UND-FB-FAN

Will this UND team go into the game as an opportunity to make a huge statement or as an opportunity to play against a Big 10 team in one of the best stadiums in all of football? You could state both things could be true, but not really, it is one or the other. Mindset is going to be huge for this game. I am pretty sure how this is going to go given the track record the past 8 years, but I am open to being surprised ...

That’s if the defense can remain stable to improved and the run offense don’t fall off with Weah gone. I have faith the offense will be better, but there are still concerns beyond even the QB play, which remains the primary concern. OL - like you mentioned - rightfully so is under the microscope. The need for 2 QB rotation worries me …

Definitely my main concern. Let’s see how it goes …

Ouch. The truth hurts.

Opinions are like … ; everyone has one. Here’s some facts; Bubba is 47-40 (54% winning percentage) in 8 seasons as UND head coach. 2022 will be a big year for him and UND football - let’s see what happens.

“Bubba gone” - sounds more personal than it should be. UND football has a tendency to be run like a family bakery and not a food manufacturing corporation. All kinds of variability in what folks preferences are there, but ultimately only one will be sustainable and one won’t be, particularly in this era of college football. Do you want UND football successful and sustainable or not? For the record, I don’t want anyone “gone” at this juncture. There’s a football season just a few weeks away. Go Hawks!

Perhaps. I want UND to succeed as much as anyone on here. But, when you come to this site, you're going to see views that are based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions -- biased. It is subjective. Every once and awhile, though, it is nice to balance that with views that are not influenced by personal feelings or opinions and thus are considered as close to fact as possible. Some objectivity should be welcomed. With all that said, I agree sports are fun because there are only so many facts that can be repeated. Ultimately, it comes down to the competition (games) and what happens. That is entertaining and should provide hope for UND football fans, because the polls sure aren't indicating UND fans will be happy come the end of 2022. Good thing polls don't represent fact.

… folks not located in Grand Forks or North Dakota, for a start; such as those voting in the mentioned preseason coaches poll. We get you have pride, like everyone else on this site that doesn’t have NDSU or bison in their username, but that doesn’t mean we can just speak things into existence. Even if we all want fun... At some point, the hard work (or lack thereof) means something. 5-6 is what that work produced in 2021. What will it produce in 2022? I want it to produce a national championship, but I ain’t going to wager my house or personal belongings on that, that’s for damn sure. Now, I hate NDSU, but I might consider such a wager on them just based purely on their track record.

Although I wouldn’t get too excited as these preseason polls are often rehashed end-of-the-previous season standings, it is slightly disturbing what other coaching staffs appear to think of UND. After all, their opinions do matter to a slight degree. Lots of schools on that preseason coaches poll that didn’t have splendid 2021 seasons, but they have the right upcoming players and respected coaching staffs to make the cut with this poll. After awhile, reassurance from the biased posters on this site over and over again will only go so far. 5–6 won’t cut it and really should never ever happen to UND. Need some results.

No, this has definitely been a void. NDSU gets one every Sunday (or at least they did for 15+ years) and the whole state got to see it, including highlights and features. When UND had one during the DII days on WDAZ, it made a difference. Now, although Midco does a very good job, the DaybyDay series is no where near as comprehensive as what WDAZ did for UND football. Having a weekly show with Bubba on Midco would be a positive, no doubt about it, but it would require time and production effort (and $$$) that Midco (and apparently UND) would rather go without.

Yeah, well, everyone wants that. Gonna need some underlying novel ideas if UND wants to get over the hump in both attendance and wins (championships). Facility upgrades (Pollard Center phase II) is the one novelty to look forward to, and that’s a big one. But beyond that, it looks like much the same yet expecting different (better) results. Introducing natural light to the Alerus Center, albeit maybe minor, would still be considered a novel idea.

It’s apples to oranges. Ag U doesn’t even need to worry about hockey facilities. UND offers hockey facilities PLUS football facilities and basketball/volleyball facilities. Flagship. But this is 2022 *UND* football thread, carry on.

Oh get over yourself. UND competes in all their sports and has an expanding facility plan. Fargo Ag U doesn’t even offer college hockey nor do they have a top hockey facility, so by default, you have no grounds to even argue.

