Bison06

Sadly, I agree that they won't get in much trouble over this compared to what others schools have gone through. I believe the NCAA is all about setting examples with their punishments and punishing a school like Montana in a big way just doesn't make enough headlines to be worth the time the NC double a-holes would have to put into it.

From the perspective of this NDSU fan, the only two games that matter in the NDSU vs. UND conversation are the last one and the next one.

How is MarQueis Gray on any sort of NFL QB list? He may have a shot at another position, but QB? Tebow throws it better than Gray.

If you don't have a problem with the Dakota Marker, why the disparaging nicknames on this board? Road Marker, Mile Marker? And my personal favorite that it resembles a turd?

The Dakota Marker is about 75-100 lbs and is a scaled replica of the actual border markers that are along the ND/SD border. I have seen a few of these things while out hunting and they are enormous. 7 feet tall and probably a ton. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Marker My point has been that NDSU fans(other than a few crazies) think of the dakota marker the exact same way all of you would think of a trophy with MSU. Something nice to create some interest and a little more excitement leading up to the game. Nothing more. In fact, SDSU isn't even our biggest rival in our conference at this point. The bad blood between UNI and NDSU is pretty evident and I would consider them our most heated in conference rival at this point.

You realize the trophy is a scale model of the markers that were put in place in 1891 right? Not exactly the type of situation where you allow for artistic interpretation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Marker

Again, 8 years ago the fallout from the breakup was much more intense. I think everyone was much more sensitive and NDSU and UND fans were both in a we don't need you so eff off kind of place. Other than it being 8 years removed, I see them as identical situations. Other than a few radical fans on message boards, NDSU fans knew it would never be the same as the nickel.

I hear UND fans saying almost exactly what NDSU fans were saying back in '04. "Great way to build some excitement" "Makes the game more interesting" etc. Nobody actually believed that SDSU would turn into a hated rival the way UND was. Actually the SDSU "rivalry" has turned out to be much more heated than I ever imagined it would. I just find it ironic. Seems like a pretty clear case of double standard from my perspective.

I think it is just a matter of timing. It seemed forced back then because of the proximity to the "breakup". Otherwise it is nearly an identical situation. Actually, If anything, UND starting a trophy game with MSU would be even more manufactured than the NDSU v. SDSU situation. The SU's had a partnership of sorts that helped guide each school through the transition, so it made sense to have our fanbases attach meaning to the game. But MSU has been a DI school for over 30 years and UND is just the new guy on the block in their world.

I thought it was a great idea in '04 for NDSU and I think it is a great idea now for UND. I just remember reading about the Dakota Marker quite a bit on this board back in '04 and NDSU was catching a lot of flak for "making up rivalry" with SDSU. I think it's a fair question to ask why it was contrived in '04, but now most UND fans seem to think that it is a great way to create some excitement between the two fanbases involved in a trophy game?

Splitting hairs a little there I think, but fair enough I suppose.

Not trying to troll, but isn't this the exact same idea that you guys thought was a horrible and contrived attempt to make a game more meaningful than it actually is when NDSU and SDSU started a trophy game? I actually think it would be a good idea, just pointing out my recollection of the events back in '04.

Decent speed?

I looked on the website and he is listed at 210, why would they under-report his weight? If he really is that large, he is going to be a tough matchup for opposing teams. I remember SUU had a guy back in 04-05 named Jerome Eason, I think he was in the 215-220 range. His best attribute was his blocking ability, man I could not get away from that enormous dude all game.

Are you exaggerating or did he really put on 30 lbs?

Thanks, that's what I thought but the sports guy had me doubting myself.

Forgive my ignorance, but how is Zach Parise's name pronounced? I always thought it was Pa ree z, but the sports guy in MSP last night said Pa reese and I didn't know which one was correct.

If UND judges it's success by the program overtaking Montana it will be a tough row to hoe. IMO, and I don't have time to look up stats to support my stance right now, but Montana is the best "program" at the FCS level and it really isn't close in my mind. The consistency from year to year, what was it up until a few years ago 16 years in a row making the playoffs. That is completely unprecedented as far as I know. All FCS teams should strive to have half the success that Montana has enjoyed over the last 3 decades. Montana is IT when it comes to FCS football and has been for a long time.

As I said, I watched every playoff team and I saw 3-4 UND games. The level of play UND put on the field was not up to par IMO. If I wasn't a Bison fan you'd probably concede that fact. Outside of SUU which is debatable, which of UND's wins last year was impressive? Are you sure you want to put stoney brook in this conversation? Maybe you didn't see them give SHSU the best game they had seen all year up to that point.

Doesn't it get old saying the exact same thing over and over and over and over again? I don't speak for NDSU, I don't speak for the NDSU fanbase, I speak for me. I have never once claimed to be over or not care about UND.

Haha, sorry you are correct. I confused myself for a second there. Illinois St had 7 wins in inarguably a top 3 conference and they sat home.

I'll make my point one more time then I'll be done, because the conversation is getting circular. I watched every playoff team last year, based on what I saw and where they ended up in the rankings, I am not sure what to base my opinion on other than what my eyes saw, but I don't think UND was on the same level as ANY of the playoff teams last year. I feel like UND's record was vastly inflated due to the strength of schedule. I also believe there are many UND fans who feel the same way and know that UND had some serious weaknesses last year. Lastly, 7 wins doesn't necessarily get you into the playoffs. This will be even more true in the future with the playoffs expanding, there will be many 7 win teams sitting home in December.

Not to nitpick, and maybe my link isn't correct, but I don't see Harvard or Liberty between 16-25. Ohio Valley definately isn't a top conference and the MEAC is very poor, but the SWAC doesn't participate in the playoffs. Stony Brook was a damn good team last year, did you watch them play? I wouldn't guarantee a UND victory against Norfolk State. But I agree that conference is weak. I failed to mention Tennessee Tech was also a playoff team last year. My point isn't to diminish what UND accomplished. My point is that unless UND was a playoff caliber team last year, they shouldn't have been in the top 25 because 16-25 includes a lot of playoff teams.

What on earth does that possibly contribute to the conversation. I didn't say it wasn't a big deal. Winning your conference is better than losing your conference regardless of the competition. But some football fans are discerning enough to know when they are watching good football, maybe you just aren't one of them. If UND wasn't spending all it's money fighting the never ending fight maybe they would have had the funds to reward the players for coming to UND without having a chance at the postseason the way NDSU did.

So even if you aren't saying it overtly, basically you are saying that you think UND or Cal Poly were playoff caliber teams last year. http://www.collegesp...top-25-rankings Stony Brook, Norfolk St. and JMU were all playoff teams last year. You would feel pretty confident against them based on what?