UND-FB-FAN

All hail Gene Taylor -- the incredible leader of Ag school athletics

http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/18348/publisher_ID/46/ http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/spp%2B50/page+4 If you won't take my word for it, then read some other sources. You can't tell me you honestly believe your better off going to NDSU if you want to get into commercial aviation. The aviation network is far, far more extensive at UND than at NDSU, so simply receiving your private pilot license and "working your way up" is not a very educated way of advancing one's aviation career. UND's business school is nationally significant. In fact, many aspiring farmers and ranchers consider UND because of this. I personally know North Dakota farmers who went to UND over NDSU. They went the "business route" at UND and are very successful in the agricultural field right here in North Dakota. UND's M.D. and law degree programs are substantial, but so is UND's nursing program relative to NDSU. All in all, it doesn't sound like you want to acknowledge UND's national academic rankings.

Although I don't want to take your comment as a personal attack, I really have no choice but to take it as that. First off, I am a UND graduate, whereas the rest of my family is not; In fact, all of my other local family members obtained college degrees from NDSU. My immediate family is derived from North Dakota culture, dating back to the 1880s, and are farmers and ranchers of eastern North Dakota. I am proud to say they exhibit many of the attributes and attitudes you described your father and grandfather as having. It is important, I believe, to mention that they are not partial to either UND or NDSU, but the fact remains, UND is the flagship university of North Dakota. Anyone who objectively observes UND and NDSU will come to this conclusion. For example, UND was the first university established in the state of North Dakota and it receives the greatest financial support. Furthermore, the alumni base and academic options available at the University of North Dakota are more diverse than those available at NDSU - that's just the way it is. With that being said, given my agricultural background, I appreciate what NDSU does for the state of North Dakota and its citizens. Don't try to make me look like the ignorant individual who has no appreciation for the culture and history of North Dakota. Ultimately, I stand by what I said earlier in that UND is a superior institution relative to NDSU; however, I certainly value NDSU's role in establishing agricultural, engineering, and managerial employees, among other similar professions, in North Dakota and the United States. Please, don't jump to conclusions. I myself am a product of long-time North Dakota farmers and ranchers who have by far more in common with NDSU graduates than UND graduates. Nevertheless, when looking at the big picture, I find UND to be a more valuable institution than NDSU. Don't mistake that for me saying NDSU is invaluable. Just because gold is more valuable than silver, that doesn't mean silver is invaluable.

You're a fool and a perfect example of someone exhibiting an inferiority complex. NDSU is wonderful if you want to farm, whereas UND is exceptional if you want to be a lawyer, commercial aviation pilot, physician, businessman, biomedical researcher, historian, etc. In general, NDSU is a joke relative to UND. You seem to be having such a hard time dealing with that, and as a result, you come on this website and try to overcompensate for NDSU's lack of national relevancy. Not to mention, many of the people who claim Grand Forks is unpleasant also don't care for Fargo either - they want Minneapolis, Chicago, etc. Congrats on NDSU's run of FCS titles, it is impressive. But those seasons are over now, Craig Bohl is gone, and UND football has better leadership and will put up a fight in recruiting. NDSU's days of dominance are over, so get use to it. As far as this game goes, it should be played every year! The schools are merely 75 miles from each other and they have a long history of playing. Retribution agendas and precautionary philosophies are the only reasons this game is not being played, and well, its an absolute embarrassment. The recent article demonstrates Gene Taylor's inability to serve the state of North Dakota as a whole. All Fargo and NDSU supporters can use as a counterargument is that NDSU offered a game in Fargo and that UND should've taken it. I say to that: NO. NDSU is not so d*mn holy that they can't travel to Grand Forks every-other season or game. The fact Gene Taylor has that mindset is ridiculous. UND will continue to improve on their own with Bubba's leadership, and within the Big Sky Conference, UND can and will rise again independently of NDSU. Good riddance and I now digress.

You are correct; I can confirm.

