bincitysioux

ditto

I think it is more likely a trickle-down effect of the fact that I-A schools can now schedule an extra game. Most of them are gonna fill it with a I-AA team. In turn I-AA's will add more games against a DII, knowing in most cases it will be a sure win, to offset their likely sure loss to a I-A. Eventually you'll see DII school scheduling more DIII or NAIA schools to offset their I-AA guarantee game. With the new rules put in place by the NCAA, guarantee games are just gonna be more common, and a regular part of college football. If UND does stay in DII, look for a yearly games against both a I-AA, and a low-teir DII/NAIA/DIII. If UND does go DI, even when we do get into a conference, there'll more than likely be a I-A and a DII on the schedule most years. I never heard that. I find it hard to believe that Minnesota ever considered playing a DII program. I for one am very excited about this game. I'll take a loss to a program like Northern Iowa over a 50 point shallacking over a program like Ferris St any day. You never know, UND may just surprise alot of people.

Here's a list of the DII players to get drafted this weekend: Danieal Manning - DB - Abilene Christian Round 2, Pick 10, Overall 42 Jahri Evans - OL - Bloomsburg Round 4, Pick 11, Overall 108 Chris Kuper - OL - North Dakota Round 5, Pick 29, Overall 161 Delanie Walker - WR - Central Missouri Round 6, Pick 6, Overall 175 Dave Tollefson - DE - Northwest Missouri Round 7, Pick 45, Overall 253

I still like this as my #1, although I know it would probably never fly: #2) No nickname. Just North Dakota. Sell the rights to the Sioux-Head logo to REA Inc. They can put it on as many hats and shirts as they want, just with no reference to UND or Fighting Sioux. The fans will carry the name on. #3) Dakotans. That is what all residents of the state are, and a majority of UND's students. #4) Since UND is the premeir aviation school in the nation, something like Flyers, Jets, Aeros, Dogfighters would be fitting. #5) Rough Riders. I don't really like it, but if a name-change does happen, I'm 99% sure that this is what it will be. --or-- I've always had a soft-spot for "Troopers"

Is there a specific date that UND's DI Task Force is supposed to submit their findings to Kupchella?

Here's a quick update on John Bowenkamp in NFL Europe. 1 completion, 5 attempts, 10 yards, 1 INT Rhein Fire Too bad he got stuck on a team behind the great Drew Henson . The 2nd and 3rd string QB's on every other NFL Europe team have seen alot more action than Rhein's back-ups. It seems like John has had a run of bad luck. First the injury early in his senior season. Then signing with an NFL team that had Culpepper and a Super Bowl champ for a back-up (Brad Johnson). Then getting released before Culpepper got hurt and the roster spot for another QB opened up. Then going to Europe and getting stuck behind Henson, who seems to get as many chances as he wants. Has he tried the NBA yet?

I agree. The last game was in GF, so when the rivalry is finally renewed the first game rightfully should and will be played in Fargo.

If the UND @ UNI game was supposedly confirmed on a radio interview by Northern Iowa's head coach 3 days ago, how come we still haven't seen an offical press release from UND, UNI, or the Herald? It only took UND two hours to post that Kuper got drafted on their official site. Is this game really happening? I sure hope so.

I never saw it until now, but Denver also drafted Greg Eslinger today.

Actually, the Big Sky was 17th in RPI while the Mid-Con was 29th (third worst conference RPI in the nation). RealtimeRPI.com The Big Sky is far more attractive in nearly every area, from quality of athletics to quality of institutional members. The only thing the Mid-Con has going for it is possibly being more geographically friendly, but not much.

I'd think Digger could get a free agent contract somewhere, and maybe find a role for himself as a special teams guy. I think he is just too small to play linebacker in the NFL.

Kuper just got drafted by Denver in the 5th round, #161 overall! Congrats!!! He was the 28th offensive linemen taken and the 9th Guard taken. Going to Denver is probably the best situation for Chris, due to the style that they play.

I don't agree with that. IIRC, Tom Bunning extended the olive branch long before CSP was scheduled. Gene Taylor's thoughtful and intellectual response was, and I quote, "They've made their bed, now they have to sleep in it."

I also agree 100% with that assessment.

According to Jeff Culhane, who covers USD and does a radio show in Vermillion, their has been negotiations between the Big Sky and UND/NDSU/SDSU going on. He interviewed Kolpack and Brandon Misenor (D2football.com) on his show yesterday. While I missed the show, their is some discussion of what was said both on Bisonville and on D2football.com.

I agree 100% with that assessment. Had UND gone DI with them, UND could have been playing Minnesota in 2006, and NDSU play them in 2007, or vice-versa.

I for one hope tha a move is announced before this game is played.

I really think they should look into playing non-conference night games. Other than the Potato-Bowl, I think it could help attendance out for the games against more unfamilar opponents.

We're playing Northern Iowa? That's awesome! I just hope they don't kick the snot out of us.

The atmosphere in the Alerus is excellent. IMO, much better than Memorial Stadium.

Is the spring game on the radio?

The Mid-Con may soon be agressively looking for new members, as Chicago State has announced that they will leave the conference this summer. Chicago State to leave the Mid-Continent Conference The Mid-Con will now be at 8 members. Will this give a boost to SDSU & NDSU chances of getting in?

About 24 hours! Joey Chapman has already said that they'd look to the WAC or Mountain West if they can't get into the Big Sky or the Mid-Con. This is obviously hogwash. If Sac St. doesn't want to go to ND, does he really think that Hawaii has a desire to? The Mountain West is even more totally out of the question.

Hey Jim, I see you have a countdown until kickoff going on the Siouxsports.com home page. Does this mean its official, and we have a 10 game schedule? Personally, I hope that you'll end up having to revise the countdown by about 7 or 8 days or so.

Change the "official" logo to the interlocking ND. Keep the "Fighting Sioux" nickname honoring the military's H-13 Sioux Helicopter in reference to the Univerisity of North Dakota's aviation, medical, and space studies programs. Ironically, a NASA astronaut once crashed a Sioux helicopter into the Indian River.