SiouxMD

The Gateway Conference Champion receives an automatic bid (autobid) to the FCS playoffs. The GWFC is not yet eligible for an "autobid". For a GWFC team to make the playoffs they must be playoff eligible and selected at large to receive a playoff bid. The Gateway Conference Champion could theoretically have a mediocre record like 7-4 or 6-5 and still make the playoffs while an at large bid would require a much more impressive record to garner committee selection. To put it simply...win the Gateway Conference outright and you move on. In the GWFC...win your conference outright and wait for a committee to select you.

The difference is one AUTOBID...the Gateway has it and the GWFC does not.

That is certainly a possibility and this scenario was alluded to by Tom Buning (UND Athletic Director). You can hear his comments by following the links...HERE.

SloStang, Thanks for the warm welcome...personally I look forward to one last year of NCC play and hopefully NC play. The next few years will certainly be exciting. GO SIOUX *** Everyone else, A small correction on the GWFC media release - Full Version IIRC...the bolded portions (2005 and 2006) should be switched. At least they did not refer to us as the University of North Dakota State Fighting Bison.

GWFC - Official Release

I listened to the Buning commentary...he talked about the Summit League. No mention of the Big Sky Conference. GO SIOUX

UND - Official Release Let the speculation begin...

I see no mention of USD...is there any reason to suspect that USD wouldn't be accepted to the GWFC?

Good news indeed! GO SIOUX

I guess it depends on who you ask... BTW...I learned something while researching the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. While I was quite familiar with "land-grant" institutions I had never heard of "sea-grant" or "space-grant" institutions. UND is a "space-grant" institution...instead of "MOO U" I suppose we could call ourselves "MOON U".

LINK

Glad to hear that you made it safely...that is a very close call.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this tragedy...

Balad, Iraq

That is a very informative map...thanks for the link.

I guess I will have to wait and pick one up on 23AUG2007! GO SIOUX!

I checked www.siouxshop.com and couldn't find it...can someone provide a link?

I would like to publicly thank jimdahl for changing his avatar. Thank you...jimdahl. Thank you.

NDFAN Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery and congratulations on your pending fatherhood! BOT...we bought a travel trailer and have been spending our free weekends at miscellaneous campsites across North Dakota and Minnesota. Tomorrow my oldest daughter turns 8...yesterday she got pink highlights and now resembles Stephanie from Lazytown. I assume it will only get worse as time goes on. I spent two weeks in San Antonio, TX for army stuff. No one does humidity like Texas in the summer. I am now a UND season ticket holder for football and cannot wait until 23AUG2007! Otherwise...I am about 3 years behind on projects listed on my "TO DO LIST"...I better get busy.

If I were trying to convince a group of people that Tom Buning was no longer an asset to the University of North Dakota as the Athletic Director I would find it disheartening that he had been selected to serve on the Executive Committee for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. IMO...a public announcement such as this does not strengthen my stance that he is a liability. Just for the record...I neither love nor hate Tom Buning. My general opinion of him is that he is doing an adequate job and has brought some enthusiasm to the position of Athletic Director. If Dale Lennon or Dave Hakstol want me to call President Kupchella and demand Buning's resignation they are free to call me anytime. Until then I do not have enough information to choose sides. Thank you.

The Buning Bashers are going to love THIS...

I vote YES.

Walrus If you have the opportunity to speak with Coach Lennon this weekend....let him know that I made a commitment to the UND football team by purchasing four season tickets this year and I will be pi$$ed if he leaves now. Thank you.