Matt

Had they simply been suspended for Robert Morris for a vague "violation of team rules" this would be a minor issue today. Instead, another well deserved week of discussion on KFGO about why these guys shouldn't be playing on Saturday.

That was my first thought as well, until I looked at the numbers and saw other conferences have multiple teams in the top 20 in both the total/scoring O and the total/scoring D categories. It appears possible for a conference to have teams play both good offense and defense.

Coach's Poll October 1, 2012 Team (No. 1 Votes) 2012 Record Points Previous Ranking 1. North Dakota State (26) 4-0 650 1 2. Montana State 5-0 616 2 3. Youngstown State 4-0 597 3 4. Old Dominion 5-0 578 4 5. Wofford 4-0 534 5 6. James Madison 3-1 506 6 7. Eastern Washington 3-1 486 7 8. Georgia Southern 3-1 450 9 9. Sam Houston State 2-2 415 10 10. Lehigh 5-0 406 11 11. Illinois State 5-0 396 12 12. Towson 2-2 315 13 13. Stony Brook 4-1 309 18 14. Appalachian State 3-2 294 16 15. Delaware 4-1 278 8 16. Eastern Kentucky 4-1 241 19 17. New Hampshire 3-2 227 22 18. McNeese State 4-1 198 21 19. Cal Poly 4-0 167 23 20. Central Arkansas 3-2 121 14 21. Northern Arizona 4-1 117 NR 22. The Citadel 3-2 114 15 23. Harvard 3-0 108 24 24. Tennessee State 5-0 82 NR 25. Northern Iowa 1-4 60 17 Others Receiving Votes: Albany (59), Montana (35), Alabama A&M (20), South Dakota State (18), Jacksonville State (12), Indiana State (10), Stephen F. Austin (9), Samford (7), North Dakota (7), Eastern Illinois (5), Villanova (3) http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/FCS/polls/2012/2012_FCS_Coaches_Poll/index.html

What is it about entry into the Big Sky that makes defense become inept? The BSC has only 1 team in each of the top 20 in both scoring defense (Poly #18) and total defense (MSU #18).

The Sports Network FCS Top 25 College Football Poll Team (First-place votes) 2012 Record Points Previous Rank 1. North Dakota State Bison (156) 4-0 4204 1 2. Montana State Bobcats (6) 5-0 3974 2 3. Youngstown State Penguins (7) 4-0 3857 3 4. Old Dominion Monarchs 5-0 3691 4 5. James Madison Dukes 3-1 3380 5 6. Wofford Terriers 4-0 3321 6 7. Eastern Washington Eagles 3-1 3157 7 8. Georgia Southern Eagles 3-1 2663 10 9. Illinois State Redbirds 5-0 2602 13 9. Sam Houston State Bearkats 2-2 2602 9 11. Lehigh Mountain Hawks 5-0 2120 15 12. Towson Tigers 2-2 2076 12 13. Stony Brook Seawolves 4-1 2036 18 14. New Hampshire Wildcats 3-2 1847 20 15. Appalachian State Mountaineers 3-2 1789 17 16. Delaware Blue Hens 4-1 1697 8 17. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 4-1 1479 19 18. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 4-1 1234 22 19. The Citadel Bulldogs 3-2 1192 11 20. Cal Poly Mustangs 4-0 1172 23 21. McNeese State Cowboys 4-1 723 24 22. Northern Iowa Panthers 1-4 691 14 23. South Dakota State Jackrabbits 4-1 618 25 24. Central Arkansas Bears 3-2 602 16 25. Harvard Crimson 3-0 426 NR Others receiving votes: Tennessee State 400, Albany 266, Montana 261, Stephen F. Austin 119, Samford 119, Alabama A&M 114, Villanova 102, Indiana State 67, North Dakota 56, Richmond 47, Jacksonville State 32, Eastern Illinois 27, Bethune-Cookman 25, UT Martin 25, Sacramento State 23, Chattanooga 22, Tennessee Tech 19, Howard 13, Southern Utah 8, Jacksonville 8, Southeastern Louisiana 6, Duquesne 5, Brown 4, Lafayette 2, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1, South Dakota 1. http://www.sportsnet...oot225poll.aspx

After the Poly loss, I wish there were a home game this week rather than being an underdog on the road. It's nice to have homecoming to boost attendance after what may be a 2 game skid. Anyone have usual homecoming attendance stats?

