UND-FB-FAN

Nice! Go Sioux!

I don't agree that this year is lost, though. Yes, UND will improve from 2014 to 2015, but what's the starting point going to actually be here in 2014? Some college football programs are unable to change "overnight"; that is, it takes a few years to acquire the necessary talent to change the program around in terms of success. However, there are many coaches across the country that can immediately change a team's outlook by changing both discipline and philosophy in the short-term. Last season, in the FBS, the most specific example that comes to mind is Auburn. In 2011, Eastern Illinois (FCS - Ohio Valley Conference) went 2-9; in 2012, after hiring Dino Barbers, Eastern Illinois went 7-5. The point is, substantial turnarounds can occur via coaching changes due to a change in philosophy and discipline. How do you know it will take more than an attitude change to change this team? UND has talent, whether you want to believe it or not. QB Joe Mollberg, RB Cedric Simmons, WR RJ McGill, TE Zach Adler, LG Brandon Anderson, NG Jordan Hinojosa, LB Will Ratelle, LB Marcus Jenkins-Moore, CB Alex Tillman, S Cole Reyes, etc. etc. etc. The only question mark is whether or not the youth can play big time football right away or not. Also, the degree of discipline that Bubba has tried to instill. If UND commits less turnovers and penalties than they did last year, they will instantly be a better team - that is the kind of thing that Bubba and his staff can do to make an immediate impact. It's not like UND was playing perfect football (no turnovers, no penalties) last season and still got blown out; in actuality, UND was shooting themselves in the foot in 2013.

Check with some sports bars; if the bar is willing, they can stream the game from a computer onto TVs. I'm sure at least one bar in GF will be doing this....

No question NDSU has a long history of success in terms of their football program. All in all, I think the success of a season rides on national championships and conference championships. I think NDSU will go 9-3 this season, and with that record, not only will they likely lose a playoff game, but also they might not win the MVFC - that would be a legitimate drop-off for a team looking for its 25th consecutive victory come Saturday and coming off 3 consecutive NCs. Will be interesting to see how NDSU responds to a new HC and new QB in 2014.

The man straight up failed. In my opinion, he should have been canned after either the 2009 (Sioux Falls) or 2012 (Northern Colorado) seasons. After 2013, it had been too long.

Should be an interesting game! I look forward to checking out both teams, being its the first game for both!

C'mon man! you cant be serious... Last year when UND played Sacramento State, UND was demoralized and playing sloppy. They had just been pounded by Montana and Montana State at home, and lost another close game to Eastern Washington. They had very little drive to excel. On top of that, the team couldn't run the ball (both physically and mentally), and the defense was playing horrid due to various factors, including the offense's lack of TOP. UND lost to South Dakota State by 1 touchdown early in the season, yet lost to Sacramento State by 24. So does that make Sacramento State better than South Dakota State? Comparing scores is elementary and inaccurate, you should know that....

I expect from this year and on, that UND's strength will be its defense. Even after last year's horrible defense, the new staff has put into place new players and a new system that has the team looking more and more like a stout defensive/TOP team. I think the defense will surprise some people and play well. From a Dline standpoint, this team should be only better. Another season for Spencer Cummings; Jordan Hinojosa is a talent and workhorse at the NG, and Alec Carrothers is gonna be a good one. At the LB spot, we will be better. Dayo Idowu comes back; Ben Peters - starter from last year - is straight up replaced by the more talented Taj Rich; young and hungry Brian Labat takes over other OLB spot; and MLB Will Ratelle is geared up to be a star the next two seasons. In secondary, CB Alex TIllman is the best CB that UND has had for a while (he will replace Daryl Brown nicely), Chris Brown and Fr Chris Carter will hold down other spot, and Cole Reyes at the safety spot can hit like a brick sh*thouse! The defense may be shaky game 1, but as the season progresses, I see this as the strength of the team. Now, the offense needs to play the TOP game, run the ball, and limit mistakes (turnovers/penalties). Go UND!!

Has a chance....UND can compete with SJSU, no problem. The 2014 San Jose State football team isn't doing anything special this season. They had an explosive offense last year with a very bad defense and yet went only 6-6. They managed to beat Sacramento State at home by a score of 24-0; only a three possession game. This season, San Jose State comes off a 6-6 season without their all-star quarterback, three new inexperienced starters on the offensive line, and for this game vs. UND, they don't have their starting RB. UND has a real good shot, because this year's San Jose State team is worse than the team that only beat last year's Sacramento State 24-0.

Game Day! Go UND!

