UND-FB-FAN

A lot better. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "UND really only cares about hockey." (of course, that's really no secret to anyone) If UND cared about overall revenue and game day experiences, they would pay the head football coach as the 2nd highest paid coach, and men's basketball as the 3rd (or perhaps 2nd). People would much rather watch a competitive, talented football team than a women's hockey team - that's just the way it is.

The thought definitely crossed my mind. It's quite evident, especially after last season, that many fans and alumni are skeptical of Mussman's head coaching ability, so it certainly is possible Breitbach had some similar thoughts and/or concerns. Of course, Breitbach may have just wanted to be a head coach. In regards to UND's continual in-house promotions, I'm fine with it if it works. From the outside looking in, it always seemed strange to me that they would only hire in-house guys and then assign them to positions they aren't familiar with. Like Joel Schwenzfeir, who played safety, is now the running backs coach. And last year, a former QB was coaching the RBs so no wonder the team couldn’t run the ball last year! And, of course, both of the current coordinators were position coaches last years (Kotelnicki was STs I guess) and now they have been IN-HOUSE PROMOTED to crucial coordinator spots. However, if the team improves then I have no issue with it.

Ultimately, in the future and in recruiting, this team should focus on being a run balanced team. Offensive football teams that can run the football can control the clock, lessen turnovers, and dictate their will; however, you can't try to be something you're not. The coaches will do what best allows them to move the ball as last year indicated, and, quite frankly, I agree with that. If the offensive line has improved in terms of run blocking and/or a bigger RB like Sparks gets more playing time, then maybe this team will be able to consistently run the ball more successfully than last season. That remains to be seen.

I'm not sure this team has the personnel to be a 50/50 or 60/40 running team. The running backs are too small, with the exception of PJ Sparks and Shaugabay. But if the coaches are going to play Jake Miller and Jer Garmin the most, then this offense would be the most successful passing the football more often than not. The talent difference between the receivers and the running backs is substantial, and you have to fit your offense to your personnel; if you don't, you're misusing and ultimately wasting talent. We also don't know how successful this team is going to be run blocking vs. pass blocking.

The field is officially cleared of snow.

I feel Freund would be a better fit at QB coach, being he played that position. Luke S. will have his hands full with Special Teams, WRs, and recruiting coordinator position, so a new offensive coordinator should be brought in. It's too bad that it has to be during spring ball, when alot of concepts for the upcoming season are installed. I guess they could promote an in house guy to OC and then pick up two coaches to coach the RBs and TEs.

Montana, Appalachain State, Georgia Southern, and Delaware are some FCS schools which commit to football and the results indicate it. Well, what's your definition of "successful"? I believe UND can consistently achieve winning records and be in the playoffs, but I'm not quite sure they will be competing for national championships every season. Unless UND decides to even the funding between hockey and football, NDSU will always have the football financial advantage. Fortunately, financial support is not everything so UND certainly could still beat NDSU head-to-head, go farther in the post-season, etc., but the overall success of NDSU's football program will be hard for UND to surpass. I mean, all this talk about potential is great but let's look at the results and actions - NDSU has won more national championships in the last two years than UND's program has in their entire history. Furthermore, UND has done nothing during their DI era to even suggest they are going to be national title contenders anytime soon. I will support the coaching staff and the current direction more once I see results; that is, a winning season while we are members of the Big Sky.

The players should not have to participate in the snow removal - that is ridiculous. As far as recruiting goes, NDSU's commitment to football is far greater than that of UND; thus, it doesn't take much for NDSU to produce more positive presentation points. I've said this before and I'll say it again, at the DI level it is difficult to consistently win in more than one sport because financial commitment to a particular sport is quite important. UND has committed to hockey and NDSU to football; it's that simple. Due to natural roster turnover, there will be some years UND's football team is better than NDSU's football team, but most years NDSU will have the football advantage due to increased funding. A more fair and justified comparison between the two schools would be the basketball programs - both are not the #1 sport at their respective school. I will mention, in order to include some optimism, that the IPF will provide UND a particular advantage over NDSU which will help decrease the gap between the two programs. This whole snow removal issue would not even be present if the IPF was built and available for use. That day can't come soon enough for the UND football program.

