UND-FB-FAN

Damon Andrews was injured the last couple games and his loss was noticeable. With that being said, he didn't play at the level required of above average Big Sky linebackers. Of course, not many on the defense did last year. If the 2013 team is going to make a splash in the Big Sky, the linebackers will need to play better; it's just that simple. Thankfully all major contributors are returning and one has to imagine they will only be improved. Oh, and lets hope the injury bug doesn’t hit so that Goodman and Andrews can play the whole season. If Mollberg has the potential that warranted the attention from the Big 10, then he could easily put up above average numbers for a freshman quarterback. The major reason this is possible is the receiving corps - it’s unbelievably stacked. The negative, besides for the fact that he is a freshman, is the lack of a running game. Unless we get a late transfer or some real outstanding/surprising run blocking this season, I don't think the running game will be where it absolutely needs to be. As far as the Jake Miller question, I don't think he's a legitimate Big Sky running back - he is too small and fragile. If UND can't find a way to run the ball consistently in 2013, it will be another long, difficult season. The only RB on the roster who could be a surprise next season and carry the running game to success is PJ Sparks, in my opinion. I can't believe the coaches didn't give him more playing time after his good first game (all be it against SDSMT). Of course, like I mentioned before, if the O-line plays outstanding then Miller and Garman could end up performing well.

This should be an OOC rivalry game played every year. I don't agree that UND and NDSU, only 70 miles from each other, are suddenly better off not playing each other, no matter what the two programs have or haven't recently accomplished. The revenue the hosting institution would make for that weekend would dwarf any other regular season game and it would only rejuvenate interest in both UND and NDSU fan bases; although I do agree there is more potential in that department for UND. It was only a year ago when "sioux suck sh*t" chants were being yelled in Fargo. I'm pretty sure that indicates UND is not completely off the mind of NDSU fans and players. UND-NDSU should happen and I don't think there is any question it will eventually happen, but not in 2013.

Langdon-Munich share the same high school football team, but technically Travis Beck is from Munich, ND. QB Sam Riddle is a good get, especially for depth reasons. I find it interesting that we've offered three QBs who are all labeled as dual-threat. I guess one of them could be a position change. Riddle Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/...lights/35274447 Cole Reyes is a real good get at safety. His addition addresses a key need in the defensive secondary.

This team is not what we expected before the season started. With no Brekke, Traylor, and Nash, this team is middle of pack at best in terms of the Big Sky. Next season, if all three of those guys are able to play, then the conference title will be obtainable. As of right now, without three very important front court players, this team has no shot. And if it wasn't for the NCAA and unfortunate circumstances, this team could be equipped for that Big Sky title run this season. Oh well, this first year in the Big Sky hasn't been anywhere near perfect for both football and basketball, but hopefully next year.

I would expect nothing less in terms of the previous reactions by NDSU supporters. With that being said, I believe the issues regarding player behavior at NDSU have been more prevalent and significant than such issues at UND. For example, UND in my opinion has had no incidents in the past 10 years which compare to the Best Buy and signature forging incidents that occurred in Fargo. This is not an excuse for poor football performances as I have been critical over the past couple of seasons of the coaching and program leadership. With that being said, I do not believe NDSU's football program is greater than UND's program in all aspects. If NDSU supporters wish to continually proclaim their overall dominance so be it; they are in a position as back-to-back champions where they can get away with that. However, such success will not last forever and UND's course of development allows them to consistently improve. In other words, NDSU won't be #1 forever and UND will not be a non-playoff contender forever, and it may happen sooner than NDSU fans want to think.

Because winning is more important than teaching and implementing self-values, respect, and discipline? I agree Mussman has performed quite poorly when it comes to coaching and his on-the-field demeanor, but at least UND's football players are held to the same standards as any other athletic team at UND, which is an off-the-field victory in my own opinion. Although NDSU has had some great football seasons over the past years, there is no question that the player's actions and the subsequent disciplinary actions by the university have been questionable to say the least. I'm not one to criticize NDSU for their on-the-field successes over the past couple of seasons because their teams are very talented and successfully coached; however, I do question their identity and values as an athletic department relative to UND. I for one believe if you do all the right things, success will eventually find you. Although NDSU may have the better football product right now, UND's conscientious approach to building DI athletics will eventually lead to top tier on-the-field football success, which is consistent long-term.

C'mon people, back to reality. Alabama >>>>>>>>>> NDSU

And discipline is something UND football has been missing ever since Lennon left.

WR corps will be fine, but the QBs and OL will be the offensive areas to watch. And of course, this team won't compete for a 2013 Big Sky championship without substantial defensive improvement.

Well, If Mollberg or Bartels or whoever the QB is struggles in 2013, it won't be because of the WRs...

Gotta love AJ McCarron and Nick Saban still showing fire and emotion despite being up 42-14, and as Brent Musburger stated, the players such as McCarron get that attitude from Saban. Quite the opposite from the "paddy-cake" demeanor Mussman instills.

I'm afraid that isn't an understatement, but rather just a false or incorrect statement. The FBS IS the highest level of NCAA football; FCS IS 2nd. I strongly agree with your NCAA hockey versus FCS football point though; NCAA hockey is not nearly as popular relative to the highest levels of competition in NCAA football, basketball, and baseball. The FCS is just as popular as NCAA hockey; for example, FCS football scores are featured on ESPN but where are the NCAA hockey scores? National Popularity Rank of NCAA sports: Football > Basketball > Baseball > Hockey

As far as what this thread pertains to, UND needs to play NDSU now more than ever. If they don't, NDSU will just continue to suck up all area recruiting in the future. Local kids (Minnesota and North Dakota) are becoming more and more convinced that NDSU football is better in all aspects relative to UND; only defeating NDSU head-to-head could potentially change that.

You're delusional and ruining your credibility with all these ridiculous posts. Just stating my opinion on your opinions; that is, if you actually believe what you are posting.

Still in the "dead period." When school resumes, things will pick up.

Good luck on Jan. 5th.

The sad truth is not that recruits are taken to hockey games, because that is exactly what the coaching staff should do. It portrays the potential the fan base possesses in terms of atmosphere and support in general. With that said, the fan support for the football team is ridiculous, and that is what is sad. There is no reason the Alerus shouldn't have 12,000 at each and every home game, besides for the fact that the Alerus is an oversized tin shed and the team hasn't been winning consistently. With wins, attendance and atmosphere should hopefully change.

Yeah, isn't that the sad truth.

Rivals Page: http://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/football/recruiting/player-Jameer-Thurman-136899 He's a 3-star recruit and it looks like we have a legitimate chance at getting him. Hopefully the weather is good on the 11th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oX-nAtiJ1U

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.