UND-FB-FAN

Likely these, with a nice Fighting Hawk helmet decal instead, of course.

First game is always a tone setter -- just remember last year's game against Wyoming. I'm a bit nervous for this ball game. Both teams want to play the same style and Stony Brook has the homefield advantage. First games usually come down to the basics/fundamentals (blocking, tackling, turnovers, and penalties) due to limited chemistry/timing If UND plays disciplined like a veteran team, which in some aspects they are, then the Hawks should leave New York with a hard fought win. Of course, I hope for a lopsided score in UND's favor but not sure how realistic that is; will have to see this version of Bubba Ball in an actual game before judging that for future contests.

Absolutely, another dandy. Hype is really building for Thursday.

Schlossman references the potential personal biases of those in the committee, and with that, I figure it is appropriate to point out the possible personal biases of Schlossman and his article, as well. Obviously, women's hockey is one of the two primary sports that Schlossman covers, and with that, it is hard to imagine he can objectively assess the viability of women's hockey at UND. Yes, it would be ideal if those within the athletic department, whom Schlossman adores, could make the decisions on their own; however, the entire University of North Dakota is the ultimate sponsor for the athletic department. Furthermore, questionable decisions have been made by Faison and the department in the past, providing reason for wholesale assessment. Difficult decisions will have to be made. UND certainly over-funds some sports (relative to national average figures and potential growth models), and although there will be several disagreements during the process, the ultimate goal should be to better focus the resources. What is so wrong with using contemporary data on regional counterparts in order to formulate athletic department funding models? Sponsoring niche sports is unique, but is it really practical? How does the University of North Dakota define practical? Perhaps in growing the University's prospective student interest and current student-athlete extracurricular accomplishments, and if that's the case, then certain sports need to be further emphasized. I think it is safe to say many know which sports those are; if you are having a difficult time, look at the regional universities with similar enrollment/budget numbers as UND. It is far too early to criticize President Kennedy, in my opinion. I do appreciate and wholeheartedly agree with this statement from his letter to the UND IAC:

I do not agree. Did you catch ESPN's coverage last night? Quite good for that University and football program, I'd say. How about FCS national title coverage and the Wentz coverage?

I'm still hoping UND's kids play angry based on last season's playoff decision. Hoping for a surprise and a comfortable margin of victory on Thursday.

Good ball game last night with NDSU and Charleston Southern. All you can ask for is a close game in the Fargodome these days and last night's game certainly delivered that. My pregame prediction was it would be another blowout for NDSU; there's not very many FCS teams that can handle the crowd noise there. Give Charleston Southern credit for playing tough.

Charleston Sourhern won't be a playoff team? I disagree, although anything is possible this early.

Embarrassingly poor. Im happy UND is getting their due recognition, but the research ability of some of these "media types" is questionable at best.

I've been somewhat skeptical of the music choices and entrance song/video/lights over the past few seasons. I will be easily pleased if I can at least notice some effort has been put into these areas for 2016. Considering the hype surrounding this program (there hasn't been this much since at least the championship seasons), I would certainly expect UND and the Alerus Center to put in some new wrinkles to please the crowd, especially with the emphasis on "Pack the Alerus".

Why would they play a song when the UND offense is facing a 3rd down? Seems a bit counterintuitive in terms of home field advantage. I'll take noise for the UND defense. Let's keep it silent when UND has the ball -- you can cheer *WHILE* Santiago is running into the end zone. Otherwise, I love your ideas!

I agree with this. Great "intermission" or "pause in the action" song.

Pretty embarrassing for this Brad Reed character. I advise he takes a step back and changes his prediction strategy ... or just quit altogether. Go UND!

Watch and learn. Go Hawks

Very good question. I am not sure. Palmborg and Bakker/Rodgers are competing right there with those two. Nevertheless, from a fan standpoint, you have to love the depth that is developing.

Increasing football coverage is pivotal. I'm happy to hear about the new additions by Midco in that regard. The weekly football program and signing day coverage will help better expose the program to the local casual fans.

