excuson,
(18:58):
Montana State will be oh in one after week one
because they play Oregon and then they they play South
Dakota State, and so you're looking at their schedule, you go, man,
like Montana State number preseason number two. They could be
oh and two, or they could be one and one
with a splash, you know when in week two South
Kota State they could be two and oh one and
one or oh and two. Sacramento State could be two
(19:19):
and oh with like hey here we are like two
big wins in a row. Or they could be oh
and two in some of that momentum slides. So yeah,
just what do you make of these first couple of
games here for the Hornets.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
So I always try to look at it. I kind
of look at the non league. So if we do
not only those two. I mean, what a tough start
South Dakota State. Though you could argue maybe the right
year to get them, just because of their you know,
change a quarterback, change a coach.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
I mean that to.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Call them retooling feels unfair because that's a dynamite program
on Nevada.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
You know.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
As far as playing up, they I would say the
Hornets in their history have played more difficult games. Doesn't
mean there's no way that's easy. It'll probably be underdogs
in that game, and that's still on the road. I
kind of look at it sam as the first four
as well, so I up and Mercyhurst in Central Arkansas,
which will both both be at home. In Central Arkansas
has been an FCS playoff team before my target. You know,
(20:09):
the program, the coaches will probably have a higher goal.
I really want them two and two after four, Like
I feel like if they're there, that may be low
for some, but I don't want them to see them
lower than that. And then if they get in the
big sky and kind of they're adjusted, they've played four games,
I think there's a buy maybe after that fourth game
or fifth game, so then like they're in it now,
they're in the meat of it now they can really
chase some of the goals they want. Now if they
(20:30):
get higher than that, they're three and one or somehow
four and oh, then some of the things, some of
the hype, some of the swaggers, some of the stuff
that they've been.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Putting out there.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
It's like, you know what, maybe this is really a
special team. So it's such a great sport. The week
to week is so important. You stumble and people doubt you,
you thrive and people like this team's great. It's that fragile.
But that's what the first four games are to me.
If they can get out of there two and two,
Like I said, I think the coaches will want more.
They want to win every game. I know that, But
that's kind of my target is get through the first
(21:01):
four at two and two.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
A couple more off the field stuff for that. I know,
you know, some fans have been curious about it, and
you mentioned it a little earlier too, about the new stadium.
I know there's some renderings you know, out there and
it looks, you know, incredible, But where I guess, where
are things at with the new stadium, And like, is
there a fundraising process going on right now? Like kind
of where is that in the process.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Yeah, I mean I wish I had more full concrete
details for you, but I can help, but wonder if
they're all kind of interlocked. It doesn't mean I know,
they've been talking about doing a stadium in renovations for
whether it's renovations or a new stadium, for a couple
of years, so it's been independent of the push for FBS.
But now that's kind of lined up. There's been more
community support and so you know, if there was an
(21:47):
FBS announcement, maybe that helps push more sponsors, more people,
more money.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
But I know there's a desire. I know there's a need.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
They've been in the stadium a long time and they've
done a really good job with the tenants. It's grown
over the years, so there's been the thirst to get
out there. But me personally as someone that you know,
the track was something used to have Olympic trials here
and and really it was a pretty top notch Olympic
or track venue. But that still pushes the stands back.
I like that intimate you've been to you know, Montana
(22:17):
where you're just you're right on and you've been in
south OFAs some of these other venues. You're just you're
in the action, and I think that's something that they
need to build a football stadium only that's what they.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Want to do.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And you know, there's I don't have any further update,
but these are all still goals and desires that they're
chasing and you know, finding money too and funding and students.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Increase in in UH student enrollment has helped.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
There's there's all little pockets, but they got to put
it all together to ultimately across that finish line too.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Can you explain the NIL pledges? I mean, obviously there's
a there's a big figure out there, and you know,
some of the details are a little bit murky, you
know as far as how like I think these pledges
would be unlocked if sax State does get you know,
an FBS invites or gets into the FBS and you
know some of it, the total number might be spread
(23:07):
out over a number of years. So can you just
kind of break down these NIL pledges?
