jdub27

It clearly didn't hurt helping them get a 3* recruit that had offers from Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Wichita State and LSU among others.

Won't even use half of their cash/reserves and that was using 2017 numbers.

This is not new and has been the case for at least the last year or two. It will still sell out or be close.

You don't think there will be a vote??

Sue is the front-runner and it isn't even close. Hopefully it doesn't make the ballot. Agreed. Tons of positive reaction from kids at the game.

You aren't wrong and I was more just making light due to people's reaction to John always running up the middle and then complaining that he was only getting the ball on the outside. From the UNDFootball360 guys:

That's unreal, third consecutive season he's had a season ending injury. Hurt in the 2nd, 5th and 3rd games of the last three seasons. Actually was getting looked at by some scouts. Feel terrible for the kid, wonder if he applies for a medical red-shirt.

Alternatively: Fans - "Quit running Santiago up the gut!" Also Fans - "Quit tossing it to Santiago on the edge where he has space to operate!" That being said, I know the pitch play is run out of various formations and blocking schemes, but some of them leave a bit to be desired on timing and development of the plays. But it does give John a chance to read his blocks and find a crease, which is how he sets up the big plays.

Well that and Cookus didn't play so NAU's offense couldn't do what it needs for them to win.

UND came back to win 3-2, sitting at 7-7 on the year. Could be a bit better but demanding schedule with a new, young team, I'm thinking coach is OK with it as long as they are learning.

I read it as Washington as a whole was mid-tier Pac 12 team, not specifically their WR's. Maybe it was poor wording but I wasn't the only one who read it that way. That being said, homer's point is a pretty solid one and I'll still take Chico McClatcher with the ball in his hand over anyone from SHSU.

From what I can see of your All-American WR's, Nathan Stewart had offers from Idaho and SHSU and Davion Davis had an offer from SHSU. Maybe not accurate, but it is what's out there. Again, not knocking them, they are clearly very talented and have the ability to win the game for SHSU, just looking at a little reality check here.

I don't think anyone is going to be surprised on how talented they are. They are very good receivers, their numbers and accolades are out there and no doubt they could be the determining factor in the game if UND's secondary struggles. Just stating that we need to pump the brakes a bit before stating they are better than UW's WR, which is just a bit better than a "mid tier Pac 12" team.

I don't think anyone is arguing with that point. If we're being realistic, outside of Augustana and some waivers, the solution is going to be UMKC coming back (with soccer) and UNC finally getting the baseball affiliation they requested multiple years ago. Gets both out of the WAC. Or NMSU joins, which was being discussed around the same time UND was thinking about switching conferences. There were discussions with NMSU by both the Big Sky and Summit. Once gives them a chance to stay at the FBS level in football only, the other gives them a path to drop down to FCS. The answer isn't that the Montanas and Idaho are going to magically decide to abandon the west and join some FBS conference that doesn't currently exist when there the financial benefit isn't there and half the schools can't afford it anyway.

Is this seriously something people think? Sam Houston has better receivers than Washington? Not a knock on SHSU's players, their numbers speak for themselves (albeit at the FCS level, playing an uptempo spread offense in a weaker conference) but Chico McClatcher is a more explosive player than anyone SHSU has.

1) Idaho signed a contract with LSU less than two months before announcing they were moving to FCS (in 2016 for a game in 2020), which in fact you tried to use as reasoning as one of the reasons they weren't moving down: 2) How exactly is that different than the situation that NMSU is currently in........? NMSU isn't exactly swimming in cash to pay large guarantees nor a destination city for teams looking to travel.

Let's be honest, it isn't going to sway those that have already made up their mind. That being said, I really hope to see plenty of A and B gap power runs, by John and Brady (with a bit of JJ mixed in), regardless of how boring it is. If UND can't rip off chunks of yardage doing that, the game plan won't matter.

