johnnyroyale

Go Bison! Gotta root for the home-state boys on this one. Even a Sioux fan should be pulling for the NDSU boys today. It's great exposure for the entire state, including UND. If the Bison win, imagine how ESPN will have it plastered all over saying "weren't these the same guys that beat Wisconsin in BB last year? WTF?!?!". It's gonna be great no matter what happens. Maybe the Sioux will be able to get a FB game with the Gophs in the upcoming years??? The $300,000 this year and $350,000 next year certainly won't hurt the Bison athletic program, win or lose. It's a great day to be a North Dakotan.

I forgot to add that I highly doubt that USD can make a successful transition into DI. They are barely scraping by (financially) in DII. Yes, they're competitive, but a lot of that has to do with a watered-down NCC. Now before everybody jumps my case, let's be frank with ourselves here. Do not tell me for one minute that the loss of UNC, NDSU and SDSU did not adversely affect the landscape of the NCC. Would USD and UNO and Augustana be competing for conference championships if those 3 schools were still in the mix? Doubtful. Augi? If they go non-scholly in FB and funnel the money towards BB, still unlikely. UNO? Now, there's a whole new set of problems they have down in Omaha. After a well needed house cleaning, I still don't see UNO making it in DI. Not if the NE board of regents get their way (which they always do down there). UND is the only school left in the upper Midwest that any semblance of making it in DI, IMO. And there is a lot of work to be done to accomplish that.

Of course Buning and Kupchella haven't alluded to future conference membership. After witnessing NDSU & SDSU's struggles, it underscores the obvious. See, NDSU and SDSU blazed the great unknown trail that UND, USD, AUGI(?) and UNO (?) now aspire to. Do you see where I'm going here? I remember the press conference where Gene Taylor was quoted as saying "......if we aren't in a conference, most likely the Big Sky, within a year, I should be fired". You see, at the time, nobody knew how tough it actually was in a DI transition. NDSU and Taylor took things for granted that should not have been taken for granted. Lesson learned. Buning is not a stupid man. Kupchella, well, the jury's still out on that one. I digress. UND can learn a lot from NDSU and SDSU in their own DI transition. Really, if you think about it, UND has an advantage in the whole process. They have been made aware of the pitfalls and idiosyncracies involved. They should take advantage of that. I believe UND can make a successful transition but the question remains involving conference membership. UND will be welcomed with open arms into the Great West Football Conference, no doubt. Mid-Con for the remaining sports, I don't know. Gateway? Highly unlikely. Big Sky? I wouldn't hold my breath. Doug Fullerton would be one of the best used car salesmen the world has ever seen. He should run for Senator. My personal opinion is that UND missed the boat by about 4 yrs, and extending the "exploratory year" another 2 yrs doesn't help matters. But, stranger things have happened and with the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics nothing in the next 3-4 or even 10 yrs would surprise me.

I hope you're joking. I was at the Northeastern/NDSU game and I'll tell you what--that NE team was no joke. They held Virginia Tech to 110 yds rushing. Virginia Tech. Northeastern is going to win plenty of games this year. After UND's victory at Northern Iowa, I have no doubt that they'd be COMPETITIVE in the Top 25 of I-AA. Do I think they'd be a Top 25 team in I-AA? I'm still debating that. I do know, however, that they could compete in I-AA. Let's just see how well Northern Iowa does the rest of the year. If you think that I-AA is such a joke then have your 'Yotes schedule some of those I-AA teams. And I'm not talking Valparaiso or Drake. I'm talking Montana, Georgia Southern, Youngstown State, Appalachian State, Cal Poly, UC Davis, and NDSU. See how USD does with THAT schedule and then come talk your smack. Until your school moves up and DOES SOMETHING, sit back down and shut up. My 2 cents.........

Not a problem. Everybody knows that the Big Sky passed up NDSU/SDSU because they were waiting for UND the whole time.

I would say that quite a few Bison fans will be tuning into this game. Bison have an off week and don't have much else to pay attention to this wknd besides some I-AA vs I-A matchups. With UND's impending move to I-AA, Bison fans will be naturally curious as to how UND stacks up, or doesn't stack up in the upper division. Just as I'm sure UND does. Let's face it, this is an exciting and telling day for Sioux athletics and many people look forward to today's game, including Bison fans.

Besides the Sioux Sports Network, is this game going to be televised anywhere in ND? Does DirecTV or Dish Network or CableOne have this game on some obscure channel at any bar(s) in Fargo? Any info is appreciated because I really don't want to settle for listening on the radio and will not do an internet feed. Thnx!

