Longtime fan

I would love nothing more then a victory but Utah is head and shoulders the best team UND has ever faced. Defense: I think unds defense, because of the complete "newness" offense for Utah, will be able to ruffle some feathers early. IMO the OLB for UND have to be the most disciplined and sharp for UND to succeed. Need to contain their active QB. Also need a hard edge rush to fluster the newbie. Offense?? I haven't been sold with Rudolphs play calling and Utahs D is a top unit in college football. Lowell (NT) is a grown ass man that is really uncontainable for any team. He will be playing Sunday's next year. Their front is just simply better then most of the O lines they go against. Und brings back a lot of experienced players with a ton of game time minutes. They are comfortable and calm and ready for game time They will not be intimidated. I feel UND will hang and could possibly lead at halftime. The adjustments, talent and comfort level will set in for Utah. Utah 38 Und 17 Hope I'm wrong.

Was out at practice this weekend and talked to some of the players......got me jacked up!!! They seemed very confident and very ready. They need it to be game time.......we need it to be game time!!! Tic. Toc.

Noah and Donnell have some girth the rest of the LB crew is pretty light the few practices I've attended Geier didn't stand out to me...I feel rastas was more involved and should have his two deep spot. But like you mentioned it should work it self out in the end. Cant wait for Thursday !

-Rastas should be in two deep. - Agree with most ....do not like Reyes in PR duties. He and Donnell are the two most important players per depth issues IMO. Need to keep him on the field at safety and only safety! risky call as far as I'm concerned. Has a history of injuries the way it is. Hard to believe no one else could step up and fill in - the rest looks good

As Christopher Walken stated...." Need more cowbell"

Yeah they basically start 4 safeties with all the OLB being converted safeties. A lot of 6'2" 200 close to the line.

Minus true freshman, there's 9 d lineman for 3 positions and 13 OLB/ILB for 4 positions on the roster. Outside of Donnell there is literally no player with game time play at ILB for UND. The unexpected retirement of O'Brien was a massive blow. O'brien was the qb on D. The starting LB crew would of been stout this year with Connor, Jake, Donnell and either jade, haas or tanner. As it is, they are very young and very lightweight. Noah brings size and speed , albeit young. If he does come back the OLB will be very good/great and active with Jake moving back and will have some depth ......it's the ILB that's a bit worrisome. OLB: Jake and haas I would say be starters with jade and tanner backing them up. Great two deep there. ILB: Donnell and Noah starters with rastas and maybe oscar for two deep? Donnell- stud, Noah, I believe is a stud, rastas needs another 25-30 lbs but is an animal. Oscar looks pretty good, Dijon seems a little lost currently, cam still injured......few question marks but overall a nice looking crew. Cbs: had Deion not been injured, they would of been extremely talented two deep. Deion- all American torrey- fresh all American evan- speed speed speed and looks a little bigger this year tyus- started 1 1/2 years before injury. All played as true fresh. Bollant is an experienced speed guy...he might contribute a little this year.? The transfer of carter, the would of been senior did not help. I thought he was very talented. He also played as a true fresh. Not to mention jahmere would of been a senior this year as well. That would of given UND a talented three deep at the cb position. I will add that if Jeremy chinn had not changed his mind....he would be starting opposite of Torrey this year. He was a first team freshman all American last year for SIU. With Deion out blubaugh looks ready to play. Stout young man. Hieptas looks really good as well Coaches have done a great job of recruiting here just some unfortunate circumstances Safety : Rudolph injury hurts immensely as I thought he had a chance to start. Oozes talent but very green at the position. injury to Tamas. His hudl tape is very impressive. Looks like he's trying to get on the field but seems to be showing some pain as he rubs his chest/shoulder area quite often. Hope he's good to go. seniors cole and flowers provide talent, great leadership and experience......but then who? If tamas and Andre were not injured this group would of had a nice two deep as well. Cole is most likely to miss some games, as he has every year, so there needs to be someone to step in and it sounds like the coaches are impressed with Shannon. Having a true freshman back at safety is a bit unnerving however. I have a love/hate for vashon. At times he looks like a starter then other times, not so much! Canady looks the part, hope he can answer when called upon. This is the one position on D that has had some issues proving itself outside of Cole in bubbas time. Overall UND has done a great job of recruiting but due to unfortunate circumstances, transfers and injuries some positions are rail thin, namely/currently at safety and ILB. Football is a contact sport and there will obviously be injuries but und seems to be hit in areas where they are already the most inexperienced at.

