AJS

Here's my hope with the O-line. They seem to protect ok, but currently can't run block. It's still early with a new offensive philosophy and the Center, RG and RT are either new starters or playing a new position for the first time (Center). I'll have to rewatch the game as I don't notice the ins and outs like a lot of you do when in the moment, but was Sam Houston loading the box yesterday? I recall one of the announcers talking about how Sam Houston leaves their CB's kind of on an Island betting on their guy vs their opponents. With a True Freshman playing, even more incentive to key on the run and make him beat you in the air (which is a solid strategy). Likewise with NDSU, going against a guy starting his first game of his career. Having three different QBs play in three different games has to be difficult when installing a new offense. One of the bye weeks is coming at a perfect time, rest up, work on the little things and get guys (QBs, Gordon) healthy.

In all reality a make or break type game, which everyone had circled as such before the season started. Win and you have a confident team with a Top 25 win heading into a bye week, lose and it's an uphill battle.

Wanted to really let this game sink in. Special Teams: B. No huge mistakes, didn't do anything to hurt the team. Defensively: C- : I don't know if this will make sense, but they did a lot of the little things pretty well. 38 is too many points, but it's close to what could have been a pretty solid game (28-31 point range). Third downs (NDSU going 9-14) and the redzone (TDs vs FGs) were really detrimental. Offensively: F: So disappointed. Only two games in, so clearly there is room to grow.

Over the past couple of days I'm becoming increasingly confident that this will be a close game. I absolutely believe that this years UND is severely underrated by just about everyone, which is understandable for those that don't follow them closely. The truth is nobody really knows how this game is going to play out. I realize it was Drake, but I saw nothing in the first game that would make me change course that this is a good football team. NDSU is a very good football team, we know that, but how good? This years version of NDSU isn't supposed to be as good as last years, correct? The scenario I have in mind right now is that Butler is straight up not a good football team. That can lead based on the team they had last year (in which they lost a ton) and the result in week 1, we could see not only overconfidence, but that they overall aren't at that level just yet of years past. By the way some have talked this week, it seems like this is going to be a matchup of the best NDSU they've ever had and the worst version UND has. That's not the case. I'm ready to get this going! Prediction: UND 28 NDSU 24

Starting with the line, listening to interviews (just listened to Tom Miller's on Dom Izzo's show), it's feeling more and more like I'm the crazy one for having any sort of optimism going into this Saturday. I have too many questions right now, but to start off, what was 30 points more impressive about NDSU's Week 1 win than UNDs?

Simply put for me, they performed in Week 1, like you'd expect a team you think is pretty good should perform. I'm trying to find a nice balance between getting too over excited, because the win was against a team that has historically gotten worked by Missouri Valley / Big Sky teams, but also not trying to down play it too much. In all reality, that Game went about as well as one could have hoped for. My two biggest worries: Ketteringham's injury. I'm more than ok with Zimmerman starting, I truly think it's a 1 / 1A type situation. We've seen how these things can pile up though. Need them both healthy. Kick offs. It's nice to see the back up at least find the end zone once. I'd feel better if he can hit that more times than not. Leach can't be used for kickoffs. I'm good with him kicking field goals though.

It's only one game, but if this is a really good team, like many of us think, the final score can't be close to what the line is now. UND 38 Drake 10 Something in that range with the backups playing in the 4th would be a confidence booster.

Completely agree. I was answering his question speaking specifically to the offensive side of the ball.

@Bison06 pretty simple as someone who has pretty much watched every game of the Bubba era and something that others have said, but it'll no longer trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It sounds almost silly saying since it's so obvious, but playing to not only the players strengths, but also the opponents weaknesses sounds like a winning formula to me. You couldn't count the times the opposing team stacked the box knowing exactly what was coming and more time than not, they were right. I'm also really high on the personnel they have returning, since no system works without the players. Outside of RB, every single positional group should be better this year than last. The RB position although it's tough losing Oliveria and Santiago, still have a lot of talent. Outside of those two guys, they only lose one TE and one OL from last years team. Lastly, having an OL that is finally a strength again, will do wonders for the positional groups.

Really enjoying the chatter over the past 24 hours. Want to really dig into the D-line: Starter: Bennett SR (258) Two-Deep: Seguin SO (241) Three-Deep: Morrison SO (278) They only return two players who were on the two-deep after Ott went down, it was Bennett / Seguin on the right side. For this discussion let's have them on the same side this year. That specific side will be an upgrade this year, with each (specifically Seguin) gaining valuable experience last year. Now we are down to needing 4 players. NG: Morrison SO (278), Lickfeldt RFR (263), Beach FR (267) End: Johnson RFR (228), DeVore SO (243), Moore FR (215), Schoenfelder R-FR (235), Pierre FR (256) *Injured-not sure to what extent* A lot of inexperience in that group, but also talent. There's a decently wide net they are casting. Based on what they have behind them, this doesn't (and won't) be the best line we've seen recently, which is fine, but can they hold their own? Hold their own on the run, be disruptive in passing situations. Going back to casting a wide net, not everyone will be ready this year, which is fine. As long as most are to fill those spots, this can end up being an effective group. If the D-line was a stock, I'm buying right now.

