bincitysioux

All of the current Big Sky schools that you didn't mention......................................except Sac St.

Can this be viewed by non-Midco subscribers anywhere? UNDinsider.com, Youtube, or Midcosportsnet.com?..........................

If find it hard to believe that North Dakota would turn down a game against Oklahoma for even 1/3 the amount that you are suggesting...................

Yes, their series with South Dakota was a 2 for 1. And as it turns out, USD didn't even get a home game out of the deal. They are playing in Sioux Falls.

Agree. A North Dakota win over NDSU in the playoffs for the first meeting since 2003 would be epic. Keep them off the regular season schedule for football. IMO, keeping the football series on ice intensifies the rivalry in all the other sports, specifically basketball. That is where I think everyone can agree, the games benefit both schools equally, and create a statewide buzz around programs that really need it.

UND NDSU USD SDSU Montana MSU Idaho Denver (olympic) Ohio U Miami (Ohio)

The Sports Network: 2012 Big Sky Conference Preview

Countdown to Kickoff: North Dakota

I honestly would prefer not to play them in football during the regular season, and I've held that position for quite some time now. However, I'm confident that a game will be scheduled within 12 months after Gene Taylor moves on from NDSU. It maybe, won't happen for two years after that, but it will be agreed upon.

A redshirt freshman is sombody who did not play in the first season aftery they signed with the school. Mollberg is a "true freshman" this season whether he sees the field or not. Jameer Jackson, for instance, is "redshirt freshman". This will be his first year of game action, but was on the team and in the system last season.

I'm thinking it was probably because that is the only open date for the whole season, other than the final weekend, and it is right in between Montana and Montana St.

Do I see DaveK in this picture?........................................

North Dakota was quite solid last year. Offensively, we were one player away from being very special. It is possible that problem has been remedied by an FBS transfer. Defensively there was a major defect in defending the pass that IMO was a much more glaring problem. If there is any sort of improvement in that area, than I think we will be quite competetive. I think worst case scenario, we finish 6th in league play. Best case scenario, I think we finish 3rd and make the playoffs. I'm quite confident that this year's squad will end the year in the top half of the the conference standings. Where exactly, is anybody's guess......................

I've been contemplating Denver. Most of us North Dakota fans are intrigued by them due to hockey. But, really that is all they bring to the table. They never have had much success in basketball, which is most important to a non-football school or conference. Outside of hockey, they don't have alot of fan support. They are a private school. Basically, in the big picture of all this conference shuffling, all they have going for them is location. And by location, I mean ease of air travel. Competetively, their location is not ideal considering they have to compete with Colorado, Colorado St., Air Force, and even Northern Colorado, in addition to four professional teams for entertainment dollars. I think Denver's options are just as limited as Idaho's. Despite how much I love the hockey rivalry with the Pioneers, I can't say I'd be in favor of them being in the Big Sky, especially now that Idaho is in the fold. Personally, I think Denver probably has two realistic options left, but probably not for at least 3 years. One is that I think Idaho will end up playing football in the Big Sky. The Mountain West will add New Mexico St. and Texas-El Paso. That will give the MWC 12 football schools, allowing for divisional play and a championship game, but leaving them with 11 all-sports schools. I could see the MWC then adding Denver to round out the all-sports school alignment and not alterting the geography of the league at all. The second is, that eventually Oakland University will leave the Summit. When that happens, the Summit would be obliged to consider Denver. Although the Summit has been condensing its footprint in recent years, they still remain the most volatile of all DI conferences, and need to protect against future defections. I believe Denver would actually be closer to all of the I-29 schools in the Summit Leauge than Oakland is.

Slightly off topic, but still related to broadcasting, I wonder who will fill the void left by Sean Johnson's departure? UND Athletics announces administrative promotions Sean Johnson basically called over the radio any women's basketball games that Ralston was not able to over the past two years. Since that artilce mentions that Ralston will specifically do men's basketball, I assume they have somebody else lined up to do most if not all women's basketball games.

The Alerus wasn't even sold out for what everybody in the state knew would be the final game for the Nickel Trophy for many many years back in 2003, so I am not surprised that a game against Montana that won't take place for two months is not sold out after one day of selling tickets. What he said. My guess is that the bump in season ticket sales right now is more a function of being 8-3 last season and being a Top 25 team much of last year rather than the opponents on this season's schedule.

So, the Idaho A.D. says he doesn't expect to be an independent for more than two years. That means in 2015 he expects Idaho to have a conference for football. Remind me, when do Nevada, Fresno St., and Hawaii have to stop making their installment payments for the exit fees?

This is great news for the Big Sky. Surely Vandal football will join the party within 3 years. What a great school to be affiliated with......... It is truly amazing how much the Big Sky has raised its academic profile in the last couple years in adding UC Davis, Idaho, North Dakota, and Cal Poly.........................

I'm in the same boat as you are. I can't even get cable at my place, satellite is the only option. It is quite obvious to me that the coverage provided by the new TV deal is at best half as good as what has been availablet the past two seasons...........

Yes, I see the point you are making. But as far as I'm concernced, you could put a picture of a naked lady on the 50 yard line and I'd still rather watch the football game being played on top of her............... To me, it is kind of like everyone's enfatuation with black jerseys and helmets that are a slightly different shade of green. I really don't care as long as I'm watching good football.............

I agree those are all great features. But how many casual fans care about zooming in on offensive line play? You and I have discussed this topic before. I just think that at this point in time, IPTV is more of a luxury or enhancement to traditional TV. It will probably be a bigger player down the road, but I think is much farther off the horizon than you do. Like I said, I have all the access I need personally. I watch more Sioux sports in person than I do on TV. The reason I want North Dakota athletics easily available to the mass public is simply to grow the brand and improve interest. Right now, I don't think relying on web-based media is the best way to go about it.

Are you implying that there is going to be some sort of activity going on on the field of play on Saturdays that will distract my eyes from the atrocity that will apparently be taking place at the 50 yard line on the floor of the stadium?

Kind of ironic that as far as I can tell, every FCS school that played on Astro-turf in 2011, will now be playing on Field-Turf in 2012: North Dakota, NDSU, USD, and Idaho St................................ SUU also went from natural grass to Field-Turf this summer. Lots of upgrades going on in the Big Sky and MVFC...........................

See, that is what I am saying. Why would I want to watch Sunday Night Football on NBC's website, and deal with any (however minor they may be), buffering or freeze-up problems? I just watch Sunday Night Football on channel 11. Where I live (rural ND) I have 3 options for internet: wireless, dsl, or satellite. I have two of the three right now, and despite paying for the "highest burstable speeds" on both, I am buffering and freezing alot. I don't know if it is better if you live near or in one of the bigger cities, but it isn't the answer out here.......................

I believe that was meant to be a snowflake. See, it could be worse.............................. The DakotaDome in Vermillion also never had a Coyote logo at midfield until the installation of the new turf this summer...................