Sam Herder, Football Championship Subdivision national analyst for HERO Sports, joins podcast host Mike McFeely for a wide-ranging interview about the state of FCS. What does it mean that four teams are likely to dominate the subdivision for the foreseeable future? Who are the next programs that could rise up? Was Missouri State right to leave FCS for FBS?

And, of course, how does Sam view the aspirations of some at North Dakota State to move up a level if possible, and the apparent comfort South Dakota State feels in FCS.

Also, Mike can't resist a couple of hot takes.

Ben Portnoy, reporter for the Sports Business Journal, joins host Mike McFeely to give a 101 level class on the massive House vs. NCAA lawsuit settlement that will be announced this week. It has the potential to be one of the most ground-shaking outcomes in college sports history.

At issue is a settlement the NCAA and Power Five conferences reached with former college athletes who sought "back pay" for missed opportunities to get paid for their name, image and likeness. Critics say the NCAA and Power Five leagues are looking out for their best interests while dumping on the other Division I conferences and schools.

Portnoy says a counter-proposal by those "lower" leagues is being discussed right now.

Apologies from the start: This podcast recording is rough because Clay Jenkinson was in the woods of Vermont when we reached him and his Internet connection cuts out for long stretches, which means there are long stretches of silence when he is supposed to be talking.

Also, host Mike McFeely recorded it from home and his dogs chose to bark wildly at a couple of different junctures during the discussion with Clay.

So there's that.

Instead of re-recording or heavy editing or deleting the podcast altogether, the McFeely Mess staff (Mike) made the decision to run with it.

Listen at your own risk.

That said, the North Dakota scholar wanted to weigh in on Gov. Doug Burgum kissing up to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

If you can make it through, good stuff.