Idaho vs NDSU? In the state of North Dakota, as far as the fans are concerned, that isn't even a comparison. Stop siding with the ridiculous argument made by Fargo in that the Ag school is so much more relevant than UND so UND should have to follow their terms. That's bullsh*t. If Gene Taylor can schedule home and homes with Montana and Weber State, there is absolutely no reason a home and home can't get scheduled with UND. Taylor is doing a disservice to the State of North Dakota and the rivalry's tradition. UND doesn't need NDSU either, so don't get that idea. Bubba is on the brink of adding tremendous passion to our program, and as a result, were gonna only improve significantly each and every season. Watch as we continue to recruit and combat NDSU's recruiting interests. Regardless if the game is played, UND will improve, NDSU will decline, and the playing field will be even real quick.

Definitely a long-shot because I think he'll go FBS, but if he does go FCS, I would definitely hope Bubba at least gives him a call. He's the kind of big-bodied physical RB we need.

That story has nothing to do with University of North Dakota athletics, in fact, it has very little to do with UND at all. The similarities between athletic department arrogance and cultural/civil respect are minimal at best. Good try - nice to see you represent your Ag school well.

No one said this game is only important to UND fans (other than delusional yellow buffalo supporters); rather, it's the fact that the emails reveal a deal was made on UND's end but NDSU and Gene Taylor continue to deny it. Even after various compromises by Brian Faison and UND, there are no concrete responses from NDSU. It makes NDSU and it's administration look like even more of a joke.

What a joke? McFeeley needs to get real. Its not anymore of UND's responsibility to get this thing revived than it is NDSUs. NDSU and UND need to act like respectful civil institutions and just agree on a home and home. The fact that Fargo gets the first game could still be looked at as Gene Taylor getting his way, but that's gonna have to happen in some way,shape, or form due to Taylor's arrogant and untrustworthy attitude. Agreeing to only a single game in Fargo would perhaps be the respectful sacrificial thing to do because were dealing with the incompetence of NDSU, but why go that route? NDSU will have to first lose a bunch so they can get their heads out of their asses and see the light of day. Playoff meeting it is...

http://m.nydailynews.com/sports/college/assault-qb-kicked-rutgers-football-team-article-1.1790274 The kid has some serious issues. No room for him here unless we want to the follow the NDSU blueprint for success...

Glen Taylor and NDSU remain adamant in demonstrating why they are simply a school of agriculture and applied sciences and not a real flagship university, like THE University of North Dakota. UND has never NOT wanted to play, but NDSU uses the perceived notion that they are so holy and untouchable, that they don't have to play the game. That is just ignorant and incompetent thinking. Two rivals only 75 miles apart should play each and every year - anything less is simply an excuse. As the emails show, Taylor is the one using the excuse. Faison has tried to carry it out, but Taylor continues to turn it down. Its the simple "everything to lose, nothing to gain" mindset at play here. A loss to UND could completely switch the positioning of UND and NDSU in the FCS landscape, and apparently Taylor is scared of that. Eventually, in two to three years, NDSU will be around 0.500 and UND will be over 0.500, and then, NDSU will want to play. Its the typical arrogant attitude that I would only expect out of NDSU athletics.

I'm glad you understand.

We don't NEED to play anyone. But you would think two FCS schools only 70 miles apart, who were once - and still are technically - huge rivals would play each other annually. Not doing this just shows what NDSU is scared of. NDSU has everything to lose and nothing to gain. What a joke. You guys can go around puffing your chest up all you want, but until NDSU has actually beaten UND head-to-head, you've only completed half of what you could at the FCS level. Gene Taylor and NDSU apparently are really cocky but not real confident - what an odd combination.

We need JUCOs. If we played with mostly freshmen, and won only one or two games, everyone would be pissed and complaining then. This is simply a way to make-up for the all the players that left, and well, also the horrible makeup of this team via Mussman. If we win, then this is what we should do. It's all about winning. I agree that recruiting is the main source of success when it comes to college football, but development is very very important. If this staff can develop players, which I think they can do through passion and dedication to UND, then UND will finally be successful. Key to FCS football is recruiting players that had interest from FBS schools but weren't quite good enough, and then turning those players into big-time DI football players.

2016 Big Sky Conference Champions: A very pleasing, and quite realistic, prediction. Likely will have a senior QB and veteran defense by then. Everything looks to be on the rise for UND football.

