Ole in MSP

You need to think with your head more and less with your heart. I am a died in the wool Sioux fan for almost 60 years and I am not assuming anything nor comparing anything, just saying the Bison have done some good things since going DI. the Sioux have too, but to a lesser extent. Whether NDSU has beaten a good team in two years is not the issue. The issue is can UND grow enough as a program to gain similar respect around the region. Time will tell about this and just how good KU and NDSU are this year.

Recall that the Bison lost only 2 games in two years and won 3 of 4 games against FBS teams, the loss by one point. They beat both FCS and FBS teams and gained national attention BEFORE they were playoff eligible. I remember that more than I remember who won the MVFC those years or who was FCS national champion. I am a Sioux fan, but you have to respect the program they put on the field during that period. This year's KU win will eventually be evaluated as the season progresses, but in the meantime you have to admit that it was college football news while UND's hammering at Idaho was lost in the wind. In spite of a poor record the last 2 years, the Bison have not been blown out in any game they have played. Again, I hope that UND can begin to match up better as they grow the program, but the fact is it is tougher now than it was in the past so it could be a very difficult road for many years.

And may your spelling improve. Face it, there are more DI schools looking at the same kids in the region than 10 or even 5 years ago. It is going to be tougher and tougher to get quality players with their heads screwed on straight to move to any school that does not have a chance for some national attention. The Bison wins over FBS programs echo very loudly when you compare them to other regional FCS schools. It will be very interesting to see how USD does this Saturday against the Gophers and how UND does against NIU. If they aren't competetive then not a lot of progress has been made in keeping up. A conference helps out the schedule, but you still have to get the talent in the door. Not sure the answer on that is going to be known for some time.

Lots of strong arm QB's around. Accuracy and keeping your poise are far more important in this game.

Are you sure that they are bussing down? It is 95% or more interstate, but even so it is about 12+ hours total with no delays. Lots of study time. Flying thru MSP to O'hare and then bussing out would still take at least half that unless they chartered direct. Those busses are pretty comfy though.

They do not look good, but they were picked to tie for 3rd in the Big 12 north. Time will tell how good they are, but right now I do not think they will win a game in the Big 12. NDSU has played well especially on D.

Bison ahead of KU 6-3 midway thru 3rd quarter. Either the Bison are very good this year or KU is not. The Sioux need to learn something from the Bison program about playing up.

If you want to watch and have Directv it is on Channel 623

Bison tied with KU at halftime 3-3.

And.... maybe put the pistol to our head. God this was awful. Worst performance in 40 years. First 3 plays determined outcome, slowwww QB run, QB pass 4 feet over receivers head, QB pass 6 feet wide of wide open tight end. Confidence builder for sure!!!

Reminder: If you have Directv and the sports package you can watch Sioux vs Idaho on Altitude at channel 681. Unfortunately if you want to add this package for $12.99 per month AND have an older viewing package, you have to upgrade your package first to add the sports package and you cannot return to the old package unless you do it in 30 days. Directv way of raising prices, but not really having to face up to it with you directly until you try to add a feature.

Amen, amen, amen.

Actually I think the Sioux were ahead by about 30 and then relaxed to let ISU back in it. However, I heard somewhere today that Idaho U has the largest Offensive Line in college FB averaging about 333 lbs. per man. Our defensive speed will be really tested by that size.

No, I have been a Viking fan since their inception. Dave Osborn played with Fran Tarkenton too, probably even a bigger role than Jimmy K. on the team, but this is not the place to talk about the Vikings unless you are totally without a life. Find another place to waste others time. Here in the MSP the coverage of this subject is overwhelmingly ridiculous. Enough already.

Why it this subject on this Sioux website. Totally irrelevent.

Would be nice to be able to remodel one end, South?, to accomodate another two to three thousand more fans if this is going to be the long term solution. Feasible? Cost? Anyone know?

Would have to agree, but since I do not live in the area any more and rarely get to a game my opinion means little. Having grown up watching Sioux games at Memorial Stadium it is a special place for me and always thought it strange that it was never expanded. I have been to a few games at the Alerus and enjoyed them, but the game and pregame atmosphere was not the same. The terrible and early winter of 96-97 obviously influences everyone when thinking of outdoor football in GF, but scheduling and proper design of a remodel could mitigate some of the late season issues. Expansion to 20,000 seats or so longer term would be wise too as more years pass. Of course optimistically looking ahead, any playoff games would certainly be a question mark for weather, but perhaps the Alerus could be kept intact for anything like that since typically playoff games draw fewer fans anyway. Would love to see Sioux FB at fever pitch in future years and draw in excess of 15,000 per game. Hope it happens, but it may not be very realistic unless they can find a conference soon.

A bit speculative perhaps? I can't spell presumptuous! Hope there are some notable opponents in there.

Yeah, and the Big 10 hockey league would be about as strong as FB, one or two decent teams and the rest stinkers. They would likely look at adding a few non Big 10 teams to the mix though, Notre Dame, Miami etc. to fill out a schedule, that might be interesting.

I am guessing that unless something really unusual happens, UND will be playing at least 2 more lower division teams in 2011 to fill out the 11 game schedule that right now only has 7 games. I suspect that there are very few if any D1 level schools that do not have their 2011 schedule completed now.

OK, I will relax and be patient. Got it. But I am too old to be patient for long. UND is "sort of" approved for the Summit. USD is in the Summit already. USD has "newsworthy" games scheduled against Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northwestern in FB which will all generate midwest interest, not to mention NDSU and Northern Iowa. It matters little at this point that UND beat USD the last two years. Almost zero info on blogs and in the Herald on UND FB. I guess time will tell, but seems to me that someone needs to generate some enthusiasm for this program and soon. A couple of wins at Idaho and NIU might do it, but that would be just a start.

How can UND generate interest in a FB program playing Lamar, Valdosta and North Alabama etc.? No one in the upper midwest knows where they are and could care less. Talk about travel costs! On the other hand, you are correct, being in the Big Sky, MVFC, or a Summit FB league is a must to survive. The move to D1 will be a total failure in my opinion if this program does not find some way to play some newsworthy opponents soon. If Faison is not working 24 hours a day to resolve this then UND is in serious jeopardy of not being a viable D1 university.

I waited a week to see if anything changed to reply to your comments. I also HOPE you are correct in your statements, but reality is, with about 12 months until practice starts for the 2011 season there are only 7 games listed, only 3 at home and one against that nemesis NAIA school that kicked our butt last year. As a program this seems concerning to a diehard Sioux fan, but more importantly what message is it sending to any kids being recruited. Now, there may be all kinds of wonderful games being scheduled, but this year's HS seniors will likely be the first class that will have 4 years of eligibility when UND is playoff eligible at the FCS level and they ought to know what the future competition might be outside of the Great West teams. Hopefully no news is good news, but I doubt it.

Is anyone else getting a little nervous about what the 2011 schedule will look like as final? Right now it only shows 7 games with lots of open spaces. Would like to see at least two more "quality" games and a total of at least 10. Have heard some rumors about games, but seems like time is fleeting especially re telling recruits who they might see on the field the next few years.