jdub27

If that happens (based on what I think you are assuming with losses to USD and SDSU, with both games at the Alerus Center so far from guaranteed), then UND will likely have 4 losses, with 1 to an FBS school and 3 to teams that are in the top 5. That still doesn't scream bubble team to me.

Will be interesting to see if the QB change UNI made jump starts their offense.

Was nothing to do with your post other than I was going jokingly point out we had one of those current backup P4 guys on our roster the last few years and then happened to see your post with his name on it.

Fruechte explained the whole evaluation process. More consistent, accurate and more explosive plays, regardless of whether it was with the 1's, 2's, 3's or 4's. He also said part of his current accuracy issues are him trying to make the short throws off his toes instead of just trusting himself to do it. Work in progress that they are fixing in live action that isn't happening in practice.

I liked some of what we did towards the end of the 1st half, opening up some holes to move the ball on offense and making some stops on defense. UND started doing some delayed rushes/stunts and at least getting somewhat of a hand in Miller's face but he gets rid of the ball so quickly and we were playing not to get beat deep. His experience shined. Rucker missing him on a wide open shot was a killer. They set the tone on the opening kickoff (sounds familiar), we hung around enough were a score to open the second half makes it interesting. That fumble was a dagger. A bit concerned that Z is banged up, SS missed the week before, Smith only had one touch because he's dinged up and Hunt didn't play. Would hope we wouldn't have to see what we have in Brunell or Parker even though I think both of them have a chance to be very good, need those first 4 to get healthy over the bye week. The staff alluded to taking advantage of the 4 game rule for freshman, probably going to see some of those guys worked in across the lineup, which isn't a bad thing if they can play fast and know what they are doing. Tough to argue with this. Bye week is a perfect time to explore it a little bit more. You don't see a lot RFr starting at QB unless there's a reason (real special or injury).

How's he getting a year back? Unless something changed, this is his 4th year of eligibility whether he plays or not (5 years to play 4 unless there's a medical redshirt).

The same guy has been here since summer of 2022 and the guy who helps him showed up in summer 2023. There has been a definite improvement since they showed up and it keeps improving every year.

Two on Bo. Seven or eight in the box. Sounds like a chance for Dennis to finally show off his speed, instead of taking crushing blows across the middle.

NDSU's safety play hasn't been great with the guys they have been playing, missing an All-American back there will do that. Hopefully that frees up some of the over the top stuff if they are stacking the box. I don't think they have a corner that can shut down Bo on their own.

They have started getting RFr Brown the ball a bit more consistently and he's been pretty good, or at least better than what they had been doing (constant QB powers). Trey Lance's brother is the only WR I'd be super worried about, though they do like to throw it to their TE's on seam and clear-out routes. Biggest thing is still going to be Miller extending plays with his feet and taking off. And who knows what they will draw up with Cole Payton, who's role has continued to diminish the last few weeks. Defensively, should be able to run right at them and make them try to tackle in space like we did last year. Maybe they fixed something between ETSU/Towson and ISUr because there seemed to be a lot less success on the ground.

Mattress Miller is going to have 15+ carries. Need to limit his yards.

I'd guess it will be around 10 with the home field advantage for NDSU. O/U probably in the 50's somewhere.

He didn't cut payroll and refuse to bulk up the pitching staff.

Pretty sure it is the OC's call. Completely understand why they gave Simon extra reps against Idaho State. Hopefully we get to see how they handle a multi-score lead tomorrow.

Patterson didn't get benched, he got injured. When he got healthy, they still had packages for him. My understanding is he has a tendency to get dinged up so they were saving him a bit. Needed him more than they thought. Was also a bit surprised to see it take that long to see him get a carry but his style was going to struggle me against the stacked boxes then Smith or Seidel given their speed and ability to bounce things. All 3 of our top RB's ended up with exactly 13 carries, I like them spreading it out to save them for later in the year. Would also like to find a way to get Hunt the ball but not sure how you do that right now.

Vernon Adams is still playing? That's wild. He was an electric factory in college.

There were more than a few on the 0-3 bandwagon and the season being over by now... Exactly. He's now played 12 quarters of football as a starter after not seeing much for meaningful reps since 2020. Letting him work on things, with some of the pressure off, plus the ability to put more things on film are important. Showing teams that stacking the box isn't going to stop the offense will keep things opened up for the stable of RB's we have down the road. It was clear we expected ISU to sell out to stop the run, and with 6-8 guys in the box most of the game, they were doing just that. Very encouraging to see the OC and the offense respond. Having the defense step up the way they did was a nice cherry on top. Now, getting the backups some extra reps to have them game ready the next two weeks should be focus. Get up early and put the game in that spot. Everyone is saying the right things about focusing on the next week and not overlooking anyone, let's hope the execution is there.

UND has shown that propensity, particularly if they are mobile. At least for this instance, I'm going to buy into they dialed back quite a bit of the pressure stuff after they were up 38-0, worked on some basics and other things to try them out in a game situation. Defense has done a lot of good things this year. Two more weeks of having a chance to iron things out until the schedule gets a bit tougher.

Moorhead currently has an OL performing at an all-conference level (after transferring from KF's alma mater), a sophomore starting at DE and a CB on the two deep. Playing favorites based on where someone went to high school is a great way to cause issues. Everyone got the wide open QB competition that was asked for and the OC made the choice, with no preconceived notions of any of the players, that he felt was going to lead to the most success for the team. There were plenty of rumblings that it was going to shake out the way it did. Pretty solid message to the team and future recruits that it doesn't matter where you come from or what your scholarship status is, if you earn it, you'll get that shot. Wish TF nothing but the best. He and his family made what they thought was the best decision for his family. I have a hard time buying that a high school coach is going to do something detrimental to the future of his players but maybe I have more faith in their integrity than others.

So, just to be clear, you are actively advocating for a college to base playing time on where a kid came from and not who earns it? All because it might sway a different recruit down the road. Even if there are other kids from said school already earning plenty of playing time?

You think UND should priorize their depth chart based on Moorhead HS? Anderson and Teiken seem to managing just fine. Hopefully Dixon is able to shine sooner than later. He even stuck around even after the OW stuff. Unless there is something that shows TF didn't get a fair shake and was slighted for no reason, this is a pretty bad take.

Lol. Let the OC who has a completely clean slate pick his own starting QB and somehow that's burning pipelines.

They needed a mid-7 figures extra line item money from the state just to run their university because they can't make their budget work...

I wouldn't say UND has been lights out, but they lost to a top 25 FBS team on the road in a game they were more than respectable in and also knocked off the #4 FCS team in the country. All while breaking in a ton of new starters. Not exactly an easy start to the schedule that other teams have. Again, with a ton of new parts. I think the floor for this team is significantly higher than anyone thought prior to the season. Now they have to check the consistency box, which include rolling off a couple wins in games they should win and heading to Fargo with a 4-1 record.