The FCS Edge

Get the edge on everything FCS football with The FCS Edge. Join expert national FCS writers Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell each week as they break down the biggest stories, standout performances and rising programs from across FCS college football.From in-depth analysis of the Top 25 to game-changing matchups and players making noise, The FCS Edge gives you the insight and perspective you won’t find anywhere else.Subscribe now so you never miss an episode — and be sure to visit https://theanalyst.com/competition/fcs-football/articles for even more coverage and data-driven stories from the world of FCS college football.

The FCS Edge is a sports podcast hosted by Opta Analyst, with 70 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Opta Analyst hosts The FCS Edge, a sports show with 70 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1

  FCS Football is Back; Brent Vigen Interview

  Aug 12, 202648 minS4

  The boys are back in town … The offseason is over, kickoff is nearing and The FCS Edge has returned with co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell. Not only do they review the Top 25 preseason poll and begin to set you up for the 2026 season, but their special guest is head coach Brent Vigen of defending national champion Montana State. Our interview with Brent Vigen includes: Dealing with the pressure of defending a national championship. How does Montana State approach player retention and transfer portal strategies? Offensive line and quarterback development at Montana State. Potential breakout players to watch for in 2026. The importance of leadership inside the locker room from returning players. The evolving college football landscape and potential FCS realignment. In addition, Craig and Zach discuss the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll and new national challengers: How deep does the FCS championship picture go? What can stop Montana State from repeating as national champion? Does NDSU's departure create a bigger group of national title contenders? Is the gap between the MVFC and Big Sky to other conferences getting bigger? Should FCS fans feel better about the transfer portal with the amount of returning talent across the subdivision? To catch every episode, 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 .

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  The FCS Edge

  Villanova Football Coach Mark Ferrante Joins The Show

  Jul 15, 202625 min

  National championship-winning programs tend to move up to the FBS, not across the FCS, but the Villanova Wildcats – 2009 national champions and semifinalists last season – have moved into Patriot League football – with the success (double figure wins in four of the last five seasons) expected to continue in Mark Ferrante’s 10th season as head coach and 40th on the Wildcats staff. Ferrante joins host Craig Haley on The FCS Edge for a revealing look into the switch in conferences, his program and old school/modern hybrid of a coaching style, and the 2026 season ahead.  Here's what you can look forward to in our conversation with Mark Ferrante: Villanova's transition from CAA Football to Patriot League Challenges of conference realignment in college football Strategies for team development and player growth Impact of travel and league structure on team performance Adapting coaching philosophy to modern college football To catch every episode, 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 .

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  The FCS Edge

  Montana’s Eli Gillman Joins the Show

  Jun 10, 202623 min

  The Jerry Rice Award has a strong history of recipients since its inception in 2011, but during the 2020s decade, five of the first six standouts to be named FCS national freshman player of the year have made a transfer to the FBS level – all but Montana All-America running back Eli Gillman. On The FCS Edge , the 2023 Rice recipient joins host Craig Haley to discuss why he’s stayed in Missoula. Gillman also looks ahead to Montana being a national title contender, how he’s nearing the school’s all-time rushing yardage record, and why he’s a Grizzly and not a Bison. Here's what you can look forward to in our conversation with Eli Gillman: Eli feels time has flown by during his college years. The off-season training has been going well with new teammates. Coach Bobby Kennedy maintains the Montana football brand while adding his own style. Eli values team success over individual records. Improvement in understanding the pace of the game has been key for Eli. Managing the physical toll of the season is crucial for longevity. Eli believes he has an underrated elusiveness on the field. Winning the Jerry Rice Award boosted Eli's confidence and goals. Eli prioritizes loyalty to Montana over potential financial gains from transferring. Family support has been a significant factor in Eli's success. To catch every episode, 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 . Jump to your favorite part of our interview with Eli Gillman by using the chapter links below: 00:00 – Introduction 01:43 – Eli's journey: Reflecting on college football 03:03 – Coaching change: The impact on team dynamics 06:00 – Personal goals: Chasing records and team success 09:03 – The pressure of transferring and staying true to roots 12:00 – Family and support: The foundation of success 14:55 – The rivalry: Montana vs. Montana State 18:02 – Looking ahead: Goals for the senior year

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  The FCS Edge

  Payton Award Winner Beau Brungard

  May 12, 202624 minS0

  <p>After Youngstown State’s Beau Brungard became just the third FCS quarterback to have both 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season, he seeks to become just the third to win the Walter Payton Award for a second time in 2026.</p> <p>On The FCS Edge, host Craig Haley discusses that challenge with Brungard, how he was destined to lead the Penguins squad, and how good the upcoming season can be for both of them. </p> <h2 >Here's what you can look forward to in our conversation with 2025 Walter Payton Award Winner Beau Brungard: </h2> Beau reflects on w...

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  The FCS Edge

  NFL Draft Expert Eric Galko Joins

  Apr 7, 202629 minS0

  <p>NFL Draft expert Eric Galko is on the clock. Our guest on The FCS Edge – from the East-West Shrine Bowl and Optimum Scouting – gives host Craig Haley an inside look at top FCS prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.</p> <p>Eric also discusses who’s under the radar, the evaluation process, draft leader NDSU’s move from the FCS, and much more.</p> <h2 >Here's what you can look forward to in our conversation with NFL Draft expert Eric Galko:</h2> FCS prospects in the NFL Draft Impact of transfers from FCS to FBS Scouting strategies for small school players T...

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