UND-FB-FAN

Hey when you guys choke in the playoffs just remember you heard it here first. That's all.

Well, I didnt got too excited after last weeks teaser game vs EWU (unlike some unrealistic, delusional posters on this forum) and today the team proved to me that I was right. This team is lost because the leaders, the coaches, are lost. With Mussman, this program is in over its head trying to compete in the Big Sky. Can't produce when the coaching staff is a bunch of DII assistants.

Amen

Is it ironic that on the same day Mussman is making an effort to not have his job, Bubba is making a pitch to take his job?

I'm at a lose of words I'm so disgusted. Then again, my mind was made up a few weeks ago regarding Mussman's future and this program's need for a new coaching staff. If there were any Mussman supporters left, this game should pretty much wipe them out. I never thought this game would be this bad. Entire team is uninspired and just going through the motions. That falls on the coaching staff. Between the attendance numbers and the wins, Faison should hopefully take notice and not be complacent at the end of this season.

If there's another sport a basketball player would want to watch, it's football. After all, any basketball player's favorite additional sport is not hockey, because well, they chose basketball over hockey! And a lot of the basketball players here despise the hockey program. Not only does it take away all the winter sports fans, but the huge Ralph towering down on the neighboring Betty just screams "Here at UND, Hockey > Basketball". Which, of course, at UND it is.

But they held HC positions; that's not the case with Tibesar, who may be trying to reach that position. It just recently happened with NDSU's Gus Bradley, so it could easily happen to Tibesar if he gets a DC job in the next couple years. I think UND's best bet is to get an FCS coordinator or FBS position coach that has had long term success. Kalen DeBoer is a great example because he has a great head coaching record, is familiar with the area, and probably most importantly, is affordable. Same could be said for Bubba Schweigert.

On the road against NAU and PSU, facing Bauman and DJ Adams respectively, will be a very tall order. That's why I see those games as loses. However, if UND plays the way they did last weekend and doesn't turn the ball over, they will beat Sac State, UC Davis, and Northern Colorado. If they still have turnover issues, or the defense of old arises, then I think we drop a home game and this year results in only 4 wins. Then, good bye Mussman and I welcome the start of getting UND football back on track.

Going the semi-optimistic route: wins against Sacramento State, Northern Colorado, and UC Davis. Losses to Portland State and Northern Arizona. I'm really on the fence with the Portland State game - that could be a win… 5-6 without PSU win; 6-5 with PSU win Mussman keeps his job in both scenarios though, so I hope the team ACTUALLY looks improved and is not just feasting on inferior competition. If Mussman ends up with a pass after this dismal season, he better actually take measures to get this team on the same level as the Montanas and Eastern Washington. He sure didn't do it this year. If Mussman loses another home game (that includes this weekend), he'll be gone. Season will end up 4-7 with loss with Sac St loss and then Muss will not only need to go, he will go.

Thought it possible we could start 2-4, but didn't think the lack of competitiveness and discipline would be there. I figured we'd lose 'close' games to the 'tough 4' and going 7-4 would still be realistic. Now, I'm not sure 7-4 is even possible.

All of that rings home; that's becoming very common now. Supporters of UND football for over 25 years that I know have actually swayed over to NDSU over the part couple years. It's gotten that bad. I'd like to state an obvious personal observation that I have a right to say: UND football has been disgusting since 2009 (Sioux Falls debacle). Has nearly 5 years of subpar competitiveness been long enough?

I don't think that snide comment was necessary. There's really no use speculating the coaching staff's future because a lot can happen between now and the UC Davis game to conclude the season. We could continue to see improvement and Mussman keeps his job, or of course, we could continue to see the same turnover issues and the remaining games aren't much better. I will say that the preseason expectations for this team were the playoffs. Several players and coaches said it, including Hardin and Mussman. There's no question in my mind that we won't make the playoffs. Thus, this season has been a failure. How many games we finish under .500 only will compound the problem.

Yeah, that 21 point loss was quite the effort.

