UND-FB-FAN

Jones is still coaching; UND gets smoked in this one. Hope I am wrong, because I will gladly eat crow in that instance.

Game won't be easy. As much as everyone has been talking playoffs, I could see this game going either way. I expect a close ballgame with plenty of runs from both sides; hoping Will Ratelle and the linebacking corps is the difference for UND in this one.

No question. North Dakota football -- with Bubba at the helm -- deserves quality support. There's so much potential for UND football, but it requires both community and administrative support to complement Bubba's passion and hard work. Faison needs to be willing to place quality bids, improve coaching salary, and secure HPC Phase II funding, whereas the community needs to show up and support the team during home outings. Considering the noise that has been generated this season (averaging only around 8000), an average crowd of 10,000+ would be a tremendous home-field advantage. If UND football could get the Alerus back to where it was during the 2001 playoff run (namely the UC Davis game) and those subsequent DII seasons, then UND football would not only be good, but would be a heavy favorite for every home game (including potential playoff games!).

Certainly all makes sense. When it comes down to it, if UND wants to compete for FCS titles, they need to be willing to make legitimate payouts at times. Northern Iowa and South Dakota State are no better institutionally than the University of North Dakota, and everyone should agree with that. Now, are Northern Iowa and South Dakota State more invested in their football programs? That is a question that gets a little iffy. In the past, no question, but where is UND's mindset now?

I agree. At worst, it will stay the same (around 7000).

Well, if UND beats Cal Poly and has to play on the road against a school with a 6,000 seat capacity stadium, I'll be upset. No reason UND and Faison shouldn't expect at least 6,000 or 7,000 people (maybe more) for a first round playoff game. With that said, outbidding UNI or SDSU would be tough but not impossible.

Faison better assist with this by submitting a healthy bid. As one may suspect, my opinion of Faison will drop considerably if he fails to bid reasonably (especially if he doesn't bid at all!).

Absolutely. What the hell was Kostich thinking? Real unfortunate that Olivera is done for the season, but to lose both Olivera and Santiago to injury in a blowout game would be disastrous.

Losing Alo hurts. NDSU still winning over a lot of the in-state kids. More work to do for Bubba, but the in-state players he has worked with already are solid contributors. Have to keep recruiting & developing some resident North Dakota student-athletes.

38-14 Park River took the Class A title for the second consecutive season

Seems clueless like that, doesn't he? Or perhaps he's just protecting player confidentiality and being stoic?

Yes. Can't get it right now.

It's attitudes such as this that have relegated UND men's basketball to a status of nothing; of course, the attitudes I'm referring to are those of the athletic department. UND men's basketball had a horrid season last season, and throughout Jones' years as UND MBB head coach, they have zero major wins. As far as I'm concerned, unless Jones proves something, expect nothing but crickets. I love college basketball and the University of North Dakota, but it's really hard for me to support Jones' below-average resume and his underachieving teams.

I'm feeling good about this one. Something to play for late in the season and coming off a bye week. University of North Dakota 31 University of Northern Colorado 21

If UND , along with their gift - the REA, don't make a conscious effort to market Saturday's important football game on Friday night, then I will lose a tremendous amount of hope. If UND can't recognize football for what it is - the most popular sport in America - and try to capitilze off of that, then they are beyond brainwashed. Use the damn video boards a couple times and advertise the game, making note of the playoff opportunity.

To your last two points: I also expect a nail-biter, but I am hoping for a UND blow out win. Bubba has yet to get one this year, and last season, UND's only blowout win was against UNC. Bubba and UND need to show their level of concentration and capability this weekend and get a comfortable win for once. UNC has not played well on the road; their last game on the road was also in a dome - against NAU; they got crushed 63-21. As for the second point, UND needs to do whatever they can to motivate students into supporting UND football, especially with how big this game is for the season. If UND athletics truthfully cares about UND football's potential first playoff berth (although I have my doubts with all the puckheads), they will rally behind the team and support the squad.

Committee won't consider the injuries. Its all about wins and losses, and who those wins came against. After this Saturday, playoff debate for UND better not be a moot point. I expect UND to get the job done at home. Let's respect Northern Colorado, but not fear them.

Avoid the disappointment, anticipate Fighting Hawks.

Which name do you suggest then? Please offer nickname alternatives to accompany your dissatisfaction with the current choices. Nevertheless, whatever you come up with, the majority never supported it and so here we are.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but my goodness, you'd swear by some comments that UND just announced they are dropping men's hockey. I honestly can understand the frustration because this entire fiasco has been frustrating, but with that said, its time to get a name and work with it. No one was able to produce a quality name, so, here we are. The nickname will be the Fighting Hawks, with a very slim chance of it becoming Roughriders. In both circumstances, its time to support the University of North Dakota and the direction we all have been forced to go. To continue to criticize the process yet offer no alternative solutions is just contentious, and for those who have offered solutions, they should understand how difficult it has been for the majority to accept them. Ultimately, UND needed a nickname. Yes, its unfortunate for all those coddled, entitled individuals (okay, not exactly...), but remaining nickname-less was not an option and the options that were given were as good as all the others. So, buy some damn Hawk shirts and keep going to games. Before you know it, if you REALLY ARE A SUPPORTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, you'll be chanting "Fighting Hawks chants" and yelling "Go Hawks!" And if you absolutely wish to consciously abstain from that, then at least you'll be in attendance supporting UND athletics, albeit irritable and disputable.

Perhaps some believe the synthesized logo will be worthwhile, even if it is unknown at this point. The NCAA is not going to reject or even comment on a well thought-out "hawks" logo, so long as it refrains from Native American imagery.

So, the other universities that have "bird" nicknames are childish and/or have immature fan bases? UND is no more privileged than: Air Force Falcons Ball State Cardinals Boston College Eagles Bowling Green Falcons Eastern Michigan Eagles Florida Atlantic Owls Georgia Southern Eagles Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Louisville Cardinals Miami (OH) Redhawks Oregon Ducks Rick Owls South Carolina Gamecocks Southern Miss Golden Eagles Temple Owls Yes, there are a lot of "bird-related" nicknames, but most of the schools have identifiable logos and, most importantly, do just fine with their athletics. UND can do just fine with marketing and promotions as the Fighting Hawks. Furthermore, UND can be successful on the field, ice, and court as the Fighting Hawks.

If the PC police or PETA can't appreciate nature, then they can get the hell out of North Dakota and refocus their attention elsewhere.

Well, apparently a rumored hawks logo has promoted the "fighting hawks" nickname enough to where it has majority support; thus, it seems that "cool" hawk logos are possible.

Not going to happen. It will be what 99% of people think when they hear the word "hawk"