UND-FB-FAN

Just based on coaching (i.e., Danny Freund), this will be the best team during the Bubba era. Now, that doesn’t mean they will be the most successful team (that is, coaching doesn’t mean this team will have the most wins). This team undoubtedly has the most difficult schedule to date during the Bubba era and has to ultimately execute on Saturdays. But, no excuses; to be the best you have to beat the best. Think of it as starting out in the playoffs right away!

Solid point

Hopefully the two RB commits for 2020 are the real deal. They look to have potential. I know UND is recruiting the right kids now at RB, but they need to compile depth with that.

The first game against Drake will be telling. UND will have the better athletes on offense, so the potential is there for them to put up many points right away in game #1. However, if UND struggles against Drake offensively (and they did back in 2015, the last time UND played Drake), then I agree, we will be seeing some growing pains early on in the new offense. That doesn't bode well for the next week down in Fargo; expect UND's offense to again struggle against NDSU. Game #3 will be the coming out party. Sam Houston State is anything but a defensive powerhouse and UND will be playing their 3rd straight game in the state of North Dakota. I expect a smooth offense with at least 1 TD per quarter (28 ppg) by game 3 against SHSU. Not necessarily 1 TD per quarter during the first 2 games (< 28 ppg versus Drake and NDSU).

It's about time the QB position be taken serious by the Bubba regime. Nice work Coach Freund!!!

Black uniforms would be a nice change up (once or twice per season). Every other game should be green and white! And throw those grays in a pile and have a nice fire ...

Go for the damn win. And if they lose, there are 10 other games to win. If Bubba gets fired following 2019, it will be because of far more issues than merely scheduling UND’s rival. FYI: 7 wins means playoffs for UND

Fans *should be* coming from all over the state of ND to watch the flagship. Make UND football great again Plummet NDSU football, plummet

He’s not playing tomorrow. Strength and conditioning. Good local commit with great bloodlines (minus the NDSU mistakes).

UND has had the current Adidas uniforms since 2015. Not sure on frequency they are switched out (i.e., new jerseys, same design). It would be welcome if UND got new Adidas uniforms, just so that they are Kelly green and traditional.

Well, just win then; that is their job. Look at the 2019 schedule as a golden opportunity and not an ovewhelming challenge. Standards. Expectations. Lead the men, Bubba. Go UND

I don’t think so. He should choose Freund and UND.

There is no way UND can beat NDSU. No way. No way. No way. Never been done. Oh, and, no way ... Screw NDSU. UND can get it done. So can NDSU, obviously. I'm going to just wait until September 7th and enjoy a great football game. Thank you.

Probably the most fair point of all. UND could go anywhere from undefeated to winless as of now. Yes, the predictions are probably 6 to 7 win range, but we’ll see. The first game against Drake will be telling. Even in last year’s first game, against very bad Mississippi Valley State, you could see that the offense was going to be the Achilles’ heel for the 2018 team. Guess what? It was. Drake is a tough Pioneer League team. If UND lights up the scoreboard against them, then count me in as officially excited for the Freund-run offense.

Well, technically NDSU

No Let’s see if a Bubba-led program can win a playoff game for starters.

UND should NOT have expectations of the average FCS program. Therein lies a crucial problem with expectations. When the hiring practices and performance evaluations at UND Athletics are finally held to this competitive standard, then UND will be heading the right direction. Sounds like Chaves may be willing to spearhead this much needed movement.

I know, I know. The schedule is brutal so we should all adjust our expectations a bit. Expect another medicore season, and it will all be okay! As a student-athlete and/or coach trying to compete, you have any idea how stupid that sounds? Man, our fan base is so overly cautious now compared to the good ol’ D2 days. Another 6 win season and Bubba should get the axe. This is reality in the FCS; you play the best to be the best. I can’t believe how irrationally conservative some are. I expect 8 wins with the schedule helping UND, not hurting. 8 wins with that thing and UND could be a seeded team.

Or perhaps he realizes it is the coach. After speaking with him, Sather might just be every bit as exciting to play for as Brian Jones (if not more so).

Agree to disagree. Gray just looks bland and, well, not good in my opinion. If you want something occasionally different than kelly green and white, go with black alternate uniforms. But don't get me wrong, UND's teams (including football) need to just wear kelly green more often than not.

This will end up as, how do you say it, ... he gone! I hope not.

Nice that the 2019 UND football team officially has a preseason All-American football player. Congrats Mason Bennett! Here’s to hoping the 2019 UND team has more postseason All-Americans than preseason All-Americans ...

Watched this kid play HS ball against GFC a year ago; he stood out in a big way. Didn’t realize he was the top high school player in ND, but he definitely impressed me watching him play.

Watched the press conference ... pretty standard presser but I'd say (based on a very limited sample size) Coach Sather will fit well into the Grand Forks and UND community. He has that genuine Midwest vibe that often does well in Grand Forks and at UND. Now, of course, winning basketball games is the other very important factor that will take some time to observe. I do think his teams will play hard and demonstrate the effort on defense that some of Jones' teams lacked.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/education/4460370-new-usage-agreement-being-negotiated-between-und-ralph-engelstad-arena The shared ticket revenue agreement between UND and RE Arena Inc. is in fact the most controversial, and perhaps damaging, component of the UND Athletics Department budget, so I commend you for recognizing that in your post. Every $ counts when it comes to enhancing football and basketball and I have a hard time seeing how a 6 MILLION DOLLAR hockey scoreboard directly boosts football and basketball (especially with some FB and BB ticket revenue paying for it); BUT, this is a MBB coaching thread so I digress. Best of luck to Coach Sather. It is a relevant argument that Northern State emphasizes their basketball program whereas UND certainly does not. Can Coach Sather make more out of less at UND? We will see. Go UND