UND-FB-FAN

Well this simply is false. 3-4 defense being the scapegoat is interesting, but I don’t buy it. How the scheme is implemented and taught is more important, and, of course, the ability of the student-athletes on the field is the most important piece. The devil is in the details, not the alignment.

He can’t provide what you’re referencing.

Pollard Center is not going to fix all problems.

Talent is always a factor. The more talent you have, the more games you win. Very simple. But the key in college football is coaching; hence the major turnover around the country when finances aren’t an issue. There are several examples around the country annually where the talent remains the same but the results are different based on a change to the approach, message, leadership, schemes, teaching, etc. which all is considered in summary a change to coaching. UND / Grand Forks isn’t going to attract a different tier of student-athlete overnight, but coaching caliber change is more achievable in the short-term. The hope is the new facilities (Pollard Center phase II) will somehow instantly raise the level of athletes that come to Grand Forks. Need to be careful and temper the expectations with just that though.

It’s not impossible. A lot of ways, principally finances. The opinion of an NDSU fan will always be considered with a major grain of salt. Thanks for comment though.

Honestly, some of the best college coaches out there weren’t superstar players in colleges. In fact, some didn’t play college football at all. Bottomline is need to be open minded in the hiring process, and most importantly for UND, be open to the idea of change. The resistance to change at UND is horrific.

All 3 at home. Could see 2-1, but they will win most home games again. They will likely lose to SDSU again, but most of the losses again will come from road losses. The road problem has existed for several seasons under the current “leadership” so I expect UND to continue to lose most of those road games, with exception in 2024 being @ Indiana State.

Updated my predictions. Stays the same at 7-5

Nothing. Nothing will change is the answer.

Tommy Schuster’s lack of arm talent does not not allow for a consistent downfield passing game. Schuster is liked because he makes good decisions and improvises, but his arm talent is very very mediocre for a division I quarterback. He also isn’t athletic enough for the way most college football is played nowadays. See QB running game this year from SDSU, NDSU, Sac State, etc. … Schuster can’t offer that.

agreed

If everything remains unchanged in terms of eligible players returning and coaching staff unchanged: 2024 Predictions: @ Iowa State - loss vs Montana - toss up but I’ll go with a win since at home vs Idaho State - win vs San Diego - win vs Murray State - win @ NDSU - loss vs UNI - win @ Youngstown - loss @ Indiana State - win vs South Dakota State - loss vs South Dakota - win @ Illinois State - loss Final record: 7 - 5 … rinse and repeat. Loss at Illinois State causes uproar to end season, Bubba finally “retires” with one year (2025) remaining on contract Chaves could do everyone a favor, principally the students-athletes, and force a change now, but he won’t.

Transfer portal losses and additions will be purely a distraction; something to occupy peoples’ time without actually providing substance. Coaching ineptitude is the issue right now. Has been and will continue to be until there is deliberate change. Chaves can’t get any credit nor should he expect improvement if he is simply continuing to observe and not provide action.

Exactly. Chaves made public comment on Bubba’s job security at the time of that extension announcement. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/und-signs-football-coach-bubba-schweigert-to-two-year-extension-through-2025

Right … the supporters who want UND football to be a championship caliber program are the problem. The “realists” who relish in perpetual 7-4 are the heroes? Talk about an asinine perspective …

I don’t think transfers will fix the issue. Program tried this the last couple seasons with transfers and same problems persisted. When you beat your rival and follow it up with a 27-0 loss, or lose by one score to South Dakota and Sac State, it’s not merely talent deficiency, but rather misuse of availabe talent. This team could have won many more games, but they didn’t due to mismanagement. So close, but yet so far.

That’s why the talent talk is futile. The leadership of the student-athletes is where the problem lies.

No, more apathetic at this point. Are you happy?

Swaying too far away from the realm of possibility. But I agree in principle with what you’re laying out.

New AD? This sounds all too extreme at this point.

Schmitty would be considerable, but my guess is he’s not leaving Washington and that good situation, unless Chaves opens up the damn pocketbook in a way never before done at UND.

At this point we just need to reflect and somehow come to the realization that 7-4 and no playoff wins is the current perennial reality. It has been, and will continue to be, a hard pill to swallow. Come next fall I’m sure the rinse and repeat of excitement and disappointment will reoccur.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe this to be true based on inside sources. There’s far more complacency within the program than folks would like to believe. “Leaders” are far too comfortable right now. No pressure, and as such, limited success.

Team always goes into them with no expectation to win. Pathetic leadership.

New coaches. New ideas. New voices. New philosophies. Joel Schwenzfeier has no business being defensive coordinator. Bubba Schweigert has no business being head coach still after putting UND through 3-8 (2017) and 5-6 (2021) seasons … should have been relieved of his duties by athletic administration years ago if there was any foresight at all.