As sad as this is, I was just relieved that kicking it to the 10 and having the opponent run it back to the 40 wasn't by design!

Going from True Freshman to Sophomores at LS, Kicker and Punter will help. Each improved as the year went along last year. I still think the most crucial aspect is if either Leach or the new kicker can kick it into the end zone this year. I was encouraged that Kostich touched on that point in one of the articles earlier this month. Talking about Leach having an inconsistent build up (?) to his kick offs and how that affected his distance.

We won't know until the games actually start, but I'm some what surprised at the confidence level of some on this board. On one hand, I get it, based on past results. Can't blame for some to be hesitant as most seasons things haven't broken the way we've wanted it. They've been close and have shown flashes, but one thing or another has happened and left this team on the outside looking in. Looking at this years team, there are a couple things I'm confident in. Offensively, this will be the most complete, well balanced they have been under Bubba. Equal parts the personnel / new offensive philosophy. Playing to not only their strengths, but also to the opponents weaknesses. I'm not saying they'll be an elite offensive team, but they should be a very, very good unit. I think it will be shocking what a really good offensive will mean to the rest of the team. Special Teams will be better. How much will be a big factor. The back 8 defensively will be very good. Things can change, depending on injuries of course, but right now, as everyone knows all eyes are on the defensive line. I think that's the only true question mark of this team, which when you look at how many components there are, is very encouraging. I still look back last year to the Weber State game. That was a team that finished as the #2 overall seed. Although they were better than UND, it wasn't as though they couldn't or didn't compete. Put this years offensive and how I believe they'll be able to play in that game and the result could be different. Overall, saying that although the schedule is tough, outside of one game, which I have a hard time believing they can win, no other game this team shouldn't have a realistic shot at winning. Side note: When looking at the D-line, it almost feels like expectations or fears about it have gone so far one way that there's no way they won't surprise. With what they have in the back 8, if they can hold their own, overall, the defense should be a very strong unit.

Re Miller's prediction: What I like about Miller / 360 guys is they call it like they see it, which I’ll take over cheerleading and being borderline unrealistic all day. I reread his reasoning of 6-5 and it did appear to lean to the pessimistic although very vague, especially the couple key injuries line. Obviously a very true statement, but it’s kind of weird taking something into account that hasn’t happened yet or might not happen. Most people lean to the optimistic, he doesn’t appear to. His coverage has been great so far! How about the lack of coverage by UND? Last year they had write ups after every day. That hasn’t happened once. Roster isn’t even updated.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/football/4617723-UND-football-fall-camp-Day-13-Nelson-joins-practice @Longtime fan how did Pierre’s injury look?

8-3 winning out at home and @ ISU and Poly. I really do think this team has an incredibly high ceiling.

Asked a follow up question to Kelly, regarding D-Line. Answer below:

I don't want to downplay this loss too much. This loss hit the group that was the biggest concern going into the year. That being said, is Engwall the difference between the defensive line unit floating or sinking this year? I wouldn't think so. There's too many unknowns for this group, which is both pretty scary, but also pretty exciting. Nothing really changes. For this unit to be successful there was already a lot of pressure on the "unknowns" to contribute, it's now just been kicked up a notch. The few guys who are returning (Bennett, Seguin, Morrison) are going to have to step up (specifically Seguin / Morrison). Guys like Johnson, DeVore, Moore, Pierre, Beach, your time is now. What's the word on the D-line so far? Haven't really heard a lot about them from the Fall reports, positively or negatively.

Woah! Shocking about Engwall, Senior who would have started.

How long does it take for the players to get comfortable with the new offense? Will most of the kinks be worked out in Fall camp and overall they'll be ready to go once the season starts?

@Teeder11 what's your overall thoughts so far through Fall Camp that you've seen compared to previous years? What groups seem to be ahead of where they've been, which groups seem to be behind? Thoughts on D-Line so far? Saw Miller mention Haas was taking reps at Defense end. What's everyone's take on that? Edit: Disregard Haas question.

Mods can we get @Boydj282 and this garbage moved out of this thread?

Agreed, really enjoying the Herald's coverage this year. The Safety position and Offensive Line position have a lot of parallels going into this year. Very little was lost from last years team (1 OL, 0 S), both were ok last year, the question is can they take that next step. Based on basically everyone returning, they will be improved no doubt, but by how much is the real question. I've talked before how encouraging it is to see two "non-starters" last year potentially grab spots on the O-line, which will really help from a depth standpoint and overall talent. It's encouraging to see so many names mentioned at Safety. The depth appears to be there, for what seems like the first time that I can remember, but can Canady be "that guy" this year. Can Nelson, ect.. really step up and be above average (not meant to be a dig at all). By the sounds of it, I'm really excited about the depth this year at Safety.

@siouxfan512 I've had the same thoughts, as I'm always looking a few years down the road at all positions. Looking at the roster this year, a couple positions are going to be hit hard after this year. QB (2) RB (3) LB (4) DB (4) key players at WR (2) DE (2) TE (1). Very interested how the young depth looks this year at QB, RB, ILB, OLB and Safety.