UND-FB-FAN

I agree, primarily because the philosophy of this Bubba defense is pressure.

Which is why some (most) of the players at UND only receive DII offers. Either they don’t have the measurables or UND gets to them first. Sometimes a bit of both. It’s not media types this, fans that. It’s that coaches look at the measurables: size, weight, speed, and strength and project the kids into boxes. Every once in a while, kids will develop late and/or the intangibles make a major difference, which is why recruiting some of these under-the-radar kids (especially the ones from ND and MN) is still important, but you can’t build your entire team off it. Won’t work. They won’t hold up against the top of the FCS/division I. Even NDSU and SDSU recruit student athletes from Florida, Texas, Chicago, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, etc.

Assuming he could kick it into the End Zone, I still wouldn’t kick it 5 yards into the end zone if you can’t cover the fast as hell return man. Point is, don’t kick it to him at all unless your coverage unit can get the job done. UND’s kick coverage unit just didn’t have the juice.

It’s frustrating. This 3-4 system brags and preaches on how important the safety position is to it, and yet this is what we get …

The effectiveness of max protect against UND’s defenses over the years suggests UND’s DBs struggle. UND defense very reliant on getting pressure on the QB.

UND to #21 in STATS poll. UND will be at least the 3rd highest ranked team in the MVFC if they keep winning. Playoff bound, should be the goal. Oh, and beat Ag U while we’re at it. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2022/10/31/football-north-dakota-moves-up-to-no-21-in-stats-perform-poll.aspx

Care to stick your neck out?

I don’t want to split here, but it’s not all about execution (and I’m not saying that’s what your saying). The other sideline has coaches playing a chess match, too. Coaches need to put their players in the best position. So when the opposing kick return unit has a player faster than anyone on your team, and they’ve proven they can get to the outside, don’t keep kicking it to him. Or do we just say - kick it to him and players go out and execute? Needs to be a bit of both; players do their jobs, coaches do theirs.

Yeah not sure I agree with Massey. But we will see. I’ll happily eat crow if we go 7-4, as that or 8-3 should be what we want. But I sense 6-5.

FCS STATS poll is the go to. UND #23 before they beat ACU. UND should remain in top 24 if they beat ISU and USD and make playoffs at 7-4. Beat NDSU and UND definitely is in. If this team goes 7-4 and misses playoffs, then there are major flaws in the FCS system, mainly biased influences from NDSU/juice U. Sam Herder being one of them. The 2015 playoff snub still hurts - that came down to quality losses propagated by Wonderful Bob Nielson (another reason to beat USD on 11/12/22) and UND’s pathetic loss to Idaho State in Alerus Center (Idaho State AD was on selection committee that year).

The Laws of Probability

@Sioux>Bison don’t be mad at me, be mad at statistics.

Team is what it is unfortunately at this point. Odds are they go 6-5 and miss playoffs, but everyone stills celebrates Bubba for a winning record here at UND. I would call it a blatant failure considering UND would have two consecutive seasons without playoffs. But possible still to go 7-4 and make playoffs. That would be a successful season. 8-3 with win in Fargo is technically possible but improbable. I’ll be there cheering on UND if they set that matchup up, however, by winning @ISU and vs USD. Can’t miss the opportunity to watch UND beat the bizzzoons for first time in DI era.

I think ISU is better than their record (1-7), but UND also needs to be counted on to win games like this. Again, expectations here are important, despite all the babble on that around here. Let’s not be sandbagging for a letdown. UND football - led by Bubba Schweigert - needs to get the job done against a 1-7 team; after all, you are what your record says you are.

No it doesn’t have to be one or the other. In someone’s fantasy world, maybe there’s a unifying cause, but in reality, it’s a little of both. Can always use more talented student-athletes but also more innovative coaches that are good to great motivators. Lastly, again, my comments weren’t to suggest that the entire team is full of DII talent, but there’s more DII talent on it than there should be. As @iramurphy says in different words to rouse the crowd here, need to keep getting better; recruit better, coach better.

I respectfully disagree. Black on black is a nice change up, but should not be standard for the University of North Dakota.

There definitely are a few highly sought after players on the roster.

You mentioned three players, only one of whom is on the current UND football team. Sure, there are always exceptions, but certainly not across the board. With that said, my comment was just meant to reflect that UND’s talent level isn’t at that of South Dakota State or North Dakota State, which should be obvious. When a kid is only offered DII scholarships that either means they weren’t scouted closely or other DI staffs didn’t think they could play for their institution. All of these kids with only DII offers are not future standouts, obviously. Indiana State isn’t considered a cupcake, sure, but at some point there needs to be some confidence that UND football can beat 1-7 teams … when will that time come?

Well, the exception would be when the talent differential is wide. But, I get what you’re saying. UND’s talent is average. Bunch of kids on the team with only D2 offers coming out of high school.

ISU lost by 42 to SDSU … … but ISU has also been in plenty of close games, like the NDSU game. UND needs to play well to win, especially since it is on the road.

You throw to score, you run to win. I don’t trust this UND team’s defense, so honestly, the key to the win is for UND to come out behind Hoosman, Smith, and Ziebarth (maybe some Red Wilson, too), and run the ball. Demoralize Indiana State early and take them out of the game. UND needs to get their running game rolling as we approach playoff football, anyway. And, of course, can’t have fumbles/turnovers or penalties. UND does those three things (1. run the ball well [4+ ypc], 2. win turnover battle, 3. win penalty ratio), and then UND can beat both Indiana State and South Dakota. Heck, that recipe will beat the bizzzoon.

Is every game that UND football plays, where they are considered the favorite, considered a trap game? And if so, why?

Something that brought a tear to my eye yesterday … return of the traditional green helmet, green jersey*, white pants. I’ll take a ton more of that, please. Thanks. *yes, I understand the style of the jersey with white shoulders is a bit goofy, but still the best overall look. Next time, have Adidas just give us nice clean all KELLY green jerseys with white numerals, black outline.

I don’t know - The Jerry Kaminski kid from Wisconsin looks pretty good.

Thoughts on your thoughts: offense - Schuster, Hoosman, and Belquist are stars. Agree there should be one more big time playmaker, doubt it will be Klein, at least not at a “Luepke level”. Hoosman will graduate after this season, next up will be either Isaiah Smith, Ziebarth, or someone not on roster? Red Wilson might be in line for breakout season next year in lieu of Hoosman. Freund is a good coach, really only one of the staff I trust when it comes down to crunch time. defense - worst unit on the team. Sad reality given tradition of UND football. Off-season loses aren’t as much of an excuse anymore given the transfer portal. Staff should have prepared better for this. it’s on them somewhat. Honestly, as I said yesterday, everyone and everything needs to be looked at closely: players, coaches, schemes, approach to recruiting, etc. Special teams - at times it’s good, but I think it’s net negative effect. Can’t trust the kicker at all, and so many bone headed decisions at times. Ultimately, the lack of a trusted kicker is a huge issue.