Bison06

Wofford and JMU are not the same as St. Francis. JMU was the national champ in 2004 and Wofford is perennially in the top 3 in the Southern Conference. In this part of the country we know UND is good, but nationally we are much better off playing those teams if we need a quality win to get into the playoffs.

When you have more bargaining power you get to dictate the terms, I thought everyone who went to UND was a lawyer you should have known that. Why do you think Montana was happy to schedule that with UND, but wouldn't with NDSU?

Don't ask the question and then change the parameters once I answer. You asked about Wofford and James Madison, not St. Francis. Of course there would be more interest in a UND game from casual fans. But, for my part, I would rather see Wofford at home. Like I said earlier, it gives us more of an idea of where we stand nationally to play teams from the east coast. I get sick of hearing all the CAA teams say that the MVFC is no good, so playing a team from the CAA or the Southern Conference would bring with it some credibility in their eyes. Also, many NDSU fans camped out for all of the playoff games this year. I don't mean this as an insult, but to those of you who haven't been following NDSU over the years, it doesn't take UND on our schedule to get people crazy about Bison football the way it does for UND fans in Grand Forks.

Pros to a yearly game- Scheduling Stability Having a long time rival on the schedule Cons to a yearly game- Lack of flexibility in OOC scheduling One more loss on schedule for one of us each year Feel free to add as you see fit.

Also, a good point. Obviously, UM-MSU game has the benefit of also being a conference game so all the arguments we have made are void in that situation. I think it is a game that will eventually happen and should happen now that UND is through the transition, but I completely understand why NDSU is reluctant to play the game every year. And to be honest, I think it is likely that UND's AD would regret getting into a yearly contract with NDSU once he realizes how scheduling in FCS is done.

I agree with all of that and just re-read what you just wrote and you will see why this game is not likely to be played again for the next 5 years at least. Both programs have gotten along just fine without the game, I don't understand the constant push for this game to happen.

Even though no matter what I say you won't believe me, the answer for me is yes. I will go on record as saying that I would rather see either of those teams on our home schedule than UND. Understand that I am most likely younger than you and the rivalry has been cold for almost a third of my life. NDSU aspires to national prominence and playing those teams any given year moves NDSU closer to their mission than playing UND.

If you feel it makes so much sense for NDSU and is in NDSU's best interest, what is you opinion on why the game has yet to be scheduled? Spare me the GT is afraid rhetoric that is far too common on this forum.

Valid point I suppose, but this is what NDSU fans want and I think the AD wants to continue to work toward. When I say high quality, it doesn't have to be Montana or Montana State. I would be pleased to see any team from the Southern or CAA. Gives us an early idea of how we might match up with teams from out east.

Of course there is interest, if this game were to be scheduled I would be first in line to get tickets. Once you have a few season in FCS where you are playoff eligible, UND fans will see why scheduling is done this way. Heck we learned it from Montana. When you have a tough conference, like MVFC or the Big Sky. Chances are you aren't going to get the autobid every year. Because of that, you want nonconference games that are DI counters and are more easily won games. So, you have 8 conference games, a "warm-up game", a money game, and another game that NDSU fans have shown interest in being a high quality OOC opponent. Does UND fit that bill? Yes. But if we agree to play the game every year, we take away the flexibility to bring in a high quality FCS team every so often. Be realistic guys, that is the blueprint for success and we are following it. You'll be doing the exact same thing within 2 years. Watch and see.

Seems to me you should apply for the AD position at NDSU with that sort of insight.

NDSU beat UND 3 times from 1993 to 2003. When you say since 1993 it sounds much more impressive, I can see how you would try to manipulate it like that.

It's an emotional game, the better team doesn't always win. Any sports fan realizes this. If we use this little discussion we're having about the game as a microcosm for the two teams, isn't it pretty clear which side "needs" this game more?

So if I assume that we will win the game I am a typical arrogant Bison fan, if I acknowledge that in a rivalry game the outcome is always a toss up I am met with that response. I see.

Once every two times the game is played.

No, giving yourself the best opportunity to make the playoffs without directly helping a recruiting competitor is a good business decision. UND will be scheduling the exact same way in the coming years, so don't get too high up on that horse.

Also, if NDSU were to do this it isn't exclusive to playing UND. They would be able to charge the same premium for bringing in Montana, Montana St. App St, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston. We need to find a benefit that is exclusive to playing UND for the argument to be valid.

Fine, but now you are saying play the game based on a benefit that is predicated on NDSU changing a policy toward season ticket holders. Darrell, don't be childish, neither team is afraid of the other. It is a business transaction that requires the emotionless decision making that all business decision do. If it doesn't benefit us and directly benefits a main competitor in your target market you don't do it. It's simple.

You would have to ask GT.

I haven't said money is the reason I don't want to play them, I only said it isn't the reason we should play them. My only point is to say the money is a wash, so unless it benefits us some other way, why play the game every year?

But if you have a choice, why would you choose 5?

I very much doubt that would happen. Where does that end? Sorry season ticket holders, SDSU and UNI are home this year instead of away so we are charging more for season tickets this year. UND wouldn't be the only "premium" game. This wouldn't sit well with season ticket holders and is not a likely scenario.

82SiouxGuy, your idea sounds great in theory, but NDSU has nearly 10000 season ticket holders who wouldn't be charged the extra $20. The extra $20 per ticket would likely only be for single game tickets. Minus out the students and you only have 5-6k single game tickets left. Not $300000 worth.

Yikes, didn't mean to start a holy war over attendance. Argue if you want to, but the fact remains that NDSU benefits very little financially from playing UND every year. There are many benefits to playing UND, finances is not one of them.

Do most UND fans not realize that every game is sold out or nearly sold out at the FargoDome? There is little to be gained financially for NDSU to play UND, wanting the game to be played for other reasons is just fine, but don't continue to use the financial gain argument it doesn't hold water.