UND08

I don't think you and I have ever agreed on this much concerning UND football...ever! Haha... Agree on Skokna and I'm not dogging him at all as a person...he's a solid special teams asset (a role that is losing value due to rule changes and emphasis)..but we seem to have others that can fill his role (Red Wilson...also where has Creighton Mitchell gone?). I just never saw Skokna take that next step as a player over the course of his career here...

On a somewhat related note...if I have to see the "GOOOOOOD MOOORRRNNING North Dakota fans" video one more time...I might lose it...

If you can't stretch the field then defenses are going to cheat and press our receivers and stack the box, which puts more pressure on our OL and running game. It seems like sometimes we start games off quick and then stall out more as teams adjust to our lack of ability to stretch the field. It's also harder to get receivers in space in the quick game when defensive backs don't have to honor the deep ball because we can't hit any of them. We seemed to do better at this in 2020 (Maag averaged 20 yards per reception vs 12 last year when he was dinged up). A lot of this snowballed last year, but in my mind if we don't have a guy who can absolutely take the top off of a defense vertically, then we need to be able to run the ball better downhill to set up the play-action passing game (hard hitting analysis I know), while mixing in the quick hitting and quirky stuff to keep defenses honest. At some point though smoke and mirrors doesn't put points on the board...and I think we saw that play out last year...and I don't want to see it continue this year. The good news is I saw enough last week from the running game to have some optimism toward our running game for the rest of the year. I know everyone likes the "flash" of modern offensive football...but I wouldn't hate a few 300 yard rushing games and 15-20 for 185 yards and 2 td passing games...haha!

I've been a "Tommy guy" for a long time here...but 5.45 yards per completion just simply isn't good enough (and I know that's not exactly an emerging issue with our offense). I used to think that was on Danny, but watching the game we missed on a shot play early on the first drive (changed the trajectory of things), and any time we tried to go downfield after that either we couldn't connect or Tommy checked down. He didn't look comfortable in the pocket to me at all, and looked much sharper in what I'd call the "quick game." Now I'm going to give us the benefit of the doubt and chalk that up to an FBS opponent with Big 10 level talent in their front seven. I hope to see us look a lot more explosive this weekend. UNI got gashed up front (albeit by one of the most potent rushing offenses in the FBS), but we need to establish the run and then pop a couple big plays over the top. If we can find a way to do that consistently, we'll be "cooking with gas" in my book...

Ryan isn't everyone's cup of tea personality wise...but he's always been a fantastic play by play guy!

I can live with poor execution so long as it's not reminiscent of a certain 4th and 1 deep in our own territory vs a school specializing in agricultural trades..

Don't get me wrong...I don't mind having a package for Quincy. He brings a unique skillset, and if you have talent then the team needs to find a place to utilize it. But Tommy Schuster is not the first undersized QB to play the game. We've got a transfer RB who I've heard can pick up some tough yards when need be...it sounds like he should have a role here! I think the biggest thing with Tommy/Quincy is finding the balance between keeping Tommy in a rhythm and allowing Quincy to be a complete threat within his package (ie letting him throw), while not outsmarting ourselves from a coaching standpoint. Sometimes on 3rd and 1 it's best to just line up, knock the snot out of your opponent, take your 3 yards and get ready for the next set of downs. Hell that's what I prefer pretty much all the time, but again I'm just a no-nothing fan in the stands...

It's a gimmick...our "smoke and mirrors" section of the playbook has definitely beefed up over the last couple of years. Gimmicks can work great...until they don't... You know what would make this conversation largely irrelevant?? If we could line up in short yardage situations and consistently pick up the needed yardage by winning up front...but I'm just a no-nothing fan in the stands...

I get that...I do...but I don't really like it. If there's enough evidence for an indictment, it should be handled in the justice system. It's a criminal act...not an academic infraction.

