UND-FB-FAN

If that financial boost causes UND to put more effort into football gameday at the Alerus, then that absolutely will increase support. Irregardless, UND football winning (or the lack thereof) will be the ultimate factor.

Although I would love to see a positive correlation, I don't think there will be. The support football gets is independent of the hockey program; UND football needs to produce and build their own support. UND football has been average at best since moving up from DII; however, if Bubba and company can do what is expected of them in 2016, then I think the fan base will improve, along with hopefully the in-game atmosphere and features. Leave no doubt in 2016! With the facilities improving, UND football needs to keep growing, as well. Should be an annual top BSC club.

Carson Wentz on Twitter: "Huge congratulations to the UND Men's hockey team! So cool. All we do is win here in this great state folks! Well deserved UND. #NoDak" Exceptional move by this kid. He deserves support from the entire state of North Dakota. With that, this still is a UND site and the majority of this thread's focus should be on Will Ratelle and his potential NFL future.

1 for 1 as Fighting Hawks Go UND!

Hawks gonna be flyin back up north with a championship trophy.... Go UND

Well I'm sure glad he played for UND, regardless. If UND had a defense comprised of 11 Will Ratelles, UND would be FCS national champions.

Your point is purely idiotic. No knowledge on your behalf; do some research. UND has only been in the Big Sky Conference for 4 seasons (2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016). That means they have won the conference 1 out of their 4 tries (25%). In comparison, the NDSU women have won the Summit League 0% of the time (not to mention, they've been in the Summit League longer than UND has been in the BSC). If you look at NDSU women's basketball in their entirely (~50 seasons), you'll notice they've won the conference regular season only six times (1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997). If you add in the national championships (5; 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), you get 9 "successful years" by your standards. That's only (9/50) 18% success? That's worse than UND. UND has 13 regular season conference championships (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014). Add in the NCAA championships (1997, 1998, 1999) and you have a total of 14 "successful seasons". Not to mention, UND's first year of women's basketball was in 1974 (42 seasons), so they've had "success" by your standards 33% of the time (14/42). 33% > 18% Let me know how these FACTS work out with your logic.

Watching with family. Always fun when UND plays for championships! Bring it home, boys! Go UND Fighting Hawks! Hang number 8! raise it!

Just a reminder of how good Will Ratelle is. He certainly deserves a chance to make an NFL roster; he's got the ability.

Absolutely. Those who feel the necessity to interrupt University of North Dakota-based discussion by repeatedly interjecting NDSU stuff perfectly epitomize an inferiority complex If you feel the need to talk about fertilizer, pesticides and Carson Wentz, go to that NDSU site, not here.

Have to be good consistently; SUU went from bottom-feeder to first last season (3-5 in 2014 to 7-1 in 2015). Will SUU be able to keep their program on top after a coaching change and the loss of key contributors? Doubtful. Bubba and UND have this same task ahead of them (3-5 in 2014 to 5-3 in 2015); they improved from 2014 to 2015, and 2016 is the time to keep moving forward considering the returning pieces and direction of the program.

Very much so agree. The Twin Cities are a HUGE recruiting footprint for UND; having FSN coverage would be a very good promotional tool and recruiting tool.

This is how the conference WANTS to treat UND, but the 'Hawks need to FORCE the conference to respect them. Leave no doubt and beat up the Big Sky Conference with the physical-type of football Bubba is promoting. 2016 is shaping up to be the perfect stage for UND to do just that; leave no doubt and beat up on the BSC teams. As NDSU, SDSU, and UNI have revealed, UND sits in a recruiting bed that allows for FCS success via physical football; Bubba and crew are capitalizing on that and soon UND will be right alongside the top tier BSC schools: Montana, Eastern Washington, and Montana State.

Everything you mentioned is exciting and true. In some ways, the losses at wide receiver are made-up by the fact UND has such great backfield talent and depth. Using Santiago on the jet-sweep motion and slot bubble screen type stuff would be a great way to get him into space so he has more opportunities to showcase his speed and agility. Nevermann, Olivera, and Gordon will all be quality between-the-tackle runners, I'm sure. Fullback will be interesting, but I'm sure Norberg will get that job (Coyne might be in the running too, I suppose). Excited to have an established starting QB going into the season; that coupled with the work getting done in the HPC and I expect the passing game to take a nice step forward this season. Yes wide receiver numbers/depth are questionable, but Clive Georges and Luke Stanley are capable receivers and I expect at least 1 other guy to step up (Alex Reed, Stetson Carr or even Chad Bartosh?). Would like to see true freshman WR or to-be-determined transfer make an impact this fall, also.

