Longtime fan

That just might be the most glaring issue. The offense plays like that every game. Then rides the coattails of the defense to bail them out

Outside one or two teams the big sky defenses are worthless. Playoffs prove that. Sam Houston drops 50+ on any big sky yet gets crushed by the CAA and MVFC teams. So when you speak of how they maybe strung together 3 -4 games in a row.....most anyone can vs big sky Ds You mentioned depth concerns ......is that part Rudy concern? As an OC that should fall on his shoulders. We all would of liked to see some hurry up or something different!!! That’s the issue! They are incapable of change or adjustments. Glad you see it as well. Keaton didn’t have the arm strength or accuracy and was mostly injured yet continued to play?????? Zimmerman could of spelled him numerous times ....nope!!!! That would be an adjustment. Can’t do that.

If the opposing team has an average to decent D the DCs would have to watch maybe two games of unds O to “get it” and damper most anything und tries. Against und , the safeties are just 2 extra LBs. Since und doesn’t use its TEs and the WRs are unable to get separation, allowing the CBs to man up....the safeties essentially become LBs and hug the scrimmage. No way unds o line has a chance to block that many bodies. So far in Rudy ball.....und stuck with a qb that couldn’t throw and was mostly injured , WRs that can’t get separation, TEs not used, powering up the gut with a 175 lb against essentially a 9 man front. No game plan. No in game adjustments. Not able or willing to use the strength of his players. I have a 4-7 prediction for this year maybe 5-6 with a sac st win but I solely lay at least 3-4 losses on Rudy. No question. The talent is there to be better then what they will show. There is nothing the suggests he is capable of running a competent offense and for the life of me I don’t understand what bubba sees that warrants Rudy being a D1 OC. With what I believe could be a very good year....my pessimism is at full throttle and it starts with Rudy and ends with Rudy.

The D is and always will be unds strength under this coaching staff. Like you said the injuries decimated the D namely the ILB crew and took out two senior all American pro hopefuls in the secondary. It also exposed unds lack of “quality” depth at certain positions. It was a complete mess for sure and quite certain an anomaly. They will be back this year....guaranteed! The offense on the other hand ....well ....I’ve stated for four years my disdain. Santiago has digressed each year as opposing teams DCs realized what Rudy ball is. The honeymoon year and 2nd year..... teams were still figuring out what und was all about. They know now. Easy to defend.

It seems that there is those occasional few that pipe up every once in awhile. My question then is......what the hell does bubba see that the majority of UND fans and quite a few opposing play by play announcers don’t. Is he that blinded with loyalty that he’s willing to go down with the ship rather then making a change!?! Wow!

For the people that defend Rudy I would like to hear what they think he brings to the table. What are the positives that they see in his offensive philosophy? Are they generally happy with what they have witnessed over the last 4 years? Do they think he’s capable of making the correct or for that matter any adjustments at all? Do they feel he has a different game plan accordingly to who the opponent is and their weaknesses? Do they like the fact the TEs are nearly invisible? Do they think he uses the strengths of his players? Do they in all honesty feel comfortable in the offense to get the points needed if und is down by two scores? Do they feel he’s a good evaluator? Some of the questions I have for them

I’ve attended four practices now and possibly see one of the reasons why bubba keeps Rudy on. If so, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous but I’m sure it plays into his decision. Rudy is the rah rah guy that runs around and taps everyone’s ass and says good things and make funny. It looks like he has the respect of the players. Whatever..... that doesn’t win games. Maybe he can become the funny water boy or something. He’s not cut out for OC.

Seems like a hard thing for the coaches to comprehend. They want a “power” offense, as do I, but the power begans with a 175 lb back and no proven power up front!?!? They must know they are not built yet to specs like they want. They need to adjust accordingly to what they have to relieve pressure off the o line instead of continuously making it impossible for them to succeed. Screens are the biggest asset to a team that has some trouble pancaking the opposing d line. And a two step drop to the TE.

This years skilled players are perhaps the most skilled in bubba era. The pint size shifters : Santiago, McKinney, Griebel, Izzy are complimented by horses: JJ, Brady, wanzek, maag, Toivonen. Otis is a combination power and shifty. Love the TEs! Luke, cloyd, hunter, and what will be a future stud....Devore. Devore is Adler 2.0. Great athleticism and work ethic. There are 3 qbs vying for top dog. truly believe whoever it is will be better at the position than studs. Studs was a great huddle general from what I hear but that was it. Nice athlete that was injury prone so Rudy kept him the pocket to throw ducks.

Yeah I heard that as well. Hard to believe it’s suppose that be that complicated of an offense when in the end it’s the rb going up the three hole.

Not sure exactly why and it is frustrating but it has to be frustrating as well for an o lineman in this system. Set to fail from the beginning. Rudy should just inform them when they arrive on campus .... “we have no offensive philosophy other then “powering” it up the middle. “You fellows up front will face two guys a piece all year as all defenses will crowd the box. In other word 10 of them and 5-6 of us. Good luck!!”

Lol.

Tackles protect the edge, therefore require “nimble” feet and more athleticism. I know people will sound off on this ...but that’s what made Grady great as a true fresh...his feet were that of a rb. He was always in front of his guy. When a human being is 6’5” ish 300 lbs ish ....the athleticism is usually not in the equation. So yes.... it’s harder to find a great tackle.

