AJS

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!

With as much as ISU returns, let's say they improve to a 5 / 6-win Big Sky team this year. Average. This is a game that a Top 25 FCS team wins at home. Where I'm nervous, is although I don't doubt Romfo will improve clearly as the year goes on, will it be this game? If he throws like he did against Iowa State, they'll be fine. If he plays like he did in the 1st half again against Montana, they could lose.

Thinking we see a similar type of game we saw when they played NAU last year.

It's a pattern that needs to break for good. I hope the Coaches / players are sick of hearing about UND not capitalizing on a big win come Saturday. Potato Bowl, after last Saturday's game, should be another great crowd. Said it after week 1, but this team has a different feel. Passing game needs to improve, and I have no doubt it will. Otherwise, way more complete than it has been in the past. Could this defense be legitimately good? Mistakes they are making are teachable. Talent is there.

He clearly won't be an elite down-field passer, but you have to think we're seeing Romfo's floor right now. No way he wins the starting job if this is what he was showing in Fall camp. Need it to be sooner than later, but I have faith we'll see steady improvement passing starting this week.

Disclaimer: We all agree with everyone's assessments on Bubba. Can we talk about the game on Saturday? It's crazy to see that Bubba has completely broken a large part of the posters on here. Given the uncertainty of the off-season, I cannot emphasis enough how big of an opportunity this team has on Saturday.

Just checked again, not sure if when I checked yesterday that was just a glitch, but those "released" tickets are now not available. Just listened to the 360 podcast. Very complementary towards Montana, who no doubt is a great team, but after listening to that, it sounds like we're about to play a team in the running for the FBS college football playoffs.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/injury-to-unds-braden-mohr-receives-long-term-status-wide-receiver-elijah-klein-retires-from-injuries Is long term status another way of saying out for the year?

Tickets have been released. A lot of work to do before game time.

Rucker is going to be unbelievable this year. Navratil was back to his old form as well. The LB's looked really good. I'm equally excited to watch that young Safety core grow. IMO, Sutton / Erkman tandem could be really solid. There are 5 starters that are underclassman on this defense (was 6 last weekend with Mohr).

Two weeks ago, I would have told you I would rather have this game not scheduled. Fast forward to the week of the game, I couldn't be more excited. This program really did have a difficult off-season. Coaches leaving, portal hit harder than it ever had. No respect from the FCS pundits going into the year. A lot of question marks. After how they looked in Week 1, they can completely erase all the doubt this Saturday. Montana (-4.5) is a great team. UND absolutely has a shot in this one. The opportunity they have completely outweighs the risk. GET OUT TO THE ALERUS!

Mohr no longer listed. Anytime an injury causes someone to be removed, must be significant.

I trust others much more with more in-depth break downs, but I liked what I saw overall on Saturday. The two biggest concerns were QB play (down-field passing) and kicking. The defense in all phases looked competent. After the past 3 years, that's a huge complement. There's some young talent for sure. The O-line was awesome in run blocking. This seems like more of a solid team. Not dependent so much on one of the facets of the game. Areas to clean up, but I came away really impressed. Everyone get to the Alerus on Saturday, so much on the line this early.

Not sure I'm following. I understand that we don't know if a season ticket holder will actually show up or not, but those tickets are sold. Taking out the student section, what I'm most interested in is how many seats are being held that will eventually be released (opponent tickets for example). Sell a few hundred this week and a few hundred walk-ups and it should be pretty full.

This is the perfect score prediction if this game plays out like a normal FBS game under Bubba. 10 points worse than the spread. One bit of detail, ISU will score on their last two possessions. We’re all here for the what if. What if Romfo looks the part, defense makes plays and they completely surpass expectations. Sell hope that this team will be better than what was predicted and they have a real shot against Montana. Prove everyone wrong!

Does the Cole Payton package work against most teams? The way Miller was playing, I cannot believe they went to Payton at all. Some major take-aways. Miller looked the part of an All-American. My question being, is he the offense. They did not run the ball well outside of him. NDSU won both the Turnover battle (1 INT vs 0), as well as 4th downs (1-1 vs 0-1). Effectively 2 TO's to 0. That INT was incredibly fortunate NDSU was so much better coached. Colorado at best is a 5-win team. 3 Super-stars, but outside of that. Not a lot to like.

NDSU definitely looked good. The ultimate question though is Colorado average or awful. Miller’s a great QB though.

Safe to assume most additions after first day trend towards part time Grad students?