jdub27

Did he know that he wasn't going to qualify academically? Had he qualified and then backed out, I can see the criticism being warranted. But if he was hoping to qualify academically and keeping Niagara as a back-up in case he didn't, tough to fault him for that. Sounds like the coaching staff had known for a while that he wasn't coming even though it wasn't official until recently so not sold on the face that he was stringing everyone along.

Will FU fans come up with new ones or stick to the same ones that continue to constantly pop up at games even when UND isn't the opponent?

Wasn't the main issue that he wasn't going to qualify based on his academics? Even if he was committed to playing at UND (unknown) it wouldn't have mattered?

Or it is tough to market "North Dakota". There's a reason teams choose nicknames, it helps in getting your "brand" out there. Have you seen the new merchandise that is out there right now? It wouldn't be bad for a secondary logo, but not acceptable for the primary. Working on marketing for the athletic department is not an enviable position right now. Again, the majority aren't happy where we are right now but understand the reasons why. Stewing over isn't going to do any good, that ship sailed already. I'll continue to wear my Sioux clothing and leave up the multiple signs, flags, banners, etc. I have, but putting a new nickname in place is the next step that needs to be taken and sooner than later.

It opened at -4.5. Regardless, I wouldn't put a whole lot of weight on an offshore FCS line that has a -120 line.

Any clue how high up their RB board Oliveira was? Looks like a good get for UND.

Apparently most people don't since the offshore lines have already moved a couple points towards Iowa St.

Grand Forks has a pretty good grid set up, though the lack of right turn lanes can be an issue if you feel the need to drive in the right lane on some of the main roads. When their is no construction, if you've driven in Grand Forks before, it is pretty easy to get around town. There are 3 major roads that run N/S that are roughly a mile apart (Washington, Columbia, 42nd, though only 2 lanes from 6th Ave to Gateway) plus the interstate. There are a handful of 2 lane direct routes that cross the south end of town going N/S as well (Belmont, Cherry, 20th and 34th). Similar for the roads that run E/W. Gateway, University, Demers and 32nd will all get you from one end of town to the other, including going under/over the interstate and even though University is only two lanes, it is a pretty quick route if campus isn't too busy. The big issue is that there is no 4 lane roads between Demers and 32nd, which are 2 miles apart. Again, there are multiple 2 lane direct routes that go from near the river to 42nd. 47th and eventually 62nd will need to be expanded as will Columbia and 42nd on the south side of 32nd. Actually surprised they aren't widening 47th a little bit more between Washington and Columbia since they already have it dug up. And at some point a bridge crossing into EGF somewhere on the south side, though not sure exactly what location makes the most sense.

If you think the pace that multi-family units in town are being constructed at is considered reasonable growth, you're delusional or just uninformed. As 82Sioux said, vacancy rates are running around 2-3% which is way too low. There will end up being a slight overbuild and vacancy rates will fall, probably to near 10%, which is a bit higher than any developer, lender or the city would like to see but is to be expected in a market situation like that one Grand Forks is currently in. Prices on the new units will end up adjusting down slightly as they are significantly higher than existing rates and in the end, the market will end up stabilizing in the 5-7% vacancy rate over the next few years once the population catches up with the new units being built and a balance is found. And turns out it takes a while to recover from a natural disaster that wipes out a good chunk of a city.

Kind of like throwing rocks in a glass house when one of NDSU's coaches doesn't get disciplined after getting a DUI isn't it? Maybe they give them a break if it's only a week or two into their employment.

I know a lot of people have the exact same feelings and I'm guessing Faison is sorting through a lot of e-mails this morning that say something very similar.

A lot of excuses? You mean people aren't willing to bend over and accept every demand NDSU has? What is amusing is that every time UND has made a concession from what they wanted, NDSU felt the need to ask for more. Faison has accepted at least one deal that was on the table. If GT wouldn't have rescinded it after it was accepted the games would have been on the schedule as well.

A lot of truth in this post.