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Yeah, the best of my knowledge too. Sam.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Again, it's it's what I know that I do know now,
but it's I've been shocked by it because let's go
back to someone like Jaden Rashata, who comes here after
being heavily recruited at Florida, at Georgia, Arizona State. I mean,
these schools have had money and have offered money before,
and I'm thinking, Okay, well, sax State's not the only
school that's going to be interested in him. He's a
(23:36):
talented quarterback. How are the Hornets getting him? Why is
he not at Oregon or Michigan or pick your school.
And some people here locally, well, sax State is nil money.
Yes they do, but how do they have They don't
have more. I don't believe that they have more. And
I know they've been getting pledges and I don't know
this for a fact. But what I do know is
what took me off guard and caught me off guard, sam,
(23:57):
I should say, is when they did didn't get the
FBS approval right away and then had the waiver and
that didn't go through. I thought there might be a
little pushback and maybe a player or two that was here,
Mike go All, I like what you're doing. I like
Maren's message, but I'm leaving. And that didn't happen, And
(24:18):
in fact, there was another recruiting push like for twenty
seven and twenty six and none of those. You know,
all things can change, but just as many, if not more,
are coming to Sacramento State. So I personally this is
probably gonna be a question for Coach Mary, and like,
whatever your message is, Coach, it's working. But how again
(24:38):
I questioned how he's doing it.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
He's obviously persuasive, and I like what I've known when
I've heard when I've got a chance to talk to him.
But how is he getting these guys to come to
this program with not necessarily having more to offer than
Tennessee than pick your FBS school. So what they've been
able to do, whether it's via so social media or
being the cool thing, this is the program people are
(25:03):
wanting to come to. I give them all the credit
in the world because whatever they're doing right now seemingly
is working.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
And I just hope, I hope it keeps working.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Do you get a sense of, uh, more excitement for
this upcoming season than compared to you know, seasons pass
when it comes to the fan base, And you know what,
I've kind of hammered this point, you know, multiple times
whenever I see someone on social media taking a dig.
But and maybe it's just a camera, you know, angle
for sax at home games. But you know, the misconception
that no one goes to games like that's just not true.
(25:33):
I mean there's fourteen to fifteen thousand, you know, on average,
which is good for top fifteen, you know, I want
to say in the FCS. And so the fan support
has already, you know, I've been pretty strong for Sacramento State.
Do you sense an even you know, higher sense of
excitement coming or going into this upcoming year?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
And a lot of this is, to your point, is perception.
Like literally, you know, I do the games on radio
or TV, and if it's a TV game, the home
side is great. I mean, it's a big stadium, film
the other side and it's not full, not all the time,
the causeway, if they're playing Davis as it is, and
to the point on this is one story I've told
for years, Sam. It's probably now ten to twelve years
ago our local paper, the Sacramento to Be Davis and
(26:13):
Sacks State were both at home and the way the
article was describing the sax State football game recapped in
front of a disappointing crowd of like nine thousand, six
hundred and thirty whatever Hornets lose to. I don't remember
the school Eastern Washington two page and another page later,
the ride up on Davis in front of a rocous
crowd of seven thousand whatever Davis beat you know, Weaver State,
and I'm thinking, wow, literally there was two thousand more
(26:36):
and it was disappointing. But Davis Stadium is also smaller,
and it looks good and it's more filled in, So
you know, sometimes it's perception, but they've done so much better.
I think last year, and I'll have my numbers wrong, Sam,
but I think the Hornets were third in the Big Sky,
maybe fifteenth nationally in attendance, So I mean it's they're
doing great as far as attendants. They'll be a game
where there's eight thousand. There'll be a game where there's
(26:58):
fourteen sixteen. So the year they were twelve and zero
and a host of the Causeway had twenty two. I
mean the place was full. So I think there's intrigue.
There's billboards all over, there's more money being spent on
this program. I mean literally, say, the amount of billboards
around the community. I've never seen this many, and they're
constantly changing different messaging different things for Mike Bibbie for basketball,
(27:22):
for football, getting tickets. So they're doing as much as
they possibly can to build that fan base. Students have
been great in their turnout. It's become much more of
a I mean I started this years ago and I'd
be like, man, we got six thousand tonight, and I
was happy with that. Now it's like the lowmark here
at eight to ten and the high mark sixteen to twenty.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
So they've done a great job with that.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Last question here. And you know, sometimes I like the
crystal ball question just because I think everyone understands that, like,
no one knows what's going to happen in two, three,
you know, five years, Yet it's still fun to kind
of speculate and kind of get a sense of what
other people think might happen. So I'm not even going
to ask five to ten years down the road, but
just two to three years down the road, what does
(28:08):
college football look like in your opinion? And where does
sack State potentially fit into that picture?
