UND-FB-FAN

UND loses this game and they won't have a chance at the 2nd seed, and ultimately the conference championship, in my opinion.

Glad you're catching on

@BFeldmanCBS: Brooks Bollinger, #Pitt's QB coach the past two seasons, has resigned "to pursue non-coaching opportunities." If he ever decides to return to coaching, I'd like to think there definitely would be room on our offensive coaching staff.

We won't be in a complete rebuild, but when you lose all the seniors that we will, it won't be good. Look at it this way: If Jones can't consistently produce wins against Big Sky competition with 4th-year players that have been coached their entire career by him, then how will he do it next year with all the youth? This year had all the pieces in place for a legitimate run at the conference championship; now, however, we're just trying to make the tournament. That's just plain bad. Since I readily support the basketball program, I'm still hoping this team can start rolling come Saturday against Montana, and with a little luck, still end up with the #2 seed in the conference tournament. However, we all know that will be an uphill climb for this team and Jones right now. I hate to think about Jones being let go because that means this season and next season will both be disappointments. Let it be known, I will continue to support this team and be hopeful, but Jones hasn't convinced me yet. This situation is beginning to look more and more like the Mussman situation, and we all know how that turned out.

Bad bad bad Hope the hockey team doesn't blow one like this tomorrow night.

Wow. If they pull this off...

Okay Jones...prove to me you shouldn't get the axe. This is disgusting thus far.

Hard to argue with that. The team looks flat and lazy tonight. Not to mention the lack of rebounding and trouble scoring against the zone.

This team has got to learn how to rebound. It's not a height issue - they just don't have the technique and attitude and that's concerning. Jones needs to get his group together....

It's for a charity cause. http://www.samaritansfeet.org

I'm afraid you're mistaken. Chris Carter signed ON signing day, just like every other commit UND received. UND had 27 commitments (including PWOs) last Wednesday and that hasn't changed since. Another tidbit, you can't have verbals after signing day unless they're graduating in 2015, because they would send in their LOI and become official commits.

All the "difficult" conference games are over. Team needs to go 7-1 over this last stretch to lock up the #2 seed in my opinion (8-0 is possible I suppose). The most difficult games were the road games vs Weber St, Northern Colorado, and Montana, and well, we soundly lost all three. Well, we don't play Weber (until likely the conference tournament) and Montana and Northern Colorado will be coming to Grand Forks. Have to defend home court and get two big wins this weekend. Add on three solid yet plausible road wins and we could be in good shape (#2) going in to the conference tournament.

Well, one thing to look forward to is Eric Schmidt will be coaching them. +1

Absolutely; have a UND football history section to show that the Alerus actually cares about their primary tenant. And of course to best represent UND football! Would like a section that not only includes the Nickel and NC trophy, but also photos and old jerseys/helmets recognizing past greats! Of course, we know how the Alerus won't even let UND have a UND logo at midfield, so why expect the Alerus to oblige and actually represent UND football as positively as possible? Perhaps the UND athletics high performance center would be the best place. It's great that the team will be in there practicing by next winter!!

Again, it's all about numbers. There are 120 FBS football schools and 122 FCS football schools. There are only 59 DI hockey schools. So even if you throw in a few international hot spots for hockey, football competition, within only our country, produces more competition in terms of just making it to the pros (NHL v. NFL). With that said, the amount of professionals UND hockey has produced is substantial and something to be proud of. Again, I do not like pointing out the negatives of college hockey; I'd rather focus on the positives, but individuals continue to be illogical when presenting college hockey.

The amount of professional athletes produced is a ridiculous argument in my opinion. Who cares if the athletes go pro if the TEAM wins collegiately and competes for TEAM championships. Individual emphasis on players is not entertaining or what college sports is about. Go out and support THE University of North Dakota and its athletic TEAMS, not the individuals that utilize our top notch hockey program to go pro. If you really have to focus on individuals, however, then our professional football players (Kleinsasser, Dressler, Kuper) are actually more impressive considering the national competition they're up against.

Incorrect. Hockey and football are tied at the top.

