AJS

So you’re saying the reason Bubba keeps getting extensions is there’s big $ boosters pumping money into the program to keep him? I had just assumed Chaves was incredibly lazy and loved mediocrity. Very happy with this new development.

Depends on when. IF they finish with 6 wins or less this year, then I do think it happens after this year. Go with Freund and keep all offensive personnel. If they get to 7 (with or without making playoffs) or more, then put the associate head coach tag on Fruechte and hope next year is Bubba’s last and then hand it over to Fruechte.

With only 12 regular season games, each game has huge implications. Sitting at 5-2, winless on the road, a win would keep the train on the tracks. What I want is this program to take this past offseason personally. I want them to take every prediction they read / heard preseason personally. For once, prove everybody wrong. If we go through the 2024 season thread, I don't know if there was a person who would have had this team 6-2 after 8 games. 5-3, probably. That's how much this game means. Just win, yes, but show something that breathes believe into the fanbase. Continue to dominate on the ground, let's see the defense that showed up against Iowa State, Montana (2nd half), 1st half against Idaho State and UNI. Prove everyone wrong.

It was just this years stats.

Did you think the defense looked different the first 3 games of the year? Really felt like they turned the corner, just to revert back the past 3 games.

We're at the halfway point, coming off a bye week. Simon up to this point, has not passed the eye test. I'll call that something that is universally agreed upon by the fanbase. Let's all agree that Simon clearly won the job out of Fall camp and the coaches believe he is the best option up to this point to win games. Next three games will tell the story. If Simon does not improve drastically, then how he looks at practice does not matter, there will be a large enough sample size to determine he cannot be the QB next year. Start working in Jerry to see if he's potentially the guy next year. Let's let this play out at least a few more weeks before we get too excited.

I'm making a lot of assumptions based on one game, but the way Berry constructed the lines was different than he has in the past. There's a lot of reason for optimism. The keys for me. Boisvert as a Top 6 C (which then would move Wilkie to 3C). They are going with a high-end / high-ceiling FR over 5th year transfer. Schmaltz / Jamernik on the 4th line The way these lines are constructed are what I've been asking. What line-up / lines will give this team the highest ceiling at the end of the year. Both F / D lines accomplish that. That has not been the case in recent years.

Loved them when they were posted pre-game, loved them even more after the fact. You get the feeling that any one of the four lines can score at any time, that's rare.

He was part of the group that committed right before the rule changes. Ausmus, Spicer, Singleton & Blake were the four.

The entire UND Football universe is in agreement that Bubba will never get this program to the top tier of FCS. We also have to be a bit realistic with his future. What's the best-case scenario? It won't be the ideal scenario, but what would the majority consider a success? Retirement following the 2025 season, handing it over to Fruechte. Announce Fruechte as the associate head coach following this season. What needs to happen during that time, is to improve two of the three categories where this program has fallen way short. Improve road record. Let's start with beating the middle of the pack MVFC programs along with the bottom Win a playoff game or two Not embarrass yourself at NDSU (this one will be taken off the board for now, potentially place it back in the playoffs) Those two goals are still realistic.

Surprising definitely if you’re looking at this season in a vacuum. I thought it was going to be +9.5. If you were to throw in D1 history and UND never arising to the challenge and competing in the Dome. Pretty good line. This team does have a different feel. Until I see it though, I’m not confident.

I'm thinking 9.5

Good Highest ceiling team of the D1 era. Most complete team. I believe they can drive down the field any given offensive possession. Likewise, I believe we can get a 3 and out. Solid special teams. Bad Inconsistent. QB still learning. I’ve never felt since being in FCS that UND had a chance playing in Fargo previously. They absolutely have the talent this year to win. Will they? It’ll take a complete game, which seems unlikely. But they have a chance.

Like watching Fall of 2023. This defensive performance is so pathetic.

What I believe the MWC is trying to do is brilliant. Add two all-sport schools (hit the minimum needed of 8) Add a few Football only schools (Solid G-5 FBS programs) Add a few non-Football schools (Top B-Ball programs, ex: St.Mary's) Impressive if it all comes together.

It doesn't specify.

This is the first year, I've felt there's real substance to UND's numbers. Especially when comparing to NDSU, prior years the difference was essentially smoke and mirrors. It still is to some degree, but much less Fall 2024. Fall 2024 Headcount: UND +25.6% FTE: UND +12.3% SCH: UND +10.3% Fall 2023 Headcount: UND +18.5% FTE: UND +3.8% SCH: UND +1.2% Like @forksandspoons said, keep the momentum going!

The one thing I don't think gets enough attention is enrollment of schools at the G5 level. Much easier to fund athletic departments with student fees and state funding vs private donations. Clearly more sustainable. If you look at the current Mountain West, the lowest enrollment is Hawaii at 19K and then Nevada and UNM around 21/22K. Schools that have publicly came out as wanting membership. NMSU (21K), Sac State (32K) Others. UC Davis: 40K Montana State: 17K UND: 15K NDSU: 12K SDSU: 12K Montana: 10.5K USD: 10K A piece of the puzzle I find interesting. A few big $ donors and that piece is covered (way easier said than done, especially when you're talking annually). No doubt most schools could "figure it out", if the only goal is just to go G5. To compete at the highest level of that division is a different story. I'm far from anti-going FBS. Ideally, we'll stay tethered to the other Dakota schools, whenever that ends up, just wondering (I have no clue either), how many FCS schools really have the finances to compete at the highest G5 level. Another thing is it different in 2024 (NIL), then this would have been in 2015?

Why do you think that?

Impressive increase in FTE’s & Scheduled Credit Hours.

What I witnessed out of Tommy against Sac State, USD, Northern Iowa to name a few games last year was not that much better than what we've seen out of Romfo. On the flip side, he would have put on a show against San Diego. No excusing Romfo, he has to be up to this point the worst QB in the MVFC. One consistent remains for me. I believe that the decision for Tommy to move on was "mutual". I don't think that would have happened clearly if they didn't feel they had the QBs that had a higher ceiling in the room. I still feel like it'll click for Simon.

All eyes are on the Romfo this weekend. No better week to start stringing it together. Need to have a confident offense heading into Fargo. Otherwise, start fast and leave no doubt. Prior to the San Diego weekend, I felt they could go into Fargo and win. Let's get that feeling back.

San Diego has 3 defensive TD's this year (2 against Poly). This will be their first road game of the year. Preseason 5th in the Coaches poll, coming off a 4-7 record last year. This should not be close. #1 thing I'll be looking for is Romfo improving each week. Starting with cleaning up the handful of easy throws he misses each week. Keep building and stay healthy!

Let’s hear all the negatives! • Jerry is transferring because he’s not getting in enough in blowout games Anything else? • Defense looked a bit lazy up 35? There are some concerns, but come on. Better performance (again) then anyone would have predicted.

Greens look really good!