UND-FB-FAN

On to 2024. Expectation is 7-5. Can UND exceed that? I doubt it, but we will certainly find out.

This is the contract prior to most recent extension (2021), but I suspect the termination without cause section is much the same in terms of compensation for remaining years of contract. In summary, no changes for at least 1 more year, maybe 2.

No pressure or accountability. All complacency and joy. It’s ridiculous. major culture problem here at UND football with Bubba being the ringleader …

Apathy well settled in at this point. It’s been “prove it” time for UND football for a while as far as I’m concerned, and we continue to get 7-4 with occasional 5-6 and 3-8 sprinkled in. I think this is what UND wants … the followers to be slowly but surely conditioned to accept this mediocre level of production and expectation. For Bubba and his staff, it means a lifetime contract.

Defense had bad games (Sac State, Indiana State) and offense had bad games (South Dakota, UNI). Dare I say it, is there an “overall” problem? Who is the “overall” leader of this team?

Again, if you think base defensive alignment is the issue, then, well, think again. I definitely think changes on multiple levels are needed, but this isn’t it. With that said, I don’t care if the base alignment is 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 3-3-5, etc. I just want more competent football being played out on the field. No reason a defense should be so poorly coached that it gives up 3rd and long after 3rd and long time and time again. God awful coaching and defensive positioning/strategy by the coaching staff in those situations, which are supposed to be favorable to the defense, all season long.

Absolutely. I agree with that twist. Complacency and a lack of internal pressure and accountability is never good for prospective improvement.

The mindset of UND’s current “leader” is not good enough. That is plainly evident.

Well this simply is false. 3-4 defense being the scapegoat is interesting, but I don’t buy it. How the scheme is implemented and taught is more important, and, of course, the ability of the student-athletes on the field is the most important piece. The devil is in the details, not the alignment.

He can’t provide what you’re referencing.

Pollard Center is not going to fix all problems.

Talent is always a factor. The more talent you have, the more games you win. Very simple. But the key in college football is coaching; hence the major turnover around the country when finances aren’t an issue. There are several examples around the country annually where the talent remains the same but the results are different based on a change to the approach, message, leadership, schemes, teaching, etc. which all is considered in summary a change to coaching. UND / Grand Forks isn’t going to attract a different tier of student-athlete overnight, but coaching caliber change is more achievable in the short-term. The hope is the new facilities (Pollard Center phase II) will somehow instantly raise the level of athletes that come to Grand Forks. Need to be careful and temper the expectations with just that though.

It’s not impossible. A lot of ways, principally finances. The opinion of an NDSU fan will always be considered with a major grain of salt. Thanks for comment though.

Honestly, some of the best college coaches out there weren’t superstar players in colleges. In fact, some didn’t play college football at all. Bottomline is need to be open minded in the hiring process, and most importantly for UND, be open to the idea of change. The resistance to change at UND is horrific.

All 3 at home. Could see 2-1, but they will win most home games again. They will likely lose to SDSU again, but most of the losses again will come from road losses. The road problem has existed for several seasons under the current “leadership” so I expect UND to continue to lose most of those road games, with exception in 2024 being @ Indiana State.

Updated my predictions. Stays the same at 7-5

Nothing. Nothing will change is the answer.

Tommy Schuster’s lack of arm talent does not not allow for a consistent downfield passing game. Schuster is liked because he makes good decisions and improvises, but his arm talent is very very mediocre for a division I quarterback. He also isn’t athletic enough for the way most college football is played nowadays. See QB running game this year from SDSU, NDSU, Sac State, etc. … Schuster can’t offer that.

agreed

If everything remains unchanged in terms of eligible players returning and coaching staff unchanged: 2024 Predictions: @ Iowa State - loss vs Montana - toss up but I’ll go with a win since at home vs Idaho State - win vs San Diego - win vs Murray State - win @ NDSU - loss vs UNI - win @ Youngstown - loss @ Indiana State - win vs South Dakota State - loss vs South Dakota - win @ Illinois State - loss Final record: 7 - 5 … rinse and repeat. Loss at Illinois State causes uproar to end season, Bubba finally “retires” with one year (2025) remaining on contract Chaves could do everyone a favor, principally the students-athletes, and force a change now, but he won’t.

Transfer portal losses and additions will be purely a distraction; something to occupy peoples’ time without actually providing substance. Coaching ineptitude is the issue right now. Has been and will continue to be until there is deliberate change. Chaves can’t get any credit nor should he expect improvement if he is simply continuing to observe and not provide action.

Exactly. Chaves made public comment on Bubba’s job security at the time of that extension announcement. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/und-signs-football-coach-bubba-schweigert-to-two-year-extension-through-2025

Right … the supporters who want UND football to be a championship caliber program are the problem. The “realists” who relish in perpetual 7-4 are the heroes? Talk about an asinine perspective …

I don’t think transfers will fix the issue. Program tried this the last couple seasons with transfers and same problems persisted. When you beat your rival and follow it up with a 27-0 loss, or lose by one score to South Dakota and Sac State, it’s not merely talent deficiency, but rather misuse of availabe talent. This team could have won many more games, but they didn’t due to mismanagement. So close, but yet so far.

That’s why the talent talk is futile. The leadership of the student-athletes is where the problem lies.