UND08

For what it's worth I had my top 4 seeds as follows: 1 - Sac State 2 - SDSU 3 - Montana State 4 - NDSU (the highest seeded team with an FCS loss). Only thing that changes from what the committee did here was uniform color in Frisco assuming the higher seeds win. If a conference is only supposed to get one rep on the committee, then said rep should advocate for what's best for the ENTIRE conference! In that case Larsen did his job by getting SDSU/NDSU on opposite sides of the bracket. We are one of the last teams in. If the selection committee's work was done logically with consistent application of transparent procedures, then this is about the matchup I'd expect for a 7-4 team. So I'm not going to cry about where UND was placed...because if we'd have just played better against SIU then I think we'd be hosting a game this week instead of travelling (not seeded but not thrown to Weber). What I am going to complain about is the inconsistency in how procedure is applied...because it makes a mockery of the whole selection process. NDSU and SDSU fans may laugh at us complaining about this...but one day it could be their program in a similar spot. That being said, as long as regionalization is a factor and the whole field isn't seeded 1-24...the potential for this will be in play.

WE (as in UND) certainly DO NOT need to get an attorney involved in anything regarding the NCAA for a long long loooooooongggg time! I'd prefer to say the hell with regionalization and just seed the whole thing 1-24. But then again I also feel like too many teams make the playoffs. In a sport where guys lay their bodies on the line every week, I feel like every team picked should have a legit shot of winning the title. That would mean like 8-12 teams in the FCS playoffs. I know I'm in the minority on that opinion...but it is what it is.

I was just going to say this exact same thing! Also we had two ranked wins that turned into unranked wins by year end. I get you need to play a great schedule, and I think just by being in the MVFC we can accomplish that, but schedule strength is awfully tough to figure out before the games are played.

This right here! Our chests puffed up when we sued an organization that we voluntarily belonged to...whether we were right or not, that kind of stuff tends to piss off the other party. Seems to me like they're holding a grudge here, and the best part (for them), they've got us by the stones! Not like we can do anything about it...

If that's the case then, respectfully speaking...WTF?!?

Somebody called "Professor Chaos" posted this on Bisonville and I think he hit the nail on the head. The MVFC has a bunch of middling teams that, according to the eye test, would probably win 6-8 games this year playing in the Big Sky or the SoCon (depending on who they drew for their conference schedule), but they beat themselves up during MVFC play. Hence the solid non-conference record against FCS opponents...that should help the conference in a big way come selection Sunday (we'll see if it does). This year there just happens to be a lot of teams with inferior competition that happened to (or will likely) get to 8 wins. We'll see how the selection committee looks at that...I'm not holding my breath for a good result (so just win baby!).

If you think the FCS is bad, go look at D2...and how many "SILO" conferences there are (no non-conference games of any kind). I can think of at least three (GAC/MIAA/NSIC). How in the heck do they evaluate the relative strength of teams in a regional playoff when they haven't played any competition outside of their conference? We may or may not like the committee's decision come Sunday (win Saturday and we don't have to worry about it...wink wink!)...but I think the lesson here is that you can't have an off week against anyone that's not FBS or a team ending in the words "Dakota State". There were excuses about back to back road trips when we lost to SIU...but the fact of the matter is we didn't play well and we'd really like to have that one back. That being said...we have as strong of a resume as any of the other 7 win teams (even with a loss). Also (just my opinion), none of the 7 win teams are going to threaten to win it all...so they should just put the teams in that can bid big to host a game and make some money for the NCAA.

They might be done with him after this year the way it sounds on the USD board. Lots of debate on the topic down there. I will say this: Bob Nielson is as classy of a coach as I've seen at this level...and he's a proven winner at every NCAA level of the sport he's been. He's responsible for the only two FCS playoff appearances in USD history. I've always liked the way he runs a program, and if he is let go at USD, some NSIC program would be lucky to have him should he chose to coach again, and an FCS program could certainly do worse. The difference between how his team carried itself on the field and the sidelines vs SDSU was striking to me. He's got a young squad down in Vermillion, and that Bouman could be a very good QB in the MVFC for the next three years. Unfortunately for Bob, college football is a business, and a lot of good coaches lose their jobs. Also, I believe Bob hired Bubba at UMD when he was the AD there...I'm guessing they are fairly close (don't know that for sure though).

I think it helps that they played the Bison at home... Also...NDSU seems to play down to their competition at times...as do we. I have no idea what to expect Saturday...but I do know this: If we go into the "let's play it close to the vest/first to double digits" mindset that we tend to go to against NDSU, we will lose by 7-10 points. I would actually feel more comfortable in a high scoring, shootout type of affair. If we go out, play loose and let it fly offensively...well then we might get it done imo! I'm hopeful the latter comes true...but until I see it...it hasn't happened.