Not sure what UND could do since there are laws covering what can and can't be disclosed. It's never good to recruit athletes who engage in this behavior though. Also...I'll never understand why Title IX protects college students who commit sexual assault. If there's enough evidence, Otis should be charged and stand trial for this. 5 year bans from school are for cheating...not rape imo...

I'm a pretty big Lakes hater...and I loathe Bisonville...but claiming that Bek won our broadcast rights is actually a pretty good troll job judging by the last page of this thread! I love Bek...I can watch random Region 3 basketball games and VCSU/UJ football games...but to even fathom them bidding on this is laughable at this point...

Also...I think the one thing I took the most offense to in this whole ordeal was the tweet from your sportswriter calling our fans out about how we treat players and making Springfield sound like the Mecca for all contemporary college athletes. UND absolutely gambled on bringing Otis in out of HS (only D-1 offer). He shows flashes, then is ineligible for a year. We could have shoved him aside, but didn't. UND worked with him and got him back on the field. He really blew up in the spring, and basically became the face of the team...only to somewhat mail it in last fall and leave after the season. I think the ire was justifiable...but we'll get over it. It's message board fodder, and something to talk about during the college sports doldrums.

You are 100% right about message board fodder...that's all it is. To me the only thing that really made it more serious was scrolling through the "likes" of the tweets that were calling Weah out for his comments (specifically the Hunter Pinke tweet). There were a lot of current UND players and coaches that were in that list...including some of our "leaders." That tells me more than some anonymous BS slinging by fans ever will. Kids are different nowadays (happens with every generation). The non-Gen Z "crusty" types don't really get it. It is what it is...those who figure out ways to relate to/motivate the modern kid will do well. Those who are too stuck in their ways to change...won't.

Does Petrino have a track record of significant success at most places he's been? Absolutely! Does Petrino have enough baggage to fill a Subaru? Yes...yes he does. Has he built his program at MSU in a way that most upper midwest types cringe at? He has If I were Petrino would I have employed a similar strategy to building a competitive roster at a school with very little football tradition? (Holds nose) yes Does Otis have a lot of talent? Undoubtedly - pretty easy to see Did UND do everything they could (and then some) to work with him and keep him on the field? Yes - quite possibly to the detriment of the team (we wouldn't have done the same things for many others on the roster). Did Otis take a pot shot at UND in the Springfield media? To quote the author of the article..."he said what he said" Were Otis's words particularly ironic given how the 2021 MSU game ended? You could say that... Everyone here recognizes Otis's talent...and nobody wants to see him run wild against us in the Alerus next October. However, fans up here kind of soured on him last year due to the suspension, decreased performance (slightly) and overall "me first" attitude that he showed at times (whether on the field, or the sidelines, or social media). If I was Coach Petrino I'd absolutely take a chance on him, however UND really held his hand for three years here, and in that time he missed one full season, was suspended another time, and that's just what we know. I hope he can get his head on straight and do well down in the Ozarks...but I don't think he'll get the same special treatment down there. That may just be what's best for him in the long run...but he's 22-23 years old...it's time to grow up.

I can criticize Otis plenty for things that have happened on and off the field...but I didn't realize that we fans hold our players to such a high standard that speeding tickets (not even 10 mph over mind you) are fair game for criticism on this message board...seems like a significant reach in my book...

AMEN!!!

I've watched Dissette play a lot. You're exactly right...and I think shooting can be taught. I'd expect his outside shot to be improved even next year at the high school level. What can't be taught is his reach and athleticism. He played in the paint quite a bit for Minot since they didn't really have much of a post presence, but as a two guard his ability to get to the rim is quite impressive. He's really scrappy and aggressive and I think he can put more weight on as well. And one other thing...he's a winner...and it's always nice to have winners in your program! Like you said...I'm not sure he's an automatic star...but he's got the ability to be a solid player for UND...hopefully we can get him!