Undrafted free agent with outside chance of round 7 He will need to impress on special teams in training camp someplace; however, I think he will do just that. Ratelle is built for special teams coverage (kick-off and punt) with his strength and speed combination.

best of luck to him! I think many NFL clubs could benefit from having Ratelle on their roster, whether he's at FB, LB, or special team ace (or all 3)

If his personality and demeanor (intangibles) check out, then he should definitely be a target for Bubba. As mentioned, losing Walker and Smith frees up some $$$ Pairing Clive Georges with this kid would be an explosive combination to help benefit the running game of Santiago, Olivera, Nevermann.....

Still can't get my mind around 3 potential losses...all in the same position group.... Just bad news as DB was in this last recruiting cycle, WR may very well be the position of focus for the 2017 recruiting class

Gordon fits better at RB than WR, given his frame; best keep him there since RB depth can change in a hurry and UND wants to run the ball more anyway. I would think you now have to hope both Dulin and Toivenen have solid first years.

Hate to speculate on knee injuries. If serious, Seibels's 2016 season will be in jeopardy.

WR group is significantly affected by this, if not for anything else at least the depth of the position. UND will need Clive Georges and Luke Stanley to play lights-out and the young players need to step up. Losing two WRs at this juncture is an issue. Michigan may not be a good recruiting spot for UND...

Q & A with junior cornerback Deion Harris http://www.hibbingmn.com/special_editorial/living-by-the-playbook/article_e77a0536-f50d-11e5-88e3-2b0a5da4d8d6.html Last season, the run defense was very good; however, the pass defense struggled, particularly on one-on-one 50/50 deep balls. Thankfully, between the returning experience and newcomers, I believe the 2016 pass defense should be improved. All in all, better DB play = more wins in 2016.... Current (Spring) Defensive Backs: No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Prev School) 3 Tyus Carter DB 5-11 180 So. Greenwood Village, Colo. (Cherry Creek High School) 8 Cole Reyes DB 6-2 220 Jr. Schaumburg, Ill. (Schaumburg High School) 10 Jawon Johnson DB 6-2 210 Sr. East Orange, N.J. (New Mexico Military Academy) 16 Torrey Hunt DB 6-1 185 RFr. Madison, Ala. (Navy Prep) (Bob Jones) 17 Charles Flowers DB 5-11 180 Jr. Chino Hills, Calif. (Citrus College) 18 Chris Carter DB 5-10 190 Jr. Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (Brother Rice High School) 19 Deion Harris DB 6-3 190 Jr. Hibbing, Minn. (Hibbing High School) 20 Zach Arnell DB 6-2 195 Jr. Rancho Bernardo, Calif. (Santa Barbara CC) 27 Jahmere Irvin-Sills DB 5-10 175 Jr. Elkton, Md. (Mississippi State) (Eastern Christian Academy) 33 Tanner Palmborg DB 6-1 200 So. Princeton, Minn. (Princeton High School) 34 Garrett Bollant DB 5-11 175 So. Lodi, Wis. (Lodi High School) 35 Vashon Tucker DB 5-11 195 RFr. Elkton, Md. (Eastern Christian Academy)

As Bubba establishes tenure at UND and continues building the program with high character, local (Dakotas, Minnesota, Canada) recruits, I would say the benchmark for UND football should be 8 wins every season. Thankfully, 2016 may be the first season where those expectations exist. UND hockey and NDSU football have such annual expectations; it's time UND football have above average yearly goals as well. No reason UND football shouldn't be an 8-win, top 3 BSC team every season; thus, an annual playoff participant.

Take off your piss yellow glasses then we'll talk

Expectations are as said: leave no doubt. Expect a minimum of 8 wins in 2016 otherwise season is a disappointment. Go UND!