UND-FB-FAN

10-10 is against only Big Sky schools on the road the last two seasons. And, as I mentioned, the Big Sky Conference is a bad DI conference. If you want to compare UND to the bottom 8 schools, then you're already doing UND basketball wrong.

He wins home conference games...that's really it. If he recruits so well, then why are his teams so poor out-of-conference and on the road? The Big Sky Conference is a BAD NCAA DI basketball conference - there, I said it. In all reality, only Weber State and sometimes Montana are the real competitors on a national level (this year replace Montana with Eastern Washington). UND beating mediocre BSC competition at home is not a huge showing, in my opinion. UND goes on the road within the conference and loses quite a few games, too. Look at the out-of-conference (regardless of home or away) record for Jones; it's bad. The regular season road record for Jones in the Big Sky is simply mediocre: 10-10. If you want to only compete in the Big Sky (a bad basketball conference) and never actually win it, then I suppose Jones has already satisfied your expectations, so why be asking for more? But to get to where this program deserves to be, UND needs to WIN the Big Sky Conference tournament, and with that, Jones' ability remains to be seen. UND has taken steps the last 2 seasons, though.

Four major positions of need (in no particular order); that is, need FBS/JUCO transfers: RB, WR, OL, DB RB - lose Jer Garman and Adam Shauabay. Left with Cedric Simmons (coming off injury but has potential) and converted LB Kyle Norberg. Patrick Sharp also in the mix. UND NEEDS a couple talented, physical backs; necessity givin how the defense is capable of playing solid. WR- lose RJ McGill and have very few returning big contributors. Both Josh Seibel and Brandon Walker have potential, but NEED a couple big, fast FBS-type talents to throw the ball up to. OL- considering the intention to win the line of scrimmage, need depth and skill at this position. FBS transfer would again be nice. Lose 2 starters from last year's line: LT Barton and RG Henson. DB - lose 2 senior starters in S Carr and CB Tilman, who happens to be the perfect example of how FBS talent can make immediate contributions. Tilman came in and immediately upgraded not only the covering ability of the secondary, but also the tackling ability of the secondary and the return game. What a move his addition was. Look for at least 3 transfers to this position group. QB, FB/TE, DL and LB are all less immediate of needs due to returners. With that said, still need to develop these positions with high school recruits. Looks like these positions are already being addressed as I look at the list of 2015 verbal commits.

To a degree. Both are/were discount coaching options for a cheap AD.

Jones likely has no offers. His teams have performed in conference play, but they haven't upset a favored team (money games) or made the NCAA tournament. In comparison, Saul Phillips, who was hired away from NDSU by Ohio University, had a good resume: 2 NCAA tournament appearances, and upsets vs Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. Jones has done nothing close to that.

Very good points. Jones may demonstrate questionable coaching ability, but I fully agree in terms of AD Faison. I've voiced my concern in terms of support for football, but the same goes for basketball as well. Faison is complacent (getting ready for retirement?) and not willing to help out the revenue sports as popular as football and basketball. If NDSU can pump the money they do into football and basketball, then there is no reason UND should be as far behind as they are. Men's hockey sucks up resources like crazy, but maybe it's time to allocate funds elsewhere from other programs like women's hockey?

Another bad loss on the road against non-conference competition. It's these kinds of losses that make me question Jones' ability.

Good find. Would certainly be a welcome addition to UND football.

Most athletic polls take the simple way out and just vote for the best players on the best teams. Way it's been for a long time and likely the way it'll continue to be.

No, just saying you have to be on a successful team in order to get these kind of awards.

Forte also plays for a team that only lost one FCS game all season and swept the Montana Schools....

Good news indeed

Absolutely. That's why it's such a bad deal he got hurt and won't be able to play (most likely) against Utah.

Looks like a good win. Would sure like to have a healthy roster vs Utah, so too bad with Hooker. Hope it's not serious.

Any speculation on Hooker's injury? Any other injuries? Without injuries, UND would have a ton of depth. Too bad the injury bug has hit this early in the season.

Is Idaho State in the playoffs??? No, because they didn't beat the big 3. However, they did have a winning record, good enough for conference respect in terms of all-conference representation. UND had a sub .500 record and didn't beat big three; therefore, doesn't surprise me there's no conference respect.

Good deal...just what the 2015 UND football team needs. 2015 should be a winning year...finally. Care to PM the info you have? Thanks.

UND needs to play better on the road in non-conference play. It's been an absolute weak point of this team under Jones. Anyone remember last year's tournament play in Oregon? I still believe this team has the depth and defensive mindset to perhaps be better than last years club.

As far as the NDSU-Crookston game goes, it appears NDSU does have a down team this season. With that said, when UND plays NDSU this year in Fargo, it likely will turn out to be a close game. Hopefully UND pulls it out. As for now, I'm interested in seeing how UND does at the Utah tournament. Last year, UND was horrific in tournament play. Jones needs to improve this. I think UND's team this year has potential to be, dare I say it, better than last years club. More depth, and better defensive, unselfish play among the guys. Time will tell I guess.

Studsrud went 2-2 as a starter, including a 2-0 mark in the last 2 games showing improvement. On top of that, he has youth on his side; he will continue to grow and get better. Plus, he led UND on a comeback game-winning drive to beat a ranked team for the first time since 2011. In my opinion, Hammer's comments were spot on. Bubba and Rudolph believe Srudsrud is the guy at the position moving forward. He'll only get better with his first winter weights session, a full fall camp preparing as the starter, a better defense and running game, and better receivers to work with.

It's plain and simple: Don't beat Montana, Montana State, and Eastern Washington, you don't get considered as a top program. UND has yet to beat Eastern and Montana St. since becoming conference members; they beat Montana once but only in their down year of 2012. Basically, haven't had any positive results vs the big 3; that needs to change to get all-conference representation, Root sports media attention, and most importantly, playoff consideration.

Still no respect in league ran by three schools: Montana, Montana State, and EWU. In three years as a Big Sky member, UND has only beat one of those three once (Montana in 2012). Until that changes, UND shouldn't expect much. Next year, the goal for UND needs to be to improve and have a winning club, but also knock off the "respected 3" in order to make the playoffs and earn respect.

Those stats are a bit skewed. First off, games like SJSU and EWU kill stats like these, but most importantly, teams were forced to throw and abandon the run. That's part of the reason sack numbers and TFL's went way up; QBs were throwing more with more 3rd and long situations forced. Personally, I think the passing defense will improve quite nicely next year with a combination of young talent returning and some transfers brought it.

We do have some good talent in the secondary that is young (Reyes, C.Carter, D. Harris, etc.), but I do agree with you; need to add some more talent in the back end.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-football-bubba-other-coaches-hit-recruiting-trail-looking-build-improvement