UND-FB-FAN

Yes, that is how *most* pro style offenses do it around the country, but that's not what Rudolph is doing here at UND. Apparently someone didn't catch on ... whenever Keaton turns around to communicate to the back, its a run. The entire conference has caught onto that by now I'm sure. Very little flexibility in the offense.

I don't recall much "in the right spot" going on. Most of the complaints have been regarding calls that never happen or players not playing.

Lots of issues need to be corrected, as obviously evidenced by 3-6. New instruction (coaching) is needed in some areas. Bubba best figure out where for when the time comes (end of season).

No one said we should play tempo all the time against every opponent, but rather it should be used when UND has the momentum and/or the opposing defense is struggling with substitutions. The closed-mindedness you're showing right now is the potential problem with the staff.

Exactly. If UND takes a minute to score vs. 5 minutes to punt, which is better? C'mon folks, this is the major issue UND's philosophy entails.

Really? How can you claim to know what you're talking about? UND is 3-6. The offense is not putting up big points this season and the defense is not helping them out. Last season the defense was competent, this season its been a different story. I agree with playing conservative offense and somehow acknowledging 3 and outs if the defense is getting stops consistently, but that isn't happening. UND needs to compensate, not play stubborn Bubba ball. Tempo can still embody a running offense. When you're going three and out often and/or the defense is not effective, the rhythm produced from tempo can increase QB play. Look around the country and see what it has done. I'm not saying UND needs to go to an air raid type Texas Tech system or go up-tempo all the time, but it could be done at times to help give UND advantage. Right now, it's not even considered. The issue I have is the potential stubbornness of the coaching staff; when things aren't working, try new things.

You I completely agree with this. Although Rudolph's playcalling gets criticized the most, its actually his QB coaching that should be looked at the closest. It's embarrassing how UND has tried to devalue the QB position while every other winning program from high school to college to the NFL understands it's the most important position. UND needs a better QB coach and also a coach that knows how call a game to better favor the QB. Add some quick passes and play-action on first down. Have personnel that actually has the best players on the field at the same time (Santiago split out with Oliveria and Johannesson in the backfield). Allow for some tempo to get the QB in a rhythm while the defense is on their heels. When the defense is "guns a blazing" and blitzing, actually call screen passes to help out the offensive line and QB. There is so much this team could try to help out the QB position (most important in football) that just isn't there. Rudolph needs to go in order for better playcalling AND better QB recruiting, assessment, and development.

To say this team has lost its mojo is an understatement.

Need two as far as I'm concerned. One of several positions that has had piss poor recruiting.

That's a long, detailed analysis and I appreciate the work you did there. I agree with some of that from a recruiting standpoint, but I still think there should be more juniors and sophomores in the two-deep. The fact that those classes have been almost completely disregarded is very troublesome. Based on these analyses, most coaches should take 5 or more years to achieve consistent success; however, that is not the case. Most successful coaches can change the culture and implement their scheme in a way that allows for success in two to three years. Bubba did that at UND (5-7 to 7-4 to 9-3) and that was promising. However, this season of injury shows that the lapses in recruiting are problematic and it needs to be addressed. Additionally, and probably most worrisome, is that the scheme has not been adjusted to best fit the available players. It has been a case of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I am confident that changes and subsequent improvement can and hopefully will occur, because 2-6 is not acceptable at UND even given the circumstances.

Weird, did you say playoffs? UND has eliminated that word from their vocabulary this season.

This results of this UND football season are not acceptable. Please acknowledge that before using "doom and gloom" accusations as a way to get through it. Changes are a must and I'm articulating why. What changes remain to be seen. I'm not implying a complete implosion of the current staff or methodology. So, recognize that ... please.

Well, why are there freshmen on the two deep, then? Bubba has been here four seasons, not one or two. There should be better depth. It's not there - that's on some or all of the coaching staff for failing to recruit, retain, develop, and improvise. Stop making excuses. It's not unrealistic to expect UND to be able to win every season (UNI, SDSU, EWU caliber). If you want UND to be a program of Portland State or Southern Utah's caliber, then keep up the current banter.

