UND-FB-FAN

This isn’t a hockey forum. Who cares? Appears UND has an eye for talent despite what NDSU trolls think or say. The kid may be on a good football team but he will receive an inferior education; and who knows how this thing plays out when regularly scheduled conference play opens up between UND and NDSU again. We all know how conference play went between the two programs before.

Concept was contagious and really fun and entertaining for Miami Hurricanes defense in 2017. I think something should get introduced on sidelines for UND in 2018. There's no question that ability to create turnovers directly affects win count. Just look at 2016 versus 2017 ...

After 2017 there was justified criticism to go around and to ignore that is foolishness that I will not support. I hope for many wins in 2018 with better players on the field, less injuries, and rejuvenated coaching/schemes. Let’s see.

I happily embrace my new role as an easy target for up votes. Congrats to all who have discovered this.

Oh I get it, but I’m not going to allow simple redundancy arguments to affect an opportunity to post my opinion. Despite these arguements based on repetition, we all know there are folks who directly oppose my opinion; therefore, I continue to have an opportunity to expand on my stance. It would be far too convenient for opposers, and frankly quite boring, if “you’ve said that before” omitted participation on this board. That’s all from me on my “posting strategy” for now. Let’s see how 2018 goes. I’ll be in the stands supporting UND football like I always have. Go Hawks

That backhanded, microaggressive comment received a nice reaction from your groupies, but no thanks, I think I’ll stay and continue to be one of the few who provides reality-based commentary. Would sure be nice, though, living in UND fantasy land 24/7. Go UND

Zimmerman has been the most present for off-season workouts; has the support of the team. Ketteringham will have to out do him in fall camp and impress his teammates to win the job everyone expected he already had won.

Nice rant. Full of excuses as has been par for the course around here. 1st season doesn’t count, shortened recruiting season, snubbed by FCS playoff committee, NDSU fans feel sorry for us, injuries, etc. UND has won 52% of games in last 4 years; overall not playoff quality. 1 playoff season in 4 total; 25% up to your expectations? [insert excuse here] My final statement was 2018 will be a huge season for the direction of UND football; as such, as I said, let’s see what happens. Results speak far greater and louder than all this conjecture; all the talk in the world won’t change 52% and 25%. 2018’s results will change those numbers, though. If UND does well, there will be praise for the coaches and players (deservedly so). If UND does poorly, there will likely be new excuses. It’s been the pattern thus far.

Speaking of, here's an additional excuse (of many) that was recently posted. Man, one can't do wrong at UND unless you've been there for at least 5 years I guess. 2018 will be a huge season for the direction of UND's football program.

One may have to accept that playoffs could be a rarity for UND under Bubba. Is that acceptable with UND's administration? Most likely, football is vastly overlooked. When not the DI transition, Mussman, or injuries, one must find another excuse or embrace reality. Interestingly, and simultaneously disappointing, 7-4 without playoffs could be the reality many are content with regardless of excuses. Bubba has had 4 seasons (fair sample size) and has won 52% of his games (52% won't make postseason). Obviously there will be an additional season (2018) to add to him and his staff's record and I find it to be tremendously important in assessing the current trajectory of UND football.

I wouldn't look too far into the weights for the offensive linemen. I would, however, get caught up in the lack of production from the offensive line during the Bubba era. There has been a combination of physical inability from the players and lack of coordination/discipline coming from the coaching staff. Also, one could argue the scheme hasn't done the o-line any favors either. Lots of blame to go around. Football is based on results; I don't care how much the line weighs if UND can consistently run the ball and protect the passer. Last year, they couldn't do either and we saw a measly 3 wins.

I hope so; the team deserves to have him in that group. Oliveira and Johannesson can handle the duties between tackles themselves, but UND needs more play-makers on the outside (i.e. Santiago out wide).

I don't know, you tell me.

Perhaps Bubba individually does such a tremendous job promoting his program that all other promotion platforms have become unnecessary, along with performance grading of his assistant coaches. I'm not "bent out of shape" about this by any means, but I also am not going to aimlessly shout supportive praises either. A lot to prove in 2018.

