AJS

Based on the past, one or two will flip before signing day. Those recruits have always "upgraded". Honestly, not sure if many others would. You would think so, but also, is there room at "like" places? I don't think anyone would decommit to downgrade the school. I think there's a fairly united front on this. The only thing that matters for this program is Bubba is no longer the coach. Anything residual (players leaving via portal, decommitting) is fine. Ideally, Bubba will step into another role within the athletic department after this year and the talent will stay. Note: I do realize how gross this really is. Hate that it had to come to this. Equal blame on Chaves as well as Bubba.

The other Dakota schools are too far ahead of UND. USD is finally breaking away from mediocrity this year (building on one successful year w/ another). No worries this weekend. USD rolls. Loss by loss. Nap by nap.

Pre-portal, I might have a different opinion. Even with all the injuries, they can fill out a line-up sheet. Everyone is contributing. What I don't want to see is two defenseman who are expecting to play, sitting up in the stands as healthy scratches (along with the 9D). I would always choose the potential for being short of players > talent sitting in the stands. IMO, it goes so much further than the player leaving via portal after the year, I think it poisons the locker room that year as well.

I could be misremembering, but has this really been an issue recently? This is completely different than losing someone right before the NCAA's (i.e. Pyke last year). I'm a broken record, but keep it at 8, always. Moving forward though, I'd look at having that 15F being able to play D if needed.

Always like the matchups more against teams that have talent, play exciting styles of hockey (MN, DU, BU, ect). UND seems to fair better against those teams. It's the teams that are loaded with 21-year-old FR and play a garbage style (ex: Bemidji / Mankato) that I worry about. Think they split, which would be a fine result.

@Longtime fan @UND-FB-FAN what direction do you want them to go? National search? Danny? Freuchte? I’m being hopeful and let’s say it happens after this year, if that makes a difference.

Each week that passes, I’m more on board with bringing him back. Here’s what I believe. UND has a top notch campus, starting this January top notch facilities to match. There is absolutely no reason they shouldn’t be a premier FCS program. They need a leader that exudes confidence. That’s young. That has swagger. Everything Bubba is not. Fire Bubba, hire Danny quickly. The excitement around the program would be like something we’ve never seen. True momentum.

I’m back. Five losses in a row will do it. Two left! Believe!! Bubba’s gone or bust!

Bubba’s message.

My fear and the most likely outcome of the extension is coming true. Bubba will burn this program to the ground. The only person that can stop it now is Chaves. Will two more loses be enough? Starting to get really nervous.

Fair point. What could this group be without the biggest zero of all time as head coach? Only way to save the program. Fire Bubba immediately following the season, hire Danny. Really analyze the roster.

As long as Bubba is coaching, it doesn’t matter. I do agree though, I wouldn’t blame anyone for bailing. Has to be tough having the least charismatic head coach in sports history.

This result will help shape the path moving forward. The only thing that matters for this program is that Bubba is no longer leading the program. This feels different. Two left and he’s gone. Believe!

Simon is so bad

Romfo shouldn’t take another snap today.

If this athletic department cannot come up with $750k, then there are much bigger issues than just terrible coaching which plague most programs.

Nice throw Simon!

100%

It’ll take 5. Two to go!!!

Big picture. Loss by loss. Bubba will be gone after this year. Believe!

I went from worried to a bit relieved about the F pipeline for next year, current recruits. You're going to want a few spots open given the CHL news.

It’s not my opinion, it’s what has been reported. The conference feels there is value being in the central time zone.

They want the central time zone for their FB only addition.

One last thought. The old saying of athletics are the 'front porch of the university'. Could being a fully FBS athletic department help enrollment if they succeed moving up? Retroactively hurting UND. Things I hope are being thought of if UND and co push NDSU to an all or nothing type of decision.

Catching up on some other posts. Do you think NDSU moving up solo to Mountain West for all-sports would be more / less beneficial than FB only? Expense wise, of course it would be harder, but they would also completely separate themselves from the other Dakota schools athletically. High risk / high reward type of scenario. I could see that doing more harm than good for UND. Otherwise, it's a situation where they have a good FB program, but otherwise on par. Chaves better be on the phone with both SD schools and making sure they are aligned in this.