UND-FB-FAN

Illinois State RB Robinson very impressive to watch. Good he’s a senior for UND’s sake. I wish UND had a back with that type of talent. No one on UND roster like that ... yet ...

ODU can’t tell Vaughn what to do. Vaughn has not signed a letter of intent. I agree that ODU should be nervous. Hopefully UND gets his commitment. I’m most nervous about Creighton Mitchell going to Iowa. Hopefully he enjoys his official visit at UND and his tour of the beautiful new Medical School and decides to stick with UND.

Division I five-year clock: If you play at a Division I school, you have five-calendar years in which to play four seasons of competition. Your five-year clock starts when you enroll as a full-time student at any college. Thereafter, your clock continues, even if you spend an academic year in residence as a result of transferring; decide to red shirt, if you do not attend school or even if you go part-time during your college career. Division II 10-semester/15-quarter clock: If you play at a Division II or III school, you have the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters in which you are enrolled as a full-time student to complete your four seasons of competition. You use a semester or quarter any time you attend class as a fulltime student or are enrolled part-time and compete for the school. You do not use a term if you only attend part-time with no competition or are not enrolled for a term.

UND does not have the talent or coaching to ignore certain positions in recruiting. UND is a 7-5 football team. They need to recruit and improve at ALL positions. Sure, we can argue which position is most important, for which I agree offensive line, but UND has work to do everywhere. As for comparing to NDSU, they have had very good players over the years but their system is most impressive. They develop 9-man ND high school players - particularly offensive linemen - into NFL prospects. That is where all the championships have been won. But NDSU’s skill position players have been good too. I don’t think we can ignorantly assume UND’s skill position players are equal with NDSU’s. Again, though, under Bubba, UND has been most deficient at developing offensive linemen. You can’t just recruit these players; need to develop. Maag and Boltmann are both good players. UND needs far more than 2 good skill position players, though, if they want to be a national contender. Hopefully Cochran steps up or one of the true freshmen surprises. Not currently sold on the running backs either (just not to my level of expectations for DI FCS football).

Very good reference. Thanks for your efforts.

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This is a principal concern with the coaching staff, particularly Bubba. Regardless of your style, you need to be an effective leader of men to be a good football coach. There are doubts. Alternatively, is UND recruiting the right guys? Shouldn't have a team that is "down" for a playoff game. I believe it's the former; that is, the coaching staff's inability to lead them, however.

My take on UND receivers, since that is apparently a hot topic: Noah Wanzek and Travis Toivonen were both very good receivers for UND over their career. Consistent and dependable, and as a result, put up big career numbers. It says something to always be available for the team. Yes, there were some negatives, mainly in terms of downfield speed. Wanzek and Toivonen likely won't be professional players, like Weston Dressler. In terms of pure ability, Weston Dressler was the better player. Unfortunately, in these dark times, players like Weston Dressler in North Dakota undoubtedly go to NDSU rather than UND now. Chrysten Cochran will have to be the guy next year to take the big step up, along with Garrett Maag. Brock Boltmann needs to continue to grow in the slot position role and become more specialized in that position. Those are the 3 receivers that I see big play potential from in 2020. The rest of the group (Mikey Griebel, Jacob Odom, Adam Zavalney) will have to continue to develop as they will have situational roles on the team. Again, as is the case for the entire roster, UND needs to look to increase the talent level at receiver. That happens in recruiting, of course. For this recruiting cycle, Bo Belquist, Marcus Preston, and Jack Wright all look to be capable players for UND. Have to wait until they are on campus before a clear idea of their ceiling develops.

Now that UND is out of the Big Sky, it will be interesting to see how much they save on travel. With those savings, hopefully it can be re-allocated back towards the program for things like equipment. Big goal, of course, is getting High Performance Center Phase II started. That is the big shiny object in the room but no clue how close or far we are from obtaining that. It needs to done right, though, when it is constructed. Can't cut any corners.

Can’t rely on FBS dropdowns, but can’t disregard it either. If a very good player at a position of need wants to move on to an FCS school, UND needs to consider. Plenty of variables to consider. UND needs to recruit better players to take the next step, especially at offensive line and running back, in my opinion. Quarterback as well.

I like to keep it simple: coaching and the players. UND has the coaching it is going to have in 2020. That leads me to the players. UND needs QB recruits due to the importance of the position and the 2020 roster/depth chart (see my previous post). As for the running game, a lot has been said about the linemen's weights. I think this is overstated. The players need to be better, regardless of their weight. They need to have the mindset of a successful lineman and together as a successful unit. I think Coach Pawlak can get UND to this point, but it remains to be seen. This may not be the most popular opinion, but I think UND needs new, better players at OL and running back. The new recruits coming in at OL look good. At OL, UND loses 1 starter, keeps 4, and has Matt Waletzko returning. That in itself is encouraging. But I do think a JuCo or FBS dropdown OL should be looked at. A difference maker with NFL potential would go a huge way for UND's running game, as it would for any team who acquires such talent. https://undfootball360.com/news/a-360-look-ahead-to-2020-season/ As for RB, I understand Luke Skokna looked good and there are the incoming recruits of Creighton Mitchell (if UND can hang on to him with Iowa State and Iowa sniffing around) and Isaiah Smith, but I think UND needs a big-time back. Looking the FBS drop down or JuCO routes would be okay here too, in my opinion. In the end, I think it really comes down to the players (surprise, surprise). I think the young players will continue to get better, but for UND to take the next step, they need top notch QB play and a good to great running game (average running game won't cut it). For this to happen, I am hoping for FBS drop down or home run recruiting in QB, RB, and OL. I know there are a lot of different opinions regarding the FBS drop down route of player acquisition, but if the player can play and be a difference maker, UND has to pull the trigger.

