It's really easy to say you can compete, but as said before, it is all talk. I can claim that I can beat Mike Tyson in a fight, but until I actually fight him nobody will ever know. I can proclaim that I can climb Mount Everest with one hand tied behind my back, but until I attempt it nobody will know. It's all conjecture.
UND has a severe case of Little Man's Syndrome at this point in time. Big Brother NDSU has left you behind and you feel the need to justify your position. That is understandable. Your administration needs to sack up and play NDSU. After the game you may be able to say, "I told you so!!" But I doubt it.
For every NDSU story (concerning the move to IAA), there is a polar opposite. There are plenty of D2 teams that have moved into IAA and have had no success in many years of playing IAA ball. Texas State is a good example. They won a D2 championship in the mid 80's and moved to IAA. 2005 was their first trip to the IAA playoffs. It was nearly 20 years of hardship for them.
I am a fan of Montana State (and IA Tulsa, where I attend school now) and have been reading this board and the NDSU board for a couple of months. The NDSU/UND rivalry intrigues me because it is very similar to what MSU and UM have. If Montana were to move to Division IA I would feel awful because my Bobcats were left behind, probably the same way that Sioux fans feel.
Finally, there is a difference between the two levels. If there wasn't there would be no need for classifications. We have nearly 30 more scholarships to give, and can have 85 guys on some sort of assistance. You may be able to compete on any given saturday, but a full schedule would take its toll on your depth. I-AA would love to have UND. Make the move!
