Some teams look like they’re in midseason form, others are trying to resist hitting the panic button. In “The FCS Edge,” episode 5, co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell are assessing the way different teams have made a start to the FCS season.

One team that only knows success to date is UTRGV. Coach Travis Bush joins the show as a special guest to discuss the Vaqueros’ fast start and the buildup to their program’s inaugural season.

• A coaching philosophy that focuses on developing young men, not just winning games.
• Recruiting in Texas is crucial for building a successful program.
• Getting facilities in place from the start a key part of the early success.
• Areas of improvement have been highlighted ahead of conference play.

Elsewhere in the show, Craig and Zach look forward to the Week 3 schedule, with their ever-popular Pick 'Ems segment. With Zach turning himself into somewhat of a road warrior, The FCS Edge certainly has it all this episode.

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.

00:00 - Introduction to FCS Football Highlights 00:57 - South Dakota State vs. Montana State Showdown 05:41 - Top 25 and Who Shouldn't Press The Panic Button 08:53 - The Impact of the 12-Game Schedule 13:38 - Ivy League's Playoff Prospects 17:18 - UTRGV Head Coach Travis Bush Joins The Show 31:59 - Week 3 Pick 'Ems 43:42 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Whether it’s the good, bad or ugly, co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell are all over the Top 25 rankings rumblings in “The FCS Edge,” episode 4. That No. 2 South Dakota State and No. 3 Montana State are meeting in a playoff-like showdown is a highlight, but the breakdown goes much deeper this week. Who’s too high and who’s too low?

Also, CAA Football commissioner Joe D’Antonio joins the show as a special guest to discuss the conference and its many changes.

• Tarleton State has emerged as a standout team early in the season.
• The importance of maintaining a balanced conference schedule is crucial.
• CAA expansion discussions are ongoing, focusing on adding competitive programs.
• The FloSports deal has positively impacted the CAA's visibility and finances.
• FCS football is evolving with the influence of NIL and scholarship changes.
• The CAA playoff race is more challenging due to increased competition in the conference.
• Key matchups this week could significantly impact playoff standings.
• The hosts weigh the importance of on-field results versus projections in the rankings.

From Top 25 rankings rumblings to CAA expansion talks and playoff implications, Episode 4 of The FCS Edge has it all — don’t miss Craig Haley, Zach McKinnell and special guest Joe D’Antonio breaking it all down.

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.

00:00 Week One Recap and Impressive Performances 03:53 Top 25 Rankings Rumblings 08:49 Conference Dynamics and Team Projections 12:08 Who Needs to Take a Step Forward in Week 2? 16:08 Week 1 National Awards 16:43 Commissioner Joe D'Antonio Joins the Show 36:51 Week 2 Pick'ems

They filled up pretty well on the appetizers when the 2025 FCS football season kicked off last weekend. But in “The FCS Edge,” episode 3, co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell go all in with the full course of Week 1 action.

The schedule of games is delicious, including potential FCS vs. FBS upsets. Plus, Stan Becton from NCAA.com visits as a special guest to continue our preview and predictions for the entire season ahead.

• Week 0 provided insights into under-the-radar players and teams.
• Potential dark horse teams include Southern Illinois and Illinois State.
• FCS-vs.-FBS matchups are crucial for gaining national attention.
• North Carolina Central's offensive line showed great potential in its last game.
• Tarleton State's shutout win sets it up for a strong matchup against Army.
• The Walter Payton Award candidates include quarterbacks Aidan Bouman (South Dakota) and Derek Robertson (Monmouth).
• Lehigh aims to make a statement against Richmond in the season's first Patriot League game.
• Sacramento State's new go-go offense will be tested against South Dakota State's defense.
• The SWAC has a chance to end a long FBS losing streak this season.

Week 1 is here — FCS upsets, dark horses and bold predictions are on deck. This is the episode you can’t miss.

