Wicked Smart Football Podcast

Samuel Belkin
  • 5.0 (13)
  • FOOTBALL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

There's something about New England in the fall... This show will highlight the fierce competition and rich tradition of college football within the NESCAC and Ivy League. Each week, I will break down the slate of action from the weekend prior and preview the matchups ahead. Leaning on my ten years of coaching experience, mostly in the NESCAC, I aim to bring authentic college football coverage to a region I've always felt never receives it's due for the quality of its teams, players, and coaches. Autumn is in the air, the leaves are about to turn...buckle up and enjoy the season ahead!

  1. 12/16/2025

    And so it ends...for now - WSFP #13

    Week 13...the FINAL episode of the 2025 season. The New England season OFFICIALLY ending with the loss of Yale inthe playoffs. I'll recap all the action from out in Bozeman Montana. Additionally, some major coaching news in the Ivy Leaguewith the hiring of Rick Santos at Penn. I'll discuss that seismic move for the Quakers. I'll also cover the coordinator change at Cornell with Mike Toerper leaving his post as the Head Coach at Ithaca to take the reins of the defense for the Big Red. That is a move, by the way, that may have ramifications on a prominentNESCAC squad. Lastly, I'd like to reflect on the podcast itself, discussing where the show is right now and where I see it moving forward. Thisshow has been a success because of YOU, the loyal listeners that have been at the ground floor of something special. Thank you all! With that said, enjoy the FINAL episode of 2025! For more content, please follow ⁠@WickedSmartFootballPodcast⁠ on instagram **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:23) Yale @ Montana State (00:08:10) The Scoop - Yale Postgame takeaway's (00:18:41) Penn hires Rick Santos (00:32:12) New Cornell Coordinator & NESCAC Ramifications (00:37:59) What's next for the Pod!

    42 min

  2. 12/06/2025

    Comeback in the Ice Castle - WSFP #12

    Week 12...PLAYOFF WEEK for the podcast! We had a WILD one in Youngstown, Ohio. One of the greatest comebacks, certainly in FCS history, maybe in the history of college football. An incredible victory for Yale as they keep their hopes alive for a National title. Not quite the same result for the Harvard Crimson. Their season ends in the outskirts of Philly after an EMBARRASSING loss to Villanova. This game should serve as a major learning experience for the Ivy League as it learns how to approach post season play. I'll break down the upcoming Montana State Bobcats who will be hosting the Bulldogs in the GREAT city of Bozeman! Per usual, I'll have my prediction set for the game as well. Week 2 of the FCS playoffs...will there be a Week 3? We shall see! First things first...enjoy this Saturday edition of the show! Welcome to the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:25) Yale @ Youngstown State (00:13:02) The Scoop (00:23:53) The Scheme - Montana State Scouting Report (00:28:02) The Story & Prediction

    31 min

  3. 11/27/2025

    Playoff Football - WSFP #11

    Week 11 aaaaaand...we're...still...HERE... Time to recap the final REGULAR season weekend of Ivy League competition. We'll focus on The Game in New Haven, but will also chat about the thriller in Providence with some additional recaps on the rest of the Ivy League. With the playoff field now officially set and with TWO Ivy League programs making it into the big dance, I'll discuss keys to victory for both teams. There will be specific breakdowns of both upcoming opponents, being the Youngstown State Penguins and the Villanova Wildcats. How do our boys in the Ivy's stack up? What do they need to do to win? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? We'll go through it all. As always, I will offer my predictions for both playoff games along with my general thoughts on the weekend of action. It's a Thanksgiving episode and I'm thankful for YOU the listener. You guys are the best of the best! Enjoy the pod as you go get through your holiday. Tune in while you're sitting in traffic on the Mass Pike or Merritt Parkway...tune in while your father-in-law takes the knife from you and shows you how a real man carves a bird...tune in as you cringe looking at the texts you sent to your high school sweetheart last night after you saw her at the local bar... No matter what you're doing on your Turkey Day, I hope you enjoy the show and, more importantly, time with your friends and family. WELCOME to another edition of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:36) Dartmouth @ Brown (00:08:43) Ivy Quick Hitters (00:11:37) Harvard @ Yale - The Game (00:22:54) The Scoop - Post (The) Game Notes (00:33:23) The Scheme - YSU Scouting Report (00:40:54) The Scheme - Villanova Scouting Report (00:52:26) The Story & Predictions