San Jose State is no Mizzou... UND has a chance against San Jose State talent-wise, but they have to execute and have very very few mistakes.

I'm thinking it will be a close game that goes right to the end. Of course, if the game ends up being a 3 to 4 TD game where SJSU wins, I would completely understand. Have to work in all those young players throughout the season before real improvement is seen.

Only major talent they lost were receivers. Otherwise, this team is better in most other positions. Not gonna predict a score because I don't want to temper my optimism. With that said, it will be tough to pull out a victory vs SJSU.

Casey Young, Brandon Walker, and Zach Adler will also haul in a few balls. Bottom line is UND needs to run the ball and be successful at it. The defense will look better, but that might not necessarily mean they will shut down SJSU's offense.

Yeah, there's one major thing different for UND from 2013 to 2014: A NEW COACHING STAFF UND was in shambles at that point in time last season. They threw the ball every down with their freshman quarterbacks and couldn't play defense to save their lives. Bubba may not have those deficiencies fixed by tomorrow night, but they'll certainly be improved. 2014 will be a better year for UND than 2013 - I'm nearly certain.

That was in 2012. Last years squad went 6-6 and had a horrid defense. On top of that, they lost their quarterback and 3 offensive linemen. Tomorrow, they will be starting 2 freshmen offensive guards and their quarterback will make his first start. Plus, I doubt their defense will be a strength after one offseason. No one can predict this game, other than it will be closer than the line has it, IMO. I'm certainly hoping for a UND win, but if they lose in a competitive game, then it will still likely mean UND can exceed expectations this season and go 0.500.

You don't get it; this is a huge game for UND, NDSU, and the state of North Dakota. Competition doesn't occur in scheduling; it occurs on the field and rightfully so. Gripe about it all you want, but come Sept. 19 of 2015, and everyone won't care about the scheduling issue due to excitement. Let's play the damn game!

Bent over? Good god people, the games still need to be played. Just try to believe that UND can win the game, regardless of location. The Ag school trolls have really got into the heads of a lot of supposed UND fans... Again, want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Making this deal gives UND that opportunity. Arguing over contract terms for another 5 years does not.

NDSU 9-3 UND 5-7 9+5 = 14; so, I guess I go UNDER 14.5

Oh it's changing, hell, it's already changed. There's 7, maybe more, true freshman playing this year! That definitely indicates a change in philosophy as far as playing time goes. With that, we'll finally see some championship quality football.

There's no question ball control helps a lot of fronts. It's helps the defense with increased TOP, it prevents penalties due to less opportunities/less snaps, and of course it prevents turnovers. Nevertheless, some teams prefer points due to a porous defense and they have the athletes to play up-tempo no huddle but not the bruising backs and offensive linemen to pound the ball.

Although the right side of the line is a bit shaky, the left side of Devin Barton and Brandon Anderson is more than capable. With that, I expect UND to have at least moderate success running the ball. UND has to or else it will be hard to have success offensively. Plus, no reason San Jose State should give our offensive line too many fits; their defensive line is more of a pass rushing line than run stopping line, IMO.

To be noted, the following players will be making their first college start for San Jose State on Thursday: QB Blake Jurich, Sr. LG Jeremiah Kolone, Fr. RG Nate Velichko, Fr. RT Evan Sarver, So. RB Thomas Tucker, So. DE Adrian Blake, Sr. LB William Ossai, Fr. SS Akeem King, 5th yr Sr. P Michael Carrizosa, Fr. What this tells me is that San Jose State's offensive line will be young and inexperienced; that should certainly help out UND's defense. Also, San Jose State's defense will have a few new faces on a unit that was not very good last year (35.1 ppg allowed in 2013; 105th in FBS). Lastly, UND will not be the only team in the game relying on a freshman punter. GO UND!!

Well said; I agree.

Just listened to the Monday press conference; featured MLB Will Ratelle and Bubba. Both Ratelle and Bubba emphasized increased discipline from the beginning of fall camp to now. Ratelle even went as far as to say that from last year to this year, the defense is more disciplined and runs to the ball better (gang tackling will greatly improve run defense). Bubba said the team has greatly improved in the penalty department since the beginning of camp, as well. I expect the team to be ready and produce a close game on Thursday; both Bubba and Ratelle seemed confident, but yet unsure what the team will ultimately look like come Thursday. It was reassuring in my mind to hear Bubba say that the coaching staff is ready to make adjustments come game time; that in itself is an improvement from Mussman. I'm not sure Mussman and his staff were regularly prepared for the chess match that occurs between football coaches on gameday. The unknown factor is very suspenseful but yet exciting at the same time! Go UND!