I apologize. Limiting marketing/viewing options is crucial for UND football at this time; brilliant ideology from the coaches.

Coaches didn't want increased visibility of their ineptitude? Turning down marketing in any form seems just silly, especially with the Alerus Center's average attendance.

Completely agree. 100% Especially with the defense hurting in ‘17, Bubba and Rudolph kept their head in the sand and didn’t adjust. So frustrating to see weapons on offense (Santiago, Oliveira, Johannesson, Cloyd) with a senior quarterback not being utilized correctly at all. This is where my faith in UND football under Bubba got torched the most last season. The offensive line didn’t gain any studs over the off-season, so I would sure hope the offense will be adjusted for ‘18. If not, it will be another brutal offensive season with the weight being put entirely on the defense.

I hope all these things happen also. Would be a great recipe for a bounce back 2018. Unfortunately, I have little to no idea if the coaching/scheme aspect of these things are actively being worked on.

The offensive scheme/philosophy used by Bubba and Rudolph is anti-passing game. It has to do with the predictability of play calling and archaic formations and concepts. I think the QB position will have a better pure passer at it (either Ketteringham or Zimmerman) compared to Studsrud, but the personnel (o-line and receivers) and scheme is still questionable in my opinion, absolutely.

Completely agree. If we are giving UND a mere 1% chance versus a fellow FCS opponent, then UND will NOT be good enough to make the playoffs this season: 4-7 or 5-6 record this season. I think UND has a 40% or so chance to beat Sam Houston; all comes down to UND's ability to pressure the QB and play deep-ball pass defense. Last season they couldn't play the deep ball to save their life, so that needs to improve in 2018 for UND to win the game. My record prediction is currently 6-5 with no playoffs, unfortunately. UND's pass defense and pass offense concerns me too much; I would love to be surprised, though.

Gotta love a good quarterback. UND should be very happy with this one. Now, development, development, development ... Offense has to become more dynamic and innovative starting THIS season (eyes are on you, Mr. OC/QB coach Rudolph) ...

Thanks

You're ridiculous; your posts aren't worth reading. And don't say I'm bashing high school kids; that's an incorrectly placed statement and you know that. I don't personally attack any players; the judgement is based on football ability, academics, and good citizenship. Nothing personal. These "high school kids" are subjected to the recruiting rigors of college football. They are mature and can handle football criticism (if they can't, then they likely aren't going to develop). The statement that I'm bashing high school kids is completely ignorant and aimless. Nice try.

Understood. I'll just emphasize this statement then: "You doubt the recruiting process this year" - I am skeptical. I certainly hope and do believe that several of these prospects will work out. Like every season, though, the proportion of the class that "works out" will influence whether UND is successful or not. All comes down to development versus attrition. So far, on paper, this class is shaping up nicely.

Let me help you. Your interpretation of my views could not be more incorrect. I don't think anyone here "blindly trust the coaches" ... oh, there are some. "The coaches can do NOTHING right in your opinion" ... a faulty generalization; of course the coaching staff has done some things right. Have you selectively forgotten how Mussman's staff operated? Bubba took UND to their first FCS playoffs in 2016. I do not believe they can do "NOTHING" right; wow, give me a break. The fact of the matter is coaching falls on a spectrum; unfortunately, many on here oversimplify and assess UND football with a splitting approach (either all good or all bad; nothing in between). "You doubt the recruiting process this year" - I am skeptical. I certainly hope and do believe that several of these prospects will work out. Like every season, though, the proportion of the class that "works out" will influence whether UND is successful or not. All comes down to development versus attrition. "I suspect you never will" - step back and look at the overall situation. You're the one being narrow-minded here, not me. I have been optimistic when appropriate in the past and that will happen again when I see improvement ON THE ACTUAL FIELD. Lastly, my pessimism is weighed with the previous results; not conjecture that any armchair quarterback on this site can stir up and write on here. When the actual results (which are independent of most folks on here) are improved, then my outlook will be improved. I will not apologize for being results based; that is the very nature of collegiate football.