UND92,96

I would agree with your list. Although not necessarily top programs over an extended period of time, I'd also be interested in seeing any of the following on UND's non-conference schedule: Central Arkansas, Southern Arkansas, Central Missouri, Slippery Rock, Nebraska-Kearney, Chadron St., Tuskegee or Winona St. I am glad that Central Wash. is also apparently back on the schedule next season, as well.

I'd say this was roughly the equivalent of losing to Bemidji St. I don't know whether the talent level simply isn't as good as many of us thought, whether it just isn't being utilized properly, or whether there is some other problem. But there is absolutely no excuse for losing to a mediocre-at-best RMAC program like this. Other than Kearney and perhaps Chadron, that conference has traditionally been terrible, and judging by Mesa's first game of the year, they are not a playoff contender by any means. I still have a lot of faith in Dale Lennon, but I am extremely disappointed that the problems of last year evidently haven't been corrected.

Apparently. But 2 out of 11 Fargo Forum prognosticators are picking "David." link

This column was in today's Grand Junction (CO) newspaper: link

The new womens basketball roster has been posted on the UND athletics web page: link It looks like maybe Chelsea Hausauer reconsidered leaving the program as she's still listed on the roster. It's going to be a very young team but not unlike the mens team, there are a lot of talented newcomers. If a few of the new players can add some outside shooting, the Sioux could surprise some people.

I wonder what the odds really are that the SD legislature may ultimately put the kibosh on SDSU's proposed move? From a purely selfish perspective, it would be great for the NCC to remain at eight schools AND not have to find another new member...

Any word on whether Franklin is expected to be ready to go by the start of the season? Needless to say, his defense would certainly be a welcome addition. I already know what to expect from Austin, but I'm anxious to see what Nobles and Parks can do.

The new poll is out. UND is 19th, NDSU is 20th. link

Agreed. Plus, season tickets are just $80.00, which comes out to $13.33 per seat for a six-game home schedule. A pretty good buy IMO.

To the best of my knowledge, there was nothing in the local media regarding the guarantee. But I may have just missed it.

This is an excerpt from the UMC press release regarding Saturday's game: The Golden Eagles hurt themselves in a game that started out in their favor. Key penalties and turnovers turned out to be drive stoppers in a game that was closer than the 59-0 score would indicate. "Closer than the final score would indicate?" I really hope their SID was trying to be funny...

I've heard the same thing. I think UMD has built a pretty good program and they will be a nice addition to the NCC. But it will be interesting to see how they do when they're playing UND and UNO every year instead of just USD and Mankato. Up until now, the only really difficult regular season game they have in any given season has been against Winona. It's a whole other situation when you can be beaten on any given Saturday.

There have been a couple of other interesting I-AA vs. dII games in the last two years involving UND opponents. New Haven, who lost to UND 42-10 in 2001, beat Villavova that same year, who finished 8-3 and ranked 18th in the final I-AA poll. Also, Central Washington won last year at Montana State. Montana State went on to have a pretty good year, beating Montana, winning a share of the Big Sky title and making the playoffs. While I don't generally put much stock into score differential, it's also somewhat interesting to note that Central Washington's margin of victory over Montana State last year was almost identical to Washington State's (a ranked I-A team).

I wonder if maybe yesterday's NDSU game may have been the best thing that could have happened for those who really want the Sioux-Bison series to continue? Had NDSU gone to Missoula and laid an egg, it would have supported the theory that there's no way a 36-scholarship team can beat a 63-scholarship team, at least unless the I-AA program is really a mess. I think the odds are a lot better now than one week ago that we will see UND and NDSU play in 2004.

Thanks, tuk. I haven't read "wit" like that since the days of the infamous JBB. Something tells me the Sioux will actually show up on October 18. Who knows, we may even pull the "upset" of the century and win. Again.