Saturday's team entrance onto the field was the most unenthusiastic, lackluster team entrance I've ever seen. Motivation partly falls under the coaches' responsibilities. This team is not nearly confident enough to win big games.

And so you are implying that I believe the lack of success is entirely due to the coaches? I have football coaching experience, and trust me, I realize that players ultimately are the ones who win games but coaches most certainly can lose games. The duration of the problem is concerning. The issues present in UND football have been there for the past few seasons - it's just been a little less obvious because we had a DII dominated schedule in 2011 and 2012 was the first in the Big Sky, so the expectations were a bit curbed. When there's been little to no progress with a home schedule like we have this year, and I continually hear that the coaches have no answer but rather they are just hoping the next week will be better than the previous one, that is a definite red flag in my book. UND football has been mediocre at best ever since 2008, and I guess it has to be 2018 before some people finally think the program has been down too long. If there are no changes, UND football attendance will average all-time low numbers next season. There's a fine line between patience and ignorance. I expect this team to beat Sacramento State and Northern Colorado to close out the home schedule; however, they won't be easy games if we continue with the turnovers and penalties. So, I guess those games could go either way.

Considering how much the athletic department promoted this year's home schedule and the increase in season tickets, you would think the progressive decrease in attendance would be very concerning to Mr. Faison. At this point , I don't just want change at the end of the season, I expect it. Anyone else who cares about UND football should too.

Wisconsin and Minnesota each have only one FBS school whereas Illinois has several, and plus Chicago is just naturally recruited heavily due to it's size. I have no problem going into Chicago to pick up talented kids that are overlooked by Big Ten schools, as long as it doesn't take away from the recruiting emphasis in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Nevertheless, all this recruiting talk is sort of a moot point if we can't get anyone of value to commit. And that will be difficult this year given the current circumstances surrounding this team. To fix this thing, it all starts with new leadership.

Wisconsin kids are more familiar with UND, primarily through hockey but also just because it's more regional than Chicago. Ultimately, distance isn't the main factor; however, familiarity is. Chicago will never be converted into a UND town; that's Big Ten country. Like I said earlier, a few talented kids each year that slip through the Big Ten cracks are fine, but if you think we can build up a successful program through just Illinois kids, you're wrong.

I have no problem with UND picking up a few talented kids each year from Illinois, like Golladay, but if they try to make Illinois something they rely on, it won't work. Need Dakotas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota as the main states, but I'm sure this staff realizes that already.

I guess I don't consider Illinois a regional state. Most of the recruits out of the Chicago area had never heard of UND before they were recruited. Plus, I can guarantee none of their personal top 25 schools included UND. Kids from the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin do however value UND to at least some degree. It's that familiarity that breeds passion for playing UND football.

The fact they don't put in Shaugabay or Sparks behind Pecosky in 22 personnel and even attempt to run some power is upsetting to me. They should at least attempt to establish the run or incorporate some read option in the gun so Mollberg can get involved running and we have a running presence out of the gun.

Should be a good player. Can't teach height so the fact he is 6'10" is a plus.

Detroit Lakes and Big Sky football represent a night and day difference. I just think the sample size is too small for the conclusions you've jumped to. 5-star QBs across the county often sit for a year or two before making their first start. Playing quarterback is a complex PROCESS and immediate success or lack thereof is often not indicative of the long-term potential.

Yes, they are coaching ball security. Essentially, you're upset with the players' abilities while I believe the problem is more so on the coaching. There's not going to be a successful, play-off caliber, DI football team at UND until Mussman is replaced. We'll just agree to disagree.

Talent can hide coaching ineptness. When Hendrickson, Hansen, and Sutton were playing last year, they weren't making bad decisions or playing loose with the ball. Now, with younger players, we are seeing the lack of quality coaching. Why do you think ball security drills and skelly passing drills exist? To COACH the players up so that they don't fumble or throw into coverage during a game. Also, a good coaching staff reminds players throughout the game to be aware of ball security. Apparently that hasn't been happening thus far this season.