AJS

I'd agree with that, but I don't think there was any of that in the predictions thread or do I think that's what the post I responded too was talking about. It's just extremely frustrating when you are trying to be objective, you get basically called out for not being a fan. Doesn't really matter, I truly hope they prove me wrong this week!

Yikes, lets turn on that brain of yours. There's genuine concerns after last weekend, even if there's not, if you predict that UND will lose, that means you're "off the bandwagon"?

The only outcome I couldn't imagine is a run away win by UND. Everything else is on the table. MSU - 35 UND - 17

Totally forgot about Montana State coming off a bye week, I don't think anything fires me up as much as for the 2nd year in a row UND not having a bye until the last week of the year. How many times this year will UND play a team coming off a bye week? The most ludicrous thing that'll ever happen to the UND program.

What's everyone's thoughts on this? I have mixed feelings, I've been in the camp that if he can't go against USD, then RS him. After that debacle though, I'm switching my thought process a little and my decision would rest on 2 things (1) If they beat Montana State this weekend and he would be 100% against Davis (2) Would Rodgers be able to return sometime this year. We are all aware how big of trouble they are at the ILB position, but if they can't beat Montana State, then I'd say it wouldn't be worth it to burn his RS, when they most likely aren't making the playoffs anyway.

I do agree with everything you said, but right now I find it hard to practice what I've preached, which was along the lines of what you said. I just can't picture UND winning against anybody right now. Montana State with more points than UND.

Tychonick is 17 currently and turns 18 in March, based strictly on his age, he'd be a HS senior.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4329877-und-trying-regroup-big-sky-opener-ahead "UND says newly injured cornerback Evan Holm, right tackle Mat Cox and left tackle A.J. Stockwell are questionable for the Montana State game. Fullback Kyle Norberg, who was hurt in Week 1, and linebacker Noah Larson, who was hurt in pre-fall camp, are also questionable. Deion Harris, Andre Randolph, Demon Taylor, Cam Hunt and Donnell Rodgers are out." I would put the Holm, Cox, Stockwell being questionable as a big win. Even if they can't go this weekend, none of them sound like long term. Dissapointed with Larson news.

Week of 9/18 - FCS STATS - 17 FCS COACHES - 19

Good news is UND is still in the drivers seat, being ranked #19 right now, I think 7-4 gets them into the playoffs. Preseason polls matter A LOT in Football, as it makes it much easier on teams ranked higher to begin the season. Obviously you still have to win games, but UND isn't in a bad spot right now. You won't drop with a win, so who cares about style points, just win!

Jost / Boeser are amazing players that will be great in the NHL, but you also have to remember that between injuries & youth, neither made it to 40 points last year. I don't think it'll be as tough to replace that production as some.

https://millersports.areavoices.com/2017/09/17/und-usd-postgame-everybody-ok/ "I think the biggest takeaway from Saturday against USD, though, might be an alarming reminder of how far UND needs to go to be ready for the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2020." This sentiment is going to drive me crazy. UND played possibly the worst game they could have played, period. I don't really know what to say.

Not until 2020, but they need to improve regardless. UND was able to move the ball in the Big Sky last year with what was basically the same O-Line. With injuries, we'll be very young for the next few weeks, so they may take time to gel.

Interesting, although it doesn't affect the conference vs conference non-conference schedule, when were these games added? I'm guessing they don't play each other in conference this year, but how early do teams get this years conference schedule? Was there a chance that Sac / Weber would play each other twice?

Article on Hain: http://www.usahockeyntdp.com/news_article/show/832402?referrer_id=654408

I have no doubt this years team will be better than last years and will finish better in the NCHC and pairwise. That's because of one word, depth. UND will lose their "stars" and will need players to step up, but I believe. Better "core" of proven players over where they started last year. Poganski, Gardner, Gersich, JJ & Hoff are Top 6 caliber forwards 2017 incoming players as a group are much, much better than 2016. This will lead to my key of depth. Both offensively and defensively, the bottom 15th forward working on up and 8th dman working on up will be improved from last year. This 2017 will have an easier transition and the 2016 class will now have experience. A lot of returning players on the roster. This incoming class has a lot of talent and they can be sprinkled in the lineup between veteran players. I hope to see a freshman on every forward line, surrounded by two players with experience. I'm excited for this year.

