UND-FB-FAN

The attendance at games and the actions of NDSU’s administrators with scheduling says otherwise. And stop saying "we", it's "you". If you ran a poll open to the entire city of Fargo, who do you think they would pick? Not SDSU. Also, the attendance versus scheduling issues are not contradictory based on what I posted before. You can believe what you want, but again, I told you so when you’re forced to admit UND is the main rival in a couple years.

We're not telling NDSU fans who their rival really is. We're just trying to convince you. The majority of NDSU fans, who are honest with themselves, already know their true rival is UND. The few NDSU fans who post on this website are extremists (demonstrated by them monitoring and posting on a UND site), and I would expect nothing but the "SDSU true rival" propaganda from them.

Whatever they have to do to make themselves happy, I guess. Winning 6 out of 7 national titles isn't good enough if you still have to acknowledge UND, I suppose ... Man, it's awesome how much UND still gets underneath their cow hide [skin].

There isn't a contradiction unless you want to use ignorance as your own argument. You should know, as well as really everyone, that NDSU-UND games will sell out. I would imagine NDSU has also known that since 2004. However, NDSU still didn't schedule the current 2 game series until 2014 and never did schedule an out-of-conference game in Grand Forks. It certainly wasn't because UND didn't want to play NDSU, but quite the opposite. NDSU felt - emotionally and strategically - that not scheduling UND (despite the guaranteed one game sell out with high ticket prices) would hurt UND and protect NDSU in the long-term. The benefits outweighed the risks in the long-term, you could say, so that is what NDSU did. How can you not see that? It obviously worked for NDSU, as the fan base/allegiances have completely shifted since the two programs last regularly played in 2003. The last time the two played as conference rivals, UND was coming off a national championship in 2001 and NDSU had recently underwent a coaching change in 2003. The roles are quite different now, obviously. UND fans understand that Roger Thomas screwed up by not moving up to DI when NDSU and SDSU did. We acknowledge that and understand it ultimately hurt UND. Nonetheless, UND is NDSU's primary rival and NDSU is UND's primary rival. No way around it unless you want to blatantly ignore history, North Dakota culture, and geography.

I disagree. UND is such a rival of NDSU that NDSU's athletic department purposefully delayed playing them as long as possible. It wasn't that NDSU merely didn't want to play UND, but that NDSU wanted to spite UND as much as possible. That signals a TRUE rivalry if you ask me. This was possible based on NDSU's success starting in 2010 and UND's lack thereof under Mussman (also mainly in 2010).

Wrong, but keep convincing yourself of that. If you truly believe that, then you are in the minority of NDSU fans. THE University of North Dakota will always catch the attention of NDSU fans moreso than South Dakota State. I know NDSU season-ticket holders who gave away recent semifinal game tickets (vs mighty SDSU); they certainly won’t be giving away next year’s UND-NDSU game tickets. After a couple seasons of UND being in the same conference as NDSU, you will change your mind. Remember I told you so.

And how the hell do you know that? Let me guess, you also predicted UND would be seeded for the 2016 FCS playoffs? You have no idea. Get your moo U bias out of here.

You can think what you want, but I believe a win versus NDSU would launch UND forward for a variety of reasons. Increased team confidence and improved recruiting would be two major results of a UND win. When Youngstown or South Dakota came to the Fargodome and beat NDSU, was the hype the same as when UND was there? Of course not. It’s commonplace now for NDSU fans to try reduce UND as much as possible with talk to make themselves feel that much better. But the fact remains that UND is NDSU’s true rival and the dome will be rocking when UND is there moreso than when any other team plays NDSU. That can be interpreted as the stakes are obviously high when UND plays NDSU, and as such, a UND win would be tremendously great for UND’s future.

I agree, there needs to be more unity. I for one am for standing the entire time that UND is on defense. It just makes the most sense and brings out the most noise.

I disagree. Head-to-head victories matter and obviously SDSU has some against NDSU. Yes, SDSU is building the program the right way to be able to do that, but they’ve also gained a lot from being able to compete with and occasionally best NDSU. Ultimately your argumentative point is moot. No one thinks you can just show up in Fargo and beat NDSU, but if you do win, you have a major chance at having a very good season. That is what UND fans care about in the context of 2019. Win that second game of the season in Fargo, and UND will be set for a huge 2019 along with a potential program changing recruiting class.

