UND-FB-FAN

A 3 win season will do that ... If UND had poor depth this season following 7-4 and 9-3, what will 3-8 bring? The 2017 recruiting class that redshirted is the only shot UND has at being a contender in 2018.

I don't think a big year at QB is possible with the system Rudolph runs. The offense will either have a bunch of rushing yards or no success; I'm not opposed to Rudolph's system as long as the offensive line wins their battles consistently. In 2017, that wasn't always happening and the passing game was non-existent. In 2015, the year was about the offensive line and the benefit their blocking provided to freshmen Santiago and Oliveira. .

I do recall his progress up until that 2014 SUU game; however, I think the receiving corps and running game (or lack thereof) would've still limited his success that season. I understand your point of view, just don't completely agree with it. Now, if he was in a system with better receivers and running backs, it could've been a different story.

Mollberg had all the tangibles to be a good quarterback. I think he just needed the coaching and system to put it altogether. Unfortunately, Rudolph didn't provide him that. The Mussman system in 2013 wasn't good either as the running game and defense were non-existent (throwing to Hardin and Golladay were pluses, though).

Mussman recruited them, Bubba coached them .... There's still a disconnect. UND can get better players than most Big Sky Conference schools (hence the 2015 and 2016 season), but they can't out-recruit based on *current* facilities and success most of the MVFC schools. The necessary component for future success is very good coaching/scheming in addition to good recruiting. Let's see if that is present. I have my doubts.

I think your wishful thinking could be spoiled in 2018. Let's see. The wins in 2015 and 2016 weren't collected due to superb coaching by any means. The players made several improbable plays and won many very close games.

The hopefulness of the final point is telling. We'll see; I'm not holding my breath.

I sense an exhaustion of innovation and motivation. Bubba ball wore thin for the 2017 season. In fact, 2017's embarrassment of a season for UND could be the beginning of the end. Let's see how 2018 goes. Go UND

The lack of a screen game with Santiago is an absolute sin. Just a disgrace - Rudolph is just a bit too traditional and narrow-minded in his offensive thinking. UND needs new blood in its staff for the offense; since Bubba won't do it, new blood across the entire staff might actually be the solution this time next year.

They aren't that good and it now all makes sense. UND stuck with them better than UND did with some of their Big Sky Conference opponents. In fact, UND looked better against Utah than they did against Southern Utah ... upsetting. UND had issues from game 1; thus, the injuries were only part of the problem.

I did not assume that. It's quite evident, though, that the good teams around the country have a higher percentage of contributors in their classes than the poor teams. That is, well, the foundation of college football: recruiting. In terms of LB and corner, for example, Bubba has done poor recruiting and with attrition. The disaster at those two positions completely derailed this season.

@Old School Guy, please read comprehensively before replying and assuming an argumentative stance. I agreed with you, as I prefaced my comment. The statement "If you ..." was hypothetical and not directed at you. I could have worded that differently. I believe the shortcomings of the defense ARE in fact everybit as concerning as Rudolph and his playcalling, scheming, and player evaluations. In fact, Bubba wants UND to have an identity of good aggressive defense and ball-control (i.e. boring but safe) offense. The defense lapsed because of the injuries AND the players behind the injured; they didn't play well. Many of those players that did not play well in 2017 will never play well for UND in the future; this is the concern. Bubba and his staff had produced insufficient defensive depth for the 2017 campaign and it cost the team this season.

I agree with you. Let's keep this logical and linear: Injuries + Poor Depth = Poor Play The injuries were unfortunate, but they also occurred at positions that were ill-equipped to handle such loses. This season was a combination of bad luck and poor recruiting/depth. The scheme can also be questioned based on the poor play of the backups and inability of the offense to compensate (the offense had their starters available for most of the season). If you are one who thinks the coaches had nothing to do with this horrible season for UND, then you're clueless. The depth was horrid in some spots and Bubba has had 4 recruiting classes (2014,2015, 2016, 2017) to address that. It doesn't take 5+ seasons to correct depth unless you are horribly incompetent at talent evaluation and recruiting; hence my concerns with this staff.

This issue is nullified a ton by having a good defense, which is what Bubba and Schmidty want UND football's identity to be. Unfortunately, when injuries on defense changed that identity this season, the offense couldn't improvise/compensate. It is very frustrating to know that is the kind of coaching/philosophy going on.

You know, I agree with essentially all of this, which is very upsetting. If Bubba doesn't want this fixed, then the new athletic director better be ready for an early and very important move on his part. The team went 3-8 during a season with championship expectations. That's not due to just injuries. Bubba expects things to get better with simply another trial (season), no changes. That is insanity to me and it will likely show next season. This could mark the beginning of the end.

How ironic is it that during the season we amp up most game day components, the most crucial element goes missing: wins.

When Bubba was hired, how many would've been satisfied with "decent" in Bubba's 5th season? People need to step back and realize just how mediocre this coaching regime has been now due to this most recent season (3 wins, 8 loses). Obviously no staff changes are going to happen. But I'm making my thoughts known because I'm not expecting much success next season and I think the new AD may need to hire his own in 2018. Let's see what happens. Go UND

I've supported UND football for over 20 years. I'll be in my seats next year irregardless. But, I don't have to be all jolly about it if I don't agree with the direction. I obviously hope for the best (and unfortunately expect not the best after this bull$%!# season). Go UND

I can't wait to hear what the excuse is for next season. Too hard of schedule? Not enough time? Mussman? Who knows ...

Outside of one season, UND has done !@#$ at the Division I level. For all you blow hards, UND football has a long way to go. I'm calling a spade a spade while the rest of you represent ignorance is bliss.

3-8 isn't average - that's piss poor. Average is 24-22.

Right! Due to player attrition, all football coaches should have 10 years after being hired before their initial evaluation. Send that out to A.D.'s across the country; they'd love to hear it.

24-22 after four seasons. Mediocrity for 10 seasons before UND football is maybe deemed deserving of more? What was Hak's winning percentage after his first four seasons? Presumably much better than 0.52. ALERT: People need to raise their expectations for UND football. I'm sorry for those who get tired of me saying that, but I'm going to repeat it because you folks who expect average football out of UND are an ongoing problem source.

Umm ... you just made my point. Thanks.

The culture might already be irreversibly damaged, but let's see what happens next year. Either way, I think this year showed the deficiencies of our scheme and coaching staff. Yes, having better players available will lead to better results. That's not rocket science. But I just think more could have been done with this season than what the coaches and players were able to produce.