    1h 1m

  4. 11/20/2025

    The Game before "The Game" & NESCAC Awards - WSFP #10

    Week 10 of the podcast focuses on the penultimate weekend of Ivy League football, building into a historic game this weekend in New Haven. Harvard in a dog fight against Penn, would they claim a share of the Ivy title and maintain position for the playoffs? Could Yale keep pace in the league standings and remain in the hunt for an Ivy title share? Who would get their first league win of the year in NYC between Brown and Columbia? And lastly, Big Green vs the Big Red...battle of the Christmas colors headed into Thanksgiving week! NESCAC season awards also released. I'll share my thoughts on the winners and the snubs. So many deserving players this season. I'll also give you a little insight into the yearly coaches meeting where they decide the victors...would love to be a fly on the wall in that one! Lastly, I'll break down a MONUMENTAL championship weekend in the Ancient Eight. Between the NESCAC and the Ivy League, this is setting up to be one of the best seasons in the history of New England football. Let's finish out this week STRONG! Whether you're on your way to work, at the gym, sitting at your desk, or prepping your tailgate dishes...this show is for you! The consummate football fan who lives and dies with every snap their team takes each Saturday, here in the greatest region in the world...New England. WELCOME to a new episode of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please go follow the ⁠@WickedSmartFootballPodcast⁠ on instagram. **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Wicked Cool Intro (00:01:33) Brown @ Columbia (00:12:50) Cornell @ Dartmouth (00:19:55) Yale @ Princeton (00:28:43) Penn @ Harvard (00:43:31) What was Penn doing?!?! (00:50:58) The Scoop (01:06:18) NESCAC Awards (01:34:13) The Story, Predictions, & Outro

    1h 42m

  5. 11/15/2025

    Crown them Cards & Mule made Miracles - WSFP #9

    Week 9 of the show was CHAMPIONSHIP week in the NESCAC. Would Trinity finish on an eight game championship win streak or would Wesleyan go back to back at home? Also, in the great north of Maine, the CBB championship was on the line between the Mules and the Polar Bears. One of the most storied rivalries in all of college football, the Biggest Little Game in America, between Amherst and Williams logged another memorable chapter at Pratt Field. It was also an electric day in both Vermont and the Dirty Lew with Tufts, Midd, Bates, and Hamilton all looking to end their seasons on a high note. So many great moments from the finale of the NESCAC season. All CAC this episode, Ivy's will have the spotlight the rest of the way. I'll talk predictions for a pivotal upcoming weekend of Ancient Eight football. A little Saturday morning podcast ACTION. This one's for you NESCAC fans, missing your tailgates, the crisp smell of that New England air...Don't worry! This show is here for you! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a championship recap. WELCOME to a new episode of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please go follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram. **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Wicked Cool Intro (00:01:32) Williams @ Amherst - The Biggest Little Game in America (00:11:47) Hamilton @ Bates (00:19:20) Tufts @ Middlebury (00:27:36) Bowdoin @ Colby - CBB Title Game (00:31:45) Trinity @ Wesleyan - NESCAC Championship (00:41:53) The Scoop (01:15:04) The Scheme (01:28:41) The Story (01:30:16) Predictions and End

