UND-FB-FAN

Well, If Mollberg or Bartels or whoever the QB is struggles in 2013, it won't be because of the WRs...

Gotta love AJ McCarron and Nick Saban still showing fire and emotion despite being up 42-14, and as Brent Musburger stated, the players such as McCarron get that attitude from Saban. Quite the opposite from the "paddy-cake" demeanor Mussman instills.

I'm afraid that isn't an understatement, but rather just a false or incorrect statement. The FBS IS the highest level of NCAA football; FCS IS 2nd. I strongly agree with your NCAA hockey versus FCS football point though; NCAA hockey is not nearly as popular relative to the highest levels of competition in NCAA football, basketball, and baseball. The FCS is just as popular as NCAA hockey; for example, FCS football scores are featured on ESPN but where are the NCAA hockey scores? National Popularity Rank of NCAA sports: Football > Basketball > Baseball > Hockey

As far as what this thread pertains to, UND needs to play NDSU now more than ever. If they don't, NDSU will just continue to suck up all area recruiting in the future. Local kids (Minnesota and North Dakota) are becoming more and more convinced that NDSU football is better in all aspects relative to UND; only defeating NDSU head-to-head could potentially change that.

You're delusional and ruining your credibility with all these ridiculous posts. Just stating my opinion on your opinions; that is, if you actually believe what you are posting.

Still in the "dead period." When school resumes, things will pick up.

Good luck on Jan. 5th.

The sad truth is not that recruits are taken to hockey games, because that is exactly what the coaching staff should do. It portrays the potential the fan base possesses in terms of atmosphere and support in general. With that said, the fan support for the football team is ridiculous, and that is what is sad. There is no reason the Alerus shouldn't have 12,000 at each and every home game, besides for the fact that the Alerus is an oversized tin shed and the team hasn't been winning consistently. With wins, attendance and atmosphere should hopefully change.

Yeah, isn't that the sad truth.

Rivals Page: http://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/football/recruiting/player-Jameer-Thurman-136899 He's a 3-star recruit and it looks like we have a legitimate chance at getting him. Hopefully the weather is good on the 11th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oX-nAtiJ1U

Montana had a down year due to off-the-field issues; let's not act like we don't all know that. Montana has 2 FCS National Championships in the last 17 years and is a perennial playoff participant. Although we beat them this season, I think most UND fans would love to have the program status and commitment to football that Montana has.

We shouldn’t use the 3-4 because we lack 3-4 talent and the level of offenses the BSC is producing? Are you suggesting that the 3-4 is inferior to the 4-3, because that is simply incorrect. Nevertheless, I do agree that the 4-3 is a better defense if the particular team in question has limited capable linebackers, but I do not see that as the case for UND. UND will have all of their linebackers returning, so it would be naive and ignorant to believe none of them will improve. Also, Mike Edwards is a prototypical nose guard for the 3-4 system. With that said, the 3-4 system is not the problem and it will be just fine if the talent, which has been recruited just for the 3-4, improves next season. As far as the defense getting worse as the season progressed, I think that is a leadership issue which is largely attributable to the coaches. This is an issue and is one of the primary reasons I have doubts regarding Coach Mussman's capability and future.

The 3-4 is a scheme, just like the 4-3. Each scheme provides advantages and disadvantages, but neither one is better than the other; production is decided by player execution and pre-snap alignment. If the coaches are providing proper pre-snap alignment, that is putting the players in the right position to make plays, then the only thing left is for the players to execute. During the transition, UND still found a way to put top FCS defenses on the field, so I would have to conclude that the coaches and defensive schemes are not the issue, but rather the players' execution is. For the defense to improve, the players and their ability to make plays have to improve, not the defensive scheme. After all, coaching is not about 'picking the better scheme,' but rather to put players in the best position to succeed within a particular system. That’s the case with the 3-4 and 4-3; they are just schemes and alignments that require the players to execute within them. Alabama under Nick Saban has continued to use the 3-4 system and they consistently produce the top FBS defense. Why may you ask? Because the players are of NFL quality and MAKE PLAYS. IF the talent of the defense increases, the 3-4 will be revealed to not be the problem and UND's defense will produce.

Seeing that he admires Jim Kleinsasser, he is a business major, and his former coach coached at UND, I would now give UND the advantage over NDSU.