The junior leagues have either started regular season or preseason play. With most recruits being a few years out, I'm keeping a close look at the potential '18 class. F - Mattson (98) - USHL F - Keane (97) - BCHL - 0-1-1 2GP F - Senden (98) - USHL F - Hain (00) - USNDP U18 F - Costello (00) - USHL D - Tychonick (00) - BCHL - 1-1-2 2GP G - Scheel (99) - BCHL - 1-0 .938 2.00 GAA You have 3 Senior forwards and most likely at least one early departure (Gersich), so you need at least 4 forwards coming in next year. The overagers have not performed at all in juniors, so I'm sure the coaching staff will be closely monitoring their situation. If they can't step it up this year, they'll likely be pushed back (Mattson) or let go (Keane). Senden might be Ok, if he's a grinder / 4th liner type guy. Right now, none of those three have shown they are even close to be college type players. Hope they all have big years though. If Hain / Costello can handle their new situations, they could come in as true freshman. Not worried about Tychonick at all, will be fun following his progress in his 2nd year, great player. Will likely step into a great situation at UND who doesn't have any Seniors, but Wolanin will probably be an early departure target.

Here's where UND sits through 3 games. Utah - L - FBS school from a P5 conference, expected, no harm done on the national stage Missouri State - W - Blow out, shut out against a MVFC school -- regardless of how MSU finishes this year, big enough win and impressive enough win where it'll look good USD - L - Blow out loss, looks bad Perception isn't always reality, but there are going to be so many variables going forward that we're far from hitting the panic button. We all know how poorly UND played yesterday and it wasn't indicative of how they started the season. If this was an aberration and they turn it around starting next weekend, the USD loss will just be a blip on the screen. They don't have a bad loss (as far as opponents go) yet, but they'll have the chance to get some quality wins starting with Montana State who took SDSU down to the wire. They still have a chance when people bring up USD down the line this year, you can point to A, B & C.

Besides UND, great job by the Big Sky yesterday! Idaho State / SUU with two huge victories for the conference. Montana / Eastern Washington taking care of business as well, with the only other non-conference loss (besides UND) was NoCo to Colorado. Very important week setting the stage for conference play.

UND needs to be in survival / playoff mode the rest of the season. This game next week will set the stage for the rest of the year. Any updates on the injuries in yesterdays game? Especially the O-Line? Going from a deep experienced group to FR-FR-SO-JR-SO isn't ideal, but could also be exciting, let's see what they have.

After sleeping on this one, and reading through all the comments I think the following are true: The way UND played was completely unacceptable and incredibly disappointing. I also don't think UND could have played any worse. Blame is shared by everyone, nobody was ready. This will be a black eye when it comes to any potential seeding (putting the cart way before the horse) This was a complete failure in one game --- that being said, we have not only two games this year as reference, but also the last two years to know that this was aberation, not the normal. This one game doesn't tarnish what Bubba has built and won't affect anything going forward. A lot of teams (not all), even good teams lay an egg throughout the season. It's definitely gut check time, but they start the Big Sky schedule 1-2, same as last year, but in better position this year --- injuries are pilling up this year, more than any before and it'll be tougher, but everything the team and it's fans want are still very much within reach This UND team is better than last years version, injuries in key positions are throwing guys into the fire, but I think moving forward will be a blessing. If the young guys (OL, ILBs) can improve and hold their own moving forward, it will pay dividends in the upcoming years.

I would love to know this answer.

It's tough to put into words how disappointing of a result this is. I really don't know how they come back from this one, given the Big Sky's current reputation and how they've fared non-conference this year as well as in the playoffs the last couple. Winning in the Big Sky won't do anything for the reputation of UND. They needed to prove it today and they failed miserably. That being said, as much as this one hurts, UND just needs to take it game by game. They're still in a better spot, given their #10 ranking, even if they drop to #20 going into conference play. Start winning and climb back up. This one will take a long time to come back from.

Exactly, we'll find out tomorrow, but if UND is the better team, revenge and all the other factors go out the window.

What's making me nervous isn't just the revenge factor, but the article in the Sioux Falls paper about this being a potential game changing win for their program. Not saying UND won't be ready or motivated, but it seems to be on a whole nother level for USD. Kind of put all your eggs in one basket type game for them. This game is so important for both programs, there's going to be one disappointed fan base tomorrow night.