AJS

Let's look at this from a realist standpoint. Here are the three things I believe to be true. This really started taking shape when the Pac-2 merged with the four Mountain West teams. NDSU was at the top of the FCS to FBS realignment list "Travel" partner if needed would be SDSU UND not on anyone conferences radar I felt and still feel that there would be some sort of trickle-down effect where NDSU would get the nod from some conference and before today, was convinced it would be also with SDSU. Before today, also assumed all-sports invite. That would be the nightmare scenario for UND and would damage the athletic program immensely. Losing both NDSU and SDSU for all-sports. If we listed all the scenarios and gave them probabilities heading into today. I'd take NDSU moving to MW (FB only), because it could be so, so much worse. Keep the Summit League intact, keep SDSU aligned with yourself. Important note: If this happens, I also want to see some anger. Some real questions as to why UND is where they are right now. Left behind.

Does anyone think "the picture" is going to play a role in who the head coach is next year? I still firmly believe that if they lose their next 3 games, then Bubba's gone. One could argue this is the most important three game stretch in the D-1 era. This program needs new leadership. The last two games could not have emphasized that more. If it happened this year, I wanted them to get Danny originally. "The picture" sort of cemented that. Who can blame him for leaving? 3 more.

You have to believe! I do! 5 in a row will do it. 1 loss at a time.

Lose your last 5 and Bubba is gone! 3 left! The program needs this. One loss at a time. We just have to believe.

15F / 8D / 3G. Any more in this day and age, does way more harm than potential good.

Being a realist with the Bubba situation (we all know he's the issue, but he's not going anywhere), what's the best we can hope for? (1) Simon and the offense continue to excel. Simon is coming off a performance where he was excellent. (2) Individual growth defensively. There needs to be a handful of players that you feel good about in future seasons. Must win for the program. They need to win this one, win one against the SD schools and then put it all on the line the last game of the season. They aren't going anywhere this season, clearly with the defense. When I say what's the best we can hope for? It's feeling good about this team offensively going into the offseason, have a handful of guys defensively you can build around. Unfortunately for Joel, he will be the scape goat (better than nothing, starting with a new DC). Defensive rebuild. To do that, this team needs to win the portal. Sell enough hope that next year could be different. They cannot afford another bad portal year like last.

With these new developments (at least for me), think we’re stuck. Clearly, there would always be a tipping point, but not sure even Bubba would be able to reach that low. Let’s play hypothetical’s. He loses out this year. Would that do it? @UND-FB-FAN , @CMSioux I think it would. Unlikely of course as based on past results, getting to 6 would be enough. Just needs one more. My new outlook is hope for the best. 7 wins this year, enough to sell another year to the team ( i.e transfer portal for key players). Key for me is putting Associate Head Coach title on Fruechte after this year.

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?