The Sicatoka

And that's the last key to beating NDSU: Get to Easton Stick. He hasn't faced a lot of pressure and is average accuracy when he does. Yes, you're rolling the coverage dice, but playing prevent doesn't work because of NDSU's efficiency. I'd say the formula* is (1) win TOP, and (2) get to Stick. *I never said the formula would be easy.

Give credit where credit is due. These are drives championship teams make. The first took the lead; the other crushed all hope. Team Plays-Yds TOP NDSU 20-82 12:09 --> NDSU 14 SDSU 10 (a 20 play drive; seriously, a defense can not allow that*) NDSU 10-90 4:50 --> NDSU 29 SDSU 10 (a two score game just became three scores, 19 pts, in the middle of the 4th; and they went NINETY yards) How do you beat NDSU? You must stop their drives early and win the TOP battle. They are a momentum team and when that gets going ... I hope my favorite team is taking notes. There's nothing wrong with learning from the archenemy. *The Bunnies helped NDSU out with TWO PI calls on the drive. You can not do that to help out good teams.

Gino also used to say the team needed to play with "Gusto!" Haven't seen much of that lately.

If Boeser can't perform in the tryout camp, it's a disservice to take him over guys who are in camp (and roll the dice he'll be ready).

From NDSU's current roster: 22 King Frazier RB 5-11 212 Sr. Greenwood, Mo. Lee's Summit HS Nebraska 25 Chase Morlock RB 6-0 223 Sr. Moorhead, Minn. Moorhead HS 8 Bruce Anderson RB 5-11 215 So. Ruskin, Fla. Newsome HS 10 Lance Dunn RB 5-9 207 So. Waterloo, Iowa Waterloo West HS 24 Demaris Purifoy RB 6-1 198 RFr. Wauwatosa, Wis. Wauwatosa West HS 28 Ty Brooks RB 5-9 173 RFr. Fargo, N.D. Fargo South HS 30 Adam Cofield RB 5-11 198 Fr. Lee's Summit, Mo. Blue Springs South HS From UND's current roster: 27 Oscar Nevermann RB 6-1 215 RJr. Stockholm, Sweden (Wyoming) (Rudbeck-Valfrihetens) 42 Kyle Norberg RB 6-1 240 Jr. Cary Grove, Ill. (Cary Grove High School) 5 Brady Oliveira RB 5-10 225 So. Winnipeg, Manitoba (Oak Park High School) 22 John Santiago RB 5-9 180 So. St. Francis, Minn. (St. Francis High School) 28 Austin Gordon RB 5-9 205 RFr. Maple Grove, Minn. (Wayzata High School) From the Gopher roster: 27 Johannesson, James RB 6-1 230 RFr. Fargo, N.D. (Fargo South HS)

There were more than a few plays this season where if Norberg has more than a first gear he'd have been gone. The traditional two-back set worked for many years. It's just fallen out of vogue recently with the scourge of the spread offense. Saying that, and based on a Schlossman tweet last night (3 year anniversary was yesterday) ... CHUCK THE PIGSKIN ... works great when it's working. I'd rather get 5 yards per play by having backs fall on top of crushed defenders; repeat.

Yup. And inconsistency is a sign of immaturity.

And now, because I know all the guys are waiting for this, here are the second half to-dos and expactations: Boeser - just get healthy. I know you were hurt longer than anyone admitted. Jost - keep being you Gersich - keep doing what you're doing; it looks like the game has slowed down for you; that means you understand it Wilke - dude, fuggidabowdit; you ain't scoring this year*; not happening; you're jinxed; "Noonan!" and all that; let it go, pass the puck** JJ - when did you get wheels: keep using them, they look good Pogo - you're invisible some nights; I'd like to see you every night Simonson - uh, too many mistakes for an upper classman; simplify your game; Olson - it's ok to not play like a freshman for more than one shift a game The Freshmen - It's second half; you're not freshmen any more; don't clinch up on me, but you must now play like veterans Ausmus - you are showing senioritis; you are playing slow; that's no way to lead T Poolman - I know you want to jump start this thing, but make sure the right guys are around you when you jump in the offense Wolanin - just keep progressing; but don't forget the defense (see advice to Pooly above) Shaw - I can't believe I'm saying this, but get well, your puck moving skills are needed The Freshmen - It's second half; you're not freshmen any more; don't clinch up on me, but you must now play like veterans Cam - don't change what you're doing; they'll fix it in front of you The Rest - be ready, " ... like a thief in the night ... " *overheard a great line this weekend about "couldn't score with a $20 in a two-dollar whore house". **that's called reverse psychology

Given the trivia question and answer above, (those last two guys are top five!?!?!?) I guess I'm not surprised at where the team is right now. Specifically, they are very young. Remember my "2, 5, 11, 8" question. (And if you're using that without my permission, I know who you are. ) That's SR, JR, SO, FR on the current roster. Think about this: This team lost three guys who have played in the NHL this season! Am I disappointed in 9-6-3 at the break? Yes. Am I surprised? No.

Who are UND's current, active leaders (top 5) in career games played? Answer below in white (highlight for answer). Ausmus 123 Poganski 100 T. Poolman 97 Simonson 83 Olson 71

There were more than a few plays this season where if Norberg has more than a first gear he'd have been gone. The traditional two-back set worked for many years. It's just fallen out of vogue recently with the scourge of the spread offense. Saying that, and based on a Schlossman tweet last night (3 year anniversary was yesterday) ... CHUCK THE PIGSKIN ... works great when it's working. I'd rather get 5 yards per play by having backs fall on top of crushed defenders; repeat.

Need I remind everyone how the WR corps for the season literally changed in a snap? (Sorry about that Clive. Get well, man.) Rather than bemoaning "four or more deep" at RB, how about we spread this same problem around to other positions. Depth with no drop-off is the key to successful programs.

I trust Bubba and his staff. They'll put the right players in the right places.

I just read JJ's UM bio. His uncle played for NDSU (and I do believe I've met the uncle). JJ's dad played college football at Jamestown College. Seems there's a coach on UND's staff that also played there. I wonder ...

It'll take two or three snaps before that happens. But yes, many here are in need of serious brake-pumpage.

John Santiago was recruited by UND as a ______. Circumstance during fall camp during his freshman year had him move to ______.

So would this JJ fellow come in as a freshman behind two juniors (5, 22) this fall?

36 unanswered == hasenpfeffer

One trip to Taco Bell by any of them and those rankings will go up ... and down.

I trust the coaches and medical staff to make good decisions.

Nicely done.

Always the economist ...

GF to SF and GF to Target Center are both right at 320 miles. Think we could get an NCAA waiver and host a regional ... here? It's just 150 miles, or is that 240 kilometers?