Irish

In addition to losing very motivated area players we are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of North Dakota football fans in many parts of North Dakota (and not just because of wins/losses). It used to be that every small town had a large contingent of Sioux football fans and many coaches loved UND. This crew is alienating coaches and fans right and left. Show some interest in area programs. Bohl visits almost every school in North Dakota every year - even when he doesn't get a recruit or when there isn't one to get he gains much goodwill. This is one of the most frustrating parts of the program to me. I don't know if this is arrogance or ineptness on Muss's part, but he sets the tone.

If UND wins this could maybe be a jumpstart into a new attitude and belief in the team among players. It certainly would give players a sense that they have the talent and can win with discipline and hard work. In my opinion a win of this type is badly needed and could be a season-changer. For Muss, this would be the first step in a long time down the right path. I don't know if a win should save his job, but I think another blow-out would be disaster.

Good question - one worthy of dicsussion I am a life-long Sioux fan and really hate to say it, but there is much I don't like about this team/program that isn't all won-loss. They are cocky without reason, they trash-talk, they take horrible penalties including unsportsman like conduct - 14 penalties in week 5 alone, and their sideline behavior is pathetic. To see some of them cock off you would think they were undefeated and chasing a third title in a row. Contrast their behavior and deportment to the Bison who once again got the job done under pressure. (on the field behavior) - I blame some of this on the assistants. I think Muss is not capable of leading, but position coaches who spend most of the week with their small group should carry some weight. You would think, for example, that the D-back coach would at some point tell his players to shut their pie holes, strap on their helmets, and go out and just get the job done. Hasn't happened yet. All we have done so far is beat one of the worst scholarship programs at our level by 3 points. In my opinion we win 7 this season and still have great cause to worry about this program.

Tambalini

Actually, I was hoping that one of our young coaches would step up here on the matter of motivation and team unity. It's clear Muss can't/won't. Not sure we should lay this on the freshmen.

Nice to see you have recovered from viewing the steaming pile that was Saturday's game and are back in the Muss corner.

Wow - we really don't have the will to demand a quality football program, do we.

In my opinion what Hardee has is something that our football team desperately needs - hard to quantify, but you know it when you see it. I'm sure there was no dance contest on the bench tonight.

I too agree with your extremely accurate assessment. I have talked to several area coaches and it seems like many coaches are very put off by the UND staff as far as recruiting goes. Certainly, some small towns don't have any DI prospects every year, but goodwill goes a long way - coaches talk and network. In addition, we are losing the fan battle in the area. It used to be that most towns in the area were very pro Sioux, with a smaller but vocal contingent of Bison fans. Check now - almost all you see is Bison stuff - part of that is winning, but another part is the lack of goodwill our coaches have created. It is one thing to miss an area recruit or two, but this seems part of a planned out philosophy. A little good will in the area would go a long way.

I agree that we wouldn't improve with a new head coach this year unless he could suit up and play linebacker. However, the switch would be worth it to me if the new guy could just stop the sideline antics. We have to be the cockiest 1-3 program in the country.

The picture I have in my head from yesterday's game is a linebacker filling a hole unblocked and just get flat out run over by their running back. He's not the only guy who got run over either. I never thought I would see that from a Sioux defense.

Couldn't agree more -

I watched the sports and threw up in my mouth a little when I saw the Bison limited Zenner to 4 - count em - 4 yards. Then I got to watch our defensive highlights. We will find out this week if the University has the will and desire to have a competative football team. From what I have seen from Faison, I don't think so. My contributions are done for a while.

Like I've been saying - you can thank Muss for a lost decade of Sioux football

If we had an AD with any brains/stones that would have happened instead of an extension.

I don't know if I can watch a linebacker fill the hole unblocked and just plain get run over any more. I'm just plain embarassed and may have to hide from myh Bison friends on Monday.

Now, let's line up and go for 50

Remember the pre-season when everyone was talking about how fired up the defense was and how they were assignment sharp - they're nothing but traction today

If this was a fight, they'd stop it

My prediction is that Muss wins just enough to keep his job. Get ready for a lost decade of Sioux football while the team to the south builds a dynasty.

Hard to stop the PC do-gooders - they know what's best for everybody

Maybe we could "serve" them with a sideline dance contest ala South Park.

Agree - Criticise the Bison if you want (and I can't stand them) but if you watch how they act during a game they're all business and they take care of business. Contrast that to our sideline deportment when we are getting the ball figuratively rammed up our butts in every way by Montana and you have to wonder which team has a lack of impulse control and discipline. I have never been so disgusted at a Sioux team's behavior as I was last Saturday.

If Babich can get studs in after his record, why is it so hard for us to get a line? Looking at Uncle Rico's post made me sad. Every week I hope we can put it together - come on Muss - show us something.

I don't like it, but let's face it - the Bison have earned the right to have a little swagger right now. It's part of my frustration with the Sioux program as it stands.