The Sicatoka

My how the times change ... Saturday night SCSU looked like a late-1990s MSU-Mankato squad with all the shoves-tugs, clogging up the middle, choosing the change instead of the attack, and sitting back looking for the counter-punch strike via an odd-man mistake by the opponent.

That (400, not 500) just affirms my observations. Can someone toss together a map of where the 24 schools are? I think it'll drive the point home.

Plan to stop a 60/40 run team. Plan to hammer at a southern team that's never seen a 230 pound tailback who can run. And can I say ... plan to get out of Grand Forks before the coming weekend weather. Oh, and plan for 80 degrees, humidity, and a chance of thunderstorms.

They only have six DI wins of their 7-5 record.

Allow me to bask in the glow of this for a minute ...

I wouldn't extend Bubba; he's 57 and has bad knees. His contract takes him to almost 60. Even the casual observer can see that problem: You don't extend that coach into his 60s. No disrespect intended to Kyle Schweigert, but if he announced at the end of this season that his intention is to fulfill his present contract and retire it wouldn't be a bad thing. At that announcement (or in a year) UND/Bubba could name an "associate head coach*" and set up what would be a transition to a new regime. Could that naming ruffle feathers** (of those not named the associate)? Surely. But it would also signal to players and recruits that there will be no abrupt changes either. *see Dane Jackson, or Bubs under Hakstol. **EDIT: Hawks .... ruffle feathers ... I can't believe I did that ... < facepalm > ... that's as bad as the 39 to 48 second marks here ... I

Looking at that bracket, some impressions: UNI (I can't believe I'm going to say this) got robbed. They're better than Central Arkansas (by far per Massey) and should've been the 8 seed. You can see the "500 mile" games (SEMO/ISU; SUNYA/CCon; AP/Fur; Wof/KenSU; Mon/HC) that they had to make by rule. That said --> Grand Forks to Cedar Falls: 527 miles --> no UND at UNI. When they had six teams left after doing "500 mile" games they had UND, UNI, 'nova, Nicholls, San Diego, SE LA, and they couldn't put SE LA and Nicholls together because they played last week. UNI got the weakest of the six (San Diego, per Massey), UND and 'nova travel (I'm guessing due to massive bids by Southland teams looking for relevance).

I'm surprised NDSU fans are worried about UND at all. We're not their rival. They're surely picking Nicholls State.

SDSU is 8-3 FCS, losses to NDSU and Illinois State, win over UNI. With all the disarray yesterday I think SDSU still has outside shot at a seed.

Kind of like Idaho State beat UND ...

He matters not.

All game had been right foot kicker. Last kicker was left foot kicker.

Oh ... the Herald defined the fourth option ...

Well it is west of Buffalo ...

Now highlight (sweep cursor over all words in that post) to see what I said. Armacost is a serious candidate. I don't see Nichols as such. You do not hire Wyoming's non-renewed cast-off, especially when there's swirl of "investigation" and no information. Rosowski? I didn't see getting past faculty/staff board members because of his budget moves at Vermont so wasn't on my mind.

Assume Bast out. Tychonick's status?

Going into this weekend, per Massey: Towson 12 Southern Illinois 15 Maine 18 SUNY-Albany 19 UND 20 SE Louisiana 22 (lost Thursday) Nichols 36 (won Thursday) UT Martin 37 Citadel 43 https://www.masseyratings.com/cf/fcs/ratings

Draw a line from Chicago to Mobile would be my definition. (I'm sure mine won't match the committee's.)

I worry the "we need 12 east and 12 west schools" mindset will enter and it won't help UND.

Well, the clinching and fretting begins ... now.

Wasn't that place featured on that haunted mansions show, ... or was it horrific murder scene show, ... or was is that .... I'M KIDDING! I'M KIDDING!

Interesting. Sure won't make folks in Cheney, WA, very happy.

They are ahead of UND in Massey.

Compare records (regular season and playoffs) Babs v Hakstol on the day Hak was released by PHI. (Hint: One is still in TOR today.) MIN fans are due ... but a coach can't fix that roster.

Would I trade Jason Zucker for Lars Eller .... hmmm ... Nope.