Snake

I pretty much agree with everything Farce said. It's going to take a while for the freshmen forwards to learn their defensive responsibilities. I'm sure the coaching staff is making this their focus in the first half, and until they learn how to play in their own end we won't get to see as much of what they have to offer in the scoring department. As the season rolls along and these young guys learn, things could be pretty fun in the 2nd half!

That's why I think there's more wrong with this team than just the QB. I want my team to win a SB, darn it! That's why I think it's important to see what Ponder can offer for the immediate future. That $100M running back won't be in the prime of his career for much longer. Why fiddle-fart around with an aging QB that hasn't proven he can play worth a darn in the last 2 seasons?

I think the Vikings made a statement about where they're headed when they signed a running back (granted, AP's the best) to a $100M contract in the age of the passing offense. At least with the new CBA they won't have to handcuff themselves with a ton of guaranteed money to a rookie QB contract, and could possibly explore options beyond Ponder if he doesn't work out. QBs just can't "manage" the game any more. They have to control the offense and win the game. Sure, McNabb hasn't turned the ball over; but isn't going 3-and-out on 90% of your drives late in ballgames just as lousy as throwing a few INTs? Leslie Frazier probably looks bewildered because there's more than just QB talent problems on this team.

The Viking defense did fine on Sunday. Robison is playing well. Kevin Williams is back. The D-line will be fine. The offense needs to convert on a third down once in a while in the second half to keep the defense off the field. That's on McNabb. It's a passing league...need to have a passer that can keep the ball above the shoe tops and in the field of play.

To piggy-back on Sprig's comments...looks like the Friday game is tape-delayed on FSN Wisconsin, and the Saturday broadcast is local cable. As of right now they don't have any webcast info at uwbadgers.com. I seem to remember being able to webcast UW games in the past...in fact, that's how we watched the series last year at my house. I also recall watching the Sioux clinch the MacNaughton in '09 in front of a computer monitor.

Again, this isn't just about getting the "power" and "like-minded" schools together...it's also about getting strong leadership that was non-existent in the current WCHA.

Denver & Madison

Being a fan of mostly MN sports (except for my beloved Alma Mater UND)...it's just too difficult to go negative so early. I mean, when living in loserville USA (copyright PA) it makes for a really, really long year when you give up hope after the first game. I'm willing to see where this offense is after week 3 or 4. Remember...the '09 Favre-led Vikings didn't exactly destroy Cleveland, Detroit, and SF before finally getting some rhythm. They were damn lucky to start 3-0. I'm willing to cut McNabb and the entire new coaching staff some slack - especially when you consider there was ZERO off-season activity until training camp. Plus...week 4 is about when Sioux Hockey gets fired up full-time! Who needs the Vikings at that point? Only full-time loserville residents!

I'm guessing USC was the aberration in that game.

Getting out from under WCHA management?

If I remember correctly from last year, DirecTV usually had the guide updated by mid-week prior to the hockey games.

I wouldn't worry, Goon - the DirecTV FCS channels aren't the "true" Fox College Sports. They only carry live events, so that could explain why you only see the DirecTV logo.

I had trouble getting the FTA signal last year, so I'm glad to hear they've changed satellites. I'm definitely looking forward to the higher quality raw FTA feed once again, but will have my DirecTV as a back-up plan. Sounds like it'll be a good weekend to get dialed in ...errrr....motor over to 87W!

No chance they'd let us have "sioux" as part of the nickname. I've had thoughts of "Lakers" or "Spirit Lakers" if one wants to honor those at Spirit Lake. Nothing measures up to Fighting Sioux, but I'd certainly be willing to live with some of the alternatives presented in this thread.

Quick question... Are the two arenas in Columbus publicly owned, thus making a cooperation more feasible than in GF with a publicly owned Alerus and a privately owned Ralph?

Smart kids (i.e. those of us who chose UND) don't need to study as much.

"Free to Air"

Yeah, if you read the rule as it is written in the article, it sounds like that could be the case; but does "spot of the infraction" actually refer to where the offending player who commits the infraction is on the field, or where the ball is when the offense is committed? I would assume the latter, but who knows?

One must also consider the fact that there will now be new non-conference bus trips to UM, UW, SCSU, MSU-M, BSU, Tech... Instead of flying to Orono, ME, just drive to Minneapolis, MN!

I find it odd that more people aren't giving the "other" ND more flak for this. After all, they were the first ones who began flirting with another conference (HEA) after the B1G teams announced they were leaving. They essentially dealt the death-blow to the remaining CCHA by likely forcing Miami's hand.

If UNO gets the on-campus arena, the Qwest Center becomes a very viable neutral site, too.

Talk about a power conference (at least as of now)! All the proposed teams made the NCAA tourney last year, three went to the Frozen Four. The Big 10 only had one team in the tourney...at least their one team made the title game, unfortunately at UND's expense.

IIRC, he seemed to hold his own quite well when he played against UND in Dec.

Is it the NCAA who requested a rep from REA there, or is it the ND delegation? I should think any ND delegation that wants to try to save the nickname and expose the NCAA for their hypocrisy would request the meetings be "open." Inviting a private entity into the discussion would close that opportunity. Maybe the open meeting laws don't apply anyway since it's outside of ND and the point it moot...not sure.