I think there are two ways a coach at the low/mid major level can go now in today's world: 1 - Keep doing right by your players...and if they burn you they burn you. Recruit "diamonds in the rough" knowing full well that if they turn out there will be plenty of voices in their ears to look toward greener pastures. In the end this could cause a coach his job if he can't get the ship righted in time...or 2 - No loyalty anymore! It's win now or bust! Recruit players knowing full well they're going to likely leave, thus if you don't get it done I'm gonna run you out of town to make room for that shiny object in the portal! Hurt and don't want to risk damaging your body? The hell with you then...I'm gonna play you til your wheels fall off then dump you on the side of the road for the next great prospect. I'd hope our coaches stick with option "1" but many will gravitate closer to option "2". I know the argument has been that coaches are free to leave whenever, so players should be to. But everything in our country is tit for tat...and I'm afraid the reaction to all the portal stuff won't be in the best long term interest of the student athlete.

Sather has been a winner everywhere he's been prior to here...and it's not like Black Hills is an easy place to win (Aberdeen is in the middle of nowhere but has tradition on its side). From my vantage point, the portal has been really hard on us, and that's not unique to UND. However we don't seem to be in the market to land a lot of guys from some of these other schools that are getting pillaged by the portal. Is this where the facilities/money/location disadvantages come into play? Maybe so...but I'd like to see us "fight fire with fire" when it comes to the portal...and not just in basketball either (hello football). We aren't going to change it, so we might as well embrace it. I saw we offered the NSIC newcomer of the year that's transferring out of UMary...probably a good idea! I'd love to see us make a run at the Archambault kid...not sure we have the horsepower to bring him in...but he'd make a good pairing with Eaglestaff!

How many position coaches under the age of 35 stay at one school for longer than 2-3 years? I'm not saying we pay enough for the position (more $$$ = better candidates)...but guys in these positions move on for multiple reasons...a better opportunity, to be closer to family, or out of coaching (can make more money quicker in private business). If we have position coaches that are happy just being position coaches...then I'm of the belief that we have the wrong types of people on our coaching staff!

I'd personally put the recipe to NDSU strength success as a combination of better quality athletes coming in and a strong culture that doesn't allow for mediocrity. That being said, if NDSU was actually "pushing the envelope" (for all you Bison rubes I wholeheartedly don't believe they are from a program level)...then why aren't we?? If you're not cheating you're not trying...Do we sleep better at night going 5-6 and doing things "the right way"?!?

Secondhand knowledge I've gleaned from some former Bison football players...but I'm surprised NDSU hasn't created an endowment to fund Jim Kramer's salary at a P5 level...he's quite impressive...and the results do speak for themselves! Also...I know where a lot of our people stand regarding our guy...and I think the results speak for themselves at times too...

Looking at realistic types of targets for the RB coach opening...I'd be pretty happy with a guy like this... Ryan Olson - Running Backs - Football Coaches - Grand Valley State University Athletics (gvsulakers.com) - Comes from a successful D2 program in GVSU that finished top 15 in rushing yards in D2 last year. - Coaching experience in the FBS at EMU - Playcalling experience at the D2 level - Coaching experience at a successful NSIC D2 in our recruiting area There are likely others with this resume or better...but this type of resume should be the minimum expectation.

That wasn't the question I answered...it was "how will they be next year?" As to your question...As far as FBS goes...I have a feeling that so long as they maintain their speed/strength advantage over an opponent...they'll be fine. To me they look a lot like Michigan (albeit Michigan is a higher level team). Michigan was pretty dang good this year...until they ran into Georgia! If the talent level is equal or better...NDSU will win most of their games (given 22 more scholarships). Pretty generic answer...I know. But football boils down to talent and athleticism. NDSU generally has more of it than the opponents they line up against due to superior recruiting and player development.

Not an NDSU guy at all...but look in the trenches and that'll tell you how things will go for them. I have no reason to believe that they'll be any worse...but I'm pretty uninformed!