bincitysioux

NDSU is going to be at the Betty. Should be a great atmosphere and home court advantage, but the University is leaving a lot of coin on the table by not having it at REA or Alerus..............

Don't know if this was posted elsewhere, but I notice in the info packet that came with my season tix yesterday, it said that all 7 of North Dakota's home football games will be televised by Midco. Also, it mentioned that UND still has a partnership with Fox College Sports and that select games (excluding hockey games) will be carried on FCS.

Until they start playing baseball on ice, I don't think GF fans would support it all that well.......

For anybody in the WDAY listening area, Dom Izzo has been interviewing FCS conference commissioners lately. He had the MVC commish on last night, the CAA commish tonight. I think he said the Southland commish is tomorrow. Big Sky commissioner is the day after that I think. Izzo's show is on 970 AM at 6:30 in the evening.......................

It is kind of a cool idea, but at the same time, a little bit pathetic that it has come to this........................

I agree with all that except for the idea that North Dakota is "all of the sudden" a passing threat. UND his always been a passing threat. Traditionally the Sioux have been very balanced. Most of UND's passing records have been set since Mussman has been here. Going back to the last 10 years in the NCC, QB's like Freund, Bowenkamp, Belmore, Manke, and Klosterman all put up some gaudy numbers in there time here. Last year was just phenomenal. A good coaching staff adapts to the talent on the roster, and that is what they did last year. Now this season we need more balance, and some of the running backs need to step up and take the load off of the wide receivers and young quarterbacks.

They are putting in new turf as we speak I believe. There was a problem with the stuff they installed.last year........

Agree. I hope the Griz fans don't outnumber our student section again this season like they did last year. That was embarrassing.........

Yes, but in basketball, it is generally the coaching staffs that do the scheduling. That is partly why we've seen so many UNI-North Dakota matchups in basketball over the years. Both staffs have connections to the other school. I'm not saying the football coaches don't have any input, just saying that with only a handful of games to schedule in that sport every year, it is mostly the A.D. that makes those decisions.

I think in the case of football, it is generally the Athletic Directors that do the scheduling, so I don't know how much connections between coaches means.

Additionally, 8 wins and a playoff berth are a given.....................

I visited with Coach Strinz a couple years ago about playing in the Alerus. At the time the Alerus was asking for a $22,000 rental fee. I think that would be quite an obstacle for that program.

I'll buy on average attendance being over 2000 this season. Expectations are high and should get bump from the FU game........

I'd be pleasantly surprised if the FU game drew over 7000 again. Didn't even crack 6000 at the Fargodome last season. Maybe if it is on weekend.

Personally, if I were attacked, and then laid out the guy who came at me with a few right hand round-houses, I'd be more than happy to tell my side of the story to the authorities...........................

I think the point is basically that hindsight is 20/20. Mussman consistently gets ripped here for being too conservative for things like punting near mid-field and kneeling before the half. We've had 5 years of him being criticized for stuff like that, but then when he finally goes for it for once on 4th and 1 (unsuccessfully) against UNC last year instead of trying a 53 yard field goal to end the game, everyone changes their tune and says he should have kicked it. Against Northern Illinois a couple years ago, he went for it of 4th and goal from the one in the first half and didn't make it. Everyone seems to forget bold calls like that.

I like these FBS games. With the exception of Bowling Green, all are located in the west close to North Dakota's alumni centers and important recruiting areas. Anyone know what San Jose and Wyoming are paying? I believe I heard San Jose was $250,00 but I am not certain. Bowling Green: $350,000 Utah: $450,000 Washington: $500,000 That's some pretty good coin. Given how we played against Fresno, San Diego St., Northern Illinois, I think we'll be right in the thick of it against San Jose and Wyoming. The other three games are too far off to predict. My family tries to hit one road game every year. Unfortunately, work obligations will likely prevent us from attending any of these early season FBS games. Last year we drove to Northern Colorado. This year we are flying to either UC Davis or Northern Arizona, haven't decided which yet. We went to Davis in 2009 and I'd highly recommend going there to anybody wanting to see a road game. Great area, great stadium, and great fans. Next year, we'll probably drive back to Greeley again, and in 2015 we have Cal Poly circled for our family vacation.

The loss to Sioux Falls gets brought up alot. That was ugly and embarassing, no way around it. South Dakota St. had an ugly and embarassing loss to a DIII school in one of their early transition years. I wonder how many Jackrabbit fans think they'd be better off without Stiegelmeier as head coach right now?

Are you talking about the 50+ yard field goal at Northern Colorado last season?

Obviously, I have no idea of the circumstances surrounding this. I believe a guy has a right to defend himself, though. If Travis Beck punched me once or twice, I'd probably be unconscious too. If i was the one who started it, I would have deserved it. The red flag in my eyes is that he apparently ran from police. I also woudn't sweep a year old MIP conviction under the rug when as a 21 year old he is engaging in bar fights at 3:00 in the morning a year later.

Because they make a pile of money at their home games.......

Given what I saw from North Dakota last year coupled with the fact that we will have a freshman taking all the snaps this year, if North Dakota went 7-4 in 2013, I'd say Mussman would be a candidate for Big Sky Coach of the Year. People keep saying that since there are 7 home games this year, that UND should be expected to win 7 games. I think that is asking alot. Sure, the schedule sets up nicely with 7 home games. But has everybody looked in depth at to who those opponents on the schedule are? There are four Top 25 teams on the schedule in SDSU, Montana St., Eastern Washington, and Northern Arizona, two of which humiliated us a year ago. There is Sac St., who barely missed the playoffs, and Portland St. on the road who we barely snuck by at home. Throw in the Griz as well. This is likely going to be one of the toughest schedules in FCS this season. I would argue that North Dakota had TWO of the better FCS quarterbacks in the country last season. Those two guys teamed with one of the worst FCS defenses in the nation to go 5-6. In 2013, the QB's will be unproven, nobody knows at this point if the defense will be at all better, and the schedule will be harder. Given all that, if North Dakota wins 7 games this season, then Coach Mussman would be deserving of a very long contract extension in my opinion....................

Big Sky announced a few changes after their annual meetings this week. When Idaho comes on board, men's and women's basketball will go to and 18 game conference schedule and will NOT have divisions. Volleyball will go to divisions and play 16 conference games. 6 teams will be allowed into the softball championship. The Big Sky will re-start men's golf. BIG SKY: Changes in basketball and volleyball

Wow. Sad deal. Condolences to the Finnerty family......................

Very realistic. Nothing to rip non there.............