The first 2 or 3 years, UND will find all about how difficult the DI process really is. SCHEDULING. UND, if invited, will most assuredly accept a GWFC invite on the spot. That in and of itself does not take care of the rest of their sports. Deja Vu ala NDSU. The transition was a beeyotch but NDSU has made it. So can UND, if they keep their ego in check and remain realistic. The Great West, although low on members, is one hell of a football conference. That much has already been proven. If you disagree, then go out to Cal-Poly or go to Fargo and do not be surprised to see your team get schooled by 35 points, give or take 10. Oh, and don't forget about UC Davis, another very capable team. I am not a prognosticator but with the recent expansion of the Mid-Con and the Big Sky's nose in the air, the future conference affiliation for UND does not bode well. Of course, things can change but UND needs a severe does of reality and, in the next couple of years, I believe they will get just that. Welcome to DI, sioux fans. This is how things work up here. Best of luck.

Sounds like Fargo. GO BISON!! Putting thousands more in the stands since the DI move.

I have noticed that the talk of joining (or even being invited) the Big Sky has died down since the big "meetings" on the 23rd. Given the SU's latest round of rejections, how does UND feel about their chances at a BSC invite now? It has been made abundantly clear that without a DI declaration and sense of commitment, UND will not be considered for any DI conference invite. Buning probably knows and has accepted this. Has Kupchella? Have the alumni? Have the coaches? Have the posters here? If the Mid-Con invites the SU's to join this June, will that freeze UND out of any sort of conference affiliation for X amount of years? It is highly unlikely that the Sky will invite UND on a stand-alone basis. If the SU's go to the Mid-Con, UND is dead in the water. I personally like a 12 team Sky (6 team east/west or even morth/south division) but I don't see that happening. The BSC has proven themselves as talking both sides out of their collective mouths. The Mid-Con has cut to the chase. What now?

I have seen Buning on the local news promoting how he thinks it is good for UND to play a I-AA FB team every year, regardless of which division UND is in. That's fine and quite a different stance that Roger Thomas had. Note: I also am aware that DII has new rules in effect that do not "punish" a DII for playing (and even beating) a I-AA so that has to be considered. However, if UND goes down to Cedar Falls and upsets UNI I wonder how many will jump on a possible UND DI bandwagon. OTOH, if UND goes down to Cedar Falls and gets their collective asses handed to them I wonder if a DI fervor will die down and what Buning's response will be. I also wonder what Dale Lennon's response will be in the event of an ass-whupping, because right now he's on the record as pro-DI move. I think it is interesting that, since the Mid-Con has sent the SU's letters of inquiry, how the Big Sky is suddenly interested in the SU's again. Regardless, I don't think that will help UND's conference affiliation given their hesitation/non-commitmal stance on DI.

I heard that both NDSU and UNI wanted a 6th home game this year. Both agreed to a home & home but problems arose when neither team would travel first. After negotiations failed, NDSU took the game with Minnesota. I would agree that North Dakota is in a similar position as was NDSU with Montana in 2003. This game will be a terrific measuring stick for the Sioux to see how they stack up to a top I-AA program. I see several possibilities for this game: UND could pull the upset, UND could keep it close in a loss and come out with little or minimal injuries and be feeling good about themselves, or UND could go down to a hostile environment and get embarassed by a good team known for playing exceptionally well at home. It should be fun and I anticipate a lot of excitement for Sioux fans.

As an outsider, ny guess is that Lennon is getting restless. Sure, he kicks ass as a D2 coach, but if he has any career aspirations his time at UND is running short, contract or not. Face it, coaches dishonor contracts on a daily basis these days. It all boils down to who can/cannot afford said coach and who is willing to buy out such a contract. Wanless wanted him at Sac State a couple yrs back and the only reason Dale didn't take the offer is because Sac State has !@#!$ facilities and Z E R O commitment to the FB program. Dale was smart to stay at UND. Don't expect that to last forever. If UND doesn't go DI, Dale is gone within 2 yrs.

Sorry to hear that, Dave. You must lead one miserable life.

