AJS

Theo Grace was an unknown. Important to note, impact vs depth. #’s don’t tell the story. UND has 4 impact of 14. NDSU has 7 impact of 11. That’s an awful ratio.

I do think SDSU recruits the portal the best, NDSU / USD similar (step down from SDSU). Then there's the Hawks. On paper. I have said, there seems to be an extra degree of difficulty in projecting who will hit out of the portal, so who really knows. Edit: "On Paper" rankings. SDSU ahead by a lot, USD, NDSU, UND. I will say, NDSU *on paper* didn't really knock it out of the park either. Relative to HS recruiting, they seem to struggle as well.

On paper, fair assessment. Portal recruiting, one is not like the others.

Thought Roehl would be a better option?

Few notes here. Retain and develop key players. I like the new portal dates better, but it seems less than ideal for programs trying to get pieces. Non-JUCO / D2 players have realistically a week to visit / commit. It's highly risky. You strike out a few times and you are SOL. Is there a lot of talent in the portal, yes. Is it easy to get them to commit in a short window, doesn't appear to be. You do not want to be an FCS program with a lot of holes to fill and think the portal is the way to do it. That being said, there seems to be way less rhyme or reason to players that "hit" vs those that don't. Who would have thought that Fleming (4th WR on NAU) would have been the breakout star from last year's WR group? The JUCO guys on defense who were great last year. How highly recruited were they? I'm not going to get overly excited, but also won't be getting too down on anyone how commits. Wait and see.

7 D1 offers. Would be a key commit. The new portal dates. Preferred over the old, but really can put programs in a tough spot. You have to hit on an incredibly high % of your visits.

As it stands, big need now is WR. Would think minimum two needed.

Classes start next Monday @ 4pm. Anyone know who is visiting this week? Only seen one.

First game back after break. Not sure how many key players will not be in the lineup? Smart scheduling

If it was Gordie I would think it would have been announced by now, no?

Is the current portal commit list? • 2 LB • 2 DB What is the consensus on how many more they will want? • 2/3 DL (DT / DE) • 1 DB • 3 WR • 1 RB Am I far off?

@UND-FB-FAN couldn’t agree more this is a win-win, but also agree with your first sentence, which is concerning he wasn’t gone weeks ago. Guess take the win however you get it.

MVFC teams need to be concerned with Iowa State. To say they are desperate would be an understatement.

The way I look at it, although there is only one actual portal window this year, I break it into two categories. (1) Pre-window. We're at the point now, where you've either said you're coming back or you've announced your intent to enter. (2) Spring portal(ish), are there any flips... guys who said they are returning that in the next two weeks flip and enter. If that happens to UND, USD, NDSU, it'll be an extra hard pill to swallow.

Now at 6

Nothing against those O-Lineman that have entered the portal, but it's a numbers game. How it's appeared to play out with the O-Line this offseason is ideal.

NDSU (x2) and USD (starting O-Lineman) getting hit today. Dakota Impact list (I believe): UND - 4 USD - 3 NDSU - 3 SDSU - 1

Source?

Pipe dream for me would be then getting with other Dakota / Montana schools, either staying in FCS or try to move to say Conf USA together (northern / western branch). With the cost of everything. Regional will be important. Rivals are important.

Echoing some things others have posted. UND needs to position themselves for the move. Are you excited by the G6 is absolutely debatable, but what cannot happen is SDSU, Montana, Montana State go too. UND needs to tether themselves to those schools. NDSU has no choice. IMO, there’s no worse time in college football history to be in the G6 for a school like NDSU. Missouri State for example, they are having a great time going 9-3 and playing on a Bowl game. Bowl games are becoming irrelevant, NDSU going 10-2 gets them nothing. In a lot of ways they are in a lose / lose situation (given fanbase expectations). What I’m hoping for will give NDSU short term shot in the arm, but imo will be worse long term. MW invite with Davis & Tarelton. MW invite w/ SDSU & Montanas would be worse case. MW with no rivals and a lot of schools with zero brand recognition to average fan is risky. Lose early and you’re playing for nothing the rest of the year.

I don't see it. Given the timing. Odd saying since the portal doesn't open until 01/02, but what did not happen is the various collectives had conversations with other players, had agreements and then now said, nope and they gave it all to Rucker. Let's all cleanse the timeline from that post. What I'm watching for now. JUCO rulings. Wiltshire, Samuels Parker, Walker, Scott. Can they get any of those guys back for another year? Unpopular opinion, but UND losing 4 impact players, is a lot compared to NDSU's - 0, SDSU's - 1, wait on USD. If they can get any of those guys, IMO, it would cancel out an impact player for player @Kab checking back in. More optimistic than I was!

When he rolls up his sleeves nobody is better

I like it. I know I'm in the minority it seems with non-conference scheduling, but I'm a big fan of this home and home. Like the first game being on a Thursday night as well.

Not confirmed, but 1 hr 40 min into 360 pod, you might be able to add Ryan / Gross to that list.