“You play to win the game.” - Herm Edwards Win the damn game, UND, and reap the benefits. No one here is claiming that UND’s season is over if they lose to NDSU, but big things are on the horizon if they win.

I disagree. I think you completely missed the point. Also, to your strange point, does that mean NDSU is the only relevant FCS program since they’ve won 6 of the past 7 titles? No. Only in your heavily biased reality is NDSU the only relevant program. What is the current state of the South Dakota State football program? SDSU has been able to beat NDSU in Fargo during NDSU’s title streak. Most UND fans would kill to be where SDSU is as a football program. I do think UND can get there with improved facilities and coaching.

You would hate a lot of college football game day experiences then, I’m afraid. At least the experiences that are a hot ticket ... Many stand all game, at least when home teams defense is on the field.

Thank you for mentioning this. This needs to be the number #1 topic & change that UND Athletics focuses on during the off-season in regards to the Alerus Center and the game day experience. The student section should not be at the 50 yard line. It needs to be moved to the 30 to 20 yard line on one side of the field. There are two major reasons: #1 - season ticket holders deserve to have the seats at the 50 yard line because they are more likely to attend and fill up those "premium" sections. The student attendance has been too poor to continue reserving those seats and thus leaving them empty for 2+ quarters each and every game. The press box directly faces these seats and consistently seeing them empty is just poor marketing for UND football. #2 - per NCAA postseason rules, the student section would need to move in the postseason anyways. Move it now to simply be in compliance. Look at what other FCS schools do around the country.

The Alerus Center has done well with new management - just need wins now. Bubba and UND need to shoot for an undefeated season at home. It's not easy, but more than doable. Would do wonders to ignite the fan base.

NDSU is currently the best program in the history of FCS football. It’s not necessarily wise to be ignorant of that fact. UND beating NDSU in Fargo would set UND up for huge things in 2019. Merely getting into the playoffs and winning a playoff game actually pales in comparison to the possibilities that beating NDSU would produce. UND beating NDSU would mean national title potential for UND. Merry Christmas!

Really? Really! Of course UND fans would care *if* UND beats NDSU. If it happens next year, it would perhaps be the biggest win in the history of UND football. Also, to your point, if UND beats NDSU in Fargo I’m quite sure UND would then be capable of winning a playoff game .....

Key home losses under Bubba that come to mind (considering UND's chances to win and the potential momentum that a win would've created) : 2014 - Montana 2015 - Idaho State 2016 - Richmond 2017 - Montana State 2018 - Idaho State

Did you know that hockey, within this thread, was first mentioned by @SiouxFan100 and not by me? But why silently acknowledge that when you could derail this thread, right? Take your "member targeting" elsewhere. According to the NCAA, you should be ejected. Merry Christmas

I agree with your aim and measures. I will focus on the possible changes to achieve the improvement. Hockey should be at a championship level every season with their current level of support and resources. Disappointing to see where they are at. No change needed ... yet. Football is next on the list. It is coaching versus facilities for them. How will OC Freund do in his first season in such a role? Next, when will HPC Phase II funding be acquired? These are the two hottest takes on the program that would translate to improvement. As for basketball, the Betty is what it is. No facility improvement pending. Coaching is next level of concern. Let's see how everything transpires with conference play as this is the programs' first season as Summit League members.

Okay, back to reality ... The Big Ten Conference wants nothing to do with a “football only offer”, especially to a small agricultural college in North Dakota. Time to move on. NDSU finally losing some games (starting against EWU) might be the best thing for everyone’s sanity, particularly those in Fargo.

No, that distinguished honor tends to go your direction.

Didn’t watch a second of the game, but it is disappointing to see that UND lost a close game with such a nice opportunity right in front of them. Sure, it was close, but I hate moral victories because they don’t count in the standings. UND basketball screwed up again today.

Huge opportunity for the squad on the road. Hope they pull it out. Go UND Fighting Hawks!

You think that is why Zimmerman was voted captain? Wow, that’s laughable. I can guarantee you it wasn’t because his teammates picked up the preseason depth chart and used it as a guide. Zimmerman is liked by his teammates and he had a shot in the competition. Ultimatley I think Ketteringham and Boltmann are the top 2 on the roster currently.