UND-FB-FAN

I didn't make the comment that NDSU has a mediocre rushing game, although I'm not quite sure what that means? What's the cutoff from a mediocre running game to a good running game? Hard to say anything NDSU does is mediocre, although a clutch passing game with Mr.Stick at QB could be one area; will have to wait for a close playoff game to determine that. Nevertheless, you need to just settle down. If you don't like what UND fans are saying, don't listen/read it. This is a UND board. You can go to the NDSU board if you want to gloat about the great bison football team.

Hard to say NDSU has a way better rushing game than UND when you look at the stats from the entire regular season. The thing is, NDSU has a better passing game, or at least they did with Wentz playing QB. That was the difference in the head-to-head matchup early in the season, when UND's passing game was still struggling some. UND improved their passing game as Studsrud became more comfortable and Clive Georges returned to the lineup. NDSU: Average Per Game Rushing 244.0 Average Per Game Passing 207.3UND: Average Per Game Rushing 240.5 Average Per Game Passing 140.9

In the beginning of the season, UND beat Drake by just 3 points and a horrible UC Davis team by just 7. At the end of the season, they beat their last two opponents by an average of 4 touchdowns (27.5 point differential). UND was just playing better. Northern Colorado beat Portland State and finished the season 6-5; they weren't very good but they weren't horrible either. Cal Poly beat Montana the week right after Montana beat NDSU; plus, the Cal Poly game was on the road. Point is, UND was playing very good football - in all three phases - to end the regular season.

It's very different to be a freshmen or sophomore in the rotation versus a freshman or sophomore who starts and has to hold down their spot the entire game. NDSU had and still has way more "big game" experience than UND's young team did. My comment was based on the simple fact that UND was a way better team at the end of the 2015 season (3 game winning streak) versus the beginning of the season when they played NDSU. UND started a true sophomore QB, a redshirt freshman WR, and a true freshman running back against NDSU. Also, UND had at least 4 true sophomores starting on defense. NDSU started a senior QB coming off a national championship winning season, as well as a 6th year WR and veteran offensive line. Without going through the entire starting lineup, the point is UND was starting a tremendous amount of youth whereas NDSU was a veteran football team with valuable big game experience; there's no arguing that. So, to get back to the reason I even brought up youth and experience, UND's true freshman RB and true sophomore QB - among many other underclassmen - improved tremendously from Week 3 (when they played NDSU) to the last three weeks of the regular season, when they led a three game winning streak. They deserved to be in the playoffs based solely on their resume. Lastly, to think the UND team that played NDSU in week 3 was the same UND team at the end of the season is just foolish. Player development and coaching/teaching is a real thing, believe it or not NDSU fans.

UND deserved to be in the playoffs this season. They ended the season on a 3-game winning streak, won 7 DI games, beat a ranked/seeded FCS playoff team on the road, and beat an FBS team. Also, UND played a lot of freshmen and sophomores, unlike NDSU. As a result, UND was a way better football team at the end of the season compared to early in the season when UND played NDSU. If you can't understand basic team progression, then stop commenting on this site; your trolling attempts are too obvious because you can't rationalize anything if it promotes UND (even independently of NDSU). UND was a better team on the field and on paper relative to New Hampshire and Eastern Illinois (also, argument could be made against Western Illinois). Point is, UND should've been in the playoffs. If you can't understand that by analyzing the schedules, rosters, circumstances (injuries), and results from today's FCS playoff Round I, then, again, you have no business commenting on this site. You're just piggybacking off of the FCS playoff selection committee's ridiculous decision, and yet, somehow, that makes you feel superior. Good for you, NDSU Class of 2011. UND is improving year after year under the tutelage of Bubba. I could care less about NDSU right now because I know UND will be better in 2016 than they were in 2015. Soon, very soon, UND will be winning the Big Sky Conference and winning FCS playoff games, regardless of what NDSU does.

"worst team" ??? Those kind of outlandish statements are both wrong and hurtful in terms of your reputation. You are completely biased and bring NOTHING to the discussion.

Remember, a coach affects multiple student-athletes and the entire program; a good representative and leader does wonders for not only the program but for the entire university. Without question the hiring of a quality coach surpasses the possibility that a player leaves, especially if that player is too short-sighted to stick with the PROGRAM they committed to.

After awhile, you just have to ask yourself "Is Jones the best UND can do in terms of leadership for men's basketball?" Of course, the answer is no. Hopefully this has been dragged on due to financial/contract limitations and nothing more, because Brian Jones is not a good leader of men or a proper representative of UND athletics. Period. Obviously, the season must play itself out still, but my opinion of Jones has been the same for a few years now; he doesn't have the qualities. Time to move on, Mr. Faison.

UND has improved by 2 games each of Bubba's two seasons (2013 to 2014: 3-8 to 5-7; 2014 to 2015: 5-7 to 7-4). I definitely expect another 2 game improvement next season (9-2 or better), primarily due to the number of retuning players, improved depth, and quality offseason training in the HPC. NDSU dumbshits can gripe all they want, but I'm unbelievably proud of what Bubba has going on here at UND in such a short time. UND football is back and UND is definitely my favorite to win the Big Sky Conference in 2016.

Yes, that is the vision UND has for its football program. For many years in Divison II, UND was a top program. Now, after a few hiccup seasons, UND football is finally realizing its potential here in the FCS. Best of luck to Cal Poly next season, too.