Very thin. I had hoped cam could be ready but he hasn't practiced yet either. Rastas is a very very thin at 6'2" 195-200 but is a hell of a player. He will need to be productive when given a chance. Oscar has looked pretty good from what I've seen at practice and has a nice build for ILB. Donnell, along with Cole, are perhaps the most important playera to stay healthy. ILB and S are two spots UND cannot afford anymore injuries.

Welcome aboard matt. Big big big dude. He will need to learn footwork and technique....simply overpowering right now. He won't be able to do that at the college level. Can't teach size...can teach footwork and technique.

I said injuries and non participants

So have I he just happened to be one of three losses recently. You asked i responded. UND won the big sky without him last year and looking for a repeat this year

Had the potential to be the best pro prospect UND has ever had. Difference maker true freshman year. Santiago lived behind him. Unbelievable athleticism! Feet of a rb. Hands and technique were 9 out of 10. Dedicating =zero. Looked like he never lifted a day in his life......zero. Commited twice to UND .....zero. Harris ...massive loss randoplh..... has the makings of a special player Very impressive hudl tape and had an even more impressive spring ball. Had him pegged as a either a starter or in two deep this year .

Non participant Grady.

Unfortunately it has been a pretty bad fall ball (injury wise and non participants) so far UND. Lost three players for the season on the potential two deep list. Cannot afford anymore injuries to the secondary..... very thin on numbers and experience at those positions. Fortunately bubba has this ship going the right direction. Can't wait for the season to begin!!!..... Less then 3 weeks away!!!

Tobin is a flat out stud. Future all American. In spring ball he let NOBODY through.

Nope.

Man that's to bad. He is a hard hitting safety that can cover well and above athleticism. Hard to replace someone like that

Welcome John. looks like he loves the weight room !!

1. Without question it's Donnell for me. Have had a man crush on him since seeing him last year in practice. Unbelievable first step, very athletic and very defensive minded....wants to be in on every play and make it count. Love that guy. 2. Bennett. He is very similar in style of play with Donnell. Very disruptive on the edge. Plays at the deepest position for UND so he somewhat gets overlooked because of heavy rotation. Stud! 3. Tank. Monster! Crazy athlete for 300+ lbs and is the most vital individual in a 3-4 D. 4. Disterhaupt. Smaller guy but plays like a honey badger out there. Goes 100% every play and very bouncy. Could see him excelling with the move. Great great guy as well. Very dedicated 5. Torrey. Talent talent talent. Great hips and height for a CB and with a year under his belt I would expect an even bigger jump in production. Thought he was our best cover guy last year.

Absolutely. If he is as good as I have him pegged for.....a combination of Donnell and noah for a couple years together....wow!! Two 6'1"-2" ish 235 ILB....with burst ! Donnell is a flat out stud, hope Noah can equal that.

I'm quoting him and what he wrote on twitter. If he felt that way he should show it....Pledge you allegiance to bubba and crew. It's time for him to grow up and be big boy now. The first time was understandable this time, if true.....?

His twitter said when recommitted in April: "blessed with an opportunity to finally play again and further my education" . That sounds like a profound statement . Sounds like a very committed young man that's wants to get an education (free) and progress as a player.

My question would be...."why wouldn't he come back"!??

The 2017 class is loaded. Agree with hambone, Zeke would be on here but the DL depth is deep. He has the luxury of redshirting 1-5: Noah, Haas, griebel, Randolph, blubaugh. wildcards: Tobin, cam

I hear yeah. Non conference is very crucial....cannot start 1-2 going into league play like last. If they start 1-2 , one loss in conference is IT!! 3 losses overall . 3 losses will be playoff bound. two losses in conference with 4 overall, not sure it will get it done. @montana, e wash and @ s Utah are the biggest chances to lose imo. Need to go 2-1 at worst in non conference. SD is a massive game. Not only will SD be good next year but it's at their house with a revenge twist factored in. Big big game If the possibility exists that they could be playoff bound, the e wash game should be electrifying. Let's hope both teams are 7-0 conf play when they meet! Big sky championship game!