Gothmog

In your opinion.

You know, sometimes things that seem to be obvious turn out to be completely wrong if we just take a step away from them. It is not obvious, at least not to a thinking person, that virulent sports rivalries benefit anyone. All I'm suggesting is that fans of both schools step away from the rivalry for a period of time. Perhaps we'll find that it's not as important as we once thought.

Some Bison fans, and some Sioux fans, really don't want to see this game happen. Both schools will do just fine on their own. I would argue that they will both do better without the burden of this malignant rivalry. Why is this so hard for you to understand?

Well, I think you'll be disappointed, but time will tell.

I understand why you are so tenacious on this point - it greatly reduces the chance of NDSU ever scheduling a home and home series with UND. But it is true, NDSU will, whenever it can, be scheduling two FBS teams. Even after they are playoff eligible. What you seem to be unable to understand is that they plan on WINNING at least one of those games each year. Thus, scheduling two will not hurt their playoff chances.

Again, Gene Taylor has said that ideally NDSU would have two FBS teams on its schedule not one, and has proceeded to schedule that way. Denying objective reality only undermines your own credibility.

Well, you may have to wait longer than that. Provided NDSU is in the Gateway, of course.

No, this is not a rumor. It was announced on WDAY TV tonight. The game is on Sept. 22 and NDSU gets $200,000. It's worth noting that Central Michigan won both the MAC championship and the Motor City Bowl last year. Another quality opponent for the Bison. Do you need any more proof that NDSU wants 2 FBS games per year more than it wants a game with UND?

The all-knowing MplsBison has spoken.

First, I have been quite clear in stating my opinion that UND will do well in Division I. I hope, and believe, that NDSU will do better. But I have no crystal ball. As far as NDSU being in a position to demand what it wants of UND. It's just basic supply and demand. NDSU doesn't want or need the game, UND does. They'll have to pay for it.

Losing to UND certainly would be different than losing to an FBS or an FCS team. No doubt NDSU considers the probablilty and consequences of a loss when making any scheduling decision, as does UND. But that's just not the same thing as being chickensh!ts for not scheduling a team. NDSU is not scared of anybody. Their record of seeking quality opponents proves that.

Well, my understanding is that he did indeed say exactly that. However, I'm getting that second hand, so I could be wrong. In any case, there clearly is a substantial group of Bison fans who are against scheduling UND. Denying objective reality only destroys your own credibility.

Hmm, afraid they'll lose, eh? Let's see, last year when NDSU needed to fill out the last game on its schedule, rather than schedule UND, which also had an open date, they scheduled a Big Ten team. This year who was the first team NDSU tried to schedule when Montana State canceled its scheduled game at the FargoDome? That would be Appalachian State the 2-time defending DIAA champions. What other possiblities are there instead of UND this year? Well, one is WAC and D1 FBS member the University of Nevada. Yeah, you're right NDSU is obviously terrified of losing to a DII team.

And so it goes.

Ask a silly question...

Mpls, you are so deep in denial it's stunning. Gene Taylor himself said that 50% of NDSU fans are against scheduling UND. I think he's a bit closer to the situation than anyone on this board.

No, Only Eddie and Buning were there to discuss NDSU playing UND, Gene Taylor was there to discuss NDSU NOT playing UND.

I never said that. UND certainly can, and I think will, do just fine without playing SU.

It's not a matter of "deserving" it. If NDSU is accepted into the Gateway, and if they decide to schedule UND, which I think is unlikely, they will not come to Alerus until UND has completed its transition simply because they are in a position to demand that. If UND doesn't like it, too bad!

You're wrong. NDSU has expressed a desire to schedule one BCS level "pay day" guarantee game , and one mid-level FBS team (see Ball State) per year. Assuming an 11 game schedule, that leaves only one game available for a OOC FCS opponent. Selling out the FargoDome against the Sioux once every other year will not be a major factor in the decision. As I see it, you're letting your desire to see this game happen get in the way. A yearly renewal of the rivalry is not nearly as likely as you claim.

There's zero chance of a home and home in 2009.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. I think you're dead wrong, but that's just my opinion. If NDSU gets in the Gateway that will leave only 3 available dates in an 11 game season. Given NDSU's expressed desire to schedule 2 FBS teams a year, do you really think that they will forgo scheduling any other OOC games vs FCS opponents by signing a home and home deal with the Sioux? I'd say no, NDSU will still want to be able to schedule UC-Davis, GA Southern, App State and other quality FCS opponents. A home and home series with UND really makes that difficult.

So, you wouldn't consider a year in which NDSU finished 10-1 in football, earned a victory over a D-1A program, dominated a Big Ten team in football, defeated the #8 team in the nation in men's basketball, earned a conference football championship, set an all-time attendance record, swept their most important rival in both football and men's basketball, won a conference championship in football, and finished the season ranked #5 in the final D1AA football polls to be "walking the walk." Nice try, but NDSU has moved on. Perhaps you should too.

It really wasn't UND's refusal to schedule NDSU that ticked Bison fans off. It was the way that they did it. Calling a press conference to disparage NDSU, IAA football, and generally behave like complete jackasses. If UND had simply said something like "We wish NDSU luck in their DI effort, but we do not believe that the time is right for us to make that move. We would love to continue the on field rivalry, however it is no longer possible because of the difference in scholarship levels and concerns we have regarding potential playoff implications" the damage to the two schools relationship likely would never have occurred, and we would probably be taking about a Sept. 1 game. UND has only itself to blame for the present unpleasantness regarding scheduling.

It's very difficult to follow your post, but you seem to be saying that: 1) NDSU's dislike for UND is caused by jealousy over UND's Law and Med schools. 2) NDSU is obliged to schedule UND because Grand Forks is physically close to Fargo, and some Fargo people, including NDSU fans (God forbid!), are actually making money in Grand Forks. 3) Those who do not favor a resumption of the rivalry are just afraid of losing. 4) Those who believe that there is presently an unacceptable level of animosity between the two schools are behaving like children. You call that the "high road?"