FCS Football Talk Network

Sam Herder
  • 4.8 (130)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

The FCS Football Talk Network is a network of podcasts hosted by FCS Analyst Sam Herder. The shows include FCS Football Talk (presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM), FCS Talk w/ Sam Herder, and FCS Gameday.  -FCS Football Talk brings on different guests, including FCS coaches, commissioners, athletic directors, and FCS media. FCS Football Central Senior Editor Zach McKinnell is the guest co-host throughout the fall. -FCS Talk w/ Sam Herder is a solo show, where Sam discusses recent news, storylines, or gives a rapid reaction from the weekend's games. -FCS GameDay gets you ready for the upcoming weekend of games with previews, predictions, and more FCS discussion.

  1. 1d ago

    Top 5 Preseason Favorites To Win The Walter Payton Award

    On this episode, Sam breaks down his Top 5 preseason favorites to win the 2026 Walter Payton Award. A loaded race is sure to ensue this fall with multiple All-American quarterbacks returning. But can a non-QB win the award for the first time since 2016?

    Top 5 Preseason Favorites To Win The Walter Payton Award

  2. 6d ago

    And We're Back! With Some Exciting Plans For The 2026 Season

    Sam's 8-week parental leave is coming to a close, which means new and fresh podcast episodes are coming your way soon! And by popular demand, the number of episodes will be increasing to 2-3 per week for the upcoming season. In this podcast channel, now called the FCS Football Talk Network, three shows will air: -FCS Football Talk (presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM) -FCS Talk w/ Sam Herder -FCS Gameday

    And We're Back! With Some Exciting Plans For The 2026 Season

  3. Jul 15

    Re-Airing: An Early 2026 FCS Preseason Top 15

    Note: This episode originally aired on May 27. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in late July. On this episode, Sam breaks down his early FCS Top 15 teams heading into the 2026 season.

    Re-Airing: An Early 2026 FCS Preseason Top 15

  4. Jul 7

    Re-Airing: Big-Picture Questions Ahead Of The 2026 FCS Season (w/ Timothy Rosario)

    Note: This episode originally aired on March 9. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August. On this episode, Sam is joined by Timothy Rosario, co-host of The Bluebloods on FCS Football Central. The two discuss: -Most surprising offseason headline -Big-picture questions ahead of the 2026 season -Is it Montana State vs. the field? -Who are some dark horses? -Can Illinois State keep its momentum going? -Who can take a step forward with impressive transfers? -And more

    Re-Airing: Big-Picture Questions Ahead Of The 2026 FCS Season (w/ Timothy Rosario)

  5. Jun 29

    Re-Airing: West Florida Broadcaster Will Kennedy Talks UWF’s DI Move

    Note: This episode originally aired on April 8. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August. On this episode, Sam is joined by West Florida broadcaster Will Kennedy. The two discuss UWF’s move to the FCS from D2, the football program’s rapid rise, the school’s investment in football, and more.

    Re-Airing: West Florida Broadcaster Will Kennedy Talks UWF’s DI Move

  6. Jun 22

    Re-Airing: College Athletics Consultant KC Smurthwaite

    Note: This episode originally aired on March 18. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August. On this episode, Sam is joined by KC Smurthwaite, HERO Sports writer and a college athletics consultant  The two discuss topics like future outlooks for conferences like the UAC and Summit League, future realignment dominoes, the college football landscape, and private equity in the FCS playoffs. The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

    Re-Airing: College Athletics Consultant KC Smurthwaite

  7. Jun 15

    Re-Airing: FCS Offseason Storylines (w/ Craig Haley)

    Note: This episode originally aired on March 4. Sam is currently on parental leave and will have new episodes out in early August. On this episode, Sam is joined by Craig Haley, the FCS Senior Editor for Stats Perform/The Analyst.  The two discuss: -FCS championship future -Private equity in the playoffs -Penn hiring Rick Santos, and Yale hiring Kevin Cahill -Future realignment -Where has the FCS improved over Craig’s time covering the subdivision, and where has it weakened? -Parity in the FCS -And more The podcast is presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM. Visit HERO Sports for FCS coverage and BetMGM for online betting odds.

    Re-Airing: FCS Offseason Storylines (w/ Craig Haley)

  8. May 27

    An Early 2026 FCS Preseason Top 15

    On this episode, Sam breaks down his early FCS Top 15 teams heading into the 2026 season.

    An Early 2026 FCS Preseason Top 15
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4.8
out of 5
130 Ratings

About

The FCS Football Talk Network is a network of podcasts hosted by FCS Analyst Sam Herder. The shows include FCS Football Talk (presented by HERO Sports and BetMGM), FCS Talk w/ Sam Herder, and FCS Gameday.  -FCS Football Talk brings on different guests, including FCS coaches, commissioners, athletic directors, and FCS media. FCS Football Central Senior Editor Zach McKinnell is the guest co-host throughout the fall. -FCS Talk w/ Sam Herder is a solo show, where Sam discusses recent news, storylines, or gives a rapid reaction from the weekend's games. -FCS GameDay gets you ready for the upcoming weekend of games with previews, predictions, and more FCS discussion.

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