AJS

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.

It's Military Appreciation / Family weekend, which would be my guess on the additional sections being blocked off.

I agree, there'll be a couple different factors, but even if he is 100% going into Montana State, which would put him as the best choice all things considered, if Rastas, Hunt, ect.. are holding their own, I hope they RS. My question would be, not will it make the team better, but would Larson > Rastas be the difference between winning and losing games the rest of the year.

Since it appears he won't be able to go this weekend, I hope they redshirt him. I'm ok putting all out eggs in the Rastas & co basket, even though Larson would obviously help this year.

This will be the last time this year I'll ask about this individual, but does anyone know how Larson is doing? Will he be ready to go this weekend? Anytime soon?

I'm all over the board when it comes to games that have playoff implications. This isn't a make or break game, but it's pretty close. If USD wins, they are 3-0 non-conference with an FBS win and impressive FCS win. If UND wins, they are 2-1 non-conference with their only loss being being to Utah and two wins over MVFC teams. I'm basing the feeling good / concerns based on when these two teams played last year, hopeful category based on both this year and last Feeling Good Offensively UND is in a much, much better spot. Like night and day compared to last year Defensively, still questions, but I'd put them about even (good defensive unit last year). Tough to really gauge based on the two teams they played. I felt ok with Utah, given they are a good P5 team, even giving up 37. MSU with the shut out was impressive, but it's MSU. I have been impressed with not giving up the big plays. Not trying to be harsh on the defense, they were good last year and the only reason UND was in the first four games. Even is a compliment. Overall, a better team than they were week 3 last year Hopeful Basing this strictly on the common opponent of BGSU. UND lost and USD won, but looking deeper for UND, it was part of the first 4. BGSU isn't very good, like with the Missouri State / Missouri game, MSU scored most of their points in the 1st quarter. USD was up big 21-3 after one. Hopefully, it was BGSU getting caught by surprise, along with a couple ST errors to give USD good feel position. USD won, but it wasn't a blow out and ended pretty close. Concerns Road game against a team that I believe is a legit Top 15 team that has a lot of confidence Injury issues for UND > USD Streveler Like UND with Richmond, although USD lost last year, it's a game they think they should have won. They'll want pay back

We all know the reasons (New O-Line, WR's), when UND played USD & Montana State (along with SBU & BGSU), they were terrible offensively. I can't blame peoples opinions on what they see, but it definitely gets frustrating when we know they improved immensely throughout the year (wasn't hard, since they were that bad the first 4 weeks). I think this years offense is much better then where they were last year, at the end, which would put them not even in the same category to where they were the first 4 weeks. The big question we'll need to find out over the next couple of days is how are Larson / Hunt. They need one of the two this weekend.

With the way the Big Sky performed last weekend, it magnified the importance of this game for UND. I'm nervous as I think this is one of the true "pick-em" weekends of the year, with both teams being legitimate ranked / potential playoff teams. I do truly believe that UND has a better team than USD, but playing on the road turns the game into a coin flip. Last weekend was brutal on the injury front, but I feel better about when they took place during the game. Both happened early enough, where UND played basically the entire game without either of them. We'll find out a lot about both teams this weekend, can't wait.

Huge early season game for both teams, a win would go a long ways for whoever comes out on top. The keys to last weekends games remain for this weeks. Red zone offense / defense: Need TDs & not FGs on offense and the opposite on defense. Missouri State was 5 for 5, USD 4 for 5 in scoring TDs when in the red zone. Need to hold them to FGs. UND picked it up, but you can't have two trips and only 3 points like UND started the game yesterday. No big plays This will be a close one, but I got UND 24-20.

In recent memory, this is the fewest tickets I can remember being available a day before the game. Should be a great crowd tomorrow!

I'm hoping this is the case and it's not some glitch, because that was a healthy amount that has recently disappeared. If legit, it'll be very close to a sell out this Saturday. Edit: I didn't see the post above about a section more going to students that wasn't already. I think the package deals was probably the case.

I'd say the safe bets are Rastas / Canady & Izzy.

Mo State scores 43 on Missouri, Utah scores 37 on UND -- does anyone believe that Mo State is better offensively than Utah? I still think it'll be between a 10 / 14 point win, but I feel better and better the more I break down the Week 1 games.

Currently, yes, I think if Larson is good to go by USD then it's almost a certainty he will too. The question is if he's not, how long until it's not worth burning a year?

As impressive as MO State's 43 points were, they also lost by a 29 point differential. Mo State might have a slight edge in offense, but I don't think by much. UND will have a better defense, as I stated in the prediction thread, think Vegas is close w/ UND as 11.5 point favorites. I see between a 10 / 14 point win.

-11.5 then, UND is 11.5 point favorites, sorry for the confusion.

+11.5

UND 38 Mo ST 27 Trust Vegas on this one.

I got ya, that was a given in my book. Same old same old from other schools fans.

I think scoring 43 points on Missouri kind of put that to rest. I'm much more nervous about this game, then I would have been a week ago.

Not really sure what @Bison06 said that fired everyone up, this board can be weird sometimes. Looks like outside of Frazier (backup TE), MSU will have everyone available this Saturday. I read earlier Larson could be available for USD, any chance it's this weekend? Is he back practicing. Also, outside of Norberg, any other injuries to note?

A couple things that will be very important on Saturday. No big plays -- Missouri State scored on on a 75 yard run and 89 yard pass (that was 3rd down and long) FG's not TD's in the red zone, MSU was 3-3 in the red zone scoring touch downs every time 43 points against a P5 team is impressive, but knowing those two things above, make me feel better heading into this game.

Like you said, must win. Putting up 43 points against a P5 team is really impressive and should definitely grab everyone's attention. They didn't seem to do anything flashy, but really moved the ball well. All eyes on UND's defense, I think the offense will be able to put up some points, going to need the D to slow down MSU. Like ND1 mentioned, they seemed to be a bit beat up after the Mizzou. Malik Earl (WR) and Jordan Frazier (TE) didn't play in the 4th quarter. Looks like Frazier is out 6 weeks, no further information on Earl. For those who want to see Missouri State / Missouri:

Kind of reiterating things I already touched on, but what was really exciting is the things UND did well last night (Secondary, Special Teams), were question marks some had going into the year. Where UND struggled (Line play), were areas I really have no concerns when playing FCS level competition. UND will be able to run against anyone remaining on their schedule, will also be able to stop the run against anyone on their schedule.

I was thinking about this payday game against Utah and next year against Washington, both solid P5 schools. If you did the scheduling, would you go after these type of games to open up the year, or try to find MAC / Mountain West teams and end up collecting 100 / 150K less? Is UND better off from strictly a learning experience (playing in a tough atmosphere, elite talent), that it's worth it? Personally, I'd rather have them schedule BGSU, where there's a real chance of an upset and still collect a check, then playing at Utah. I'm probably in the minority though.