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.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction 00:55 Under-the-Radar Players in Week 0 02:10 Week 0 Review 10:38 NDSU Season Gets Underway 11:14 FCS-vs-FBS Picks 17:56 Stan Becton Joins The Show 19:14 Playoff Dark Horses 20:16 Key HBCU Storylines 26:37 Walter Payton Picks 27:44 Buck Buchanan Picks 30:22 Week 1 Pick 'Ems.

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

Get the popcorn ready, it’s the 2025 season debut of “The FCS Edge” podcast.

The new season brings a new podcast name, as co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell take you inside the Division I subdivision with their bold takes. In “The FCS Edge,” episode 1, they’ll review the Top 25 poll, make conference title predictions and analyze preseason watchlists.

OK, make that two buckets of popcorn as they cover:

• Why North Dakota State remains a contender despite recent losses
• How the competitive FCS landscape is creating new emerging powers
• Montana State's solid foundation and returning talent for 2025
• UIW's potential - and the tough matchups they must survive
• The challenges South Dakota faces under a new coaching staff
• Dark horse playoff teams to watch
• The competitive Ivy League, with Harvard as a strong contender
• Conference predictions - and why outcomes could surprise
• Key players on preseason watchlists

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 TheAnalyst. And follow us across social media on X, Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to FCS Edge Podcast 02:48 North Dakota State's Dominance and Challenges 05:50 The Health of FCS and Emerging Contenders 08:47 Analyzing the Top Five Teams 11:37 Coaching Changes and Their Impact 14:54 Underrated Teams and Dark Horses 17:47 Looking Ahead to Conference Championships 22:17 Our Conference Picks and Predictions 22:46 Ivy League Championship Predictions 24:22 Conference Champion Predictions and Analysis 25:47 SoCon Championship Discussion 29:30 Northeast Conference Insights 31:23 Pioneer Football League Predictions 33:13 Big Sky Conference Playoff Potential 36:26 Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan Award Watchlists 46:00 Closing Thoughts

It’s the wrap-up edition of the 2024 season for “FCS Delivered,” episode 23, after the Division I subdivision saved a lot of the best for last.

Co-hosts Craig Haley and Gary Reasons break down North Dakota State’s thrilling win over Montana State in the national championship game, the FCS National Awards Banquet and the fun season overall.

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to never miss the informative and entertaining “FCS Delivered.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel, where you will also find plenty of content from this season's "FCS National Awards on Campus" visits, as well as the chance to watch the 2024 FCS National Awards Show.

For all the latest FCS Football news, head over to TheAnalyst.

And why not follow us across social media on X, Facebook and Instagram.

"FCS Delivered," episode 23 was produced by Seth Biley and Graham Bell.

If it feels like the 2024 FCS season has flown by too quickly, take comfort in knowing a lot of the best is saved for last. In “FCS Delivered,” episode 22, Craig Haley and Gary Reasons break down the much-anticipated national championship matchup between Montana State and North Dakota State.

The two finalists also have representatives at the FCS National Awards Banquet. Our co-hosts preview a night when all the FCS stars come out to shine.

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to never miss the informative and entertaining “FCS Delivered.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel, where you will also find plenty of content from this season's "FCS National Awards on Campus" visits.

For all the latest FCS Football news, head over to TheAnalyst.

And why not follow us across social media on X, Facebook and Instagram.

"FCS Delivered," episode 22 was produced by Seth Biley and Graham Bell.

In “FCS Delivered,” episode 21, Craig Haley and Gary Reasons have to flex muscle to keep up with the FCS playoff semifinalists. Yes, the power teams have advanced to this week’s final four, and our co-hosts are breaking down how they did it, and what are their keys for advancing to the national championship game.

Nashville had its FCS holiday wish list filled recently. What are Craig and Gary wishing for the FCS? Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to never miss the informative and entertaining “FCS Delivered.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel, where you will also find plenty of content from this season's "FCS National Awards on Campus" visits.

For all the latest FCS Football news, head over to TheAnalyst.

And why not follow us across social media on X, Facebook and Instagram.

"FCS Delivered," episode 21 was produced by Seth Biley and Graham Bell.