shep

This is the whole chicken/egg issue of the season. I think the injuries could never be anticipated to such a magnitude, so there was no way to prepare for them. The other "issues" are NOT issues IF the injuries are not so severe and the team keeps winning. IF the injuries had not occurred AND the team was losing like they are, then the other "issues" need to be examined. I guess I'm not sure the other "issues" exist without the injury induced losses.

It's weird, because I was looking at all these players (except Cox) and had the same thoughts. Rooney got pushed around by the HUGE NG when he was in, but he handled the sub pretty well. Love Rastas' desire, as he's NOT 200 pounds. No way. He seems to be making the D calls as Hunt defers to him all the time, so he knows the system. He could slide to OLB. If he stays at MLB, he should be a backup to Rodgers and Larson next year. I keep waiting for Mason Bennett to do something special. Still waiting. Canady smart and tough. Like the rest, needs a few more pounds. The thing about Blubaugh, he's being torched, but he never hangs his head. Hopefully he becomes something as soon as next year. He, too, should be a backup next year. Zim is a DI QB who can win a game with his arm.

I'm curious about this too as more than one post has indicated it's a complex system. I see handoffs as being somewhat easy, and the pass routes are pretty basic. Toss in a STUPID QB draw and that's the O. And the occasional jet sweep. I understand the QB can audible to the extent he can change a running play to another running play. I don't get that, because if a dumb guy like me sees 9-10 in the box and I don't think my line can handle another running play, why shouldn't a passing play be an option? Thus, I don't get the complexity issue.

In Bubba we rust?

9500? I believe is what was announced.

At the corners especially, they ARE a backpeddling youthful team. Imagine Harris back next year and hopefully Holm. Thought Canady continued to improve. Flowers tackles way too high but gets his head in the play.

IF you are in favor of firing Rudy, then you MUST question Bubba about play calling. Why wasn't there a TO before the 4th down play? We all saw Nick Saban shitcan Lane Kiffin after the reg season just before the playoffs last year because he wasn't doing what Saban wanted. IF Rudy wasn't doing what Bubba wanted then he'd be gone. But...in the 4th we had a two play drive. Santiago long run followed by the Moose taking it home. Sometimes that stuff works so they think it always works. I guess. Love Zimmerman. He can lend a lot to the running game just because he can make the big pass play that should open up the D for running game. Right now the OLine is still a work in progress but when they gave Z time he was on!

You're only a true fan if... You do what I do, because I said so.

Looking forward to see if Canady, Hunt and JJ continue to improve. I'm optimistic about next year and I hope this game ends with a W, but I'm not getting down if it doesn't. I suspect Blubaugh has a target on his back and we get to see how he handles it. Frankly, I wish Studs well, but would love to see if Z can impress. That first pass to Mercer is still on my mind. And I'll pay more attention to the OLine than I have in the past. Lots of young dudes there.

I want to see Z even if Studs can go.

Had he been a FCS coach of a losing team but with a long term K, he'd have gotten a ton more. Bring on the new guy. Kennedy is entitled to have someone of his choosing

Typical pass play is: Studs locks on receiver; if receiver not open Studs runs (also because the line is not great and he doesn't have a lot of time) there is no check down to the RB's. A swing pass to Santiago might be something to put in the playbook, but Studs would need to look downfield and not at Santiago.

Ignoring the coach-speak, it sure seems from this that Studs is not going on Saturday. Why else would he talk so much about the backup?

With the Gopher game on Friday night, I'm concerned the students won't get up for a pretty early Saturday game. Hope I'm wrong.

If they are the young guys who are playing and are frustrated, that may be the best news for this team and going forward. They took their poundings this year and hopefully get revenge next year and the year after and after.

Though he may be healthy now. No point in lifting the RS.

MEMO TO BUBBA: Please recruit future NFL QB's.

I hope so, but I NEVER count them out. Homefield will get them a LONG way.

Same thing was happening in the 80's. Moo U killed us and won natty's. 90's rolled around and it took time but by the end of them, UND was beating the Bison. IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN!!

I agree with that last sentence, but that's going to be true irrespective of UND's record. If "they" win another, it's a kick in the ass to UND. No doubt about it. GO JMU!

Not to mention a backup RB at LB!

I snarked on Hak a LOT for not winning nattys. I admit that. If Bubba has a fairly healthy team next year and the results are the same as this year, I'll be all over it. Maybe. No titles in a couple years is one thing. No titles in 10 is another.

From the Bison LB article Going five deep at the position group is something they haven't done since their rise to FCS power starting with the 2010 playoffs. 5 Deep is still better than 7-8 deep.

No doubt, but they never won 5 FCS titles either. It's not bad being the big fish in the smaller pond. SU will move up after UND beats them a few times. They're gonna need to run away from us like they did when we were whupping them in D2.

And that begs the question: Is being like Iowa etc better than being the top team in FCS. What's the cost/benefit ratio? What will it cost to support an FBS team? Don't think that getting to a bowl game is it. MOST teams lose money going to bowl games. Yes it may look good for the coach and to recruits, but it costs money to go to a game as most don't sell out and the teams MUST buy lots of tix.