FSSD

I don't see the State of North Dakota and the NCAA extending the sanctions to other schools in the state. If they did - just wow. I think the reason that Mississippi and South Carolina got in trouble was because of the State Flag.

Because the last time they mobilized they looked like idiots - remember Spirit Lake referendum

Not living in North Dakota, but I would vote Yes - it sucks but it is time.

Yes I agree, however I thought a more formal approach to exit polling would be interesting to the state because it feels like this referendum is about more than just the name.

Does the State have a plan in place for exit polling as part of the referendum? I think that it would be very interesting to see why people voted the way they did.

Think about the money that has been spent on arenas/stadiums: Stadiums: 1) Metrodome paid 2) TCF for U of M - over $300 million (2009) 3) Twins Stadium - over $400 million (2007) 4) Vikings Stadium - over $950 million (?) Arenas: 1) Target Center - pending approval of $150 million update - original cost ($100 million in 1990). 2) Xcel - $130 million (2000) A $1.2 billion dollar multi use stadium for Twins/Vikings/Gophers sounds like a dream to me or a $200 million dollar multi use Wolves/Wild arena

Just to clarify.. I was talking about the Anoka deal which was approved by the state when the Twins deal went through. Anoka and the Vikings had a deal, but the Vikings changed the deal by taking away the roof to reduce costs. Anoka said that the terms of the deal included a roof. The Vikings walked away from the deal. Behind the scenes it was rumored that MSP political leaders would be interested in helping Vikings in the near future with the old Metrodome tax. The next deal that the Vikings had was with Arden Hills and Ramsey County - but that had no shot. You are asking St. Paul to pay for something NOT IN St. Paul. Plus, the Stadium was not going to get MSP support without MSP getting something (dumping the Target Center on the State or the State paying for major renovations) in the deal at the State level. I laughed at people who thought that had a chance. IMO - the only reason the Ramsey County deal got that far was: 1) Ziggy loved the cheap land around it to develop.. 2) Opat (HC), Rybak (MSP) and Dayton (MN) disagreed on the MSP stadium location. Opat wanted farmer market area and Rybak/Dayton wanted old the Metrodome site to keep costs down. Rybak/Dayton moved forward and Opat said no thanks and pulled HC support. NOTE: It was stated last week that Opat has been working with multiple politic leaders discussing a new Farmers market plan. But, he would not move the plan forward until next year because he did not want to step on Rybak/Dayton political toes. Opat Plan: 1) Site Farmer Market 2) HC would kick in toward the stadium by increasing the existing Twins Stadium tax rate. 3) MSP still provides the old Metrodome tax in the future NOTE: The State legislature has said it will not extend this tax unless it is tied to a Vikings stadium. 4) State’s role in significantly reduced thus making it easier to pass. But, Ziggy is killing the Opat plan because he wants a decision this year and considers no action this year as a statement of no support. I think Ziggy has a buyer lined up and he is getting political cover for when he sells the team if the stadium does not go through this year. NOTE: I am not a big Opat fan because I don't trust a word the man says but he knows how to get things done. Unfortunately at my expense as a resident of HC.

Isn't ZW more at fault - he had a deal with Anoka County and he walked away because he thought that he could get a better deal. The current deal for the Vikings is fine but the funding approaches are questionable. $427 million from the team - fine $150 million from Minneapolis sales taxes - I assume that this is the original Metrodome tax that was repurposed to the convention center which will now go to Vikings stadium. $400 million, from new taxes projected to roll in by allowing bars and restaurants that offer gambling to upgrade to electronic versions of some games - I am with Zellers - I don't see how electronic gambling is going to bring in this much revenue.

I agree the Viking stadium deal is ten time better than Twins deal. The Twins stadium is basically for the Twins only with no roof and they paid next to nothing ($130 million) for it but gets all revenue from it... how the naming rights agreement was never made public is beyond me and shows how much that deal just plain and simple stinks.,.. Team Value 2005 $178 million in 2011 $490 milion. Revenue for 2011 $213 million not a bad deal for Carl who kicked in $130 million.

I don't feel too sorry for MSP. 1) MSP teacher pension got dumped on the State after it lacked taxpayer support. 2) MSP over built the library system and then dumps it on Hennepin 3) One of the reason Ramsey County Stadium was dumped is because the only way MSP would support it is if they could dump the Target Center on the State or have the State pay for upgrades to the Target Center. 4) MSP shot themselve with Block E 5) MSP got the Twins stadium on the back of MOA (they passed $1 Billion in sales this year) - yet they talk down anything south of crosstown..

