UND-FB-FAN

Sell; I don't think UND would've signed two JUCO safeties if they had any inclination of Butler playing sometime in the future. Aarin Smith's situation also just makes it unlikely.

Anyone of the three WR recruits could end up being really good, but I'll buy Kenny Golladay turning out to be a good one. Of course, it also comes down to how the QB position plays out.

The in-game experience certainly could’ve been better at UND the past few years; however, a lot of it was attributed to the average attendance which will increase this year. Also, UND's athletic marketing and in-game entertainment department has vowed to improve the game time atmosphere and I've heard nothing but good things. For example, here's a tweet from Josh Kotelnicki:

I guess I should've mentioned none of UND's pre-game traditions and activities compare to those of the almighty Ag School of the South

Media guide has most single season and career records. As far as single season sacks, the record is held by Eric Schmidt who picked up 10 sacks during the 2001 season.

Tradition/pre-game activity doesn't get a whole lot better - especially at the FCS level! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvBOuhqdXH0

Yeah, it’s fairly safe to say this year's schedule is the toughest in UND history, but talent-wise this is also one of the better teams in UND football history. Of course, talent alone will not win you games. Team chemistry, coaching, and ultimately execution on the field is what gets it done. Hopefully this year's team can build some unity and do great things together.

Most definitely; as Mussman and/or Jones have success in the Big Sky moving forward, they should receive the appropriate compensation to justify it. I’d agree with the notion that right now they haven't done anything to warrant a significant DI contract, but hopefully that changes in the near future.

Yeah, a Nike deal or even an Under Armour deal would be great; however, I'm wondering how that would affect the hockey team. Would Nike or UA require the hockey team to wear their uniforms also? I'm not even sure if UA makes hockey uniforms but obviously Nike does.

Seems to just point out that UND primarily remains a hockey school.

The Billings’ Gazette is ranking the top ten players in each position group of the Big Sky Conference. So far, special teams and defensive backs have been covered. UND has one mention - Zeb Miller is ranked as the eighth overall best special teams’ player and the second best place kicker in the conference. It’s interesting enough that Zach Brown, the best place kicker in the conference according to the ranking, is a senior this year so Miller could be the unanimous number one kicker in the ‘Sky next season. It’s always a good thing when you have a good kicker, and we found that out a couple of times last season! Oh, and we'll probably have to rely on Zeb's leg to win a game at least once this season too. Special Teams: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-special-teams/article_a569862c-b9c4-11e1-9374-001a4bcf887a.html Defensive Backs: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-defensive-backs/article_e963c982-bf19-11e1-804e-001a4bcf887a.html

Sell Either 2-1 or 1-2 start. Obviously hope for the 2-1.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. Given Montana's emphasis on football, UND should just hope to consistently be around the same level as Montana. That doesn't mean UND can't beat Montana and win Big Sky conference titles, but I don't necessarily expect UND to replace Montana as the conference power.

Well, Ross Brenneman was named to the Beyond Sports College Networks Preseason All-America third team so he has a shot to finish as an All-American (3rd or 2nd team) if he has a good season. Zeb Miller could put up some big kicking numbers this season but that is a tough competition among many. I feel playing in the Big Sky will improve the chances of having multiple All-Americans in the future but ultimately it comes down to winning. Just about every good team has their best one or two players on an All-American team. Hopefully, we make some noise in our first Big Sky season and have two All-Americans but I only see one for this season. I'm sticking with only Brenneman. Sell

Quite possible, but I see a loss to either Montana, Cal Poly, or Portland State. I'll go with 5-1 so sell.

sell

Being he will be the coach for this season, I really don't want to sell because that means we have some losing records in the next few years. It just seems he lacks the leadership ability a head coach requires. Remember, many great coordinators have ended up being poor head coaches. Personally, I feel this may be the case with Mussman. Nonetheless, if he manages to the lead the team to a 7-4 or better record this season, I'll start thinking differently. Optimistically, I'm going to hope for great results this year and buy. Maybe Hardin has a break out year, but I don't see him leading the conference; just too many good receivers and quarterbacks out there. We have too many RBs for an individual to lead but maybe collectively. I really think it is possible we end up leading the conference in defense against the run. Not only because of our front 7, but also because of our secondary's issues; it just will be more inviting for Big Sky teams to pass rather than run (e.g. '06 & '07 Minnesota Vikings). Sell - No individual leaders this season.

I understand Gate City Bank and the Fargodome have a lesser deal than that of Alerus Financial and the Alerus Center; however, there is still no reason Alerus Financial/the Alerus Center has to take up the entire middle field exclusively for their logo. A format similar to what the Fargodome and Gate City Bank did would still seem appropriate, despite the magnitude of the naming rights. Ultimately, I wish UND and Alerus Financial could've agreed on an interlocking ND at midfield and smaller yet similarly placed Alerus Center logos. Oh well, too much power for Alerus Financial through their exclusive naming rights I guess.

Alerus really should receive some negative points for this one. No reason a collaborative deal could not have been made (e.g. Fargodome & Gate City Bank)

Sell - hopefully he manages to do it at least once (and not the SDSoM&T game...that'd be a waste)

I'm hoping the new turf changes the look and feel of the Alerus positively. I'm sure it will; can't wait to see the finished product!

Sell. We averaged 310 ypg offensively last season. I don't see an 120 ypg increase. I'll say around a 75 yard increase putting the offense at around 385 ypg this season. Buy, I think three touchdowns is easily possible. Cal Poly scored 21 last year against them.

They just might be. Won't know for sure until we see him in live-action during games.

I don't believe UND will put up 42 in any game other than SDSoM&T. Last year, UND averaged 23 pts/gm vs. FCS competition. As for this year's FCS opponents, their defenses gave up: Portland State: 30.4 pts/gm vs FCS Sacramento State: 27.3 pts/gm vs FCS Cal Poly: 26 pts/gm vs FCS Eastern Washington: 30.2 pts/gm vs FCS N. Arizona: 26.6 pts/gm vs FCS Montana: 18.2 pts/gm vs FCS Montana St: 23.3 pts/gm vs FCS Southern Utah: 22.9 pts/gm vs FCS N. Colorado: 34.9 pts/gm vs FCS Eastern Washington, Northern Colorado, and Portland State had the worst defensive PPG last year; however, UND plays 2 of the 3 on the road. Braden Hansen will improve this offense along with a healthy Mitch Sutton, improved Jer Garman, and freshman Jameer Jackson, but I don't see a 10 + pt increase in our offensive ppg. Maybe a touchdown giving us an average of 30 ppg, which would still be impressive. Hopefully we can put up ~ 35 pts at home. So I sell the 42 + pts this season. If UND is going to be successful this year, it wont be because they outscore their oppoenents but rather because UND plays solid defense. The team is more geared towards that side of the ball anyways. Also, UND is still a run first team with 3 capable ball carriers. As for the road, I see UND going 2-3. I hope they can pull off an upset win at Montana State, Eastern Washington, or San Diego State, but I still see them going 2-3. Don't be surprised if UND drops the game versus Sac St. but picks up an upset vs. MSU or EWU. So I sell a winning road record, but I expect either a 5-1 or 6-0 home record! Hansen will improve Seth Nichols receiving numbers. I see Nichols with maybe 3 TD receptions. Buy Nichols as a consistent threat in the passing game.