UND-FB-FAN

Yeah, and NDSU was up 42-7 at halftime last year (2022) versus Drake. So is UND closer to Idaho or NDSU? Pretty obvious what the goal should be, but I also know what Bubba ball is likely to be closer to, unfortunately.

What am I trying to say now? My narrative has not changed. UND needs to go 3-1 to start the year in order to make noise in the playoffs. I’m steadfast on that, and I believe there’s a chance UND can beat Boise St. and/or SDSU - I’m not writing them off. And UND is way more talented than Drake. If coaches put players in the correct positions, then it’s a blow out like it should be.

Are you that numb in the head? Going 2-2 versus 3-1 never questioned whether or not UND is better than non-scholly Drake. If UND plays poorly against Drake, that’s entirely on the coaches and not the players; no question which team has more talent.

We can agree to ignore each other - that’s fine. I’m sure your expert tales are exquisite.

Alright. Let’s see how it goes. No one has seen the 2023 team play a game yet. But the past does yield some concerns; you can call them opinions if that makes you feel better.

Honestly, if the backups aren’t starting the third quarter we should be concerned.

Yes! It’s football season! Go Hawks! … the truth just burns some of you sensitive (homer) folk, doesn’t it?

The new defensive coordinator was last year’s safety coach … There will be plenty of heartbreak and explosive plays against good teams, no doubt. Again, pressure is all on Freund’s offense and the experienced O-line to put up 30+ points every single game.

But, well, just give Bubba and S&C guru Baukol more time; only had 10 years and they just need 20! We’re halfway there!

Yeah, the defensive disaster from 2022 is unlikely to get corrected in just one year. Can’t get a bunch worse, but won’t get a ton better either, especially with in-house promotion. Offense is going to have to win shoot outs against the good teams on the schedule … again, this is quickly (if not already) becoming the associate head coach’s team …

I wouldn’t put nearly any stock into this depth chart. It’s game #1 against a non-scholly non-conference team … things will solidify over the next 2-3 weeks

Emphasizing exceptions to the rule other than the norm doesn’t help any. Try calling a spade a spade … We’re all hopeful 2023 will be a great year, but that doesn’t mean concerns can’t be highlighted also.

“Experience and leadership” There will be plenty of heartbreak there I’m sure, especially against good teams. We’ll see just how much the simplicity of Schwenzfeier’s new calls help …

“Bubba’s DNA/persona - even going back to Duluth days - just doesn’t instill end of game confidence.” This isn’t a play calling issue, it’s a leadership and adjustment issue. But, thanks for the amateur “fan critiquing play-calling” take. out of touch “old timer”

Yeah half-time adjustments have gone in favor of the opposing team more often than not. Honestly, Danny needs more input and eventually needs to take over. Bubba’s DNA/persona - even going back to Duluth days - just doesn’t instill end of game confidence. Never forget - you don’t win the game based on the halftime score, but the score at the end of the game is a different story.

Bubba Ball is the pattern. Football is over 90% mental - what’s being done/said in the locker room at halftime is beyond suspect. Don’t forget 2016 Richmond in playoffs, or second half of UND-NDSU in 2021. 2021 Utah State. The second half of big games is the kryptonite of Bubba ball (i.e. coaching).

Experience certainly doesn’t hurt.

Doesn’t take a decade-plus to turnaround a program. That’s a false narrative that only exists around here. UND football and Bubba have been babied and given too much time, but, since it is what it is, hope they make something happen in 2023.

I say try win them all. Screw the “odds”. At some point UND needs to break the odds or forever be 7-4.

You’re right - playoffs count towards the 4 games. It was just last year in 2022 that there was a postseason waiver (in FBS). https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/platform/amp/2022/12/16/23513120/college-football-bowl-game-eligibility-ncaa-rules-exemptions-opt-outs-redshirts

11 gets 4 games plus playoffs without burning a year, now, remember? With that said, this is #2’s team, but the upcoming QB battle between #3 and #11 will be intense. Iron sharpens iron, all good things for UND football under Freund.

Depends on how hard you demand. You could learn something from your toddlers (including spelling), rather than the other way around. Would like to see actions match these “expectations” at some point. First round playoff exits year after year will not get it done; I can clearly see that and am not blind to it. Hopefully 2023 will be different and include some program changing wins; I will not apologize for wanting more, even with this glacial rate of “progress” some claim.

Trust me, I don’t hate UND football. That completely idiotic statement doesn’t deserve a response, but as a starter, simply the amount of my comments on this forum is in my defense.

That is bullsh*t. You don’t get a decade plus to build any program up unless expectations aren’t there. Delayed gratification? Have you even paid attention to this program’s roller-coaster trajectory over the past decade? While Bubba has been babying this thing, NDSU has been feasting; and the monopoly on North Dakota football has barely gone in a positive direction for UND since Bubba’s hire in ‘14. Your argument that UND has better facilities coming is independent of the coaching / recruiting that has been done up to this point. No doubt the recruiting will improve with better facilities, but that doesn’t glorify the so-so results up to this point. I get I’m preaching to the choir of UND faithful, but sometimes you need to wake up and smell the roses to demand better. My simple demand is UND needs to start winning some big games (in 2023 that would include Boise St., SDSU and NDSU, and of course playoffs), and yet you goons still find a way to get triggered by that. Lastly, to several of @iramurphy’s points, just to be clear, I don’t expect my comments here to do sh*t; so please don’t misinterpret a little forum chatter/fun and steer this thing into an abyss.

I think everyone, myself included, would be very happy with 9-2.