UND-FB-FAN

The committee isn’t a computer; they look at the big picture. If the 8th win was against a high quality opponent, maybe it would help. But I question if this UND team could even acquire an 8th win with how inconsistent they are. So, again, it comes back to what UND can and cannot do on the field.

I would counter and say a team that loses by 35 to Idaho State shouldn’t be in the playoff anyways, whether they play 11 or 12 games is pointless. Now, with all that, UND could still make it at 7-4 if they look the part against SUU and a few other games being played go their way.

You are certainly right. Discussing coaching change is a moot point at this point in time. When Bubba’s contract is up for renewal, then perhaps we can discuss. UND doesn’t have the financial resources to terminate a contract with multiple years remaining. I think that point (i.e., the lack of resources to have contract termination even be an option) is the source of frustration that gets supporters fired up. It is this same lack of resources that makes HPC Phase II very difficulty to construct.

A lot of distracting points here that I don’t think are entirely relevant. The 11 game schedule in a 12 game year and scheduling NDSU twice in Fargo are hindsight excuses and not important. UND needs to take care of business and that’s the bottom line. It’s far more about what they do on the field; not what the schedule is or isnt. The biggest flaw for UND in 2019 is the embarrassing, unexplainable blow out loss to Idaho State. If they miss the postseason in 2019, it’s because of that. UND is still guaranteed 1 game in 2019; it is against Southern Utah in Grand Forks. If UND wants to have a shot at the playoffs per the committee, they need to show up on Saturday and look like a playoff team. I know it didn’t work in 2015 (UND blew out Cal Poly and still didn’t make it due to a bad Idaho State loss), but it could salvage the 2019 season. UND needs to win CONVINCINGLY against Southern Utah. If they don’t, no one on the committee will think UND belongs and they probably don’t belong either if they can’t handle Southern Utah.

Not worried about Fruend. Worried about Schmidt’s defense and Bubba’s game management. This team is handicapped at the upper leadership positions. Bubba, Schmidt, and the players, particularly the defensive players, need to be better. Not a great showing today for UND at all.

Common theme: Bubba Bubba Ball

UND football team gets the win. Perhaps the program got a loss. UND looked poor against a bad team. They don’t look like a playoff team/program. Bubba and his staff are just not passing the eye test this season. Hopefully the next game against SUU goes really, really well. It is sad that I have to “hope” for this and can’t expect a good performance at home versus lowly SUU.

Damn it’s frustrating trying to support UND football

I agree. Awful. Disgusting ending. Choke job. Pissed it down their leg. UND played well enough to win, but failed in critical moments. UND continues to be a slightly above average team that can’t win big games. Disappointing.

Credit to Bubba and Kostich for calling that fake punt. Love the aggressive mindset. Special teams coming around the last couple ball games. UND defense needs to play better. Ketteringham and receivers are playing well. Just would like to see a better running game but that’s been absent all season. If UND can find a resemblance of running in the 2nd half they could pull the upset.

His prevent defense at the end of the half almost cost UND 3 points. He needs to figure his own !@#$ out.

Is that right?

Weber State is a very good FCS team. A win would be huge for UND this season and beyond. Important Bubba and his team are very aggressive today and go for the win. Do not play to just keep it close.

I couldn’t agree more.

Awesome to see. This is the backbone of successful UND football teams; that is, top North Dakota high school student-athletes. Ihry from FSHP and Belquist from NRS will both be great additions to the UND football program. Kudos to Bubba and staff for finding these guys. Keep recruiting small town ND!!

Maybe losing to ISU is understandable when you lose by a couple scores to a bad team on the road. NOT when you lose to a bad team by multiple scores ...

The ISU loss was rock-bottom bad when it happened. Can't get any worse. Just weird how Bubba's teams consistently can't prepare for and perform against lowly Idaho State.

We’ve already waited too long. Needing “familiar opponents” is an excuse I don’t buy, I’m afraid. Students need to be moved for next season. When 215 was opened for Champions Club seating a few years back, it filled up relatively quickly. Opening 214 to season ticket holders will fill that section up consistently.

It appears we are on paper. Not on the field. It is a mental issue against them, for some reason, under Bubba. In 2019, Idaho State is 3-0 at home and 0-5 on the road. UND played them in idaho, of course. Still no excuse to lose 55-20. Idaho State is coming off a 54-39 loss to lowly 2-7 Southern Utah.

A loss to Weber and two home wins vs UNC and SUU puts UND at 7-4. Hopefully they would make playoffs at that mark. I could see them being a bubble team and either last team in or first team out in that situation, unfortunately. Best situation would be a Weber State win and a 3-0 regular season finish, obviously. I think the playoff committee is going to heavily hold the Idaho State blowout loss against UND, as they’ve done before. Idaho State is - once again - not a very good team and they embarrassed Bubba’s UND squad.

I guess I just don’t see this support he speaks of. The student section is consistently over 80% empty. And, for Chaves being a DI AD, he should know what the precedent is for student seating at college football games. It just doesn’t happen very often where students are given midfield seating (taking away from season ticket holders), especially when the attendance has been poor for years. But yes, more season ticket holders need to contact Chaves regarding this. The seating at the Alerus Center is not being best utilized, in my opinion. Chaves appears to be misinformed. Folks should take photos of student section (visual evidence) and email them to him.

The student attendance hasn’t been good for years. Thus, I seriously want UND athletics to move the student section down and allow season ticket holders to occupy the midfield areas on BOTH sides. Better alumni relations AND aesthetics, especially for visiting recruits. The current student seating situation is an outdated DII model and doesn’t make sense to me at all.

Weber State game is season-defining for UND based on how it could turn the season. UND has to play well to have a chance. Blowout loss and I could see UND not recovering. Win for UND, and I see a first round home playoff game and 8-3 season. I, unfortunatley, don’t see the UNC and SUU games going as smoothly as some envision. Hopefully both wins, but likely gonna be close. Bubba’s tenure at UND has taught us that - nothing comes easy.

Biggest offensive issue is NOT the quarterback position with Nate Ketteringham. Could it be better, absolutely. But @iramurphy hit it right on the head; #8 is completing over 70% and with no turnovers. That is good QB play. The biggest offensive issue is the lack of a running game. If the running game could ever get on track, UND would have a complete offense and put up 30+ points routinely. Freund is having the offense do what it does without the threat of a running game, which is even more impressive for the first year coordinator. Just imagine ... hopefully next year with better o line and backs. Also could use more explosive receivers. Plenty of opportunities to further expand offensive talent for Freund.

That’s also a function of the receivers. UND has no deep ball threat on the perimeter. This offense could be much more explosive with better quarterbacks AND receiver play. The short to intermiediate routes are run really well by UND’s guys, though (Wanzek, Toivonen, Maag).