Without question I acknowledged that FCS football is tier II football, but like I said earlier, due to the national status of football, I believe collegiate hockey is not superior relative to FCS football. Professional pipelines do not make FCS football a lesser classification and sport. Again, there is greater competition for the NFL because it is a nationally acclaimed game. I am not trying in anyway to criticize UND's hockey program, because it is a top 5 athletics program, and as a UND graduate and North Dakota resident, I am very proud of that; however, I also do not condone criticism of FCS football via NCAA hockey. There is a bit of a misconception here I believe. I am not stating that UND football is greater than UND hockey, but rather I am saying FCS football is on par with DI collegiate hockey. The average FCS program spends the same amount as the average DI college hockey program. In my estimation, the average FCS and DI hockey budget is around $2 to $2.5 million. In conclusion, to end on a postive note, let's all be appreciative that the University of North Dakota has a higher than average budget in both FCS football and DI hockey - that is something to be proud of. Go Sioux!

As I stated in my earlier post, in the United States (which is what I meant by "football, in general, is far more popular and successful than hockey within this country.") football is considered the more popular sport. This does indeed change when dealing internationally. Comparing collegiate hockey to FCS football is not "belittling" UND hockey, but rather it simply portrays two NCAA classifications (DI hockey and FCS [D-1AA] football) possessed by UND that both deserve recognition and respect. There is no reason to say collegiate hockey is greater than FCS football. With that said, UND is certainly a more established hockey school and that goes without debate. Again, bringing up different sports along with hypothetical situations does not prove I am criticizing UND hockey. I attend nearly every home UND hockey game and enthusiastically support the team each and every year. With that said, I understand it doesn't make UND hockey any more popular in terms of national perception. Lastly, I would like to say "going full retard" is perhaps a bit unnecessary and inappropriate. Statistics show that football is the most popular and successful sport in the United States, so why not embrace FCS football and UND football. I personally believe FCS football and collegiate hockey are extremely similar. Simply stating one is played at the highest level and the other isn't does not work in this case because of football's national status.

Perhaps we should try a little something called common sense. Football, in general, is far more popular and successful than hockey within this country. We can continue to debate the FCS vs. NCAA hockey thing if you want, but I'd rather look at it like this. Tier II football equals DI collegiate hockey. This is because tier I football is way way out of the league of college hockey. No comparison. Furthermore, it is possible for FCS football to put our school and athletic program on the map nationally, even amongst your beloved tier I schools. Unfortunately, it's already been done 70 miles south of us. Take a look: http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaaf/writer/dennis-dodd/24156447/no-fbs-fcs-north-dakota-state-is-fbs-top-25-caliber

I'd like to see it in the Alerus Center next to the large UND football sign by the front door. Display it standing up in a glass case with a sign that shows the scores from every Nickel Trophy game.

How about let's not. No one said FCS football is more successful than the NHL. Also, you obviously know the NHL is far more popular than college hockey. Simply look at national television contracts: NHL is well represented whereas college hockey certainly is not. Also, college basketball and college football are well televised nationally. Again, college hockey is not. For the players, college hockey is worth it because it brings them to the major stage: the NHL. FCS football may not have the same amount of professional athletes as college hockey, but that's simply because of availability. Far less colleges participate in hockey relative to football, so there naturally is greater competition. The reason more colleges compete in football than hockey: the popularity and revenue. Obviously that is a bit restricted at UND because football can only get so big. College hockey is great (especially UND hockey!), but there's no reason to belittle FCS football with it. FCS football is essentially identical to college hockey in following and support.

National popular opinion drives collegiate athletics. Why? Just ask the NC$$ Being a top 5 school in a particular collegiate sport is truthfully an extraordinary status for UND, but NCAA hockey has very little superiority over FCS football in my opinion. For example, FCS football gets way more air time on ESPN, Fox Sports, etc. because its just more popular. And that popularity directly affects revenue flow. As far as I'm concerned, DI football, whether it be FBS or FCS, will always exceed NCAA hockey because of its general popularity and financial involvements.

100% accurate

oh goodie...