AJS

EWU injury report.

Numbers are numbers, the only thing that bothers me and it shouldn't is the line "it won't be close". If EWU plays a perfect game and UND doesn't play well, I agree, it won't be close, but what happens if both teams play well for four quarters? Such sure comments will always get under my skin. Side note: Half of EWU’s games have either been against a very good P5 program or a D2 school. They should cancel each other out, but in all reality, they only have two games of legitimate data.

You mean +7.5, it’s now at +8.5

Russo. I'll go left to right. Waletzko, Tobin, Nguon, Hergel, Ventrelli

Re: Miller's article. By far the biggest news is Ketteringham, very happy he'll be back this weekend. Love how it sounds like he's made huge strides in this past week. Holm off the two-deep. Hasn't played this year, but didn't see it going this direction when he dressed for the NDSU game. I'm also wondering for the first time if this is going to be a yearly thing or since he's missed so much time, will they manipulate and keep him at 4 games so he can redshirt? He played as a True Freshman. Ventrelli starting. Personally, I love it. Probably not ideal, but having two Freshman anchor the right side of the line. If they play well, knowing they have 3 more years is such a bonus.

Opposite, it looks better.

Looking at the schedule before the year, you always have preconceived notions on how teams are going to do. It's fair to say that up to this point, Eastern Washington has fallen short of those expectations. It appears that they've been hit pretty hard with injuries so far, I'm not sure on the status of those players, but we've seen the affect that can have. They seem to be a pretty streaky team, awful first half against Idaho, pretty solid second half. We all know how reactionary message boards can be, but reading their comments they are down on their O-line and Defense (all facets). This game has taken on a new importance with EWU sitting at 1-3. Regardless of their injury situation, they still have a great offense, their defense does appear to be struggling and we all know it's a tough place to play. This potentially, could turn into a bad loss if that's the result, even though I do see a lot of W's left on their schedule. This will be a test, but I'm sold on UNDs defense. Most encouraged by the changes they made 2nd half to stop SHSU's QB's ability to run. Along with containing EB3's ability to run, they also need to get off the field on 3rd downs and not allow TD's almost every time EWU is in the red zone (both things they struggled against NDSU). EWU offense vs UNDs defense is strength on strength, I would put them as fairly even. I see this game coming down to UNDs offense vs EWU's defense. Ketteringham practiced this past week, but will he be fully healthy by Saturday? I kind of look at it as regardless, they won't be in as bad of a situation as they were against SHSU, as Schuester now has at least 3/4 of a game under his belt. If they have a break out game, finally getting the running game going and take another step with the passing attack, they'll be in good shape. Pretty long post to quickly summarize I see this one as a toss up. Still don't know enough about this UND offense yet. Predicitions for injured players, who will be back? Ketteringham Gordon Holm Nelson Rooney Anyone I'm missing?

If the coaches think Schuster gives them the best chance to win, he'll play. Nobody actually thinks Schuster gives them a better chance to win than Ketteringham though, right?

Based on what?

Heading into the first bye week, seems like a good time to dig into where the team is at. Record wise, they are where they need to be at 2-1. Comparing this year to last year, I felt last year at this time we knew what we had. This year, I really have no idea. That's a good thing, given the very similar results. This team offensively I really feel hasn't even scratched the service of their potential. That's pretty obvious when you're installing a new offense and you've played 3 different QBs (not in garbage time) through 3 games. Good news is it sounds like Ketteringham will be back for EWU. Let these guys find a rhythm and see what they can do. See what their potential is when the defense isn't teeing off on the run game. On defense, the D-line won't be where it was last year, but given how many guys are new at that position, it's a unit that has a lot of room for growth. I think they've been fine so far. Overall, this is a very good unit.

I really want to commend the defense, they were on the field a lot yesterday and played outstanding, especially the second half adjustment minimizing their QBs running ability. Of course there's a drop off in talent of the two deep, but UND plays so many guys and nobody stuck out (in a bad way). Want to shout out the secondary, especially Siegel and Galvin. It's amazing how good Siegel is as a freshman and I thought Galvin was terrific. Those guys have really stepped up with Holm and Nelson injured. Impressed with Schuster, can't imagine coming in as a True Freshman and that being your first experience, talk about being thrown into the fire.

Maybe, maybe not. I've always wished rankings were more fluid, since you learn so much each week and probably don't get a good idea till around week 5. I guess they should just have you create the rankings since you know so much about every team through 3 weeks.

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.