🎧 Episode Notes

(00:00) Intro + Midseason Mailbag

(06:15) UAC Expansion Talk

(08:33) Interview with UTRGV HC Travis Bush

(14:02) The Valley’s Game Day Energy

(21:24) “Win the Day” & Team Culture

(31:14) Weekend War Map: Texas Non-FBS Schedule

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The NCAA’s FCS playoff model is broken. Hosting a postseason game often costs schools money instead of rewarding them. This week on The Cut Block Podcast, I dig into the proposal from private equity firm Sequence Equity, which is pitching commissioners on a playoff model outside NCAA control. Could this be the future of the FCS postseason — or a risk that changes the game forever?

To break it down, I’m joined in the Gridiron Briefing Room by Sam Herder, Senior FCS Analyst for HERO Sports, Top 25 voter, and writer for BetMGM. Sam explains what private equity’s pitch looks like, what schools and commissioners are saying, and whether a move like this is realistic in the near future. We also dive into the national picture — from North Dakota State and Montana to rising programs in Texas like Tarleton, UIW, ACU, and UTRGV.

I close things out with the Weekend War Map — your zero-hour guide to the matchups that matter across Texas Non-FBS football.

🎙 In The Trenches

After Tarleton’s 52–24 win over Chattanooga, UTC head coach Rusty Wright sparked headlines. He called Tarleton the best FCS team they’ve faced since James Madison in 2019 — but also claimed the Texans had “$700,000” in NIL compared to his $35,000, saying that was the only way to keep good players.

This week, I break down why money isn’t the whole story. Tarleton has built continuity and culture in the transfer portal era — a roster that has stayed together while others fall apart. Money matters, but it doesn’t buy buy-in.

🏈 Gridiron Briefing Room: Todd Whitten, Tarleton State

Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten joins me to discuss:

How NIL actually factors into his program

Why roster stability has been Tarleton’s real edge

The importance of culture and trust in retaining players

Quarterback Victor Gabalis’ growth and leadership

Why even his backup QB has stayed when he could start elsewhere

The dominance of Tarleton’s defense

🗺 Weekend War Map

My 24-hour, military-style watchlist of the best Texas Non-FBS matchups:

East Texas Baptist at Texas Lutheran (DIII)

Howard Payne at McMurry (DIII)

Blinn at Navarro (JUCO)

Kilgore at Cisco (JUCO)

Abilene Christian at UIW (FCS)

UTRGV at Southeastern Louisiana (FCS)

Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M – State Fair Classic (SWAC)

Stephen F. Austin at McNeese (FCS)

🔗 Listen & Support

Catch the full episode on Podbean, Apple, Spotify, and more — or listen right here: coryhoguesports.substack.com

The Cut Block Podcast is listener-supported. Paid subscribers receive every story in their inbox, and founding members get early access to posts plus my gratitude for fueling independent coverage of Texas Non-FBS football.