Devils

Loaded up the site just in case Q didn't convert that sneak to see the meltdown that would have occurred...

Also think this is going to be a tough one. If it were at home I think it'd be closer to 50/50. On the road I think we'll have a hard time scoring to keep pace with as weak as the defense has looked.

FYP.

Main postgame thought for me, which has been pretty consistent for a couple years, is that we just lack playmakers on defense. No one there really who is much above average. I thought McNeal looked like a traffic cone much of the second half. Sure would be nice to get Ziebarth back. Skokna should realistically think about hanging it up at this point, just never healthy for 5 years.

Dude, we get it.

Hard to say on that, of course they're capable but they got pounded by Weber at home (Weber is 3-4) and squeaked by Indiana State who's 0-6 and of course got pounded by SDSU which is going to happen to everyone most likely.

About 80 million dollars??

Was nice to see us pull away in the 2nd half after a tightly played 1st half. Was thinking at halftime, here we go again like the last couple years this is going to be a nailbiter but we put them away soundly.

500% But I’m sure it’ll continue as he thinks it shows how much he cares.

Way to turn a thread dedicated to showcasing former players' successes into a program-bashing litany. Congrats.

I’m not going to say I am a football genius nor do I break down film of our defense, but I have a hard time believing that scheme was the main problem last year. Getting pushed around on the line, no pass rush, poor coverage and poor tackling seemed to be the main issues. Sure, those are linked to scheme and coaching but more so we need better athletes. Other than maybe CJ I can’t remember anyone really stepping up and just making plays where you’re like “that guy is a stud.”

I'm sure it has been mentioned along the way here but I can't imagine there were too many guys with a good resume available in late February. Willing to see how Schwenzfeier does. We all know we need more size/speed on D to take the leap.

Sounds like Bagnell is going to USD.

To be fair, 6 of those losses were by a combined 23 points and I think their starting QB was injured and didn't play the last 3 or 4 games. They were very competitive in 2021 as well. Lost to Mankato and Duluth by 3 points in each of those years. No idea where he's going but he took Mary a long way from where it was when they were losing every game by 30-50 before he got there.

Everything ok?

Can't imagine Schmidt, in the prime years of his coaching life (early 40's), would be interested in going from a job in the Pac 12 making half a mill to FCS.

The offense wasn't great the last couple games, but you can't get too upset with scoring 31 points. Tough when you have no margin for error, you basically have to score every drive since your D is so bad. All the talk of coaches, players, whatever - our personnel on defense really needs to improve. Obviously recruiting talent is on the coaches. I really don't think the scheme is the issue right now. There's not a guy there that really is a difference maker. Our DL makes few plays and most of those holes at the point of attack were huge. Our LB looked HS caliber, could not tackle or move laterally - this position really needs a stud. Sure, Pedigo and White were out but every team is missing a starter or two by this time of year. Obviously the secondary was brutal. I kind of thought early in the year that Siegel was a stud but it never seemed he did a whole lot other than the int return at NAU. Seemed he got beat just as much as the others. Think I mentioned it in the NDSU game thread as well - this team just couldn't make big plays when it mattered against teams that were better than us. Siegel's easy pick six on the first drive of the game, Maag's dropped TD catch, whatever. Plays that lift your team and say, follow me boys. Hoping for better next year. It's not easy. There's a reason you don't see every team firing their coaches after middling seasons - it's not that simple. Heck, the gophers seem to be just fine with PJ Fleck and all he does is beat bad teams. That said, I wouldn't be sad to see Bubba move on as I think it's time but I have a hard time thinking whatever we would get would be a huge upgrade.

I usually try to not get too upset over the game, but man that defensive showing was depressing. Almost looked like a 9 man HS game with how much room ndsu had to run and how poorly und tackled in space both on D and special teams. Then the couple times we get them in third and long and we just sit 5 yards off their receivers for easy 10 yard gains. Ugh... Would be interesting to see a wider camera view of what Tommy saw today, seemed he was very jumpy and indecisive - I'm guessing there weren't many open receivers. Didn't seem like there was a ton of pass rush but he was bailing out of the pocket basically every dropback.

Kelly Howe talked about it on his podcast after the SDSU game...guys have to step up and just make plays in games like this. Another example here - pick up the ball and run for god's sake.

Pretty shocking to only be down 14 at half after feeling totally dominated. I don't have much hope for a W with how our run D has looked, but I guess we'll see.

Absolutely pathetic take.

That's the truth. Pretty much all the things I'd worried about have happened - offense hasn't been sharp, defense has been dominated up front and given up anything the bison want through the air. Mix in the bad penalty to give them a td and the uncharacteristic TO by the offense and this is ugly!

Can remember being at that UC Davis game in 2001, very loud and electric atmosphere. Their QB hung around the NFL for the better part of the decade and didn't score on us.

Agree with this - gonna need some bigs plays on O - don't see us grinding out 7 minute drives with 4 yard passes against them. Their running game worries me; that RB is a load, not to mention the Jankes. Forcing a TO or two is going to be a must. Their QB didn't look as dynamic as I remember him pre-injuries.

How are all of you with 195/120 blood pressure doing?