The Sicatoka

In football, I know who UND plays next. It was mentioned all weekend with the UND score (and how SUU took down UNLV). I literally have no idea who NDSU plays next. None. The media is infatuated with Saturday's result and not mentioning a next opponent. I wonder if NDSU will get sucked in by that. Never forget the most important rule of coaching: the most important game is ... the next one. PS - I just looked on-line. Illinois State. And it's NDSU Homecoming.

A team can't function wondering constantly about the health and availability of their coach. If Kill can't resolve these issues, well, honestly, Craig Bohl has submitted a pretty good resume.

Did they upgrade the internal broadcast capabilities for HD? Or did they at least include the ability to have a penalty clock on the TV broadcast screen?

Dear UND Football, You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... </ Jedi mind trick>

First, whom do I thank, NDSU or Minnesota, for me not even needing the 10.5 points? Second, would Minnesota be in the top 25 in FCS? Seriously. The NDSU TD to make it 21-14, UMn couldn't defend that. If NDSU runs that same play against the top 25 in FCS there'll at least be three defenders out there to stop it. It's like Minnesota had no clue (or was it no skill). The upset yesterday would've been a Minnesota win.

The best ever parody (exposee?) of the NCAA: http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s15e05-crack-baby-athletic-association

From the linked source:

You folks are missing my point: What, not who, is in the jersery is more important than the jersey. "What" is the character and make-up of the player (plus the esprit de corps and the skill set). Put Mario Lamoureux or Mike Prpich in the ugly "M" and they'll still be character guys. It's just that the ugly "M" seldom puts guys of character into their jersey. And gleefully rolling on the floor like a little girl over a new jersey makes me question what that guy is made of. Can you fathom Jon Toews or Digger Anderson doing something like that?

Those Ohio U uniforms are acceptable. However, behaving like a six-year-old with a new favorite set of "jammies" (pajamas) is not. I recommend immediate man-card revocation. PS - What's in the jersey is far more important than the jersey itself.

I've heard acceptance rates like that phrased as a "Can they fog a mirror" acceptance criteria.

Just two responses: Vandals (Idaho) were a northern European (Germanic) tribe that sacked Rome in 455 AD. Yes, TRIBE. Vandals are Europeans....hence no one cares. The first time I think you've been almost 100% correct. Vandals are "not of color" Europeans ... hence no one cares. Crusaders (Holy Cross)? When will CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) chime in on that? A crusader is anyone who fights for a holy cause, not necessarily a member of the Crusades. But Holy Cross is a Catholic university so we know which "Crusaders" of which they speak, hence the CAIR tie-in.

I do. This is a trap game. It's time go out out and win the games you are supposed to (and maybe work out some kinks and take out some frustrations along the way).

What'd I say from the beginning? Someone will always find something to be 'offended' about. Tarheels (UNC) derives from a Southern (pro-slavery) NC militia unit's nickname. Sooners (OU) is the nickname for folks that stole Indian lands "sooner" than it was legal to (<-- ponder that for a minute). Vandals (Idaho) were a northern European (Germanic) tribe that sacked Rome in 455 AD. Yes, TRIBE. Crusaders (Holy Cross)? When will CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) chime in on that? Maccabees (Yeshiva of NY)? Not all Jews hold the Maccabees in high regard. Trojans (USC)? How do the Greeks feel about that? Spartans (Mich State)? Will Persians (Iranians) chime in? And yes, eagles and buffalos are sacred images in some Native American religions. Thunderbirds (SUU) are part of Native American mythos as well. Should the Miami Hurricanes ever play in post-Katrina New Orleans?

NDSU and 10.5 points? Take that.

If I can get NDSU and points it'd be hard not to take.

I said it in the Fresno State thread: The UND Football team is ripe for a quarterback to come in and be a key piece. I wonder if it'll be NDSU. With Jensen (Jr), then Esley Thornton(?, RFr), then the guy from Bismarck Century (Fr), that seems to be a backlog at that position. Especially so when you hear Thornton is pressuring Jensen for the job already. Esley could lock himself in as NDSU's starter through 2014.

Sutton didn't practice yesterday (per GF Herald).

Q: Who to root for this Saturday? A: UND. The rest really doesn't matter all that much. Call me disinterested. If UND was in a football conference with either my POV could change.

Movie? No, Grasshopper. Far greater. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Fu_(TV_series)

This is really, really good news (Karvinen). http://undhockey.areavoices.com/?p=88370

Ah, you are learning the beauty of patience, Grasshopper.

And as far as coaches (is the coaches poll) being "confused" ... Wouldn't UND's effort at Fresno State work in NDSU's favor? Wouldn't most folks just assume that was top six (last week) FCS NDSU putting the scare into Fresno State (and not previously unranked UND)? I'd think UND would've helped NDSU by "school confusion" more than hurt it.

From the NDSU hometown newspaper site: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/334430

So you're saying David Gerrard might finally land somewhere.

Dear NDSU fans (and we all know you're reading this): If UND at #21 hurts you so deeply, don't think of it as the pollsters appreciating UND; instead, think of it as pollsters appreciating Fresno State (and UND playing them to 5 points in Fresno).