UND-FB-FAN

Last three years? CB Alex Tillman (Houston) was great and WR Clive Georges (Arizona), if he stays healthy, could have a huge season in 2016. Even Jordan Hinojosa (Minnesota) was solid before he left. The lack of overall commitment to the UND program is the major downside with some FBS transfers, so I'll agree with you on that. However, Bubba is entirely dedicated to developing local (North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin), high school talent through the program. That IS the way he is building the program; however, when certain spots are thin, are you supposed to just let those spots fail and negatively affect your team? Of course not. JUCOs and FBS transfers can play right away and that's their major draw. WR, CB, and even OL are thin positions on the squad so they are being addressed anyway possible, including JUCOs and FBS transfers. It's only year 3 of Bubba's program; still going to take another year or two to have the roster completely saturated with the players that Bubba's staff recruited. NDSU and Bohl used plenty of JUCOs when getting their program first rolling, and currently, NDSU will expect a couple transfers to contribute. To imply UND is building their program with transfers is just silly because that's entirely inaccurate.

In my opinion, Montana State, and especially Northern Colorado and Cal Poly, didn't really "re-test" the secondary. We'll find out on September 10th versus Bowling Green how good the secondary really is. If the FBS transfer comes through, it'll help.

I'll play devil's advocate - because I don't want to get too content - and say the next game the defense allowed 38 points at home. Still work to be done. Montana's receivers were a tough group; better than what subsequently Montana State, Northern Colorado, and Cal Poly had to offer. Still, if you want to be the best you need to beat the best, even at their place (Washington Griz is a challenging place to play; just ask NDSU). Pass defense is still an area that requires improvement, although all areas need to be worked on and improved to some extent for 2016.

CB play was a weak spot last year and, as a result, it was a point of emphasis in spring ball and will continue to be in fall camp. I would imagine the numbers will be iffy but the top 3 or 4 will yet have to be prepared to do big things. Important position group that has a lot of room to grow; looking at Deion Harris, Tyus Carter, Torrey Hunt, Jahmere Irvin-Sills, and Chris Carter to all have an opportunity, along with maybe an incoming freshman or transfer. In the Montana game, Harris, Carter, and Irvin-Sills were all exposed as being deficient in one-on-one deep ball coverage - that needs to improve. Hopefully Hunt and possibly another addition can help that aspect of the defense.

The more I think about it, the more I think UND needs to have very good athletes play QB in Rudolph's system. For example, consider last season's drop in production from Studsrud to Bartels. Rudolph's system has several QB run options, so with that, I hope Randolph gets at least a look at QB. This may be more likely if UND secures a pending FBS cornerback transfer to add to the CB position and take the sting out of losing the Colorado transfer to Montana State.

Bowling Green game will be on ESPN3. Midcontinent subscribers have access to ESPN3. As for the Stony Brook game, I'm not sure yet.

legal issues

Offensive line - full of ?????? (who will start at center, will Grady be back for the first game, how long will it take for the three or four new starters to mesh, etc.) Defensive front seven - could easily be the best in the conference...this team will hang its hat on defense, as a Bubba-led team should In other words, in my opinion, 2016 football team has a 50/50 shot at being very good. Need some luck with injuries and some bounces to go their way.

Maybe UND will have the best secondary in the BSC.... Reyes is the most talented player on the team and Deion Harris is turning into a nice cover corner with height. Also, having depth at safety and, hopefully, avoiding the injury bug will help a lot.

They both (home and road) should. Don't understand why only the road games should feature names....

I support hockey quite actively in actuality via season tickets; with that said, I'm just not a huge fan of hockey -- most sports' fans in the U.S. are not.

Well, as I did not initially place blame on UND hockey for this, I do not agree with you. I did go along with it a bit, yes. Obviously you're a big hockey fan, thus you're offended, but it still is a fact that UND athletics is full of hockey advocates first and foremost. That said, I'd much rather not have to discuss UND hockey both on this football forum and in any general UND football discussion moving forward. Your strong desire to defend UND hockey is troubling in that the program stands on its own merit; no need to get offensive over a little dirt being thrown at the most popular sport at UND. I will say, though, that times at UND will be much better when UND football is winning consistently -- hockey can only pull so much weight.

Sounds about right. Good ol' modern North Dakota athletics ... hockey hockey hockey !!!

Agree, yet its still surprising news and I don't like it ...

What the hell? I'd imagine the graduate school application process eventually worked out for him at Montana State, but still no reason to go around flirting with UND football. Like everyone else, I hope UND goes into Bozeman on September 24th and beats the crap out of the rebuilding kitties. Last season's game was exciting too, with the strange postgame comments and all. This could be developing into a basic rivalry of sorts. Go UND!

Looks very nice. Logo looks sharp on these helmets. Should be a fine look this fall that fans can rally around, especially if the squad is winning.

http://www.wday.com/radio/4062217-970-wday-demand-kolpack-izzo Bubba joined Kolpack and Izzo on AM 970 WDAY on 6-25-16 (S3). At the 11:10 mark, Bubba states "In 2016 I wouldn't expect to see that" in reference to the silver/grey helmets. Apparently, no alternative helmets for this season; probably not a horrible deal as the matte green are a fine look. Eventually I think a white or matte black helmet should actually be looked at as well as a matte grey helmet.

Agreed. I do think it's catchy though. I've begun to like it more and more each day. I'm also happy to hear there will be alternative logos in terms of color. A different color is needed for the logo to appear nicely on the matte green helmets.

Appears that way; @Washington on Sept 1, 2018

OOC schedule addition announced: Not 2017, but UND will play at Sam Houston State (SHSU) in 2018 and SHSU will return to play in the Alerus Center in 2019. Per Dom Izzo on Twitter: #UND announces a home and home with Sam Houston State. Fighting Hawks in Huntsville in '18, 'Kats in Grand Forks in '19. @BigSkyFB

I really really like the details you've added. Slap that on the helmets and uniforms and eventually people will get use to it, especially if the teams wearing it are winning. Go UND!

Well, you went the wrong direction. I was alluding to the excessive emphasis on UND hockey by some which could be confused with Canadian sports' culture.

Truth hurts for many of the hockey rubes, apparently. GO UND FIGHTING HAWKS!

Oh, it's not that difficult. Concentrate.

The hockey program is stuck up, fortunately they produce big time so they have a long, long rope. Nevertheless, limited humility by the hockey program. Last time I checked, the University of North Dakota is not in Canada (although many think it just as well could be) and hockey is not the be all and end all. You want to expand notoriety, you expand football and basketball; hockey is already maxed out and has no right to complain and b*tch.