AJS

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.

It bothers me to normalize things that aren’t normal. Losing every one score game is not normal. My frustration w/ this program is if it’s not one thing it’s another. Whatever it is ends between 5 & 7 wins. I do like Schmidt. Let’s see what he can do. Here’s to year 1 being the most frustrating of them all.

Weird statement. Nobody is calling for Schmidt to be fired. All I’m saying is I’m done being this eternal optimist when nothing (record wise) changes. Ever. Until it does, why would anything change next year? Prove it.

7-5 - Bubba Ball 2.0

Good question. I believe they are based off of how they think the final weekend goes.