AJS

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!

I’ll say this after and before every season. IMO, the key is for the coaching staff to project what lineup will have the highest ceiling in March and play that in October. They have not done that in the past. Favoring low ceiling experience over high ceiling youth. Edit: I really want to emphasize LOW ceiling experience.

No turnovers by our defense so far this year, let’s change that this weekend. Win the turnover battle.

I agree, it might be doable. I've learned better than to doubt NDSU. Even looking at the difference between NDSU / UND and SDSU and the Montana schools. Seems like a decent amount annually. It comes down to if you're going to want to do it right, these schools will need 10-20 million more (depending on current levels). You also could go the Sam Houston State route and go just to go. Wouldn't cost you as much.

I'm just looking at current operating budgets for athletic programs. 2023 Numbers: FCS: Cal Davis: $48,022,363 Sac State: $44,732,992 UND / NDSU: $33 / 32 million Montana State / SDSU / Montana: $28-26 million USD: $23 million Mountain West: Air Force / UNLV: $67 million Utah State / Nevada / Wyoming / New Mexico: 51 to 47 million I'm just saying from an operating standpoint, for most schools, it's going to take a heavy investment yearly to be comparable.

I was wondering the same thing. For the sake of this argument, let's get rid of the one-time $5 million fee. I look at it two different ways. Hard yearly increase. Scholarships, Travel, ect. None-negotiable type of things. Do you want to compete increase. Coaching salaries, ect. Using SHSU for example. Did they move to the G5 just to move, without the ability to compete consistently because they don't have the $. You would think looking at Average budgets that most schools would need $20 Million additional to their budget yearly if they want to compete.

Of course. Unlike when these schools transitioned from D2 to FCS, there would be a fight coming from GF and Bismarck. I'm not sure though that NDSU would be counting on additional funding from the state, so probably a moot point. Side note: I think it's most logical for the 4 Dakota schools to go into this together.

For the first time since conference realignment started it feels like the next moves could really hit close to home. Don't feel good about it. It would be devastating for UND if they get left behind.

You really couldn't pick a better opponent for this program if they're trying to flip the script on issues that have plagued them during Bubba's tenure. It's the opponent people think about most when it comes to failing to cash in after big wins. One week at a time!