BisonMav

If the move to I-AA is the reason the rivalry is ending, I am fine with that. I would much rather see a NDSU Divison I program than continue the rivalry. That's my spin.

I am sure there are some cupcakes in I-AA too. St Marys, a possible member of the new I-AA Western Conference that is being talked about, is having trouble being competitive with anyone this year.

I don't see anything wrong with a school having a NCAA classified non-major sport in Divison I, and the rest of the sports programs in a different level, ie DII or DIII. I was saying, I don't like a I-AA NDSU playing a DII UND. If NDSU moved back to DII or UND moved to I-AA, then they should renew the rivalry. IAA NDSU vs I-AA UND or DII NDSU vs DII UND. If NDSU played a Big 10, Big 12 type team, it would be an away game. Divison IA teams usually pay I-AA schools for these games. Between $100,000 and $300,000, and I have heard higher. There are plenty of I-AA teams to play to fill a non-conference schedule, and the Bison would be competitive with them. It also will take the Bison 3-4 years to become eligible to play a I-A team.

The two schools should just end the rivalry. As a Bison fan, I would not feel great satisfaction about a I-AA NDSU defeating a DII team, whoever that may be. I would much rather watch a Georgia Southern, UC-Davis or Montana.

I agree. I also think the rivalry should end until NDSU comes back to DII or UND move to I-AA.

I don't really care who's fault it is. I am just glad the Bison are moving to I-AA, and Divison I in all other sports. The two schools should only play if they are both Divison II or both I-AA.

Congrats to UND! I had to work, so I am catching up on the game through the messageboards. The Crow went down rather roughly. Almost as bad as the siouxrock investation on Bisonville. UND92,96 must have sent his plays to the UND coaches. Will there be a Bison vs UND II in the playoffs? Possible, depends on if the Bison can rebound from the loss.

No assumption, just saying they are well prepared. And as a fan my biased prediction was for the Bison to win 24-7. If I knew who was going to win, I would head for Vegas.

It will be a challenge, but I am all for NDSU taking on the challenge. The NSIC used to be NAIA. They can compete with NCC teams on an individual basis. Crookston can beat UND or NDSU on a given day, but can they survive the NCC season. Northern State could have made a run a few years ago. Maybe SW State when they were good. I don't think over a NCC season the NSIC teams would fare as well as current NCC members across all sports. It's more pride in the NCC than arrogance.

We may not see the full impact on the non-football sports for 10-20 years. The first few years will be challenging. But in 20 years the Bison could make a Gonzaga type run in the NCAA's. That would be big. The women's team will probably be the first to make a run like that, maybe even in Amy Ruley's tenure. I think volleyball and softball we be fine also. The first step though is to become Division I eligible in each sport. That will take a few years. Next, getting into a conference will allow planning for travel for the minor sports such as track and golf. NDSU won't be a Big 10, Big 12 type of school, but maybe a Northern Iowa, or Montana type of school which is where the Bison belong. The Bison do not belong with the Minnesota State-Moorhead's and Crookston's. The coaches that I have talked with, have said it is easier to recruit with the Division I label. The Twin Cities has many Division I athletes, and some like the chance to play Division I and still be close to home. The Division I label is a big deal to possible recruits. The recruiting area will also grow, as they did this year. As far as NDSU raising ticket prices. I think they should wait until the dome starts filling up for most games to make a dramatic change. A buck or two would be fine for now. Also you have to pay fees to the Teammakers to sit in the better seats. The Teammakers will be a hugh resource for money generated for athletics. And then there are the DI money games with Big 10 type teams. Those can happen in 3-4 years. You need to average 60 scholarships over 3 years to qualify.

Although I like hockey, I do get my fill in the Twin Cities. I wasn't really excited when hockey was pursued by NDSU, but the move to Division I is something I support 100%. I did ask the question on the I-AA message board about ticket prices. Some schools do have a scaled ticket price. The $27.50 is on the high end, but not the highest though. Here is the link with feedback. I-AA Ticket Prices

But that is exactly what the new coaching staff has done. How many people believed NDSU would be 5-1 at this point, after going 2-8 last year? The most optomistic people maybe said 4-2. This is one of the best coaching staffs I have seen for the Bison. A few key transfers, Juco's and the dedication of the returning players, has turned the program around in one year. The Bison are well prepared to play UND this year.

That was a very significant game for the other 10 offensive guys, or was it 11? Didn't they use 2 different QB's during that game?

Tailgating is allowed, but it is against the law to drink there. Being a law abiding citizen, I don't drink there. Michigan vs the Gophers was a great football game. The Gophers were not undefeated when they won their back to back National Championships. One loss does not a season make. I do think the Bison will win the Nickel Trophy back by the score of 24-7.

I get enough hockey thrills from watching the Back to Back National Champions down here in the Twin Cities. Gophers Rule.

Who was the QB for GVSU that day? Some people have all the luck!

I would not say UND is superior! Who have you defeated lately? UND #21 DII St Cloud St NDSU #13 DII Tusculum #18 DII UNO #5 I-AA Montana

I would never admit to being inferior. I wouldn't admit to being superior either. You did beat the Bison too often in football over the last 10 years, but this is the year of the Bison.

Recent is relative to the person writing the post. You won out in the 1990's. I remember the recent 13 straight wins, and 7 of the 8 National Championships.

Being a Janitor happens to be a great profession. What do you guys do for a living besides driving daddy's jag around town?

Now that sounds better that saying UND raised the prices so Grandma isn't supporting college athletics. There are actually many Grandma's that support college athletics by donating money and going to games.

I have heard over and over that the hockey program is making money hand over fist. New facilities are being built. UND athletics are very prosperous. It doesn't sound like the extra $11.00 is going toward keeping UND in the black. I don't mind UND making a few bucks, but I don't think that staying out of the red is the real reason for the price hike. Making a few extra bucks when they can make a few extra might be the real reason.

Reads like Eugenics? I hope that is not what you are implying?

Babich has improved a lot this year. The Juco's did help in that respect, made Bobby work hard to improve. Matt Gorman is the other cornerback, with Mike Sheppard a stud a SS, and Jared Essler at FS. They have all been very solid so far. It should be a great opportunity for the defensive backfield to test their abilities against UND.