The Sicatoka

Now you see 8 schools.

What I see is somewhat of a scheduling alliance that allows these 8 schools to plan and budget for non-conference games four years out.

Pssst ... Union beat Minnesota for the 2014 NCAA mens ice hockey championship. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament

How did UNO get that MBB Challenge Series slot and not USD?

Those eight (UND, NDSU, SDSU, UNO + UM, MSU, UI, EWU) seem like an interesting consortium. I see 7 FB, 8 BB. What would be better for scheduling would be 9 FB (for 8 conference games) and 10 or 12 BB. The (semi-)obvious would be Weber State (west) and USD (east). That'd get it to 9 FB, 10 BB. After that, two BB only schools ... hmmm ... Denver and someone to balance.

Derailed.

Before you try (weakly) to go holier than thou, does the phrase "Haven't they suffered enough" ring any bells?

NDSU will win by 21 instead of 38.

Seems there's a bit of a problem/distraction this week in Fargo before their first 2017 playoff game. http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4365448-three-bison-players-dismissed-team-violation-team-rules-another-suspended-one-game

First, and foremost: Let's get this thread back on topic ... now. Thank you. Next, this Pinto fellow, only Michigan State, UMass, and Penn State were after him, but what do those folks know either. http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/4365213-und-picks-recruit-east-coast

RE: Cieslak When he's fully engaged (mind and body) he is a one-man defense: Put 10 blockers on him and he'll still get to the ball. But at times he's invisible. I'm not sure if it's conditioning, concentration, or both.

Not a Shatner fan?

Overheard (and shamelessly stolen) recently: "So ... is this a season schedule poster or the side of a milk carton?"

Bravo! Masterfully played!

We thank grandma for her prayers.

I hear Bob Stitt is available. He was a pretty solid OC at one time.

Geoff Smith

Try this:

That after whistle shove or facewash is a violation of ... That one's enforced ... well ... never.

All of that said, allow me one more harp: Officials are afraid to make the calls they really should, including deserved majors Officials are letting too many scoring chances be ended by mere penalties; more penalty shots are called for. From the rule book: There are a lot of times Pogo's speed surprises a guy and he's around the corner and going to the net and somehow doesn't get anything off. How many times have you seen Pogo: break into the O zone ahead of the defender denied a reasonable scoring opportunity by foul from behind and has no one between him and the goalie Think about that rule and how it's enforced.

Like I said, when the officials have to "confer" to decide and they see a guy writhing in agony it affects them. They'll go 5. What irks me is when that guy who was maimed for life 30 seconds ago has been visited by Christ in the tunnel and is miraculously completely healed.

Trent Dilfer? Brad Johnson? Jim McMahon?

It's called "recruiting". It's not easy.

If it's a major-worthy penalty but the other guy isn't injured, he keeps playing. Clearly that guy wasn't embellishing.