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.
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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.
Catch them if you can. In The FCS Edge, episode 8, co-hosts Craig Haley and Zach McKinnell are exploring who’s sprinted out of the starting block of the 2025 season, from the Montana Grizzlies to the key MVFC powers with big matchups this week to players out in front of the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan award conversations.
There aren’t many teams that have had a faster start than Tennessee Tech. Coach Bobby Wilder joins the show as a special guest to break down the undefeated Golden Eagles.
Here’s a rundown of the key talking points from our "‘FCS Fast Starts" interview with Coach Wilder:
The team's fast start is motivated by last season's near miss of an FCS playoff bid.
A strong culture of hard work is embodied in the phrase "grab a shovel, jump in the ditch and dig."
All 29 transfers have contributed positively to the team's performance.
The transfer portal operates at warp speed, requiring advanced scouting.
Effort and attention to detail are crucial for building a winning culture.
The team has a veteran presence that aids in maintaining focus on the process of winning.
The team is built to compete for the OVC-Big South title and potentially make a postseason run
Tennessee Tech is moving to the Southern Conference for better geographical alignment.
Travel logistics for student-athletes will improve significantly in the new conference.
Craig and Zach also look ahead to Week 6 with the pick 'ems segment expanding out to 10 games, with colleges across the FCS nation hoping to maintain their fast starts or even start to get out of the blocks.
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.
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Chapters in "FCS Fast Starts"
00:00 - Introduction and Overview of FCS Landscape
03:10 - Fast Starts and Key Matchups
06:05 - Ranking Controversies and Team Performances
09:04 - Individual Player Highlights and Awards Discussion
11:56 - Walter Payton Award Candidates
14:45 - Buck Buchanan Award Candidates
19:17 - Tennessee Tech Coach Bobby Wilder Joins the Show
39:29 - Pick'em Segment: Week 6 Predictions
42:22 - Key Matchups and Implications
45:14 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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.