Very interesting video through the Grand Forks Herald UND Sports Zone with HC Brian Jones: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/259995 Jones mentions that in addition to PG Quinton Hooker, the team would like to recruit one more big bodied front-line player. Also, he mentioned the athleticism Jaron Nash possesses (similar to Troy Huff he said) and how next year's team will be gaining Nash, Alonzo Traylor, and Ryan Salmonson as front-line players to join up with Brekke. *If this team stays healthy*, they will be D*MN good and have a great opportunity to go dancing next season! Very Exciting!

Alerus will be used if Memorial is still covered with snow; if Alerus is being used, then practices can't really be open but they are open practices at Memorial. Spring Game is April 20th.

Whenever UND gets close, all UNI has to do is throw it into the post and get either fouled or an easy layup. Our defense in the paint has been terrible.

Wilmer's defense is atrocious.

Yeah, that was a horrible end to the half. It doesn't look good but hopefully we can get back in this thing.

I don't want to be the guy criticizing the officials, but well, these officials have made some questionable calls against UND thus far. Examples including charge by Webb, illegal screen, and lack of fouls called on UNI.

I agree. Hopefully the team performs like they did against Weber State, because "that team" had the potential to win the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

In order for UND to be considered by an FBS lower tier conference (MAC or WAC), UND will have to have a new stadium (15K +) and an established FCS resume. Right now, UND has neither. This is why Montana is always a hot name when potential 'FCS to FBS' schools are mentioned; Montana has a 25K+ stadium and they are well known as a national FCS power.

I couldn't agree more - this new IPF has the potential to be even better than what NDSU has, but that remains to be seen. One thing that's for certain is that facilities like what NDSU has and what we are getting certainly are a crucial part of the "success equation".

If anyone is interested, this is what NDSU has for facilities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGYqPpwXgEI They are quite impressive, relative to what we have currently. The only reason I bring this up is so we can see what we should be striving for. With the new IPF, there is no reason we can't have the same type of facilities, including coaches offices, meeting rooms, film study rooms, and weight rooms.

If for whatever reason the Ralph is available for the Big Sky Tournament, I think you set up the court there and host the tournament in the nicest venue in the history of the Big Sky Tournament. That would really make a name for UND around the conference with visiting fans being able to tour and check out the facility. If the NCHC first round is held at the Ralph that same weekend, then you pack the Betty.

Hosting the Big Sky Conference Tournament would be just awesome. I certainly hope we can get it done next season and accomplish that!

Montana has the win and they will likely host the conference tournament.

According to a tweet by Nate Baukol, strength and conditioning coach, the players with the top 5 40-yd dash times during a recent testing were : WR Greg Hardin WR Kenny Golladay S Baylee Carr RB Jake Miller LB Cordero Finley

I agree. Considering the amount of local FCS teams (South Dakota, South Dakota State, Ag School of Fargo, Northern Iowa), we should hope to schedule home and homes with most of them. If anything, I think it would be great because when we play those respective teams on the road, a large percentage of our fan base could travel from UND to watch our team on the road. Playing against teams on the west coast doesn't really allow many fans to make it, unless they're willing to pay for a plane ticket and such.

So as far as FBS games go, we have San Jose State in 2014, Wyoming in 2015, and Bowling Green in 2016. If we don't have an FBS win by 2016, I will be disappointed. I understand going 3-0 against those three is maybe unrealistic, but I'm only asking for 1-2!!

Considering the amount of seniors we'll have next year, including Jaron Nash, and the up-and-coming players like Hooker and Salmonson, next season will be THE year. It should be the season we're all in and make that run at the NCAA tournament, because we're going to have a fairly new and inexperienced team in 2014-2015.