UND-FB-FAN

There's no question UND wants to be a balanced offense with the emphasis on the running game. If anyone would look past last week's game, they would remember TE screens vs. San Jose State, multiple deep crossing routes and double moves vs. Robert Morris, and a flea flicker vs. Missouri State. The point is, when the game and/or personnel dictate it, Rudolph will take shots down the field and mix it up. Even vs. Stony Brook the play that gave UND the lead for good was a fake jet sweep pass downfield for a TD. Rudolph will call games aggressively when the time calls for it, but last week, given how the offense had performed and the defense was performing, playing extra-conservative was the right call (notice the big 'W' next to the Stony Brook game).

Offense has yet to show anything yet, so can't argue with you there. One of these weeks the ground attack will burst out though. As for the defense, they've played really well. They'll hold the 'Cats under 40 points, but that doesn't mean UND will win. If Montana State scores over 30, UND has no chance.

Have to wonder if he's recruited as a QB; he's probably recruited as a RB or WR by UND, IMO.

There's a reason they actually play the games. Given the score last week of the Montana State-Eastern Washington game, I think UND will have improved success running the football vs. the Bobcats. Of course, no matter what, UND will only win if the defense plays a great game, because even if UND's offense improves from last week, it won't be enough to single-handily outscore Montana State unless UND's defense plays well. Montana State is probably the second best offense we play for the remainder of the season, behind Eastern Washington, so this will be a really good challenge for the defense.

This is correct. North Dakota college football teams (UND and NDSU) have never won a championship at any level with a pass-happy offense. Our recruiting area favors tough defense and physical running offenses. Mussman didn't get it; Bubba does. We're following the blueprint that worked in 2001 for UND.

I do remember NDSU running all over Montana State in 2010 with a pro-style offense, but I can say with certainty UND's running game is no 2010 NDSU. It is where UND eventually wants to get to, however.

Bubba is using the blueprint that won UND a national championship in 2001, so you'd have to think it would work, at least eventually.

Exactly. These coaches know how to draw things up just as well as anyone else; creativity is not an issue. The offense that the coaches are implementing is best for the team, which is now a defense-led unit. It may be slow at times, but if it prevents turnovers and increases time of possession, it will lead to more wins than most expect. Everyone needs to embrace the defense; it's the new future.

A lot of pessimism right now, which is fine for the offense, but the defense and TEAM have all exceeded or matched expectations thus far.

What people don't understand, including possibly yourself, is that there are no other alternatives. The geniuses on this board believe just dropping back and passing all day would be an instant fix. The actual reality check is the staff wants to implement a system that may start slow perhaps, but with time it will grow. The way the offense is operating right now is best for the defense which is the strength of the team as of right now. Get use to it, because with Bubba the defense will always be the strength of the team.

Again, between running the ball three and out and passing the ball for three incompletions or an interception, the former is always the better option.

That's never the strategy. It may be the result, but the strategy/intent is to MOVE the ball on the ground and hit big plays with PA. If you can't move the ball on the ground, it shuts down everything (including the passing game for those TV buffs who love offense).

By playing that way, you're protecting your defense. Occasionally it might lead to three and outs, but when that ball-control mindset works, it runs the clock, wears out the opponent's defense, and rests your own defense. It's the intent behind the strategy, not the direct results that must be taken into consideration.

Very good point. One of the reasons the Montana St.-Eastern Washington tilt from last weekend was so high-scoring was due to the fact that both teams matched each-other's tempo. Both played at a fast pace that made it very tough on the defenses, which both aren't very talented/experienced to begin with. One of the best things you can do in terms of a general game-plan to counter that is play ball control offense, or at least try to. Even if you don't move the ball for first downs, drain the clock as much as you can. That will be UND's plan in this game and all games moving forward (and I LOVE it).

Obviously, the UND defense needs to be the unit to win games this season. Remember, S Reyes and NT Hinojosa did not play against Missouri State, and both made a huge impact versus Stony Brook. Also, I think the younger players (CB Chris Carter, DEs Dranka and Greeley, FS Domo Blackmon, etc.) are starting to feel much more comfortable in their new roles. If UND can play tough defense in Bozeman, even if it's a loss, then that will tell big for UND's potential the rest of the season. Also, it's very important that UND can run the ball with Norberg and possibly Shaugabay and Simmons. If all three backs play on Saturday, that'd be a nice combo of runners. UND ground out over 50 yards on 27 carries vs Stony Brook with Norberg; I really think with 27 carries against a weaker defensive line in Montana State will better produce on the ground for UND. I was impressed with the size and physicality of Stony Brook's defensive line. Need the running game to be productive for UND in order to win games this season (exception is apparently at the Alerus where the defense can single-handily win games).

McDermott and Seales are great additions. Will certainly make UND men's basketball exciting to follow moving forward!

Two offensive touchdowns would be great considering I'm not including field goals and defensive scores. If UND can score 14 via 2 touchdowns, heck, UND may score 20 or 23 points.

Just don't get it, huh? Stony Brook's defense is quite better than Montana States. I'm confident we'll be able to run the ball and play admirable defense. UND definitely scores at least 2 touchdowns. You heard it here first. I also suggest the downer UND fans read this article: http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/tom-miller-und-defense-deserves-credit

You'll definitely get a chance to see how your defense tackles in this game. We play straightforward offensive football on the ground. As for the defense, it is definitely the only hope UND has to win the game on Saturday. They have played really well the past three games. Even the Missouri State game, which ended in a 38-0 loss, was only 14-0 at halftime and the offense surrendered one of those scores on a turnover. UND can pressure the quarterback alright this year, and I know Montana State has a mobile quarterback, but Missouri State had one too and UND handled him quite well in terms of scrambling. The game will come down to turnovers, which in my mind goes to whether or not UND can run the ball. If UND can run, they will keep the game quite close the whole game, possibly even pull it out. If UND has to throw it because they can't run, either because of UND's oline or the score, then Montana State will force a couple turnovers and win this thing handily.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/tom-miller-und-defense-deserves-credit Good article on UND's defense vs Stony Brook and the possible sampling of Bubba's long-term plan at UND. Play great defense, win the turnover battle, and get the crowd into the game with defensive performances!

Need more than a single RB; that was Mussman's issue - he didn't address depth well at ALL positions. I wouldn't get too caught up in ratings and stars and such. Daniels is a down hill running back with good size; all things UND needs and doesn't have. Also, he's from the area (South Dakota) so he hopefully would be comfortable at UND and not want to leave. Proximity to UND is important; it ensures recruiting classes will stay together and not fall apart like Mussman's classes did. That's why I love the class that Bubba has been putting together thus far - most from ND, MN, and Canada.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Michael-Daniel-148656 Pairing Mikey Daniel up with Brady Oliveria would be great for the 2015 recruiting class and UND's running back position moving forward! Hope it works out!

Great!

Missouri State is every bit as good as Montana State, IMO. I'm certainly not guaranteeing a win, but I think UND will stay relatively close in this one relative to the Missouri State game (less than 24 point differential vs. Montana State on Saturday).

Would be a great game for the offense to finally break out. Hope you're right!