Interesting. Brock Boltman looks like a good quarterback prospect, but it is important to have overall good competition at the quarterback spot; Eric Prater should add to that competition. Very happy to hear about the coaching staff addressing the depth at QB after last season. Need to continue to grow ALL positions for this program to continue improving.

Not going to predict a score right now, but just going to issue a reminder that this is UND's first game since last year's embarrassing screw up by the FCS playoff selection committee. If Bubba's squad is as pissed of and anxious to play as I think they are, Stony Brook may have no chance in this one. I'm thinking this is going to be like the Cal Poly game last season; UND explodes out of the gates and wins easily. Leave No Doubt

By all accounts, UND's offense has been looking good thus far in fall camp. Of course, that is reliant on the offensive line being healthy and having the expected starting 5 actually start the game in Stony Brook. Game will be a bit of a defensive battle, but I expect UND to win by a touchdown or two. I'll go with 28 - 14 UND as my way too early prediction (I reserve the right to change my prediction during game week).

I agree with you. The coverage has been great this summer and fall. Everyone has a role to play in getting the Alerus Center regularly sold out! Keep it up, Tom!

Race between Bartels and Heidlebaugh is obviously a close one; however, I'd guess Heidlebaugh wins it based on him being a bit more athletic than Bartels. All 4 running backs are very capable, with John and Brady being a super tandem. Hopefully they stay healthly all year! The WR spot is surprisingly coming along. Both scholarship true freshmen look quite good and FBS transfer Demun Mercer will be capable on the field too. Throw in the incumbents Clive and Stanley and you have a nice corps for Studsrud. Cloyd will be an unreal TE moving forward. He will play a lot this year. As others have mentioned, both him and Pinke will be a great tandem moving forward. The depth at TE and FB is really quite good. Cant have any injuries to the OL. Right now, starting 5 offensive linemen are going to be road graders. They will move people and the drop off will be minimal to last year's line IF there are no injuries or changes to current starting 5 (Stockwell, Bell, Coe, Taylor, Cox). Defensive line and linebackers will be just fine. As everyone knows, DB is where questions lie. Have to get Harris and Tyus Carter healthy and back at CB. Of course, Reyes needs to stay healthy all year - tremendous tremendous player. Arnell and Palmborg both capable at other safety spot. Chris Carter can get the job done as a third or forth corner along with Hunt. I do not think either true freshman corner should be on the field this year; if Holm or Randolph are playing, that does not bode well for the pass defense. Need to have the four "veteran" corners (Hunt only spring ball) healthy and playing! Specialists appear to be the same as 2014: Taubenheim and Bolduc. Same old narrative continues, though: QB, OL, and DBs need to all stay healthy all year and then UND is looking very good. Go Hawks! Serious 2016 Big Sky Conference Champion Contenders ...

I'll just say it: you're wrong.

Never said they will miss the playoffs. Definitely never said that. However, I certainly implied NDSU will eventually cease to go undefeated in the playoffs. There has to be more parity than that.

I guess my disgust with this all is pretty straightforward: once NDSU loses in the playoffs (or perhaps twice over a couple seasons), their expectations and egos will fall to the point where UND will finally be viewed as a viable scheduling target. It's upsetting that NDSU is so conceited that they will lie about their scheduling strategy just to allow them (administration, fans, boosters, etc.) to live in their own dreamland (one where NDSU football is so superior it should function independently of a 100+ year rival). I am fairly certain that NDSU's stance on scheduling UND (has nothing to do with FCS terms; it's purely UND) will change once they stop winning national championships in the next year or two.

NDSU has set it self up for a real nice bandwagon fan dissolution once they start to lose. Why wouldn't you want an annual home-and-home in-state rivalry game that outdraws every other game in both attendance and popularity? NDSU's football program is very good, but there's no question they have a huge target on their back. Not sure when the meltdown will occur, but it is inevitable given some the behind-the-scenes rhetoric. I admit I am horribly biased, but there is a fairly consistent precedent where college football dynasties eventually crash hard. Here are a few theories on what will happen: http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/1/9/3855934/alabama-football-dynasty-fall