The Sicatoka

Except swapping out Seattle for EWU puts things to 8FB/12BB. That's sub-optimal for FB scheduling. You'd want 8 conference games and to only have to fill three non-conference slots. If Seattle U is your target, slot them in for Augie: UND/NDSU, SDSU/USD, DU/Omaha, EWU/Idaho, MSU/Montana, Weber/Seattle --> 9FB/12BB.

Is ORU fond of Fargo in February? Would they be more fond of Weber Wednesday in January? I worry that ORU is still looking south for a conference. I have no basis other than meteorology. That said, admittedly, you are correct about how Idaho would view Augie. You'd really, really have to sell that Augie is still better than SUU and the total package is an overall upgrade. *Sorry T-birds fans.

The ONLY way Augie makes sense to me is in a "9FB/12BB" scenario. As I've previously observed, the Summit is precariously perched regarding teams a sport sponsorship: lose any one of four teams and lose the BB autobids. That's precarious. An easy solution would be to start football. And as I've observed, if UND, NDSU, USD, SDSU, Omaha, Denver became a consortium, and if they could somehow convince Idaho, Montana, Montana State, EWU, and Weber State to part from the BSC you'd have a group of 9 FCS FB / 11 BB schools. That's almost perfect for scheduling. What you'd want is one more BB only school ... say Augie. Welcome to 9FB/12BB (perfect scheduling size) and easy BB travel partners. UND/NDSU, SDSU/Augie, USD/Omaha, UM/MSU, UI/EWU, WSU/DU. If Augie wanted to keep FB, yes, Pioneer (non-scholarship) League.

Made sure that key, critical detail wasn't lost.

Control what's yours to control. UND failed miserably at doing that more than once this season. If they would've exercised control over what was theirs to control, they'd still have some control. That said, all that is under UND's control right now is the will to ... BEAT NORTHERN ARIZONA. That's what you get when you cede control to someone else.

I look at Massey. In there right now 24-27 is IdSU, Mont SU, Mont, and UND. I see two Ivys (Haaahvid and Princeton) in the top 24. I see three 5-5 teams (MVFC) in the top 24 plus 6-4 Indiana State (short a DI win). I see opportunity. But opportunity only presents if UND goes out and decides to .... BEAT NORTHERN ARIZONA.

Idaho State and Indiana State both have the "not enough DI wins" problem. Both beat DIIs in their win totals.

All that matters is this: Beat Northern Arizona. That is all that is there to control.

If you did front, I'd think you'd go numbers on shoulders/sleeves.

You could not read a player number on the uniform when watching highlights on television.

Ask Alexa.

There are going to be ebbs and flows; not all parts of the everything will go your way; but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. You might hit a rough patch but you gather yourself and go out and work to win the next five minutes. I'm proud of the guys when the realize that and work hard ... trying to order taco in a bag.

You just have to dig deep and want it more, work hard, and win those hard-fought one-on-one battles ... at the Red Pepper stand.

And shortly there after ... Q.

There are a whole lot of those and I wonder how many don't forego and do double-dip. Examples of legislator who's also a state employee: One. Another.

Mindset. NDSU plays knowing they're going to defeat the opponent; UND hopes to pull out a win.

So there's an execution problem which normally goes back to setting the expectation that proper execution is the expectation, nothing less will do. Good tries are not good enough. As I've said, watch championship teams (like NDSU). They execute every detail every time. It's their expectation.

Here's how it's done. Yes, it's the e-e-e-evil Bison. Tied into the fourth. They score. YSU goes three and out. NDSU's first play when finally up a score late? Play action pass that hits. They finish the drive with a FG. Up two scores with 5 minutes left. YSU three and outs again. Now, when up two scores with 3 minutes left, NDSU goes all conservative run game (but still gets a scoring chance with a missed FG). NDSU defeated YSU with that FG scoring drive. NDSU played to defeat YSU, not just win, defeat. That mindset is missing from UND's coaches.

The "Lennon" philosophy doesn't work in FCS, meaning build a lead and stifle the other team with defense. You must have a competent enough offense to move the ball for four quarters of a game. And you must have the philosophy that you want to move the ball for four quarters. Sitting back and resting on three quarters' work is asking to lose.

Friday: Jonny Tychonick (not to be confused with ...) Saturday: Mismash

So ... at concessions ... did they battle and battle and show a high compete level? Did they go to dirty areas ... like by the ketchup and relish?

I'm going to make a statement I never thought I'd make: I miss Chris Mussman. Not head coach Mussman, offensive coordinator Mussman. And now I itch.

Has anyone else seen NDSU's "delta" formation? I've seen that out of UND (with three comparable, or dare I say better, backs) maybe twice.

May I change your "DL" to "rushers". I don't care if it's 3 DL and a LB, or 3 DL and a safety, or 2 DL* an LB and a CB. But you have to get pressure with 4. *Drop the NG into coverage!

As a pure spy: Flash Gordon.