Matt

This is exactly correct. When giving up 400 total yards or more is commonplace, you've got problems.

I don't disagree the defense was improved over last year. However, the defense was historically bad last year. And, if you were just looking at those stats without a name at the top, you would say to yourself "this is a sh**ty defense. The stats are clear that while there's been improvement, it is marginal. Particularly against the backdrop of last year. The bar was set so ridiculously low, there should be far great improvements in those numbers than what we've seen. And listening to the coaches, you would think they just arrived on campus and they're now having to deal with someone else's recruits when the fact is they hand picked them.

They should start doing that at the Al during televised games on the camera facing side to give the illusion the place is full. What the camera shows during those televised games is embarrassing.

This, if true, is frightening. Not because the prospect of Muss staying is frightening, but because there appears to be influential people that think firing Muss would set the program back...as though there is anywhere lower left to fall...that the program-to them-hasn't hit rock bottom already.

Arm strength is the most over rated measurable of a QB IMHO. Can't begin to count the number of failed NFL QBs that could throw it on a rope a country mile. Arm strength is less important than your read. If you find your are underthrowing the deep ball, don't hold it so long. You release it more quickly, the receiver runs under it. If his speedy receivers are getting too far out in front of him on a 7 step, that's the adjustment he needs to make. *disclaimer: this advice was not my idea. its been coached that way a long time.

The backlash against it has been silly. Holding a sign like that is nothing more than a form of protest. An attempt to show the public the protester feels something is amiss and is an attempt to draw more publicity to it. I don't have a problem with such action. I suspect those lashing out against it would simply rather not have any additional public embarrassment than the team already has. And make no mistake, it is a public embarrassment for the fanbase to bring signs asking for the coach to be fired.

I agree. Really liked his decisions. However, Joe admittedly looks far worse because we've seen so much more of his performances on film. I'd like to see Bartels start from here out and get a better sample size.

I agree and I'll take it a step further. I don't blame anyone for refusing to spend their dollars watching this awful product, and I'll defend those folks against those self anointed police of who/what constitutes a "real fan".

Which reminds me. Until this team can run the ball, stop the run, or protect the QB, have any of the lineman really earned a nickname?

You make good points. I'd say the takeaway is that the UND job may or may not be attractive for Lennon to come back to, but whether or not he is likely to accept it shouldn't preclude Faison from knocking on Lennon's door.

I haven't even read a herald article which so much as speculates on Muss' future. They've even stopped sending Miller to a big road game. Even on this site, its the same small handful of people. The apathy has officially set in.

While I'm happy for the numbers Kenny put up today, that was yet another embarrassment in a long line of embarrassments. Don't let the final score fool anyone, this was a 41-14 game with under 5 min to play. Yuck. While i cant imagine a potential recruit watched this game into the 4th, I'm sorry to anyone that saw this.

I'm fine with joe if he can just learn to eat the ball rather than throwing it up for grabs. Punting the ball can be an effective football play. Turnovers are not.

I'll admit it. I am really not looking forward to this game being broadcast to key recruiting areas. Even setting aside the remote possibility UND pulls it out, there's still the dismal stats (won't bother listing everything) and references to the state of the program within the big sky being put out there for all to see. At least in last year's losing season (sad we must now differentiate between losing seasons with this program) there was something prolific and entertaining about the team. I don't think a larger TV audience helps the cause yet. Please Muss and Co, when this is over, make yourself proud that your product was broadcast.

Isn't the ac off this week?

DL isn't a high level of MN football, so Grafton must not get much of a look at all.

You may be right. His mistakes are related to bad decision making and fundamentals more than ability. Working and learning in practice would certainly be less of a liability for this team than what those mistakes have been costing his team on the field.

Oh, it will do something...I'm with you there...it's not a win and it won't do something good.

Great point. Except for Hansen. Quitting and transferring was absolutely the answer to his adversity.

The best part is your safety leads the team in tackles? When that is the "best part" you are coming from a dark place.

D. being that conference opponent where: -opposing coaches say "we aren't worried about them, we just have to focus on us" -teams look forward to playing you so they can "right the ship" -there is no home field advantage, you can hear people's conversation on the other side of the field. -you look at home schedule of other sports, like hockey, to determine when you bring in recruits, even if the football team is on the road.

i would be surprised if the staff thought he was a likely commit.

hes a jr Also, Greg Menard a 6'3 225 DE from Lakeville N commits to the ac. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/192604/gregory-menard

While this is certainly true, Joe hasn't yet gotten over bad decisions (I swear, based on those throws he still has it in his head he is playing some small town MN team). If there is one decision making process he should have figured out by now it is that forcing a ball under pressure (and by that I mean forcing it into coverage, with a pass rush, or forcing a throw when your feet aren't set) is likely to result in a turnover and that is the worst possible of all the outcomes. a) step up in the pocket or roll out b) tuck and run c) take the sack d) throw it away All better outcomes than a forced throw. Punting the ball is fine. That by itself won't necessarily lose you the game. Turnovers, nearly every time, will.

This game will be significantly more lopsided on the stat sheet than the scoreboard because PSU is very nearly as bad as UND in the turnovers. Difference being for them, it is a bad fumble problem. So, they will drive the field pretty much at will but they will give, I think-3 possessions-away with fumbles. That will keep the score from getting too far out of hand. Lucky for PSU, UND isn't nearly good enough to take a game that the opponent wishes to hand them. PSU rushes for over 200 yards and piles up at least 400 yards total. 27-13 PSU