UND-FB-FAN

It's over. Move on and support the TEAMS and STUDENT-ATHLETES. Go University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

I'll answer this as objectively as I possibly can. Many teams in the Big Sky Conference play a pass-happy, spread offense and don't have top end defenses; however, that doesn't make UND's 7-4 season unsuccessful or less successful. Why? Because UND is only in the 2nd season of Bubba's rebuilding project; the team is heavily based on freshmen and sophomores, not upperclassmen yet. Thus, UND should only continue to improve as UND gains more experience and depth. As for the style of play, Bubba is building UND like the MVFC teams are built. UND recruits from the same footprint that MVFC schools NDSU, SDSU, USD, and UNI recruit from. I'll admit the top 3 of the MVFC (NDSU, Illinois State, UNI) in 2015 are better than the top 3 of the Big Sky Conference (Montana, Portland State, SUU) in 2015, but that doesn't negatively affect UND. If UND plays in a lesser conference, so be it; it will only ease the path to the playoffs. This season, playoffs did not happen (although it should have); however, UND easily could have been 9-2 this season and won the conference. Next season, UND returns the vast majority of its team, which brings with it a bunch of enthusiasm from the fan base because UND should be a favorite to win the Big Sky Conference next season and get the autobid. All of this produces excitement, regardless of how poor the Big Sky Conference is at stopping the run and running the ball. UND does things the "MVFC-way" within the Big Sky Conference. In my opinion, we started seeing that do good things this season (UND arguably was playing the best within the BSC to end the regular season). Next season, we should see that style of play take the next step and put UND in a position to win the conference.

His mobility gave them a chance. Pretty sure they don't have anyone better in terms of pure throwing ability, anyways.

John Santiago didn't have any other DI offers and how did that work out? Point is, I trust the staff; they have proved their talent evaluation process is effective.

The last Big Sky Conference squad still alive in the playoffs, Portland State, is down 16-3 to Northern Iowa at halftime. UNI - like most MVFC teams - is playing a tough-minded run defense and Portland State can't run against it at all; reminiscent of the way UND plays defense in that they focus on stuffing the run. Future is bright for UND within the Big Sky Conference. They play a style of defense that has and will continue to give the other teams fits, especially run first offenses like Portland State and Cal Poly. Still need to strengthen up secondary play, but the future is looking good.

Adding to that safety depth right off the bat. I like it.

Nice to hear the team gutted it out and got a good road win, but from what I gather, UND will have to play a lot better to hang with NDSU on Friday. Hope UND's play is worth the price of admission for the NDSU matchup; I have my doubts.

Good observation. Thankfully, talent trumps scheme every time, and I really like the talent/experience that UND has returning. Bowling Green will be the only team out of the first three that are categorized as more talented.

They do, but they'll be losing some good players. I expect UND to compete in that game and play for a big FBS win. UPDATE: Also, it appears Bowling Green will have a new head coach.

At this point, he's just blatantly playing devil's advocate. Carry on.

As long as UND overlooks football for niche sports, it won't be a top destination, even within the FCS. It wasn't in 2007 and it still isn't (goes for both coaches and recruits). Fortunately, with winning and lobbying from Bubba, I think the athletic administration can still come around to support UND football more. I also think the soon-to-be change in leadership at UND could positively affect the athletic department, as far as increasing the emphasis in certain sports... There's no question, though, that things for UND football have been trending in the right direction since Bubba was hired.

Agreed. I'm thinking 9-2, Big Sky Conference autobid, and an FCS playoff seeding.

Absolutely not.

Everything you say consists of pessimism. First it was Brian Jones is a great coach that isn't going anywhere. Then it was Brian Jones may get fired, but it won't be until the end of the season if he does. Now, you're implying Jones may get the axe but you're also saying UND is a lowly destination that won't be able to hire any quality replacements because of low RPI and a low projected salary. Quite frankly, with that track record, I don't think UND men's basketball fans have to worry too much about what you're saying.

My train of thought is simple: UND is coming off a 7-4 season (3-game winning streak) with most of that team returning (save for the interior offensive line and Will Ratelle, he will be missed); UND should expect to win every game they play in because of who UND has returning and, also, the relatively average level of competition on the schedule. Lastly, UND should be confident and play to win the Big Sky Conference in 2016 and every season after that; fortunately, that is the mindset that Bubba has begun to establish for UND football.

I expect UND to start the season 3-0, although a loss at Bowling Green and starting 2-1 wouldn't hurt the Big Sky Conference championship aspirations that the 2016 squad should have. Let's remember, Bowling Green is in the MAC, not the Big 10 or PAC 12; I expect UND to at least play them close if not win.

Looks like a clown, in my opinion. It's just too excessive and, most importantly, ineffective. He does that while the opposing coach is sitting down with a 20-point lead.

Upsetting part is there are more losses that could arguably be top 10, as well. Jones has worn out his welcome. I would love to get excited about UND men's basketball again...

Brian Faison has actually done an okay job, primarily via the hire of Bubba/increase of football coaching salary pool, funding HPC phase I (need phase II though), and securing Big Sky Conference and NCHC affiliation. With that said, UND needs more energy and vision out of the athletic director position. Faison is a bit too complacent for my liking. Jones for men's basketball should be gone by now, Mussman's dismissal shouldn't have taken so long, and HPC Phase II needs to get completed sooner rather than later, among other things. Someone like Purpur would bring tremendous energy, which is what UND athletics needs for leadership and fund raising.

Agree. Would be a great athletic director.

Would like to see him back at UND in some role; however, I can't imagine there's a football staff position open for him. Administrative?

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.