I honestly expect great things from him. Talent-wise, he may be the best d-lineman we've had since going DI. Hopefully everything falls together just right.

If you can play, scouts will find you. But I dont think anyone will argue that being a top performer on a top team (whether that's FCS or FBS) is always more fun for the fans than having a top performer on a poor team, like you alluded to with Greg Hardin and the 2013 UND football team.

Apparently you think a lot of things are "silly", so let's have a "serious" talk. 1) You may be able to make the argument that the 2013 University of Minnesota football team was not as good as their record indicated, or that they were an average Big Ten football team as their conference record (4-4) indicated, but they certainly did not "suck". There are different ways to categorize a team besides "suck" and "awesome". After all, they defeated Nebraska and Penn State and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State by 11 in East Lansing. 2) High school rankings, such as those by Rivals and Scout, may be overrated and not an exact science, but they aren't "silly". They judge talent and ability. Many recruiting coordinators admit to semi-relying on recruiting services such as Rivals and Scout. 3) We ultimately won't know how good Hinojosa will be until we see him perform on the college stage, but he had the high school rankings and recruiting interest, along with his current frame, to at least be considered a potential FCS top performer. As we see year in and year out, if you are a top FCS performer, you will get recognized by NFL scouts and have an opportunity to play in the NFL. See WR Greg Hardin

My main reason for disappointment is not entirely on metrics, but rather the fact that I think there were better QBs available at the time the Vikings chose Bridgewater, namely Carr. Of course, I hope he proves me wrong. Some analysts have compared him to Aaron Rodgers, and although I think those guys are crazy/nuts/gone, I hope they end up being right.

Get real; Manning doesn't depend on a glove. He put together many pro bowl seasons without a glove and certainly didn't have a poor performance which he blamed on not having a magic glove. He probably lost all those playoff games against the Patriots in the early 2000s because he didn't have a glove, right? C'mon man!

Depth chart/playing concerns, not talent, were the issue. He is only a sophomore anyways. And how was last year's University of Minnesota football team bad? They went to a bowl game and had a winning record (8-5). Hinojosa was the no.4 ranked DT in all of Florida coming out of high school. He was recruited by Michigan State and West Virginia, among others. He has the ability.

Anthony Barr is a good pick right at #9. The linebacker out of UCLA was supposed to be a top 10 pick during all of the 2013 college football season so I have no problem taking him in the top 10. In Mike Zimmer's defense, he will be used to do multiple things. He has a big frame (250 lbs.) plus he is athletic and fast (4.44 40). He will do fine. Now, on the other hand, Teddy Bridgewater is a bust waiting to happen. His arm strength is average at best, he has a slight build (under 200 lbs.), and likely can't play in cold weather (Chicago, Green Bay, TCF Bank Stadium next two seasons, etc...). Plus, he depends on a glove for goodness sake! He will have to prove me wrong, because I think the Vikings should've gone with Derek Carr with the 32nd pick or waited in the 2nd round/3rd round for Zach Mettenberger or AJ McCarron. Teddy Bridgewater doesn't impress me right now, and I think they somehow found a way to reach again. I'd give Barr a B+ grade and Bridgewater a C- grade. All in all, I give the Vikings a B- grade on their draft so far. Disappointing....

In light of the NFL draft, let it be known that the Big Sky Conference has a history of producing NFL players if you play at a high level. That means Hinojosa will have an opportunity to make it to the next level if he performs well. Something all potential FBS drop downs should consider if they're thinking about going FCS and which school to go to. The Big Sky can get it done for you.

At this point, I wouldn't get too worked up over deflections. Earlier on, I admit it was concerning, but now I think Bubba has proven he can easily replace the talent, whether that be via high school recruits or JUCO/FBS transfers. It's important, and quite reassuring, to note that Bubba has done all this without even coaching a game yet or improving on our losing record from last year. If he can win, and add that to his already impressive recruiting tactics, we could see some really impressive talent influx and performances in the future. Give it a year or two everyone, and then I believe we'll see UND finally get some respect in the DI football world because of our on the field performances.