UND-FB-FAN

Just want to see how the team looks coming off a loss, facing a top-10 opponent on the road, and perhaps facing adversity at the QB position. If UND plays tough and competitive, that'll be telling in what Bubba is doing with his team's mental status and enthusiasm to play. If UND gets blown out of the water, I'll be a little concerned.

Right on. NDSU fans don't even realize they want the rivalry game played, like I mentioned earlier.

If someone accuses me of being insane, that's probably right on. UND 28 EWU 24

You tried it and didn't like it because NDSU usually lost?

You're that predictable person I was talking about; NDSU wins next season and you'll want the game every season. UND wins and you'll be even more against it.

Great link. If UND athletics is to stick with this (not considering timetable or financial requirements), the general order of funding allocation should be: 1) High Performance Center Phase II 2) Betty Sioux Center Electronics (scorer's table and center-hanging electronic scoreboard/display). 3) Memorial Stadium Renovation??

The fact this is even debated is foolish. UND is FCS; NDSU is FCS. They are 70 miles apart for goodness sake! They have an extensive history and tradition....play the damn game! I compare NDSU fans to very small children; they don't like something until they try it. I give Bubba credit for just getting this thing going again. Once everyone experiences this thing next season, NDSU and UND fans alike will forget all about these arguments and want the game annually. Trust me, it'll be that good.

Very good points. You've successfully added more shots to the thing NDSU fans call logic.

UND travels to #6 Eastern Washington this weekend to take on a traditional powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference. EWU (7-2, 4-1) lost it's first conference game of the season last weekend against Northern Arizona. EWU will again be without All-American quarterback Vernon Adams, or at least it appears that way. It will be his 4th straight game out. EWU will again start quarterback Jordan West. UND will be starting one of their backup quarterbacks as well; either Ryan Bartels or true freshman Keaton Studsrud. EWU's defense has been helping them win games now with QB Adams out. Senior linebacker Ronnie Hamlin (who had a pick-six last season vs. UND) is a stud who is 4th on the all-time Big Sky Conference tackles list. UND's offense will have to produce to get the win, young QB or not. UND's rushing defense will be challenged. EWU returned their top running back last weekend in Quincy Forte. He rushed for 219 yards in the loss to NAU. He will get plenty of touches versus UND. Ultimately, UND's defense will again have to be the difference if UND is to have a chance against the number six club in the country. They need to win the turnover battle and not give up explosive plays. The offense needs to help out by not turning the ball over and capitalizing on scoring opportunities when presented; field goals need to be made and need touchdowns when in the red zone. Like Bubba has said, UND has to look at this as an opportunity to make a huge splash. Nothing to lose; go out to Cheney and get the upset! http://www.spokesman.com/eagles/stories/2014/oct/30/big-sky-notes-vernon-adams-tries-to-stay-patient/

AA teams are bigger in terms of enrollment, but there are more A teams in North Dakota. As a result, the top 3 teams in Class A are often just as good as the top 3 teams in Class AA. Grafton's teams that recently participated in the state championship games were not overwhelming; top Class A football schools like Velva, Harvey, and Hazen are often as talented and are recruited just as heavily by college football recruiters.

Good question. He was recruited as a PWO by Mussman but never got an opportunity in the QB battle between Mollberg and Bartles in 2013 (hint, hint). Enter Bubba and his staff and they keep him on the roster for depth reasons. Point is, he's not capable. He's a local player that is recognizable. But, he's not a DI QB. Studsrud is getting the 1st unit reps because Hanson is not trusted as capable by Bubba and the coaching staff.

Key word: Mussman

North Dakota Class AA football is, well, deceiving. In reality, Class A football in ND is more competitive and actually produces just as talented of teams, if not more talented. (Grafton is AA) Hanson is short for the position, does not run an exceptional 40, and doesn't have the pocket presence necessary. From looking at him in practice, he just isn't a DI QB. He regularly makes mistakes.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if Hanson plays vs. #6 EWU, UND will lose by 50. The kid just doesn't have it, plain and simple.

Throughout this whole injury debacle, one thing is quite evident: the offense needs WAY better talent and depth. UND's defense can get the job done, and quality recruiting has already taken place on that side of the ball, but the offense lacks quality players at every position. If I'm Bubba and staff, I'm hoping for a few big offensive recruits to commit this off-season, along with possibly some FBS transfers.

A flight risk? That's where you're wrong. The reason Mussman's teams were horrible were due to selfish players that didn't care about the team and tradition of UND football. They left as soon as things didn't go their way. Bubba and his staff are recruiting players that are actually committed to THE University of North Dakota; that is, they will stick it out and be apart of the family. If anyone can't do that, then they shouldn't be on the team in the first place. It's about what's best for the TEAM, not individuals.

NDSU has a tremendous DI football program. With that said, you can't rewrite over a 100 years of tradition and history in just 10 years. UNI and SDSU are not the biggest rivals for NDSU. UND (Grand Forks) and NDSU (Fargo) will always be each-others number 1 rival.

With all due respect to the student-athlete, Hanson is not a capable player. He's not even close to a DI QB. He's more of a local relations player due to his Grafton roots. I'm guessing Bubba and his staff have absolutely no confidence in Hanson's ability, and quite frankly, I don't blame them. If Bartels can't go, Srudsrud should be the guy. You ALWAYS play the best and ALWAYS try to win. It's not fair to the seniors to play an incapable player if he's not the best on the roster. As Bubba has said, you always do whats best for the TEAM! Not individuals.

2:20 mark

Doesn't hurt to talk about playoffs while UND still had a "shot". Yes, it was a long-shot, but still a chance for a UND squad very few thought would win over 3 games. If UND finishes .500, then that's still a good season in that the team has improved and Bubba has the team in position to continue improving.

Agreed. As for playoffs, that goal now transfers over to the 2015 season.

The team has fallen to 3-5 (1-3 BSC), but yet, they still are in the hunt to go 0.500. Considering the personnel that Bubba and his staff are dealing with (backups all of the last season, for the most part), I'd say Bubba has done a good job thus far. Also, UND has already matched their win total from last year. Although yesterday's game was very disappointing, I do agree that its important to emphasize this program IS going in the right direction. Regarding specific moments in the game, I look back real early in the game to the 4th down (game was 0-0) that UND attempted to convert on offense. If UND has a capable line, they get that 2 yards or so and convert. That keeps momentum going for UND. Instead, Norberg basically lost a yard. Point is, UND can get a lot better simply through recruiting more depth and talent, and thankfully, Bubba is already doing that.

This team has the road game blues UND at home is way different than UND on the road. Defense played bad. Offense was mistake filled. No playoffs this year.

Damn

Oh boy