I am optimistic for this season because I think that they have good Off/Def lines and it starts with the boys up front.

Sorry I missed all of your comments about MSU and how you are holding them accountable for it's current position in this thread and I can understand how MSU is execited to see the Gophs traveling to Mankato for the first time in nonconference play because they are soo supportive... well for two years I guess.

I just have to say - Matt Schill and gang are doing a great job - Through These Doors was great this season and I am looking forward to seeing what they have in mind for football.

Instead of being mad at everyone else - have you looked at the school and fans to see what it could have done to put itself in a better postion. MSU was in the best hockey conference in the nation and given the same opportunity as all othe other WCHA schools for the last ten years - what have they done to prove themselves? In addition, I think it is best that you make your judgements in 5/10 years and see how it shakes out. The Gophs are playing political nice - they have something called funding that they need from the State, plus some capital projects they might need the states help with..

They don't deserve the name Dakota - let's go with Wisconsin West or Iowa North and why the hell would you want to buy Minnesota!!

I know a good way to add 4/8 points per games - make some Free Throws - eveyone on the team should be embarrassed. twins15 - great read - I thought you had a solid analysis - I saw little improvement from team overall and this team is losing Mitchell - who I thought was the best player on the team in the 4 or 5 games i watched this year.

It sounds like the big guy Salmonson had trips planned to Montana St, NDSU and EWU. So, that is a good sign. According to Giacomazzi, Salmonson has recruiting trips planned in the coming weeks to Montana State, North Dakota State, Evanston, Eastern Washington and Wright State, all Division I programs. http://colfaxrecord....ail/202273.html

I am sorry, if UND did not hvae approval from the Spirit Lake tribe by 2006. Why did the NCAA contact the tribe to try and get the tribe to rescind approval? The Staff Committee nonetheless described the resolution of the Spirit Lake Tribal Council as one “of questionable continuing efficacy” and admitted that “NCAA efforts to speak with representatives of the Spirit Lake Nation have been unsuccessful.” Ex. T, Jan. 18, 2006 Staff Comm. Memo at 13. Apparently, the NCAA has tried, but failed, to persuade the Spirit Lake Tribal Council to formally rescind its prior approval of UND’s use of the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo. Unable to secure a formal withdrawal of the Spirit Lake Tribal Council’s approval, the NCAA has instead attempted to cast doubt on the viability of an unambiguous resolution of the legitimate governing body of the Spirit Lake Nation. In the same breath, the NCAA insists that the essence of the Namesake Exception is a respect for tribal sovereignty. http://www.ag.state....n-state-crt.pdf - go to page 65

Don't feed the troll this is a recruiting thread that I would like to keep clean for 2013

The Oklahoma tribe has never "approved" the use of the the nickname.. like UND has had to get "approval" from all regional tribes prior to the lawsuit. As part of the settlement UND had to get "approval" from only two tribes SR and SL. Again, FSU was only required to get "approval" from the FL tribe and the Oklahome tribe has never approved the usage of the nickname - if this is out dated information, please provide a link because I would be interested in reading it.

I think that Minnesota gets a large boost from the Big Ten Network - the ranking has Northwestern at 20. I think people are watching all the shifts in college sports because of Conference TV networks. It will be interesting to see how profittable the Big 10 Network will be in the future. Cable operators want to go "a la carte" because sports networks are becoming the most expensive. I think the Big 10 Network will see a massive drop in revenue when "a la carte" comes around. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/27/us-cable-idUSTRE78Q6EE20110927

I saw the late start times.. that will be an adjustment. But, I think that it will be good.

I would like to see more games with teams other than Montana and Montana St. But, they are the foundation of the Big Sky so it is up to other schools to step up.

I am really execited to see Hansen and if your Freund comparison is true... we will be in good hands and will make some noise in the big sky. Because the offense has been very limited the last two years.

General thoughts on Bradley: 1) Throws well on short timing routes 2) In general, I thought that he read coverages well - at time he tried to force the ball. 3) Lacked arm strength and accuracy on longer routes 4) Not very mobile 5) Manages the game well and looked good getting the team in position with his reads and checks In his defense he was thrown into the starting role last year and he now has another year in the system. It looks like he has put on weight so he must be training hard. He has room for improvement and I am looking forward to seeing what year two brings.