Congratulations to the Bison. I will definately be there for the game and let's hope they keep the score respectable. With the 2006 & 2007 Bison-Gopher games the NDSU athletic dept will be raking in excess of half a million dollars. Not to mention the exposure NDSU will be getting. DaveK, I realize you're a big UND fan but why would you wish the Gophs to run up the score on NDSU? Jealousy, perhaps? Remember, people said this when NDSU went to play Montana. They also said it this year when we went to play Wisconsin. Now I'm not naive enough to guarantee a NDSU victory over UM this year but that's why the games are played. It's "fans" like yourself who only want to compete in sports in which you think you hae a chance of winning (hockey, in DaveK's case) while not giving the rest of the programs a chance. It's that kind of thinking that has you mired in DII. Enjoy it. Remember, NDSU is still in transition and there's a very good chance the Gophs will indeed pummel them in FB. But hey, everybody has to start somewhere, right? Say what you will, I think NDSU should be commended for scheduling Minnesota. With yet another I-A (Ball State) this year as well, the rest of their schedule isn't too shabby either.

Anybody in the know as to why Rob left? Having been at UND for 28 yrs and being the huge Sioux (not to mention DI) proponent, the timing just seems weird. Does anybody know anything concrete?

My dad could beat up everybody's dad except for Joe Chapman. Big ears knows how to get down like no mo-fu out there

Right now, my money's on the Bison dads. Not to say that the Sioux dads aren't tough, they just don't know what fight they're in right now.

Exactly where I was going. For example, now that you all think I'm a bison homer, I will use them as an example... SDSU is ramping up their schollies, albeit not quite as fast as NDSU is. However, SDSU has played some big name I-AA teams tough. Montana and Georgia Southern come to mind. I think that UND could beat SDSU if UND played a great game. The reality is that SDSU would most likely beat UND 7 of 10 times. Do not fall into the trap that SDSU or NDSU are the same division 2 teams that you are used to. Things have changed and I think that you may be unpleasantly surprised if you played either right now. 1) ndsu has 25 more schollies and they've been building depth for 3 yrs now. Like it or not, it makes a difference. For example, Digger Anderson is a fantastic LB. The Bison's Joe Mays (#8) would knock him silly. Mays has 20 lbs on Digger and has a .3 faster 40 time. There's a difference there. Plus, NDSU has 2 more guys just like Joe waiting in the wings. 2) ndsu has new coaches, a new (big-time committed AD), and a fully-sown philosophy that they are in fact going to the next level, no half-assing here 3) the playoff-ineligibility window is closing and next season they are eligible. They also have Georgia outhern nd Montana State coming to the FargoDome next season. Attendance is up 3-4k over last year alone. Right now, UND cannot touch that. Yes, UND won 10 of 13 but if they played tomorrow I think UND would find out that it's more than resting on your laurels. Bison are a better program right now. Period. If NDSU won't play then why not go out and schedule Montana or Eastern Washington or Georgia Southern or App State? That would quickly tell you how deep (or shallow) the I-AA waters are.....why are you waiting?

I think UND could be competitive in I-AA but if they think he Great West is a pushover they are mistaken. I truly believe, right now, that Poly, Davis, SDSU, UNC and NDSU would beat UND in football right now. Some of them thoroughly. I think UND could probably beat Southern Utah consistently but would most lilely consider the first couple years a success if they went above .500 throughout the league overall.

I want to know the thoughts of the SiouxNation whether or not UND can dominate I-AA football and how long it will take before a NC comes to Grand Forks. Let the discussion begin.

First off, based upon budget projections, I don't think that this us UND's year to declare DI. It is simply not affordable. Want what you want, but reality is reality. Is it worth it to water down a powerhouse hockey program to go full DI in all sports just to try and compete with the Bison? I say stay in DII and know your role. UND has a much bigger chance of falling on their face than NDSU does right now. I just don't see it happening for at least a few years. By then, who will care about the Bison?

Really? I am new to this board (and NDSU's) and am also new to D2. I am giving you guys props--why would you think I'm a bison fan? I actually just got a job in Fargo after moving from Fayette, IA after graduating. I am a D2 fan who happens to be new to the NCC/NSIC and also curious about the NDSU bison. Geez.

Again, new to this board, but I am curious. I know that UND & NDSU recruit some of the same players but what do you guys think of NDSU recruiting some of the more nationwide urban areas (for "speed") while only showing passing interest in those athletes that UND is recruiting hard? I am new to the whole D2 thing but after visiting both yours and NDSU's boards I also think IAA is interesting but I don't know if I understand the whole IAA thing yet. For now I am a brand new D2 man and props to UND. How many rides or scholarships do you offer for football? My school currently offers 18 but we will soon be up to 23.

Why don't UND & NDSU just play each other to satisfy mutual curiosities? Just play. Find out who's best.