I would like to see the athletic department re-do the videos for each UND football coach. Would be nice to have up to date biographical videos for recruits. It all helps. The details matter.

Good

QB position is very important. Thus far, UND has Tommy Schuster and 1 high school recruit committed for 2020 roster. It is crucial Danny Freund brings in at least 1 FBS drop down, a JuCo standout, and maybe another high school recruit. I have faith Danny can coach ‘em up, but need the talent to start with. I say let’s get some FBS caliber guys.

UND's current system has flaws and it needs to be adjusted. Hopefully Bubba can put his thinking cap on and figure it out, or someone else will have to in a couple years. UND needs to better emphasize the offensive and defensive lines. UND could not run the ball nor stop the run in 2019. Fitting it led to their demise in the FCS playoffs. That is #1 area of concern for me. I certainly understand that this is not the goal of Bubba and UND, (i.e., they want to be physical) but they have to find better linemen and better refine their system to improve them. It is not good right now. The strength and conditioning program is #2 for me. I honestly think the system run by Baukol is not good enough and a change should be looked at. I don't have faith that he can do better. He is set in his ways. UND doesn't develop their players enough from their freshmen year to their senior year. They are consistently on the smaller side and unable to physically dominate in one on one battles like other MVFC programs' players are able. The physique of NDSU, SDSU, UNI and even Illinois State players is at a different level compared to the UND players.

Again, the program needs to be adjusted. It’s not good enough as is.

Bubba’s program needs a major adjustment. It has holes everywhere. Getting better players is a start. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football. UND’s recruiting has not been good enough.

Bubba doesn’t have a well defined system, it appears. Too much chaos and reaction rather than proaction.

Too many limitations based purely on perception. Perception is reality. Expect UND to do better. UND needs to expect to do better.

Sort of a silly rant. I mean, I too believe UND should be hosting schools like Nicholls State. It is imperative for UND to do so if they want to be a title contender someday. But more importantly, if UND wants to be a title contender, they need to be better on the road. You can’t go 1-4 on the road and be worth a damn. UND’s coaches and players need to step it up.

UND’s offense isn’t going to get a whole lot better without a running game. UND will continue to falter in the red zone without the ability to run the ball. The next quarterback could be a dual threat. The receivers could have speed and be a threat to go 50+ on any play. The linemen could be able to run zone AND move people 2 to 3 yards down the field consistently. The backs could be able to run AND break tackles. There are a lot of areas within the offense that need to improve, not only the athleticism of the receivers. Overall, there needs to be more talent and development. The offensive line is where development is key; I’m not sure what Baukol and Pawlak are capable of together, but 2019 wasn’t a good round 1.

UND threw the ball pretty well against Nicholls State. In fact, UND had a good passing offense all season with Ketteringham throwing to Wanzek, Toivonen, and Maag. BUT, the lack of a running game was the weak link and it hurt the entire team. UND was not a good offensive football team in 2019 because they were too one dimensional. For 2020, UND not only needs to replace their QB and receivers but also needs better linemen and backs. The entire offense is not in a great personnel place and scoring only 6 points against Nicholls State demonstrates this. I do believe Freund can do well and build and lead the offense, but UND needs more talent at all spots for the offense to actually produce. It won’t get any easier in 2020.

I am starting to have some doubt set in here. I think UND’s staff would find a way to lose one or two games with NDSU’s current roster. But that is pure abstract speculation. The talent differential between UND and Nicholls State was not that wide at all, perhaps even. But the final score was 24-6. UND gets better in 2020 with better recruits (need players above D2 talent), better players (strength & conditioning needs to get better; improved development), and better coaching. HPC Phase II would help with recruiting and development but that isn’t getting completed anytime soon. When I say better coaching, I’m really not even considering schemes; UND needs to manage game flow much better and know when to be aggressive vs be conservative. Clock management is suspect. Overall team leadership is weak as it appears on the sideline. Players are pouting like infants or just seem “out of it”. That starts at the top.

Your pessimistic speculation is atrocious. Get it out of here.

It will be a very difficult game. SDSU is at a different place with its program compared to UND. They have no problem challenging @MInnesota and @NDSU so @Alerus Center won’t be much of an added challenge. It will he a fun game in the Alerus Center, just not sure UND will have enough talent to win. UND’s coaching has me doubting.