I haven't seen anyone argue that the first game shouldn't be in Fargo. UND shouldn't have to lock up their schedule with away games to make FU fans get over 10+ year old butthurt. Giving an FCS team what would equate to a 2 or 3 for 1 is absurd, and that's assuming the next round of negotiations would be done in good faith. Based on how they've been going the last 9 months, that seems like a stretch.

Based on what? How recent negotiations have went?

Can't argue with pretty much anything you said there. My e-mail to Faison said many of those things. I seriously encourage others to do the same. If he's getting pressure from some people to do what it takes to get the series restarted, he also needs to hear from people who would like it but not at a cost that is detrimental to the program.

I didn't see a ton of the 1st team, but it looked to be the same as it was earlier in the week. Not sure if Anderson was dinged up but he looked off a little bit today which was surprising. The 2nd and 3rd team OL looks like they need to keep working. From where I was, it was tough to tell if any of them were stepping up, but seems like a a complete unit, both of them struggled against the 2nd and 3rd team D in comparison to how the 1st team was doing against the 1st team D.

Was able to go watch for an hour today. Missed the 1st teams reps at the beginning. Also noticed there was a handful of guys in just shorts and not participating. Off the top of my head: Carr, Simmons, Cerriteno, Garman (had his ankle/calf taped up) for the offense. I know I missed a few as well. Couldn't quite see everyone on the defensive side, they were on the far side. I know that Tank Harris and Jenkins-Moore weren't in along with a handful of others. Thought that Brandon Walker played well, did reps with the 1's, 2's and maybe even 3's. Bailed out Bartels with a nice catch in traffic and then beat the DB on a corner route and hauled one in. As stated, Shaugs busted a real nice run. The TE were involved, have a feeling we'll be seeing some short dump offs to them. They rotated quite a few through, wow does that position group have some serious height. Hopefully we are able to take advantage of that. On the defensive side, seems that Idowu was around the ball and making some plays. The defense definitely looked better than the offense from what I saw. It was nice to see them buzzing again, excited to see the pressure they are going to be able to bring with the 3-4 in some experienced hands. Was also impressed with the coaching staff and how they were handling the scrimmage, making sure everyone stayed engaged. Kostich was fun to watch, I hope we can keep him around for a while, I think he's going to end up being a good one.

I would guess the proposed one by the Rhombus Guy's would be the first I've heard about.

I have no clue what he is willing to agree to. The fact that he may actually be considering two games in Fargo and nothing else, regardless of what the guarantee is, should be a non-starter for fans. A single game for a respectable guarantee is tolerable, but only if it comes with a home/home attached to it. The front end of that could be in Fargo, so they could get their two home games in a row but without a guarantee of a game in Grand Forks, it is inexcusable. As a season ticket holder, locking in the schedule with only 5 home games for 3 out of 4 years is not something I'm impressed with.

I read the article last night and was not impressed with how it came across. I've backed almost everyone of Faison's decisions to date, but this is one I can't even come close to justifying. I could support a single game in Fargo with an actual going rate guarantee, but two games for below market rates is asinine. Especially with no guarantee of a return game. Being the bigger person to get the series restarted is one thing but by agreeing to games in 2015 and 2018 in Fargo, it finishes up the schedule for those years and ensures there will only be 5 home games each of those years. 2016 already full and there is only 5 home games. Locking in 3 of the next 4 years with only 5 games at home is no acceptable. I'll be sending an e-mail to let him know my thoughts on it and as people have already stated, I'd encourage others to do the same.

Brad E. Schlossman @ SchlossmanGF Well there's a big surprise...

Making light of someone's medical condition? Stay classy NDSU. Looks like he's got a great frame, nice size. Glad to have him aboard!

Yeah, I'm shocked that Faison wasn't jumping at a chance to sign a one-sided deal for a well below market guarantee.

The payout from FBS teams offer are one of the main reasons that UND is traveling to San Jose, Wyoming, etc. Otherwise it would make more sense to set up OOC home/home games. Last I checked, NDSU doesn't offer the kind of scratch that those teams do.