The kid originally committed to Hawaii but ended up at Northern Illinois for this past season, so he's got potential. With that said, it's hard to say UND has the advantage given NDSU's recent success. I'd say UND is the underdog in this situation, but hopefully they can snag this kid.

Good argument, but its overly tainted with subjectivity and favoritism. I mean, we went 5-6 this season and we're trying to say a number of our players would be playing for the #1 team in the country. I would like to think that, but if you step back from the green and white glow it just doesn’t sound right. Also, if our players are that talented, why did we go only 5-6? I think that point right there suggests Mussman is a worthless coach.

Only hope now is that Huff and Brekke make a huge difference.

It appears that the Ag School and their beloved Coach Bohl may be parting after this season: http://coachingsearch.com/coaching-search-ticker.html I can see Bohl turning down MAC jobs, but I'd imagine it would be too tough for him to turn down a head coaching job at a Big 10 school ($$$).

Theres no question recruiting is the major difference between college and high school football. In high school, you make game plans based on your players. In college, you recruit players that work for your game plan/philosophy. Hard to say OT will happen, but the game will definitely be a close one. I'd say this a perfect matchup where the game just needs to be played - there are no major pregame advantages for this one. The winner will be the one who has the least turnovers, like most games. Jensen is a good QB due to his experience. You can't argue with his toughness and timely play-making ability. With that said, Braden Hanson and Marcus Hendrickson were darn good QBs this season for us, and the offensive numbers indicated that. The difference is that Jensen plays with a defense 20x better than UND's defense, so he has less pressure to play with. In other words, he's often playing with the lead or at a tie. I'd say Hanson or Hendrickson could excel at Jenson's role no problem, given they had a great running game and a championship caliber defense.

UND players want to win and NDSU needs to win has nothing to do with the coach? The attitude and demeanor of a team is that of their coach- the guy who they see and hear from each and every day. You can't tell me the coach has no part in this equation; that's just a convenient way to look at UND's football team and say having Mussman won't affect the team's performance.

While I'm a UND fan and always will be due to my connections with the university, I am also a die-hard football fan. NDSU is a very good football team and they demonstrate qualities that we have not even hinted at since we have gone DI. I really think the leadership and commitment to excellence are the two major differences between the two programs. NDSU lives and dies football, and they have demonstrated that over the last five to six years, while we have somehow managed to lose to teams like Sioux Falls and get blown out on the road against conference competition. Also, Mussman continues to disappoint me both with his track record and things I hear about him from players and alumni. Bohl is a darn good football coach, and the "2009 excuse" just doesn't cut it, sorry. With that said, its not the end all, die all for UND football. I think the recruiting is on the right track, and with good football players you should end up with good football teams. Now, whether those teams become championship-caliber is up to the coach, and I can say quite confidently that Mussman has some developing to do to get to that level. As far as the FCS playoffs, which this thread pertains to, I believe NDSU should be the favorite no matter who plays them. EWU and NDSU would rightfully be the best matchup, and I can't say either one winning would be a bad scenario for UND. If EWU wins, the Big Sky gets recognition. If NDSU wins, North Dakota gets put on the map (again) as a football state. Considering those two outcomes, it’s tough not to go for the state I have lived in my entire life and just hope NDSU's success translates to UND's future success with future recruits. But, as I mentioned earlier, the difference between the two programs right now is the commitment to the sport of football and the leadership of each program. Unfortunately, NDSU currently beats UND in both of those categories.

Hate to say it, but UND won't be accomplishing back-to-back national championship game appearances any time soon. I just hope Muss can put together a team that can win the Big Sky, or even get into the playoffs for that matter.

No excuses here. This team just hasn't made the plays it needs to at the end of games and they're 1-6 because of it. Hopefully things change with Huff back and with conference play.

This guy was too good to pass up; he was a 3 star recruit initally intended to be apart of the 2012 University of Illinois recruiting class. Teaming this guy up with Golladay and Jackson after Hardin leaves now means the WR corps will continue to be a team strength. I too though am waiting for news on some big time defensive recruits, as they are needed more than anything right now. With that said, it is only the first part of December - the news will come sooner than later.

If UND cant play defense or run the ball when they have the lead, consistently winning games won't happen and that is the main concern. I agree though, if UND's pass offense stays prolific, then a .500 record should be obtainable.