Midwestern Hawk

USD and SIU got in over UND because we LOST both games head to head. As was the situation in every game this fall, sans Utah State, UND could have won but didn't.

Some of us are just sick and tired of the excuses. Football is not rocket science and is the sport where coaching is much more important than any other sport. This fall was a failure. The schedule is easier next fall, but after 8 years, I just don't see much changing as far as the results.

One down on this list. Anyone have any other updates on these 4 or anyone else?

i hate to see anyone leave who has played and especially played early in their careers, likely will take a minimum of 6 recruits to replace Robertson, Nelson and Urwiler. That just sucks.

Hopefully it won't get much worse, IMO we will know the extent of the losses by next Monday. Lots of factors likely involved, but the season results can't help.

Yep. Very likely would have been in 2 deep next fall.

We are supposed to believe that Jesus lives in Crookston?

I am asking what you want to have happen and what the expectations should be within the university administration, the athletic department and the fan base.

I think will be in the clear by this time next week as far as the portal, aren’t individual meetings held this week? Also think a couple more may not return for that 6th year thing.

Yep. Unfortunately will be more.

That is much of my issue. With this “in-game” problem, UND has to be a chunk better than the top of the MVFC, and that just isn’t going to happen until we have won a national championship or two and even then, the top will usually be pretty even and decided by small details.

The MSU example was about how a coach can come in and win right away and some coach can't win consistently after 8 years at the helm. I love Bubba and much of what he has done, but if anyone is going to try and convince me he is a good "in game" coach....best of luck. We all dwell on the games where those decisions were vital to the outcome, but don’t forget about the time management issues at the end of the first half vs WIU. It was another disaster, it just didn’t matter much.

Vote on your expectation level for North Dakota Football for the fall of 2022 and beyond....

I want to be a top 10 FCS program year in and year out. We are at best a top 30 FCS program after Bubbas 8th year, that’s not good enough for me. Obviously you have different expectations for UND football. What are they? Where should the UND football program be at this point in Bubbas tenure?

Moving my post. Missouri State is in 2nd year of regime(with 2 playoff appearances), USD is in 6th year of regime(2nd playoff appearance.) Under your scenario I would agree with Shawn O, 2 year extension(mainly for recruiting), with a message that 7-4 and playoffs is minimum expectation. Is UND a top 10 FCS program or not? Is that your expectation? It is definitely my expectation. This is not performance to that expectation. 2014 North Dakota 5–7 3–5 T–8th 2015 North Dakota 7–4 5–3 T–4th 2016 North Dakota 9–3 8–0 T–1st L NCAA Division I Second Round 2017 North Dakota 3–8 2–6 T–9th North Dakota Fighting Hawks (NCAA Division I FCS independent) (2018–2019) 2018 North Dakota 6–5 2019 North Dakota 7–5 L NCAA Division I First Round North Dakota Fighting Hawks (Missouri Valley Football Conference) (2020–present) 2020 North Dakota 5–2 4–1 T–1st L NCAA Division I Quarterfinal 2021 North Dakota 5–6 3–5 T–7th

Missouri State is in 2nd year of regime(with 2 playoff appearances), USD is in 6th year of regime(2nd playoff appearance.) Under your scenario I would agree with Shawn O, 2 year extension(mainly for recruiting), with a message that 7-4 and playoffs is minimum expectation. Is UND a top 10 FCS program or not? Is that your expectation? It is definitely my expectation.

Unless you think losing 5 MVFC was just bad luck, absolutely. Don’t make changes, this team will continue to be 5-6 to 7-4 with the occasional 3-4 win and 8-9 win season. Is that good enough for you? That’s not good enough.

Well then if the expectations are to be MVFC champion and a perennial top 10 FCS program, substantial changes need to be made. We finished 5-6.

With all due respect, you have proven my point. 8th year in and we finished 5-6 and out of the playoffs. It fits in with the overall expectations for football at UND. Each of Bubba's conference championships were followed up with a losing record. I know we are not buying out his contract, I just hope we don't sign him to a multi year extension next fall after we finish 6-5 and "just miss" the playoffs or finish 7-4 and lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Yep. Peterson was really good. Lots of height and few returned.

Entz is resting his team and getting ready for 2nd round home game. Our team and coach are just plain home.

Not sure. I thought eligibility was used up. Came in 2018. He can play again if he chooses to..

Just missing the commitment and the expectations which come with that commitment. How hot would the seat be for Entz in Fargo if he had just finished 5-6? Now layer in that all the MVFC losses were lost by one score or less and most of the losses could be traced back to coaching moves/non-moves. Entz would be packing his bags. At UND we tell each other we are "close" and just need a few more players to make up for the coaching brain farts.

Absolutely. Would have created quite the BUZZ around Bubba's program, internally and externally.

Yeah, I would say a win over NDSU would be worth at least a TD a game in momentum, maybe more. I would also say the loss and more importantly the way we lost, created some negative momentum.