RD17

You would get no argument for me that the overall talent level in the MVFC is better than in the BSC. However, the idea that the BSC is the more pass happy conference isn't true: BSC teams threw the ball 55.5% of the time this year. MVFC teams threw it 55.4% of the time. BSC teams averaged 30.0 points per game. MVFC teams averaged 30.1 ppg. BSC teams averaged 7.64 yards per pass attempt. MVFC teams averaged 7.75 yards per pass attempt. Only 4 of the 13 BSC teams averaged more than 6 yards per play. 5 of the 10 MVFC teams averaged more than 6 yards per play. The only other major difference is that BSC teams average about 6 more plays per game than MVFC teams, which means the BSC is actually the less efficient league from an offensive standpoint. It is a misconception that the BSC is arena ball compared to the MVFC.

For the last 2-3 years I have questioned on this board whether Bubba is the right guy to take the program to the next level. It's interesting to see many of the same people that thought I was fool last year now sharing my opinion? Every good UND team over the last 25 years has had one common denominator- great inside linebacker play. ILB was obviously a weak spot on this year's team and we see the results. Yes, it's on the coaches to make sure the roster is stacked at that position but no team in college football has the depth to withstand losing its top four guys for all or most of the year. Alabama now has four of its top six linebackers sidelined and they are having trouble stopping the run- almost lost to Mississippi State and many are predicting that they will have a very difficult time beating Auburn. And Alabama gets the recruits it wants every year. The style Bubba wants to play both offensively and defensively is the right one because it's proven to be successful. Look at the top teams in any classification of college football and they all play great defense and have ball control offenses. What I have always questioned is whether this staff will be able to recruit enough talent to make that strategy work at UND. Bubba had a nice year and a half run with Mussman's players but will he be successful with a roster full of his own guys? I think the success of 2016 buys him more time, but there needs to be some major steps forward next year.

I agree. This team has talent but plays foolishly in stretches. How does a D-I basketball team have eight turnovers in a ten possession stretch like UND did last night? There doesn't look to be a standout team in the Big Sky so this year is a huge opportunity for UND. Sadly, I don't think this coaching staff has what it takes to take advantage.

What I have bolded in your statement is exactly what makes Studsrud a much better that average QB at the FCS level. He is perfect for UND's system because of his toughness and the fact that he doesn't make the really dumb mistakes that kill you in games. Yes, he was inconsistent at times, but he was also playing with two true freshman receivers as his primary targets much of the year. Unless a Tom Brady clone shows up on campus, Studsrud is the starter in 2017. I like Zimmerman's arm strength and mobility, but I'm a little concerned by his low completion percentage at the JUCO last year. It's hard to tell if that is a product of the offense he was in or if he has some accuracy issues.

This is true, but OL tends to always be an area of high attrition in college football. The way I am looking at it this year, there might not be a lot of scholarship money left to offer OL prospects. UND returns 15 on the OL next year. There is probably only money budgeted for 2-3 during this recruiting cycle, especially if the staff feels that they have "hit" on the freshmen they red shirted last year.

Just awful basketball. This program will never go anywhere under the current staff.

From watching the video on him, I think this is UND's next great inside linebacker if he commits. Great instincts and the patience to read plays before attacking. Has offers from Maine and Buffalo.

OK how about this. They are just as good next year and UND still beats them because we have passed them and everyone else in the Big Sky.

Cox will return from injury as well. He started the first few games at RT this year before getting hurt.I think next year it looks like this: LT: Stockwell is a lock to start. I thought he had a good year, especially in pass protection which is vital from this spot. If he is healthy, he will be on the all-conference team next year. LG: Bell returns but I think he had a very average season. It's possible someone beats him out here (Aplin? Tobin?) C: I think Rooney is the future here. He looked very good in the short time he played before getting hurt. Aplin started at the end of the year as well and did a decent job. One of them will win the job. RG: Taylor is a lock. He improved immensely from about week three on. First team all-conference next year. RT: This is up in the air. Cox was the starter before getting hurt but I thought he was just average. Blair did a nice job after Stockwell went down considering how undersized he is. I like his footwork and desire. If he can add 25 pounds and maintain his footwork he might be the LT of the future. If Mortel is as good as advertised then maybe he is in play here.

I think you are significantly overvaluing some of these teams. SUU will be under .500 next year. They lose their only productive players at running back and receiver and they were also hit hard by graduation on a defense that allowed 455 yards per game. UND beat them by 22 this year and will pound them next year. Warren is going to take this program on a downward trend. EWU loses five first team all-conference players, including those three star receivers. They can't run the ball or stop the run so unless they have three more receivers that are All-America caliber they will fall off next year. Baldwin is also the front runner to get the Nevada job so they are likely to have a new coach as well. It is tough to win in Missoula but Stitt has them going in the wrong direction. Soft football team that plays a soft style.

With the way Mercer has come on he should be the #1 receiver next year. He doesn't have elite speed like Georges though. If Georges doesn't come back or they can't find another guy like him then the coaches need to get more creative with how they use Santiago. Need to get him in the slot more and much more involved in the passing game. 15 carries and 3-4 receptions a game in addition to kick returning duties seems about right. He needs more opportunities in space instead of trying to pound him against nine man fronts. Also, Cloyd could become a huge weapon in the middle of the field and play action. I hear his hands are fantastic.

I have been as critical as anyone of Bubba and staff, but I won't do so in this instance. Some things could have been done differently on Saturday for sure, but all in all these guys did a tremendous job all year of masking deficiencies, overcoming some key injuries and making in game adjustments. What I saw on Saturday was this: - True freshman receiver drops a couple of balls he should have caught. - True freshman tight end run a route a half yard short of the first down. - A true freshman DB who started the season as a backup getting picked on. - A freshman defensive lineman getting a little overzealous and committing the huge roughing the punter penalty. - A freshman right tackle who is about 25 pounds underweight battling his a** off out there despite being a physical mismatch. In no way am I blaming the loss on the play of these freshmen. Many of them played way beyond expectations all year long. I only point this out as way to show just how young this team is. A few kids that were in high school eight months ago were called upon to make big plays in a high stakes college football game and they came up a little short. This was a painful experience for the team just as not making it last year was. But I think this will increase the resolve going forward and with the leadership of Bubba and staff special things are on the way in the next few years. In fact, I think UND wins the 2017 FCS National Championship.

17-7 at the half. Other than the one big coverage mistake, a good half of football.

Looks like a good sized crowd. Any estimates?

Big kick.