The MAC rarely produces juggernaut football teams. UND's mindset definitely needs to be to win. Bowling Green will be losing more than UND will, so with that, I expect UND to compete and win.

The outlook for UND's offense will be completely different going into the 2016 season compared to the 2015 season. In August, most thought UND's offense would be anemic and ineffective; rather, it produced quite well and really exploded onto the scene the last three games of the season. With the starting QB, RB, WRs and 2/5 offensive linemen all returning, I expect UND's offense to be very efficient next season. Let's not forget that Studsrud can spend all winter season throwing to Clive Georges, Luke Stanley, Josh Seibel, Tim Dulin, Stetson Carr, Iwarri Smith etc. in the beautiful High Performance Center. Couple the duo of Santiago and Olivera in the backfield and UND's offense should be good. Knauf will have some work to do getting the interior line (guards and center) settled, but I think the players at those spots are already capable (Dan Bell, Demon Taylor, Grant Aplin, Matt Cox).

This is wrong. UND had only ONE bad loss (Idaho State). The other three loses all came to winning teams, including two FCS playoff teams (NDSU and Montana).

That conversation was littered with so much political correctness that there was nothing close to a true answer. Quite frankly, the NCAA FCS playoff selection committee just screwed up. UND has one bad loss to Idaho State; however, they had an FBS win and a road win against a seeded FCS team. Eastern Illinois had no wins against playoff teams and certainly no FBS wins. Western Illinois won only 6 games and lost handily to NDSU. UND didn't fare well against NDSU either (34-9), but they played far better than Western Illinois did (59-7!)

Bubba will do what's best for the team. Let's not forget, these young men (Bartels and Mollberg) were not recruited by Bubba. This whole scholarship situation is still fallout from the Mussman debacle. Nevertheless, I hope both of them stick around to add invaluable senior leadership.

Absolutely. Considering how close UND was to 9-2 (7-1) this season and who is returning, no reason UND shouldn't EXPECT to win 9 games in 2016 and win the Big Sky Conference. Of course, Bubba has made it clear that winning the conference is the goal each and every season. Its time the fans get on page with this and show up to the Alerus Center.

Offensive line is priority on offense, but there are several underclassmen that can step right in and play good football next season. At the two guard spots, I expect either Demon Taylor, Dan Bell, or Matt Cox to start. At center, look for either Matt Cox or Grant Aplin to start. The starting tackles return next season, LT AJ Stockwell and RT Elijah Grady. Now, even with that, depth is key. A couple more offensive linemen may be in the mix who aren't on the roster right now. Fortunately, the skill positions for next year will be returning, including possibly some additions via recruiting. As for defense, Bubba said this morning on the radio that the secondary and linebacker spots will be the focus (more safety and cornerback depth and a Will Ratelle replacement). I agree with this because the defensive line returns everybody next year; look for the defensive line to be top-notch next season.

http://www.wday.com/sports/collegiate/3888597-und-frustrated-fcs-playoff-committees-decision Yes, here is the interview. I feel for the seniors; they deserve to be playing playoff football. Ultimately, though, the NCAA selection committee botched this completely. Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois, both, do not deserve to be in before UND. Eastern Illinois has zero wins against playoff teams and Western Illinois has only 6 wins. Both are unacceptable. As for NDSU fans trying to support their dear Missouri Valley Football Conference, you should be happy that the bottom of the bracket is all MVFC, because they're the cream of the crop, right? Just pathetic how some of these bandwagon NDSU fans come on here and act like they know everything about football and the FCS. NDSU may have some really good football teams, but some of their supporters are clueless.

Cloyd is a real talent at TE. Out of Nebraska and has interest from FBS schools like Wyoming. He's given a soft verbal to UND. If they sign him in Feburary, he could play as that receiving TE right away as a true freshman.

Pretty sure SDSU got credit for beating Kansas, who didn't win a game. I'd say Kansas is the worst FBS team in the country. Nice try, though, NDSU class of 2011.

He should be.

Easier schedule + ton of returners = Big Sky Conference Champions

There won't be a drop off, only improvement. This team is so young, I could see back-to-back Big Sky Conference championships starting next season.

To the seniors, thank you for all your hard work and dedication; it did not go unnoticed. You've laid down an important foundation. As to underclassmen and coaching staff, it's already time to start dedicating the 2016 UND football season to the 2015-2016 senior class. UND needs to get after it with preparation in the beautiful, practical High Performace Center. No reason UND can't build off this 7-4 season and explode onto the scene in 2016. Studsrud, Santiago, Olivera, Georges, Seibel, Stanley, Smith, Stockwell, Grady, Cox, Taylor, Bell and Aplin all return for the offense, and then some! Defense returns Tank Harris, Dranka, Greely, Cieslak, Noah Johnson, Mason Bennett, O'Brien, Disterhaupt, Labat, Reyes, Deion Harris, Tyus Carter, and more return on defense! This team is awful young and will only improve. UND Fighting Hawks go 10-1 in 2016 and win the Big Sky Conference.

UND is as good as a playoff team, so don't use that crap that PSU lost to two playoff teams. They lost to one team that is not playoff material, just like NDSU dropped a pathetic game vs. South Dakota.