UND-FB-FAN

UND won 7 games playing the “toughest schedule in the country” in 2019. So, is the schedule even tougher now for 2020? Poor UND football, always going uphill both ways according to some. I’m waiting for some unexpected leaders to rise up.

7 wins is the best case scenario? Damn UND football is in a bad place. Have to have expectations for more wins than that, although I don’t think you’re wrong with the prediction.

Very true. Hard to say UND's defensive line is a better group than UND's linebackers. In fact, I would say UND's backers have been their strength on defense for a long, long time. Thus, play the 3-4 and have the most of them out on the field. Super simplistic way of looking at it, but it works.

It’s just a title based on tendency. You can call it a 3-4 and yet play it like a 4-3 with one backer as an end-backer hybrid. Alternatively, you can call it 3-4 and really play it like a 5-2 and have all O linemen covered, therefore NOT requiring the nose to traditionally cover 2 gaps. Many hybrid spins to the 3-4 defense. That’s the beauty of it. The personnel is key in absolutely everything when it comes to successful schemes, so that’s common sense. It’s about putting the players in the best position. UND will be a 3-4 defense and recruit to it, but the success or lack thereof simply comes down to the ability of the players. My only gripes on UND’s defense in the past has been their nickel packages. They could do a better job with sub packages; more backers and defensive backs rather than always keep 3 down linemen on the field during passing downs. Mason Bennett was a key player for UND because he had the ability to be a true hybrid defensive end. He could play 4-3 defensive end, 3-4 outside backer, and even 3 technique 3-4 defensive end, which is what UND had him listed as. I think he was most successful when standing up, however, as perimeter backer in UND’s scheme. Very athletic despite his frame. UND will miss him. Jaxon Turner is much more a true outside linebacker, would like him to be a bit bigger. Definitely has the athleticism.

Here is his take on alignment. Refreshing to hear coach speak on this, as he’s spot on. The talk on this board about 3-4 or 4-3 has been nothing more than strongly misinformed amateur opinion. “We're still base 3-4; I don't think that'll change at the University of North Dakota," Holinka said. "That's who we are. You're going to put your tweaks and changes to what you're more comfortable with, but it's not like we're tearing up the playbook and starting over. Coach Schmidt did a fantastic job the last six years. We'll emphasize different things, but UND Fighting Hawk defense is 3-4 defense. Will we line up differently? Yeah. Will we look like we have four down (linemen) sometimes? Yeah. But really, it's just whether one guy is standing up or in a stance. I think some people buy too much into whether you're 3 or 4 (down linemen)."

UND will continue to play a 3-4 defense with Bubba as head coach. It’s his familiarity.

Grass is always greener on the other side ... The people asking for an alignment change are clueless, in my opinion. It’s about the players, not whether you have 3 or 4 down linemen. Now, adjusting the scheme to your players’ strengths is a different story; doesn’t apply here, though.

Former UND coach (‘93-‘03) and coached with Bubba at SIU from ‘08-‘09 as ILB coach. Certainly makes sense. Most recently was Northern State Head Coach.

Nice opportunity for Coach Schmidt, but undoubtedly hurts UND. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/football/4852261-UND-defensive-coordinator-Eric-Schmidt-leaving-for-Fresno-State#.XhONYV8HBuE.twitter Who will be UND’s new defensive coordinator?

Awful news. Thoughts are with the Schweigert family during this tough time.

Golladay is a great talent. UND desperately missed him in 2014 and 2015. UND passing games were not good in ‘14 and ‘15, and in hindsight, can’t blame Golladay for staying away from Paul Rudolph

In my opinion (which is not worth a damn), the potential decision to move the students has an overwhelming amount of evidence in support of it. First and foremost, the student attendance has not been good enough. There are several other points in support for student section relocation, including the precedent set by nearly every other FBS and FCS football venue in the country.

On to 2020. I hope we don't talk about Bubba getting fired anytime soon (or ever again, for that matter), because if we do, that means 2020 was a disaster. I want UND football wins, not losses. On that subject, I hope the staff has made the right decision going with 3 freshmen quarterbacks for 2020. They are talented, but young. Cannot afford a losing season. Spring ball and Fall camp will be telling.

I disagree with simmering expectations and not being "too optimistic". The expectations for non-hockey UND sports could use a boost, not a reduction. What is your definition of "great things"? Sather has already beat a Big 10 team (albeit a bad one) in his first year and has yet to play a Summit League conference schedule. It is all relative, but I think Sather and UND can do "great things" and already have done "great things" in year one.

I won’t hold my breath. Not a good track record (pun intended) under Baukol. I agree it is a “huge” off-season, though, for o-line and d-line.

At minimum, coaches always receive a fair amount of criticism (rightfully so due to importance of coaching in college football), but there is such thing as excessive, unwarranted criticism too. With that said, my previous posts certainly suggest my stance on coaching, specifically UND’s coaching. The two major variables are always expectations (number of wins) and sample size (how many years to do it). Where does UND stand on these? Bubba has averaged 6 wins/season as coach for 6 seasons. That doesn’t make assessment any easier because it is nearly exactly average. Where should we stand on average? I do think the program is trending in the right direction, though, with Danny Freund at offensive coorindator. 2020 will be a big year for the direction of the program; it will revolve around a young QB, but as we are seeing out of NDSU this season, having a young QB certainly doesn’t exclude you from success. UND will have to play good defense and special teams and find an effective running game to do good things in 2020. I agree improved play at the line of scrimmage needs to be the focus area for UND next season, especially going into the MVFC. As for Bubba and state of the program, 2017 was the lone unacceptable season. Since then program has been trending up. 2020 needs to continue to demonstrate that trend.

There will be no coaching changes this offseason, so why talk about it? On to 2020.

If not willing to compete, should not play for UND. That goes for all players at all positions. There should always be competition, even in your own class. IF not, then Bubba is failing at recruiting. May not always be two scholarship players, but should always be at least 1 scholarship player and 1 non-scholarship player at every position in every class. Happy UND got 2 scholarship players at most important position in football: QB.

This guy is going to be an absolute stud for UND football under Freund’s direction. Great get.

Yes.

Right. Okay.

Congrats, NDSU. The refs won you the game vs Illinois State. What a bunch of crap. Will be a lot of sidewalk pissing in Fargo tonight.

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.