AJS

The best-case scenario at the QB position is Jerry is available to play and plays well. Since ISU-B it hasn't been all bad. Last week was really rough, but I thought he overall was pretty good against SDSU. Along with others, I've felt it hasn't been entirely Jerry and the play calling hasn't helped. I would lean towards Simon on Saturday. For the reason that I would trust the play calling more. The OC is in a major rut with Jerry and the majority of the time (2nd half), it hasn't worked. Predictable, at the same time Jerry has been pressing. Bad situation. Run the ball (none-RPO), high % throws, cut the deep throws in 1/2. IMO, that's the best bet for the offense to be successful. We're more likely to see that with Simon.

Luke Starcevic (Kindred, ND) I'm aware of his ranking nationally and his incredibly impressive list of P4 offers. I'm not saying this is likely, but to me this angle for UND actually plays. Stay home, play with your brother, play where your parents attended (both student athletes). Play in front of family and friends. Be a part of the rising of this program. Play early, dominate. Really sell that him and his brother could be a part of history. After two or three years, we'll help you pack your bags. You'll be celebrated when you portal out as an upper classman. Likely? No, but I think it plays.

Headings the only one missing?

Some keys offensively. Health of Fleming / Ziebarth. When was the last game both played? Fleming is WR1. The passing game is different when he's available (which last week he was not). Ziebarth can be such a great compliment to Seidl. Rotate the RB's, this will help Seidl as well! Play calling. Mix it up, spread the ball around (get the TE's involved!). Use high % passes. On the first 3rd and short do not either (1) Hand if off up the middle (2) Throw a 40-yard low % pass. When this offense was rolling, they were getting a lot of guys the ball and rolling 3 RB's. Also, weren't turning the ball over. Need FG kicker this weekend as well. As well as the defense played last weekend, if they perform the same offensively, they'll lose this Saturday. Feeling optimistic though. This offense could just be a delicate ecosystem. Build everything up around the QB, mix it up. They can do this.

Serious momentum with that second half. Defense is absolutely elite. This team just needs the offense to be average (plus FG’s). I know it looks really easy when you can run the ball, but Simon looked fine after the first couple series. They have a shot next weekend.

See @gfhockey response. I would say, why not both? I think there was a missed opportunity not adding let’s say $25 million to the new stretch goal for athletic scholarships. Btw, I don’t think UND is that far off. I would argue as of 2025, they are doing all the really difficult things extremely well. Campus, uptick in enrollment, athletic facilities. I do think athletic scholarships is a big need. Build the athletic endowment (believe UND’s is less 1/2 of NDSU’s). 50 million to 110 million. I want to see some fire, self promotion. Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise.

There are different tiers to this for me. I really liked @wheelsup last sentence. The idea of a G6 FBS isn’t very appealing, but, the FCS appeal is also hanging on by a string. The appeal is with the other Dakota / Montana schools. NDSU going alone, I’ve come to terms with. They’ve won. IF they go with say SDSU (which is who they would go w/) it would be devastating to UND athletics. NDSU fundraises extremely well, promotes themselves extremely well. Doesn’t Team Makers yearly make over 2X what Champions Club does? Like others have pointed out, their campus is a dump, low enrollment (which for G6 all Dakota schools have). There are risk factors. I wouldn’t bet against them, but seems difficult to double your athletic budget to get in line with G6 programs (not in MAC or Conf USA). UND needs to be treating this as if their athletic lives depend on it. Positioning themselves to move to G6. Which means fundraise fundraise fundraise.

$ on Mountain West

100% they are gone.

Gordie Haug - Football Coach - University of North Dakota Athletics

Just win... but also. Really would love to see (1) Offense get its mojo back. I actually don't think for the most part it was that bad against SDSU. Limit turnovers and fix the goal line issues. Spread the ball out more (use the TE's!). (2) Special Teams. Have Laughman drive the ball as far as he can on kickoffs / would be nice if they have to kick a FG if he goes perfect again.

Chavez had his sleeves rolled all the way up!!

How does UND not make it with Chaves on the committee? That would be such a bad look if they are the 1st out.

Yes. Having Chaves on the committee 100% helps. How long are they on the committee? If it’s multiple years, I don’t know how there wouldn’t be a “don’t piss this person off” factor in fear of retaliation in upcoming years. Which would only be a concern if their school is wronged.

I don’t know what that is (playoffs vs not), but I’m hoping for whatever is best for this program long term. If that’s missing the playoffs, but that helps them have more time to secure the 2025 class (maybe have a few coaches stay w/ the Beavers, Heading, etc until Dec 3) / give more attention to JUCO recruits. More motivation for returning players? Or if it’s making the playoffs and hoping for a run to get some program momentum. IMO, worst case scenario would be making the playoffs, but losing RD 1.