    1h 35m

  6. 11/07/2025

    November equals Winning Time - WSFP #8

    Week 8 of the pod and we're getting down to the wire in both the NESCAC and the Ivy League. Calendar officially hitting November, clocks turning back...it's WINNING TIME in New England. Little III Champs officially crowned in a comeback for the ages in Williamstown. Bants take one step closer to immortality. The great state of Maine has a football franchise over .500. Insane week of NESCAC football makes the drama THAT much more palpable next week. Clash of the titans in the Ivy League, the boys in Crimson take it with relative ease. Don't look now, but Yale is winning a few games here. Penn getting back on track as well this week and very much are still in the hunt. Cornell stays hot, Columbia stays ice cold. So much more yet to be decided with the Ancient Eight. Where else would you rather be than right HERE, right NOW...listening to THIS show. Tune in, ALL THE WAY through, learn something about another league or another team. Continue to write your own story as well. WELCOME to a new episode of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please go follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram. **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues" (00:00:00) Wicked Cool Intro (00:01:16) Brown @ Penn (00:09:28) Ivy Quick Hitters (00:11:07) Dartmouth @ Harvard (00:19:25) Middlebury @ Hamilton - The Old Rocking Chair Classic (00:26:27) Colby @ Tufts (00:30:28) Amherst @ Trinity (00:35:34) Bates @ Bowdoin - CBB (00:38:16) Wesleyan @ Williams - Little III (00:48:23) The Scoop - NESCAC (01:13:57) The Scoop - Ivy League (01:23:34) The Story - Attrition & Momentum (01:29:06) Predictions

    1h 42m

  7. 10/31/2025

    Contenders, Pretenders, & Wildcards - WSFP #7

    Week 7, back in action after another wild weekend of football. This is an abbreviated episode with the primary focus being on NESCAC football (will continue to talk Ivy ball in more detail, as I always have, moving forward). The big boys, being Trinity, Wesleyan, Harvard, and Dartmouth, have set themselves apart from the rest. On the flip side, Amherst and Penn both squandering huge opportunities to stake their own claim to their respective league title. Lastly, Tufts and Yale might have some fight in them to make things interesting down the home stretch. Short & sweet this week! We're mean, we're lean, we NEED your UNDIVIDED attention for 50 ish minutes. Listen all the way through! You can go back to the timestamps later! WELCOME to another edition of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:04) Williams @ Tufts (00:05:21) Bates @ Middlebury (00:07:28) Hamilton @ Colby (00:08:38) Trinity @ Bowdoin (00:11:34) Amherst @ Wesleyan (00:16:09) Ivy League Scores (00:18:24) The Scoop - NESCAC (00:38:13) The Story & Predictions

    51 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Off the Schneid with Maine Madness - WSFP #6

    Week 6 of the show and we got teams getting OFF THE SCHNEID! Colossal upsets this weekend...the state of Maine went off AGAIN! In the Ivy League Cornell with their first W of the season. Also some contenders priming for full on league play starting next weekend. Colby with the underdog win at Pratt Field against Amherst. That would've been the upset of the day if not for the team from Brunswick. Bowdoin with one of the upsets of the YEAR in Middletown. They take down Wesleyan as the Cards try and prep for Little Three action ahead. For the Ivy League, Harvard, Dartmouth, and Penn taking care of business. Yale with a much needed non-conference stomp in New Haven. Princeton possibly turning the tide after their early season struggles. Meanwhile, Brown is going backwards and Columbia continues to search for answers. Great day to have a great podcast sesh, especially when it's all about New England football! Lock it in...don't just click on the timestamps...listen all the way through. Let's build this football community and support all teams in these leagues. WELCOME to another edition of the Wicked Smart Football Podcast! For more content, please follow @WickedSmartFootballPodcast on instagram **This podcast is not directly affiliated with the NESCAC, Ivy League, any of their member institutions, or any non-conference opponent schools or leagues** (00:00:00) Wicked Cool Intro (00:01:26) Princeton @ Brown (00:04:11) Penn @ Columbia (00:08:25) Ivy Quick Hitters (00:11:42) Bowdoin @ Wesleyan (00:17:42) Middlebury @ Trinity (00:23:21) Colby @ Amherst (00:29:37) Tufts @ Hamilton (00:30:36) Williams @ Bates (00:37:13) The Scoop - NESCAC (01:04:09) The Scoop - Ivy League (01:17:04) The Scheme - GT Counter (01:26:04) The Story & Predictions (01:35:09) Sign Off & Wicked Cool Outro

    1h 36m
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About

There's something about New England in the fall... This show will highlight the fierce competition and rich tradition of college football within the NESCAC and Ivy League. Each week, I will break down the slate of action from the weekend prior and preview the matchups ahead. Leaning on my ten years of coaching experience, mostly in the NESCAC, I aim to bring authentic college football coverage to a region I've always felt never receives it's due for the quality of its teams, players, and coaches. Autumn is in the air, the leaves are about to turn...buckle up and enjoy the season ahead!

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