You literally claimed the exact same thing about Idaho not moving to FCS because of all the contracts they signed, yet here they are, in FCS. NMSU is lost in no-man's land, them looking to move down has been looked at as an option for multiple years, it's just one of the possible realities of their situation. They have also had multiple talks with the Summit league, along with the Big Sky, trying to find a home for their sports that aren't football because they definitely aren't with like-minded schools in the WAC. Being an independent in football is a death sentence for them.

Had the talent to fill the hole Q left on the court, nowhere near what was needed to fill off it. Needs to take a look in the mirror at who was supposed to take over the team and then think about why they supposedly didn't want to win enough (though I'd guess it be disputed). Geno also knows the staff and other players aren't going to publicly rebuke his comments, feel safe saying the are privately disagreeing with quite a few of his takes. Again, wish him well, he's got all the talent in the world, hope he figures it out. It has to be eating him alive having to spend a few extra months at UND after publicly declaring he was destined for bigger and better things. Not going to blame the staff for moving on from someone who couldn't make up their mind about wanting to be here and was actively trying to leave. That's not how you build a team.

As frustrating as it was to see over and over, that was the only play that was actually gaining consistently gaining positive yards. UW has an incredibly talented defensive backfield that was more or less able to toy with the WR's because Ketteringham didn't have the time to let routes develop. Remember the name Taylor Rapp (#7), you'll be seeing it Sunday's next year, he was a monster back there even when he wasn't involved in the play. Even UND's fastest WR's weren't going to scare UW's secondary, so they put out the guys that know the plays/routes and can block. Nate seemed about a 1/2 second quicker on getting off his spot than he needed to, though in his defense, it was crazy to see the size and speed of UW's defense. I do think UND would have had a bit more success of Olivera could have played more. He could have converted a few of those 2nd/3rd/4th and shorts that UND struggled on, especially in the first half. His style of running would been a nice weapon to have. Tank not being able to go hurt the defense. Greer did great but got gassed taking that many reps against guys that size. Some more rotation there probably stops a few of those bigger runs in the 4th. Defense had the right calls on quite a few plays, just half a step slow or slightly wrong angle, possibly due to the speed difference. That being said, a lot of encouraging things from the defense. Also pretty impressive for UND to not have a single accepted penalty all game (though one PI was declined after an amazing TD catch). To play a clean game with no false starts, holdings, etc against a team that much more talented shows good discipline and is encouraging. I didn't agree with the first punt on 4-1, especially when they had the offense out, ready to go. The second one, JJ easily had it if he cuts to the right, instead he tried to push the pile straight and the UW guys stopped him just short. Mixed feelings on the field goal. I get taking the easy points, especially since they hadn't moved the ball on the first three downs, but on the other hand, you're right there. UW fans were very complimentary and they all said they ended up sticking around for more football than they planned on. Not that the game was in doubt, but there was more than a little noticeable tension when UND had a chance to make in 17-7 with 6 minutes left in the 3rd. Peterson left some of his starters and rotation guys in an extra drive or two when the UND defense was completely gassed to make sure to get a few extra points on the board after last weeks loss. That being said, their back-up QB and RB are no joke, I was told both have chances to be better than their starters.

But......you swore up and down UND would never join the Summit, even after people told you it was a done deal, because there was no doubt they were going FBS with the Big Sky.....

One of the most purely talented players to ever wear a UND uniform. Too bad it's ending like this, which is even a bigger mess than a few months ago. Almost looks like him and Reyes had the same person giving them advice. Both some questionable decisions.

NCAA covers all rounds of travel for the playoffs, which is part of the reason they regionalize and try to save themselves money. Each round has a minimum bid, which the host is responsible for if ticket sales fall short. The MEAC/SWAC conferences each get $1 million to split however among their 11/10 teams and at least one gives over half to the participant so the schools aren't exactly killing it unless they make the game. Those conferences participating in the playoffs is a net positive overall but "costs" because they were "losing" money participating in the playoffs isn't why they don't participate. It's been years since the SWAC participated (ever maybe?) and the MEAC dropped out when the Celebration Bowl started in 2015, likely since their teams weren't doing anything anyway and this was a better look.

The NCAA covers all playoff travel/expenses.