The most disappointing thing about this defensive performance is that you know exactly what is coming and you can't stop it. What did they have, five pass attempts?

First, Zach Zenner, the bunnies STARTING RUNNINGBACK, leads the nation in rushing with 895 yards on 107 carries. In their home game vs the bunnies, Shakir Bell, the #2 rusher in the nation, rushed for 54 yards on 18 carries. Zach Zenner, the bunnies STARTING RUNNINGBACK, rushed for 239 yards on 29 carries. Reggie Gandy, the bunnies BACKUP RUNNINGBACK (Stieg himself referred to him as a backup on his coach's show), rushed for 58 yards on 10 carries. Hence, the bunnies BACKUP RUNNINGBACK outrushed Bell, on the road. Please, tell me again who is the moron?

Doesn't Indiana State have to actually accomplish something before you reference them as a "playoff caliber team"? They just lost at home to the bunnies in a game where Bell was out rushed by the bunnies' backup running back. Yes, very impressive indeed. Then again, the bunnies did beat a Big Sky team. Maybe that makes them "playoff caliber".

I wonder if this year's UNI team would be described that same way if they finish with 4 losses.

Fair point. Let's examine that- Key Stat of the Day: 3rd Down Conversions Poly Offense-National Rank- #8-3rd downs converted-26 of 53=49.06% Poly Defense-National Rank- #40-3rd down conversions allowed-15 of 44=34.09% UND Offense-National Rank-#64-3rd downs converted-16 of 43=37.21% UND Defense-National Rank- #35-3rd down conversions allowed-17 of 51=33.33% The Poly offense is among the best in the nation in converting 3rd downs, and they are 2 of 2 on 4th down this year. The UND defense is average on 3rd down. I think UND will win this game because of the strength of the offense. Not because the defense will show us something they haven't before. That said, the UND defense needs to do what it normally does-allows opponents a 33% 3rd down conversion. If Poly converts at their normal avg of 49%, I don't think the UND offense will have enough possessions to win. Long story short-the defense just has to be as good as they usually are...just not worse.

Key Stat of the Day: Protecting/Pressuring the QB. Neither team is particularly effective. UND Offense- Sacks Allowed-National Rank #80-4 games-10 sacks-2.5 sacks/game-41 yds lost Poly Defense-Sacks-National Rank #87-3 games-3 sacks-1 sack/game-11 yds lost One of these teams needs to step up and control this aspect of the game. If Poly can't pressure the QB, they will not win this game. IMHO.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

The coach in me says I have to rely on what I've seen over the course of a few games as representative of where the unit is at vs what I saw in one half of football. Stretch that performance over the next 2 games and I'll be ready to say this defensive unit has turned a corner. Until then, the eye in the sky don't lie.

This isn't the 2001 sioux defense. This defense gives up just under 200 yards rushing per game with an average of 5.6 yards per rush. I think they can pull out a win, but wouldn't the most UN-likely scenario be for the defense shutting down Poly's running game?

Officially, Poly leads the BSC in total defense and pass efficiency defense. UND is #3 nationally (1st BSC) in total offense; is #3 in the nation in scoring offense (1st BSC), and #1 nationally in passing efficiency. On the flip side, Poly leads the BSC in Rushing Offense, and for obvious reasons, sacks allowed. The UND defensive numbers are downright offensive so there's no use posting them.

While certainly not perfect, I'll take this over the d2 regional format every time.

Boy, if Northern Arizona was ever gonna make a run it is this year. Even if they lose at UND, they don't play MSU or EWU. Then the next toughest opponents-SUU and Poly-are both at home. If they win the conference, that could mean a good Big Sky team may sit home for the playoffs.

I don't have a specific time, usually before lunch-that's why I thought those were the new polls, along with the updated records.

My bad guys-I saw the records changed and there wasn't a time/date stamp. I deleted them to avoid confusion.

I understand neither the und fans' chiding of a national champion, nor the ndsu fans' defensiveness about it.

Considering Bohl's teams have won at MSU and UM, one of those a road playoff win, yes, I'm sure they understand the difference.

Good God, can we stop chiding the defending national champion about who they play? That's a loser's lament.

Having a waiting list for tickets helps.

Not well post Joe Glenn.