I'll gladly take this bracket if the committee just wants to copy it on Sunday!

Their win over Idaho was their first "good" win of the year in my mind...and it is good! But NoCo/Idaho State/Poly/NAU are not very good teams. They've got some "quality losses" though! Wish we had beat NAU by more...but that's a team that's much different to play in your house vs Flagstaff (ask Brent Vigen). I'm not very trusting of Sac State...but hopefully they can get it done and bury the Aggies on Saturday (it's a rivalry game so you never know unfortunately).

Easier said than done...until we actually accomplish this, I won't hold my breath! Sounds like the Bison threw it a bunch against ISU the week before. If you don't have to throw, why would you? “There are only three things that can happen on a pass, and two of them are bad!" ~ Woody Hayes.

We need to put our defenders in a position to make plays. If we're going to run an aggressive 3-4 scheme where we will be disguising blitzes and bringing pressure on most down/distances, then we need to make sure we have the guys in place to get home, otherwise you're putting a ton of pressure on your back 4 to hold up. This year we don't seem to have the ability to get home on the pass rush like we have in the past, and I'm sure it's contributing to our issues in pass defense (disclaimer: I am not an esteemed football mind). Is that Xs and Os or Jimmy's and Joe's? I'm not sure. This is just an opinion, so take it for what it's worth. In my view, to run a 3-4 scheme effectively, you need a stud NG to command a double team and very good linebackers to step into the hole and make plays. I tend to believe that really good NGs are very hard to find/develop, and our linebacking play has taken a step back in some regards (sacks). I'd prefer to be a 4-3 defense at this point, because I believe it's easier to recruit players to...but again that's just my opinion. If we can't find the personnel to run this defense effectively, then I think we need to change it up.

Rule change this year...and after Saturday I'm not sure I like it...

Man when did the MVFC get so damned soft?!?! I was in the heart of it...Never heard one bad thing said...just what I consider to be normal smack talk! SDSU bench talked it back after they were winning (as is their right in my book - if you're gonna dish it you better be able to take it). Spaulding caught some crap for the ejection AND more specifically the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty...that comes with the territory in my opinion! Classic deflection to attempt to put it on the fans. The smack talk is normal...the actions on the field were pretty poor optics, and it would seem to be a good teaching moment for Coach Stig.

I'm not an esteemed football mind, but I'm willing to guess that this play (and many many others) are schemed up to be blocked differently based on defensive alignment. The kid may have missed a signal or misread the defense, and that breakdown caused what should have been a routine "run game extension" type of play to be a pick 6. Unfortunate...but those things happen and you have to bounce back.

Had zero to do with Trump for me...I simply asked "Why would any school in the MWC vote to split the conference revenue pie by one more piece to bring on a school that is tough to get to for a volleyball team on a Tuesday night, would not bring the types of tv ratings conferences want, and would kick their asses in their "marquee" sport? in response to one of his NDSU needs to join the MWC tweets.

I'm proud to say I've been blocked by McFooly for over a year now!

They do??? I was one of those donors in that mid to upper tier of the dollar range you stated...and you could have fooled me...never once got so much as a phone call or a card to say thanks over the last 5 years as a booster. I'm still a fan of the program...but there are causes closer to where I now live that sure appreciate the money more...and put it to better use than UND football has over that timeframe. Does that sound egotistical? Maybe so...but I'm not made of money...and a little appreciation sure goes a long ways.

Sorry...but the "Red River Rifle" will never NOT be Joe Wilson to me!!!

Well if we are routinely burying more significant baggage than what Otis brought to the table...then we better win more! There...I said it...haha!

I think the fact that he didn't have to go through a trial for sexual assault should be considered second chance enough. I'm a big "innocent until proven guilty" guy...but I also have zero tolerance for that kind of behavior. The guy fit one good season into a sandwich of off the field issues...football obviously wasn't a priority, and playing the game is a privilege, not a right. I'm sad that a school would take a flyer on a guy with that kind of MO...but like the tweet author said...it doesn't surprise me that someone would.

Again...we agree...100% What could UND actually accomplished if all of its stakeholders would row the boat in the same direction??? It's a question I ask myself a lot unfortunately...

Too similar to our west river cohorts...Although I will add that DSU has some solid football helmets IMO!

Agree...I think Skokna is a model teammate and by all accounts an asset to the team...but more depth equals more competition and the cream rises to the top. It used to be we seemed to prioritize experience to the point it would have taken us 6 weeks to work Red Wilson into the lineup...seems to me that maybe that's gone by the wayside a bit, which would be a good thing in my book! Get your best players on the field...