Welcome to the FCS Football Talk podcast.
On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss:
-Top 2024 storylines
-FCS playoff seeds increasing to 16
-The FCS championship game moving to Monday night
-Week 0 preview
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The 2024 FCS football season is finally here, as the Week 0 slate is headlined by five FCS matchups this weekend. Delaware State and Montana State will travel to face FBS opponents, while three intriguing FCS out-of-conference games will dominate the headlines this weekend.
Below are the biggest games of the Week 0 FCS football slate for the upcoming weekend.
McNeese at No. 21 Tarleton State
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Tarleton State hosts McNeese State in an intriguing out-of-conference matchup as the Texans are eligible for the FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history. All-American wide receiver Darius Cooper and All-American running back Kayvon Britten return to lead an explosive offensive attack. McNeese State looks to rebound from a disappointing 1-10 season in 2023. The Cowboys utilized the transfer portal to flip the roster, signing over 20 FBS transfers. Former Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell will lead the offense after taking the Grizzlies to the FCS National Championship game.
No. 4 Montana State at New Mexico
Kickoff: 3 p.m. CT
TV: FS1
Montana State will look to earn the first FCS over FBS win of the season over New Mexico. The Bobcats are double-digit favorites over the Lobos as New Mexico enters Year 1 of the Bronco Mendenhall era. All-American center Justus Perkins and running Julius Davis are expected to miss the game due to injury. It would be Montana State’s first FBS win since 2006 when the Bobcats upset Colorado. All-American quarterback Tommy Mellott returns, while All-American defensive Brody Grebe will lead the defense.
North Alabama vs. SEMO
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
North Alabama will face SEMO in the annual FCS Kickoff game in Montgomery, Alabama. The Redhawks are making their first appearance in the game, while the Lions are making their second appearance after losing to Mercer last season. SEMO is looking to rebound from a 4-7 season and will be led by All-Conference quarterback Paxton DeLaurent and All-American center Zack Gieg. North Alabama finished 3-8 in Brent Dearmon’s first season as head coach but showed plenty of potential against FCS playoff teams in 2023. All-American safety Edwin White-Schultz and All-Conference wide receiver Takairee Kenebrew will lead the Lions.
Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: ABC
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will feature Florida A&M, the defending Celebration Bowl champions. The Rattlers will be challenged by Norfolk State, which had the most preseason All-Conference selections in the MEAC. Head coach James Colzie III makes his debut as he takes over a program that is 22-2 in SWAC play over the past three seasons. Norfolk head coach Dawson Odums may be on the hot seat this season after back-to-back disappointing seasons. An exciting storyline will be the debut of Daniel Richardson, who was named Florida A&M’s starting quarterback after multiple seasons at the FBS level. The MEAC leads the overall series against the SWAC, 11-6, but the SWAC has won the last two matchups.
