UND-FB-FAN

These preseason polls mean nothing. Guess who the Big 12 picked to be last place last season? The very squad that ended up winning the league (Arizona St.)…. https://big12sports.com/news/2024/7/2/utah-picked-first-in-big-12-football-media-preseason-poll.aspx Guess who MVFC picked to be #7 in 2025? The very squad that will win the whole damn league … https://fightinghawks.com/news/2025/7/21/football-fighting-hawks-picked-seventh-in-2025-mvfc-preseason-poll.aspx Preseason Polls are sh*t

Plenty remains unproven right now, but the positive change in momentum over the past 7+ months is pretty obvious, also. I “turned the corner” because changes occurred after it was clear half a decade ago that Bubba wasn’t gonna get it done. Time will tell. But at this juncture anything but optimism is unwarranted.

Don’t limit expectations, although I agree with year #1 probably not leading to Natty. As for year #2… you better all have tickets for natty pre-ordered. Kalen DeBoer historically has done pretty well in year #2 using his program … what do we think will happen here with Schmidt? Boost up them expectations a bit, folks…

Quarterback and defense are two biggest unknowns for UND going into 2025 for a reason … they were the two biggest weaknesses in 2024. Romfo did his best, but his lack of consistent success against top tier competition says a lot. It was not entirely his fault in 2024 - this is the ultimate team sport. The 2024 defense was not nearly good enough. There’s reason for optimism in 2025 with new players AND new coaches and schemes. Let’s see who proves themselves in fall camp - no one truthfully knows. See video below (go to 4:33)

2nd year of the system is typically better than the first. Offense explodes in 2025… just watch…

Hoping someone grabs the QB1 job and runs away with it - that’s the best case scenario for UND football in 2025 and beyond.

I’m going to be honest, UND athletics - particularly marketing - needs to step their game up. No reason to sleep on marketing the number one college sport in America like they do; it’s quite ridiculous honestly. Hope to see better in 2025…

Or 9, 10, or 11 wins?

Let them all sleep …

It will not be Kansas State’s first game- they open up the week prior overseas versus Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland. Last time this scenario played out for UND (2022- @Nebraska, they had returned from game vs Northwestern in Ireland) it almost resulted in a big time upset win for UND... Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, though. Solid opening test for Coach Schmidt’s squad. Show up and shock the world. Get it done. Take out the wildcats. Go Hawks

Yes, 2026 is next year. There is a separate thread for 2027.

Need to add Zabel.

Need to get actual replica Adidas jerseys with the player’s number and nameplate. I can appreciate the attempt, as I suppose they are better than nothing, but need better quality if the general public - and not just the players’ families - will purchase …

Top fall camp storylines are 1) quarterback and 2) the entire defense

Nice work on keeping this page updated @geaux_sioux. Awesome 2026 recruiting class thus far; takes 2-3 years to truthfully grade it, but on paper this is best recruiting class for UND ever Coach Schmidt and staff building something special

Agreed; not his final destination, but man there will be fun times along the way. Get out, support it, and enjoy it …

Coaching matters, and Coach Schmidt is the real deal…

Officially “next level” … and it feels so good.

Time will tell. Everyone will be skeptical until we actually see the run defense produce on the field, and there’s ways to make that happen with the current group…

Have to hope the two FCS transfers, Olagbaju (St. Thomas, and who is over 300 lbs by the way) and Henry (Sac St), make major gains this summer and fall. They are both early in their careers with a lot of potential…

$ https://1883collective.com … and recruiting the good ‘ol fashioned way, which is a work in progress…

Agree with all of this though!

F**k that … them p***y cow f**kers can choke for once

Ignorance is bliss. Oh, and coaching matters (by the way, they do the recruiting in collegiate athletics). This isn’t tee-ball. Just look at the overhaul in UND hockey and football recruiting and player management over the past 6 months … coincidence that coaches changed also? No.