A few thoughts from today's game: -Lueck could be a very exciting player. He certainly displayed some speed on his punt returns. The receiving corps in general appears to be very solid and deep, and Caleb Johnson didn't even play due to an injury (which isn't serious according to the radio guys). -the corners will need to play far better against a good passing team like St. Cloud. There were a few occasions where the receivers were pretty open, even though it rarely resulted in a completion of any significance. -the run defense should be very good again. Not that UMC is any kind of barometer, but I think the personnel is there. -I was surprised that several starting offensive linemen played virtually the entire game. It would seem that this would have been a perfect opportunity to let some of the freshman get some time, even if they're probably at least a year away from being meaningful contributors. -Lee Groeschl was a pretty impressive athlete, playing both wide receiver and returning some punts just a few weeks removed from being exclusively a quarterback. In addition to Groeschl, other freshman who had some good moments were Hoffschneider, Ullsperger, Babington-Johnson, Brennan, Greenwood, Strouth, Wolff, Schmitz and Ryan Manke. Hoffschneider actually started. -a decent crowd considering the opponent. But I really hope this is the last time we see UMC. Ever.

I very much doubt Montana will want to play another dII team, unless maybe it is Crookston. While I'm sure you're understandably sensitive to any attempt to minimize NDSU's win today, were you honestly impressed with Montana? Again, I only saw the second half, but Montana could do nothing right as far as I could see.

I've only seen the second half, but Montana looks god-awful to me. If that's really one of the best teams in I-AA, then we can't possibly get into I-AA fast enough.

According to Pat Sweeney on the sports last night, WDAY/WDAZ are televising it.

I apologize if we're straying somewhat off-topic here, but I have to ask why in the world NDSU would offer nearly six figures to bring in a 5-6 team (2002 record) like Edinboro? I believe that's the equivalent of giving the opponent the revenue of about the first 7,600 tickets sold. Considering I have to assume that the Fargodome gets a decent cut, that wouldn't seem to be leaving very much for NDSU.

I strongly disagree with Rich on this one. The difference between 10 and 13 scholarships isn't that big of a deal. In either case, all the meaningful contributors on the court will probably have a full-ride. I personally don't think the caliber of player NDSU recruits will noticeably change in basketball, and as I've stated before, dII schools actually have an advantage under current NCAA rules when it comes to recruiting some juco players, i.e. Jerome Beasley. This series would be quite competitive for the forseeable future. I think Rich is saying what he honestly thinks, but I also think he's wrong.

Just so there's no misunderstanding here, I don't pretend to speak for UND, just as I assume no Bison fan on this board would pretend to be representing NDSU in any sort of an official capacity. I am merely offering opinions and/or speculation. Would UND accept a game--most likely a home game--against a I-AA team if the guarantee wasn't too extreme? It's certainly possible. Has UND played a I-AA school since about 1985? No. Is this merely a coincidence? I don't know, but I'd guess not. I have no idea what Dale Lennon has said to anybody about division I as it pertains to UND, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if ultimately UND does end up in division I. I would personally prefer to wait to see if the NCAA makes any drastic changes within the next few years regarding the various divisions and their respective requirements. Regarding scheduling, I have no standing to say anything since I have nothing to do with it. I would like to see UND play a better non-conference schedule, but I think the entire issue is extremely overblown. Regardless, it's hard to argue with the results. UND has been in the playoffs as much or more than anybody in the NCC during the past decade.

I am very interested to see how the running back position will pan out. Adam Roland is now the starter, and you have to be happy for a guy who has had to change back and forth between defensive back and running back several times. He's obviously a real "team" guy. He was an outstanding back at Wahpeton High School. Brandon Strouth has also apparently been very impressive. I am also interested to see how Babington-Johnson can do in a real game. He's got great speed and can really get to the quarterback.

I'm not exactly the biggest Herald fan in the world, but in the interest of fairness, Kolpack didn't seem to ask many, if any of your questions either, did he?: Forum link There are many who have complained that the Forum is little more than an NDSU cheerleader. Just ask an MSU-Moorhead or Concordia fan. I realize you can't speak for all Bison fans, but why do you personally want to see the series continue in football?

I'm puzzled at exactly what Roger said to make you come to this conclusion. I know he didn't say anything of the sort in the Herald article. UND hasn't played a I-AA opponent in 15 to 20 years, so if UND doesn't play NDSU after this year it's not like this is somehow a 180 degree change in scheduling philosophy. Northern Iowa hasn't been on the schedule since it left the NCC in 1978, UNC probably won't be on the schedule again anytime soon, nor would I expect to see SDSU after this year. I don't see any compelling reason why NDSU's move from dII should be the impetus to change this practice of not scheduling I-AA opponents.