Irish

Jason - thank you for your patience - Here's the problem as I see it - I understand that UND got a lesser Hockey TV package because of a deal the new league made. I also get that the Athletic Department is trying to find a solution. What irritates me is this: UND is undoubtably the flagship program in the new conference. Denver is a good rival and good hockey team, but they can't even fill their own arena. The likes of St. Cloud State are lucky to be included. Having said that, it seems that every conference decision bites us - chief among them the new tv deal. I was hoping for a better reffing situation, but the director of officials is the only ref that has publically expressed a hatred for the Sioux and we have not one but two Sheppards. Add in the fact that perhaps our biggest league rival is trying to limit the amount of Sioux fans that can attend the away games and I am not as big a fan of the league as I once was. I get that people are trying to increase our tv exposure, but I am wondering if we have any say in the new league at all. Doesn't seem like we drove a hard bargin and are now trying to fix it. We seem to be paying a very high cost of business for forming a new league compared to some.

We could debate what an "accomplishment" is, but I think you get my drift (not saying you agree with it) - The fact that we can look back and find some positives helps make my point. I just think it is time we demand excellence at this level that is more than "we gave them a good game". Like I said, I worry about a lost decade of Sioux football while the Bison make hay.

Here's the problem with Mussman's tenure as I see it - Other than the disasterous Sioux Falls year, his teams haven't been bad enough for something do be done about the coaching. However, neither have they been good enough to get a signature win or a break-through season. Every year and every game it is possible to see some positives. Going into this year it was our receiving corps and talented young QBs. Looking at this game many saw some positive things. The problem is that we never quite manage to get it done. It's always a year or a game away. We seem to be on a slow train to mediocrity. The worst thing that could happen to this program (and in my opinion is likely to happen) is a 6-5 year. Then there would be some grumbling, but Muss's backers would get their way and we would be in for another season that probably would be a repeat of this year or maybe even slightly better. It is certainly time to demand that we get it done right now. With those nuckleheads down south building a national power we can't afford a lost decade of Sioux football. Sided note - I have been watching Sioux football for a long time and it drives me nuts to see our lines get bullied like they do against good teams.

Couldn't agree more - time to actually win some

A real victory would be nice though

You mean other than this week

Toe to Toe though

You mean - gets pass for the past 6+ years

The Mussman era - hey we almost beat a good team

Why do we have so much trouble getting a decent green for our jerseys - look at the pea green crap the football team had. Please don't mention the color number - we need someone who isn't colorblind to eyeball the colors on the jerseys. Quoting the number without looking at the jerseys is meaningless. We have had some great jerseys in the past - doesn't anyone look at them before ordering any more?

Agreed - but the key part of your post isn't "charisma", it's "get the job done". It's time Muss shows us something.

I wonder if this couldn't be a conference topic - Trying to limit a certain team's fans is certainly not what this new conference should stand for. I was very happy when the conference was formed, but now every decision seems to bite the Sioux. I think our AD needs to be more vocal and an advocate for fans.

Nice win by the Bison - can't really understand why there isn't more call for the Sioux to step up their game - getting sick of hearing from Bison fans already - come on Muss - show us something.

As much as I dislike the Bison it was an impressive win. This has to raise the bar for Mussman. Time for him to show us something.

I really think we are going to need a way better line push on both sides of the ball next week. Nice tune-up game - hopefully are injuries are slight.

Lots of talk about our receiving corps and QB battle - which is exciting and makes me want the season to start soon. Also many comments about the defense being more assignment sharp. Any information about our line on both sides of the ball? In the games we got blown out last year, both lines were positively bullied. In order for us to take the next step, I think we need to start here. Anyone have any insight as to the progress of the O and D lines?

Agree that we could be back this year - the first five games are critical to re-establishing Sioux Football. However, if we play poorly it may take years. Certainly not saying we need to win them all, but we must be competative. "Come on Sioux fans - on your feet for a 3rd down and long" needs to mean something again. I can't believe how 3 times "on your feet" during an opponent's scoring drive sucks the air out of the Alerus.

That prediction makes me excited to see him play - however, with only one player selected for the first 3 all conference teams (84 slots) this shows how much we need our veterans to step up their game this year.

I love the Kelly green - I just hope we can shed the "pea green" of the last several years. Even though posters here insist it correct almost everyone that I go to games with said immediately that they got the green wrong. Don't believe me - poll the crowd around you.

Still sell - I think we are about a year away from that happening, but I think it will happen. You never know, though, it could happen this year - that's the nature of football development. Our defense will depend on many co-mingled factors - do they have a renewed sense of purpose (did they stay in town this summer as a group and get stronger), will they bring back that old nasty attitude, will our schemes allow them to be successful, injuries, momentum from early success - I'm sure others will add more. We know they must be bigger, stronger, and have better fundamentals. I for one really hope they adjust their coverage and tighten it up. Pressure from the line will help make this happen.

Yes - put me in for a sell on that one - I wonder how many people are buying?

I worry that in our entheusiasm for the new season we have overestimated the improvement that we will see in the defense. We were physically manhandled last year and I am not sure that our young talent can bridge that gap so quickly. I sure hope so - I think this will be the key to our season.

I can't believe how we get hosed in almost every conference decision and pretend like it's all according to plan.

I really like Chelsea Dagger and not because of the Blackhawks. I just think it is better than any other one I have heard the Sioux use.

I think we can agree that we are looking forward to significant improvement defensively this year.