UND-FB-FAN

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.

JJ Robertson was a 3 star recruit out of high school and an Illinois recruit before the aforementioned events regarding him going to JUCO. He definitely is a talent and a great get. With that said, I can't fault going after him because he is just that good but we need to see some defensive talent brought in here sooner or later. I mean, we can just score 50 every game to win. I'm sure in time we'll see some good defensive recruit news because it is definitely a need. Defense wins games and we saw how that went last season.

Currently, this is absolutely true. No argument here.

Difference in the game was the free-throw shooting. At this point, it appears last year was not just an anomaly and that this team's free-throw shooting % is a serious concern that will be a large detriment to the team.

Play the game every season. The schools are 70 miles apart for Christ's sake! The End

SHSU @ Montana State is an interesting game given last year's score, but I think MSU gets revenge with the game being played up north. EWU, NDSU, and Old Dominion will win but it may be close for all three. NDSU's challenge will be against Old Dominion, they have a great offense. I still think NDSU should be favored and likely will win though.

I doubt he wants to play at UND, but I definitely still think Mussman should pick up the phone and give Kill a call - its worth a shot.

http://www.niuhuskie.../120212aac.html

If Sparks can be a big factor next year, why was he completely ignored by the coaching staff this season?

It's tough when you're in a hole like we are in right now (1-4), but if we play like we did vs. SDSU for the rest of the season and we return Traylor and Huff, we'll work our way right back into the thick of things and be fine in the Big Sky. This one just stings cause it would've been a great way to end the difficult 3-game road grind.

With Traylor back for UMKC next week, we need to get that one at home to go to 2-4. Then hopefully Huff joins the line-up for the game on Dec.9th - if we can play with basically beat SDSU, I'm confident we can get the job done against Fargo