Teeder11

Sic is right. Never is a long time. I will support UND no matter what the name will be.

It is funny, though, that UND (even after the UND-NDSU confusion was presumably ironed out among voters ) was being ranked in the low 20s in the poll. And now, with a stronger team -- at least on paper-- UND has fallen off the radar. Lends credence to the theory that these poll mean nothing in the pre-season.

It might be more plausible to expect an announcement in late April/early May -- before graduation-- and after the 2013 legislative session has adjourned.

Oh, I truly believe the IPF money is there. What's holding things up is that UND and the donor(s) have a dilemma on their hands as far as how to give the University the money and ensure that it goes to its intended purpose and not be forced to use it for other academic and infrastructure needs that UND is asking the Legislature to fund. The dilemma, in short, is: how do you ask the state to pony up for important things like a new medical school, etc., when you are getting big donations from donors for recreational needs like athletics? The short-sighted, anti-higher ed lawmakers, especially the ones out west in Tioga, Watford City, Hazen and the like, will have a hard time loosening up their purse strings if there is an appearance that UND is getting millions in donations for "mere athletics." They would say "Why not use the donations for athletics to move other money around (legally) to fund some of these other projects internally instead of asking the state for more money? It's a PR perception thing that will be hard to overcome. I am sure there are other technical matters holding things up, but that's my slightly educated read on things.

I love our local guys in the media -- don't get me wrong -- but they sure don't seem to have the same fire or desire to get on top of recruiting committments like Izzo and Kolpack do. Those two seemingly are always abuzz on Twitter with new info on recruits. Maybe it's not a priority for the local media guys, but there sure seems to be a thirst for it.

Pretty good analysis here on the current situation in the Big Sky/WAC/MWC. A little on the longish side, but the writer is obviously knowledgable and passionate about the subject. I especially like the part in bold below!

Don't disagree. However, I think it's natural to have feelings of hope and enthusiasm going into each new season -- that's what makes it fun. That combined with last year's flashes of stellar play in the Southern Utah game, or taking FBS Fresno St. to the wire, or the dog fight against Cal Poly or the come-back against USD, as well as our returning strengths at DL, OL, K and RB, and new talent and improved prospects at QB, TE, WR and the secondary -- give fans reasons to believe. Hope springs eternal! Now let's just get it done on the field.

Per Mike Mannausau's tweet: New turf has arrived at the Alerus!

Wow.... just wow!

I like the moves that Midco is making of late. It reminds me of the old "MSC" (now FSN) back in its infancy. If Midco takes the same trajectory (albeit on a bit smaller scale, as we don't have a huge anchor market like the Twin Cities), it could be a very powerful media force in the Dakotas and whatever other markets it eventually conquers. It's huge that UND is becoming a major part of Midco so early. The upside and potential for growth is incredible. Right now the Midco empire spans a lot of North and South Dakota, except for an island that Cable One clings to in Fargo (but not West Fargo, which has Midco), various markets in western Minnesota and smatterings beyond. I think Midco is poised to conquer more ground, taking UND along for the ride!

I think we get too used to folks coming on here just to stir things up and get the hive buzzing that we lose sight that there are some opposing fans (in-conferene and otherwise) who want an honest, collegial debate. Lakes and the ilk do you know favors, as I am sure there are some in our camp who invade BV and Kolpack/Izzo's forum to sir the pot.

Let's leave Bison06 alone on this one. It was an honest oversight and it happens.

Frank White is the man!

Amen. Well put.

I liked Grand Forks 20 years ago and I like Grand Forks now and I imagine that I will still love it in 20 years. It's the perfect size for me. Not too big and not too small. It's got everything I could need and want. This whole idea that we have to keep growing to keep up with Fargo, Bismarck, Sioux Falls, etc. is misguided. A slow growth rate is a lot better than the growing pains that come with boom cycles and it's a lot better than the alternative of regression. I think some people have a hard time grasping that there are lots of us who love it here, and that we don't have any envy for others in the region who right now are "booming."

Stud!

I was about to ask the same thing? Is this where we start the p!$$ing contest by extrapolating imaginary win-loss comparisons for non-common opponents from higher divisions? Thanks, but no thanks; I'll just go beat my head against the wall. More productive.

The "Big West" -- sounds intriguing, to say the least!

Nothing new on Schobert, but stumbled across a couple of posts over on BadgerNation, one of them from someone who watched Joe play in H.S. and seems to vouch for his athleticism. The poster wonders if Bucky game him any PWO consideration or if that still might be in the offing. http://mbd.scout.com...=2561&t=9151372

Schobert and Javen Butler COULD be a hell of a safety tandem in a couple years.

Very interesting.... I like where you're going with that. He certainly sounds like he has the speed, and at 6-2, the height is much needed.

Even if Schobert slips through our fingers, I still love our LB corps of the future. Labat, Jared Tuilagi, J.D. Allen, Taj Rich -- all appear to be the real deal and underrated recruits, at least on the national scene. Now throw Schobert in there and LOOK OUT!

I plead ignorance here.... was Comes on any kind of a scholly -- partial or otherwise? Does that free up money to leverage more for Schoberg?

And Ryan Bartles... for some reason he's my sleeper for the future. Gotta hunch, that's it. Him and Mollberg should have some classic battles for starts. We shall see.

PCM again with another doozy!