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Okay, well it's crystal ball, so that's I mean, I
can't go wrong because it's everybody's guess. I think there'll
be some sort of breakoff in the FBS, and I
don't know. I don't know how they're going to pick
forty sixty power teams and team sixty one forty one
whatever it is, and be upset that, hey, we should
be in that group, and maybe they should. I mean, honestly,
(28:36):
I think that if they did some sort of like
European Soccer relegation, I think that would be fantastic. I
don't know that universities will go for that, but if
I'm crystal balling it, I say SEC Big ten, ACC
power team, I don't know, some sort of merger with
a top forty to sixty and then everything else kind
of becoming what it was regionalized, and heck, I honestly
(29:00):
I think there could be a pretty good California conference,
Like I don't know if Stanford's not invited into that
and Cal Stanford, Cal, San Jose State, Fresno State, UC Davis,
sax State, San Diego State, Fresno, Cal Paul.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
I mean, that's that's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
That's a pretty good league that could you know, regionally,
it fits budget wise, rivalry wise, and maybe that's too
high in the sky, but I kind of think that
makes a lot of financial sense if you're not in
with the big boys, and I don't think sax State
would be. And so that's my best guess, and that
might be closer to five years to ten, but you know,
we're still in.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
And I'm glad a lot of the athletic.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Directors and conferences, as you know, they really did this
term of you know, these student athletes, and I like
that and respect that. But college football is a business
and I think now that they've kind of fully wrapped
their arms around that. So if you're going business model,
the people with the most money, you're going to chase
the most money. So that's going to be the Michigan's, Floridas, Texas,
you know, USC's, and more power to them. The others
(29:59):
will try to get to that. But can they get
a bye to that next you know the crumbs, And
I think there's still a lot to be had out there.
So I can envision some sort of West Conference, West Coast,
multiple regional, I mean most multiple conferences out here. If
that's an Oregon State, Washington State, Nevada, Idaho, Montane, I
don't know, there's spots for all those teams and hopefully
(30:20):
at similar levels.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
I think that'd be pretty great.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Yeah, it seems like there needs to be a big restructuring.
But it's not even the FCS, it's the Group of
five as well. It's kind of just there's nothing really
any of the non power fors can do. It's more
so just kind of waiting to see what the power
fours do, and even the even the the ACC in
the Big twelve, they're waiting to see what the top
(30:44):
two are doing. So it's it's kind of just wait
and see mode. But I've tweeted many times about there
should be three subdivisions. Yeah, you know in Division one
college football, and you know you at the top level,
which is NFL, and then there's that great middle tier
of I mean sax State and UC Davis and Montana
schools and the Dakota schools would fit in great with
(31:05):
the Mountain West. In this current structure, are they all
going to get into the Mountain West? No, because of
the TV deals. But if there's that middle subdivision, it's
a perfect home for the FCS, not only powers on
the field, but the ones with higher budgets like a
UC Davis and a sax State. So I, like you,
I don't know how we get there, but somehow, some way,
maybe we do the one of these years.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Yeah, And I guess I have a follow up for you,
because you're so much more dialed in as far as
the intricacies of this, Like, I don't know, I'll ask
you kind of a similar question more for sax State
in twenty let me pick three years, twenty twenty eight,
when we're on there are preseason podcast preview of the Hornets.
What do you think we're talking about? And let's go
with twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
I still feel like in in twenty twenty eight, I
kind of wonder if things are still going to be
somewhat similar to what they are right now as far
as fcs, FBS. It seems like maybe twenty thirty is
really when some fracturing could happen, because there's some TV
deal stuff, whether it's the CFP TV deal, whether it's
(32:09):
like I think the Big ten and SEC media deals
are up in twenty thirty twenty thirty one. So I
kind of feel like things are are going to stay
the same. I know some talking points on like realignment Twitter.