Oh boy …

He should have enrolled/committed to the flagship North Dakota public university… Of course, this is mostly satire, but not entirely …

The Utah State second half collapse - given it was technically a loss to FBS - was quickly overlooked last season given the big upcoming game vs NDSU. In retrospect, it turned out that the 2021 UND team lacked “killer instinct” the entire season. Blown leads/late opportunities against Utah St., NDSU, SIU, Missouri State, South Dakota St., etc. would end up being the norm and haunting UND the entire 2021 season. Turned out the Utah State game was telling for the entire season; the whole FBS/FCS thing got overblown. The point here is simple. If UND loses at Nebraska, they can still have a successful season, but getting “destroyed” at Nebraska should not be overlooked as UND just being outmatched. Rather, it would be concerning for UND not being ready to be a competitive winning team in 2022. Need to at least keep the Nebraska game competitive for 3+ quarters or there will be some concern. The UNI game is important, but the whole season isn’t wrapped into the first two games; remember 2016 season?

If UNI turns out to be overrated, like they are most years, then this likely scenario isn’t as great as it sounds. But, as mentioned, it is most likely.

Well, of course, but just going off the data available/reported, the UND football budget is not that far off. Additionally, given the entire spectrum of information available, it’s also obvious that the REA holds a ton of revenue that could help UND football increase it’s budget in short order. The sad morale of the story here is that the agreements suggest it is UND hockey (backed by Engelstad/Mcgarry) vs the entire UND athletic department. The nickname change and the new logo’s abscence in the REA/Betty is just a microcosm of this. Despite these concerns, folks have of course been bought over by the REA and the resultant hockey product; thus, this crowd will argue otherwise, but this conflict has been publicized previously and is relatively established. With all that said, there really is no likelihood of anything changing before [maybe] 2030.

According to the Dept of Education data posted above, UND is only behind NDSU in football budget by a little over 400k. Sure looks like REA could get UND football over the hump all the while by maintaining UND’s tremendous hockey spending and facilities. Sadly, it sure seems like there is hesitancy by the hockey-only crowd for this to happen, though. Stubbornness and selfishness by the Engelstads/Mcgarry was certainly evident in the past and it didn’t help when they were approached previously by UND staff. Bottom line: If Ralph Engelstad Arena could be a true asset for all of UND sports, and not just a tool to advance Engelstads/Mcgarry’s personal agenda, then UND hockey and UND football BOTH could be top funded programs. Unfortunately, UND has limited autonomy within their own athletic department; hopefully 2030 will truthfully change that.

No, it would not be destroyed, but it would be hurt. The main game will be the FCS opener vs UNI @ Alerus Center on 9/10/22.

Yeah, everyone wants that, so how do you propose they do that? More financial support from their institution is the obvious answer to win more/be more consistent, but curious what other brilliant ideas people have. Of course, since this is a facilities thread, I will highlight the progress being made with phase II of the football facilities, scheduled to be done in 2024. Having that completed will help take UND football to the next level.

For NDSU being a “football school”, UND isn’t too far off. UND could be #1 if a bit of reallocation occurred. Again, selling away autonomy within their own athletic department is not something I agree with. Previous UND staff members have noted this as well but the culture in place by the $$$ has booted them out.

Oh, it can be enjoyed, but it also can be improved.

I agree with most of this, but adamantly disagree with your point on 500K annually. The UND football department could desperately use that addition to the budget. Ask the families of UND football coaches/staff if they could use that money for their loved ones’ salary. And without going too far down the sentimental pathway, by purely looking at the UND football budget, which includes coaches salary, you’ll see the budget is destitute. UND football deserves more of a cut from the athletic department, but the ticket revenue agreement with the Engelstads has skewed the spending in a unfair way. Not to mention, the agreement doesn’t align with any other national standards.

Sure, they’re hockey fans, but again, the agreement with the Engelstads hurts UND as the school lost autonomy with their own athletic department. The priority to hockey is not shocking or a mystery, due to Ralph’s connection as you stated, but is it right? Plus, do you think any money towards “hookers and blow” would be publicized? Of course not, only the items that enhance image will be. The legal trail that their money has created is immense and credit to those who have the time to trace it but even more credit to those who have the ability to assess the situation objectively. UND’s athletic department was bought by a major donor’s family and foundation. The department has lost crucial autonomy because of it. Previous attempts to argue it or reposition have led to publicized arguments, disputes and ultimately staffing changes. The relationship led to some nice buildings in Grand Forks, but it’s not a good long-term relationship for UND, at least as is. That much I’ll maintain.