The Sicatoka

Seems a fair question as the "S-word" no longer exists in collegiate athletics.

Three in a row and that is what is on Mr. Jirik's mind?

Wow. The lad says something that I agree with.

Happy with the L? No. Happy that if they are going to come back from the break and lay an egg it's a game that doesn't affect PWR? Yes. This is a wake-up call to re-find the team that ended the first half on a winning streak. It's season-defining time, ... for players and coaches.

Of course 'bama and UND have something in common: Both displayed a major gaffe when they didn't play to the whistle in the special teams kicking game at some point during the season.

I'm amending my previous answer: - sound fundamentals, including wrap-up tackles and playing to the whistle - discipline - intensity - focus Basically, restoring all the things missing during the last couple of years.

One more thought: last time NDSU was in Alerus Center a key cog of their offense came away with a broken leg.

I wonder if this trip to Alerus Center will be to NDSU football what a 1949 trip to Pike's Peak was to Boston College hockey. Hint: championship curse until they re-visit the location.

That I do not know; however, if found to be true it would not surprise me.

Yup. They talk "85" but the DI manual says you have to maintain 90% of that to keep DI status: 77. The 77 number is fact and reality based.

"In order to grow we must be open to new ideas… new ways of doing things… new ways of thinking." – George Raveling

Did Faison do it, or was he cornered by the old boys network (that doesn't exist ... yeah-right). Sour grapes? No. Expectations beyond "recycled coaches". What worries me worse is the NDSU guys who were saying to me that UND should hire Bubba. They aren't looking out for UND, are they? And that's been my avatar, The Spectre, for months and months. When Bubba's team goes 10-2 and hangs a BSC banner in two seasons I'll stand up and say I was wrong. Until then, call me skeptical.

Congrats to Lowell Schweigert and his circle of influence. You'd better be right. My plan was to be patient with DeBoer to the end of season four. With Bubba, it's three. Signed, Still looking for UND 2.0

No. It should've been handled after the Montana game. I said it then. I was heckled by some. I stand by it now. Instead, now, we're dealing with what comes with starting the process in late November instead of mid-October. So, we have to deal with the process now instead of six weeks ago.

Surely McFeely is always interested in UND's best interests.

And every day this goes on the more I wonder ... dark horse? Mack Brown! <clap-clap> Mack Brown! <clap-clap> Merry Christmas everyone!

What? The wise sages here not knowing every last inner working detail? Say it ain't so.

If you saw anything other than football players leave, you have a problem.

I've long wondered why MFF just didn't buy out HOE, re-dress the facilities, and go with it.

Hey Mister next coach of UND Football: Set aside all your Christmas plans, family, friends, gifts, travel, ... everything! Why? So you can stand in front of a quarter of the media you should (because they're all home celebrating Christmas) and answer the same mindless, pap questions every new coach gets! Don't wait until after you've celebrated with your wife and offspring! Blow them off for some impatient fans! Sounds great, doesn't it! Signed, Brian Faison

Translated: Deep hole to dig back out of.

The only folks that can definitely say how an interview went are on the interview committee. Now if your "deeply involved with the football team" sources are on the committee they are believable; otherwise, ...

I'm surprised at the development of the US 2 corridor between I-29 and GFK. That must be a by-product of the Bakken (folks that used to go to Minot and are tired of that mess may be coming east now to shop). The fact that that area is now flood protected also can't hurt.

Remember: applications are taken until the position is filled. Any application that would come now would have to go through the same process: It would get evaluated and scored and if it comes in as high or higher than the nine that were forwarded on it would be forwarded on for a phone interview.

No. Don't be silly. They led with pics from LeBron's twitter feed of his swollen ankle. Now, ask yourself: kidding or telling the truth?