We're talking about this new governance structure that's that's going
to be voted in on which pretty much gives the
power for like sixty five percent weighted votes. There's some
(32:31):
speculation that with the power for having so much power,
the power for can create their own subdivision because they
have the power to do so now, kind of leaving
the group of five behind, and then that's when that
middle tier that we've talked about could happen. I know
there's some speculation that something like that could happen with
this new governance, but I've yet to read like any
(32:52):
actual reporting of hey, this is a possibility, you know.
I think Gross Dellinger like threw it out there, like,
oh there, you know, there's a discussion of a new subdivision,
but you know that's about it. And so this new
governance structure could really, you know, create some big changes
at the same time, you know, I remember you remember
the Transformation Committee like in twenty twenty one that was
(33:12):
supposed to completely restructure the NCAA, and nothing really happened
with that. So a part of me thinks the governance
structure could you know, create this huge wave of realignments.
Another part of me is like, well, maybe it's just
in the weeds changes of like making things more you know,
more expedited. Expedited as far as new rules changes, instead
(33:35):
of jumping through like Sack statest they had to go
through one committee and then another committee for this FBS waiver,
you know, when the SEC wants new rules instead of
going from the Oversight Committee then to the Board of
Governors then to the d one Board of whatever, like
they can just boom vote on it right there. And
so a part of me feels like the new governance
might just be in the weeds passing new rules more
(33:56):
quickly rather than this big broad restructuring of college football
that some people online are speculating about.
Speaker 2 (34:04):
Gotcha, Yeah, I mean it's it's it's a constant follow
because it's it's constantly changing at this point.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
Yeah yeah, and I mean we'll see. I think, you know,
there's so many changes going on right now as well
with I mean, college football is almost unrecognizable now compared
to what it was, you know, a few years ago,
and so it and that kind of rounds us out
to Sack State, where like right now it seems like
the road is blocked to get to the FBS. And
(34:32):
I know, like a lot of listeners on this podcast
are NDSU fans as well, Like whenever there's a door
that opens up for NDSU, maybe it gets slam shut
and it looks like that road is blocked. But you
can never really definitively say like sax State's not going FBS,
it's not going to happen, or NDSUS can't go FBS,
it's not going to happen, just because you never know
what's going to happen here from now, two years for now,
So it'll just be interesting to watch it unfold and
(34:54):
and for sax State's perspective, like see what I don't
want to say loophole, but like some way they can
get around the roadblock if that's a possibility or not.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Yeah, I know they're trying. I know that.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
I mean again, like I think the constant thing what
we've been saying out there is like they want to
go to the party, but they got to get invited,
so they haven't been able to get the invite. Whether
it's you know, getting in a league gets it a
lot easier.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
I did.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
I personally didn't love the idea of FBS independent. I
thought that would have been really tough financially and a
lot of different things. But hey, if that's their goal
and their desire. If that's the first road, then maybe
that gets them into a league. So there's there's a
lot of moving parts. But I know they're they're not stopping.
I mean they're going to go until they firmly get
that no and no chance, but that they're not going
to stop.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Well, hey, this has been an awesome, you know conversation.
I know a lot of people will find this very
interesting as well. And I think sax State is one
of the more intriguing just you know, on the football field,
one of the more intriguing teams for this upcoming year.
So thank you so much Jason for giving the podcast
some time today.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Thank you Sam, And we got to get you. I
know it's audio, but I see your background. For those
that don't know that we need we need a hornet
helmet back there. We need the stingers up.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Yeah, I know, I gotta I gotta expand a little bit.
And you know, I even have some current FBS you
know teams on here just because they were former FCS
one so so my my my, uh it's it's filled
up right now. But I could easily take one down
put another one up, you know, just because I have
some some now current FBS teams up there, so yeah,
I'd be happy, happy to add one to to the
(36:28):
to the list here.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Well, thank you for having me and really appreciate your work.
Everybody I know that works in the FCS follows what
you do all the time because waiting to see your votes,
waiting to see your predictions, waiting to see your ride up.
So uh, you keep up the good work, Sam. We
really I appreciate what you do
Speaker 1 (37:02):
To do
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