Whatever makes you sleep at night. A 2015 7-4 and 2016 9-3 consecutive season record should be enough to at least bring in some quality recruits that can be competitive backups in the Big Sky Conference. Very few RS sophomores are playing that are making a impact. I guess my expectations are too great for this program according to some. It's not unrealistic because there's more than enough standards around the country to prove otherwise. Just look 80 miles south. I understand that comparison will provoke many on this board, but it is from a success standpoint, not a jealousy or rivalry standpoint. For that matter, look at what EWU and James Madison are doing. Someone brought up the theory that UND should be inferior to NDSU because of city size. Well then, Northwestern should be a better football program than Wisconsin. Or the University of Minnesota should have a better football program than Ohio State. City size absolutely doesn't correlate with college football program success; its based on alumni support and the subsequent appropriate allocation to the football program. HPC phase II is such a must in this regard.

This is the kind of attitude that will cost UND in the long run. Sure, it's difficult for UND to find very good recruits right out of high school, but it can be done. Look at the top FCS programs around the country. We need to strive for UND to do better, not justify a 2-6 record because we are loyal to a fault.

Of late, Montana and Montana State doing "fine" is questionable ... They've been a bit underwhelming the last couple seasons. Now, relative to the UND football team this season, Montana and Montana State are doing "fine". Yes, yes, I know, Montana and Montana State have been spared by the injury Gods ....

Attrition is an issue, but don't overlook the questionable potential of the recruits being recruited. Many are misses, unfortunately, by the staff; they aren't DI caliber. Yes, some may develop into good players after 2 to 3 years within the program, but UND certainly doesn't have the depth yet to be relying on that type of "project" recruit. Bubba needs to recruit more players that are ready to come in and compete. If such players were on the roster, the injury epidemic of this season wouldn't hurt as bad as it has.

Well, there's no question that after this horrid season changes need to be made. Bubba needs to replace his coordinators and some coaches; if not all three coordinators (Schmidt won't go anywhere), then at least two of them. A season of this ineptitude absolutely justifies that, particularly considering the preseason expectations and current time-point within the Bubba regime (this is year 4, not 1 or 2). Secondly, strength & conditioning and sports medicine needs to be reassessed. The techniques of the staff needs to be at least improved so players can be better prepared to make it through an entire football season. It can be done - look around the country. If Bubba is genuine and truthfully wants UND football to consistently be a top FCS program, then he will make some necessary changes after this disaster of a season.

Exactly

You can think what you want, but a top 10 FCS team should at least be in the conversation in my opinion. That much is not too much to ask for. This is apart of the lowly expectations that non-hockey sports get at UND. You can pull out excuses all you want, but it's been a problem for some time and it continues to be an issue. Until supporters think UND can do great things in football, it won't happen. Fundraising and attendance goes a long, long way. UND supporters need to head the charge. Unfortunately, UND people spend more time justifying poor play then advocating for better play, with the exception being the hockey crowd. That desperately needs improvement.

I completely agree with the defensive analysis. Yes, the injuries at LB, S, and Corner have thinned the defense out tremendously, and as much as we want to criticize Rudiolph and the offense, the defense is actually the most porous unit. With that said, the offense needs to be opened up this season considering the defensive issues. Unfortunately, the offense is still a replica of last year's conservative offense (2016 had a competent defense to go with it; although the pass defense was a work in progress even last year - their play cost UND the playoff game in the waning seconds). Rudolph has failed to implement more diverse personnel groupings with Santiago, Oliveira, and Johannesson, and include screens, back shoulder fades, and quick TE play passes. No attempt to implement some tempo either, which could help out the QB play. Nevertheless, there is plenty of blame to go around beyond just the injuries. The coaches can improvise and they obviously haven't given the pathetic 2-6 record. Yuck.

Preseason expectations and polls indicated Frisco was a possibility this season. It's easy to forget when you strive for lowly expectations on a regular basis.

For one, failure to improvise when the best aren't out there. It's easy to coach when you have no injuries and the starters are experienced, but thats not reality in football - players get hurt and miss games. The best coaches consitently win for such reasons, in addition to recruiting depth that allows a program to withstand such injuries. Unfortunately, some feel it takes 10 years to acquire 2 to 4 classes worth of depth ... doesn't make sense unless you're an apologist.

Coming off a 9-3 conference championship season with a playoff appearance will do that. The expectations were further raised when UND was picked to win the conference this season as well as being voted a top 10 team nationally. Fans picked up on this and UND had an all-time season ticket record prior to the season. So, of course people will be upset when the program has a train wreck season after all that. If changes aren't made because "this is all just bad luck", it won't take long for the aforementioned apathy to set in, trust me. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of ... Bubba Ball?? I hope not.

I've questioned this before only to be attacked by the ignorant Gods of this board. The dogma of "results don't matter at UND" but rather "it's just bad luck" continues to reign supreme.