UND-FB-FAN

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

UND used to play outdoors until 2001, when the Alerus Center became the new home of UND football. Having an outdoor stadium, like UND's former game venue Memorial Stadium, has its advantages when it's nice and warm in the early fall, but the cold winter weather of North Dakota makes the controlled Alerus Center climate hard to beat in November and potentially December. Not to mention, the enclosed environment creates the potential for fans to produce a nice home field advantage in terms of noise.

Given the schedule, ANYTHING less than 8-3 would be a huge disappointment this season. The expectations are high and everyone recognizes that. Now, it's Bubba's job to get the team to embrace that and execute.

It's all a good read: http://www.inforum.com/opinion/columnists/4088887-port-text-messages-show-bresciani-initially-supported-restrictive-media

Despicable. Fargo U's administration sure missed the target on this one. I love to see this made public.

Damn Alabama helemts ... Selfish helmets.....

4 PM on Saturday, September 17. It will be the 51st annual Potato Bowl versus the University of South Dakota and the home opener. Expect a lot of excitement and a real nice crowd.

Agreed. New jerseys with new wordmark will match the helmet numbers better, I would imagine.

Good. That's a positive move in my opinion.

Darn. Great ILB prospect.

Games are won and lost up-front. I feel very comfortable with the defensive front; as for the offensive front, I am afraid there are still way too many questions for me to feel comfortable. Skill position players are finally in place, but will the offensive line be capable? I won't know until September 1st, and perhaps the coaches won't know until then as well. I do have faith that Coach Knauf will continue to develop that unit, but it is demoralizing knowing the offensive line could still perhaps be an issue in year #3 of Bubba ball.

Very good offensive player on film. I see him as being very similar to Santiago. Could play running back, receiver, and/or return specialist.

Very good point.

Thanks for the summary; however, I still think those rankings and ratings are not worth much. Recruiting websites miss players all the time, and for that reason, Bubba's staff does their own evaluations and they trust what they see, not what they hear. The elite camps on campus have been an absolute success in terms of UND recruiting and prospect assessment. Like you mentioned, Santiago, Studsrud, Grady, etc. are not on these lists; exactly why in-person scouting of ALL appropriate regional prospects is the right thing to do.

I disagree. Bubba has fond memories of some of the 70s teams that donned gray helmets and pants. I definitely think this move is more geared towards a throwback look than it is to be contemporary. After all, Bubba is real old school when it comes to uniforms.

Late to the party. Gray was utilized by UND in the 1970s. I agree that it is out of line with current colors and a black set should've been added before gray, but gray is a true throwback color for UND.

Best combo would be gray helmets, green jerseys, and gray pants, in my opinion. I wouldn't mind seeing that home combo every single home game. Gray helmets NEED to have the same green and white striping as the gray pants, though. Beautiful throwback look!

Bring it on 'Yotes Go UND Fighting Hawks!

Different colors and style of course, but here's that same concept (logo on one side, numbers on the other side) with South Dakota State's helmets in 2015:

UND did create those and then personally sent them out to the recruits. The recruits are free to do what they wish with them after that.

If the logo will only be on one side, then what goes on the other side? Numbers? Interlocking ND? Nothing? I personally think the player's number should go on the opposite side of the helmet; that would look quite throwback and sharp as well, in my opinion.

We all know what that truthfully means ...

I agree. I would much appreciate UND Athletics emphasizing UND football with a season long series, much like what they do with their beloved hockey program and "Through These Doors". I think such a series would only help to increase the popularity of football in Grand Forks and the surrounding region.