Yeah he definitely has a bad ass look. Speaking of looks mean.....wish und had a roster full of Rattelles......the guy is 4’ wide of muscle and plays/played football mean . Combine that size with his speed and instincts it was a pleasure to watch. Was going to ask him if he one more year of eligibility..

Was at practice today......just a little bit concerned that Santiago and JJ aren’t padded up. It’s been like that awhile from the sound of it. By the way they both walk, stretch and hold their hip area I assume it’s the groin. If so they can linger all year.

Been to three. 15-20 mins on two of them and perhaps an 1 hr on the other. Hardly enough to really get the real feel but I was able to see the size and action of players.

I have some concerns about this years team. *players... not coaches * (in order) 1. Special teams- Complete overhaul.....way way to young! 2. Safety — unknown 3. “Quality “ depth at certain positions. (OL, cb, OLB, safety) 4. FB- not sure who ...maybe Finke...but he wasn’t all that much when he was in last year. Hopefully he progressed 5 OL ...namely RT. The depth just isn’t here if injures occur. The starting 5 however look good. The OL gets a bad rap around und. They are not the best but certainly not the worst. If Rudy was able to disguise plays and relieve the constant pressure applied to every offensive player .... and adjust to in game flow and have a game plan that would exploit the weaknesses to opposing teams .....I am most certain they would hold their own but as it is they are set up to fail. Not sure the NE patriot line would look all that good here. Mortel and Tobin are really good. Nate seems to be good...just haven’t seen enough of him. If healthy ...helgren is real good. Rooney needs to work a lot on leg strength/ foot work He stays in front of his guy just gets pushed back 5-10 yards. From some scrimmage I watched...this is what I like. 1 Garrett maag. Steal WOW is he going to be tough for opposing teams to contain. Great size , nice route runner , hands of glue along with a massive wing span and has some wheels. 2 As Tom miller wrote today....the size and depth at ILB. This group as a whole should be unds overall strength. Donnell, imo, is an all American . Everett looks like tank lined up at LB. Cam! Noah! Rastas.....plays the way football should be played just undersized 3 TE - A lot of talent if used properly. Devore is going to be a stud . 4 looks like the weight program kicked it up a notch this year 5 the RB stable is just unreal 6 Deion Harris looks extremely healthy A healthy Deion and Evan is as good as a cb duo as und has ever had. Please please please stay healthy 7. Mason Bennett is set for a big year. He has easily to put on 25 lbs over the summer 8 DL . Bennett 265. Tank 290 and cieslak 290. Nice size for the starters but the 2nd stringers need to bulk up yet. As usual they have depth and talent just need some extra lbs. Zeke will be tough to contain one on one. Very very active and full of twitch. Just a tad undersized for DE...better if OLB. Four years of this guy will be fun Jalen looks real good as well 9. McKinney .....he is unds little secret. He and Santiago could truly be a serious 1-2 punch wherever they line up....very similar players in stature and play. -The D will be unds strength -The O if the personal is used properly they could be really good as the talent is there ....it’s just up to Rudy... special teams???? Just not sure what to think of special teams. Hope they over achieve and are on the winning side of games and not the alternative.

Per und pre-fall depth chart that I’m currently looking at ....it looks like tanner palmborg is a captain. I would only assume Santiago is a captain ....just not able to find anything in concrete

The Sam Houston game is a must win for UND! I have more doubts than positives for that game but if und wants to be taken seriously on a national level and garner confidence back to the fans and team ....they need to win against teams that have a national name and that have been perennially top shelf as of late.....like Sam. They can definitely do it but will take a collective effort. Unds pass rush needs to dictate the game. Not confident in the secondary containing their burners....so the front 7 need to be massively disruptive. They are a finesse team that will back off with aggression and physicality. “ Punch em in the nose”... and continue doing so. The o line needs to bring their A game, the play calling needs to be more than Santiago powering it up the middle and last but not least......hoping for heavy rain Lol.

Griebel will be fine.....he participated in a few things today from the short time I was there. Stanley was out all last year so that one is a concern Nguon, if I recall correctly was in pads ....I think? I believe he will be good to go by game time sequin has a boot on .....not sure the seriousness of that.

Made it to practice today for a quick 10 minute view.......maag is the real deal. Going to be a good one. Pretty sure his shirt will be pulled also of note....JJ is simply a monster!!! He’s all of 250. Santiago also looks to be beefed up.

Let me guess.....and over again!? Move on to a post you like and continue

Get over it.

It’s real simple .....this is a und football forum. Some will like what some say and some won’t .....get over it. Why let it get to you? It shouldnt bother you. If it bugs you go to a post you “like” and carry on. Why post a comment to someone’s comment if it’s only to say he is negative? Und Fb fan is just expressing his displeasure from last year while most express there hopefullness for the upcoming season. Let him point out the the things that need to be fixed or need improvement and let everyone else point out the positives. Nothing wrong with either as this a und football forum. He has every right to post his thoughts as does everyone else. For me, it gives a great insight or thought from each individual. Why not let someone speak up about what was not going right instead of always speaking optimistic? People should see ALL angles

Blocking on the outside and downfield shouldn’t be an issue with WRs as big as UNDs 6’4” 220 6’4” 210 6’4” 235 6’4” 225. Bigger then than any of the OLBs that UND has