No build-up is necessary, “The FCS Edge” has gone straight to the top at the start of the 2025 college football season.

Coach Tim Polasek of reigning national champion North Dakota State joins co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell as a guest in episode 2 to discuss the Bison and the season ahead, including:

• North Dakota State is focused on continuous improvement this season.
• Managing expectations is crucial for the team's success.
• The secondary has shown significant development and strength.
• Cole Payton is an explosive athlete with potential as a quarterback.
• Barika Kpeenu is expected to be a key player in the running back group.
• Maintaining tradition while innovating is essential for the program.
• The defensive line has depth and potential for a strong season.
• Tim Polasek values his community and the lessons learned from his past.
• Coaching is about building trust and relationships with players.
• The journey of coaching is fulfilling and driven by passion.

In addition, Craig and Zach span FCS nation with previews and predictions for both Week 0 and the entire season .

With new episodes every week throughout the season, subscribe now and get “The FCS Edge” delivered straight to your podcast feed, or watch the show on YouTube.

For all the latest FCS Football news, head over to The Analyst. And follow us across social media on X, Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram.

“The FCS Edge” is produced by Graham Bell.

Time Stamps

00:00 Kickoff to the 2025 FCS Season 03:32 Analysing Championship Contender 06:42 HBCU and Celebration Bowl Insights 13:28 Opta Supercomputer Projections 18:32 Introduction to Head Coach Tim Polasek 21:19 Managing Expectations and Pressure 24:12 Strengthening the Secondary 27:18 Quarterback Dynamics and Offensive Strategy 30:00 Running Back Development and Depth 31:14 Balancing Tradition and Innovation 34:03 Defensive Line Insights 37:50 Tim Polasek's Journey and Values 41:37 Week 0 Preview