UND-FB-FAN

So, you want UND to be an average/median FCS team? Again, mediocrity. Not “silly”. It’s laughable to phrase it like that. Sample size is 7 games, but UND is 0-7 in those games. That’s bad, in case you didn’t know that. Win at least 2 or 3? And the 10-12k crowd sizes still only offer a 0.500 record: that’s not good enough. You just exemplify the opposite mindset of a champion, and UND (including leadership) needs more. And I stated that UND can’t sell out games *other than when NDSU comes to town* … the attendance number /metric portrays “big games”… more people show up to watch “big games”. Would aptly like to see UND win said “big games”. Also 13,000 is the approximate capacity of the Alerus Center, not a random number. nonetheless, your unimpressive attempt to undermine my point and identified statistic is appreciated, but I for good reason don’t agree with it. You failed to truly refute it. “Champions behave like champions before they are champions” -Bill Walsh As for this week, getting back on topic; some (for example @jdub27) may say it is again not likely nor should it be expected that UND win on Saturday versus South Dakota State. Big crowd, but tough road opponent. I won’t sway from my approach. It will be tough and UND is rightfully the underdog, but if we all as UND supporters want to see UND take the next step, WIN THE DAMN GAME AND EXPECT TO DO SO. Otherwise, at some point, you can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results. Consider changes, including with leadership.

Amen!! Will get better if they win said roadtrips. Was in Boise, I’ll be in Brookings.

Sample size isn’t huge, 7 games. Facts are still facts. Nothing imaginary about records / stats / facts. You’re justifying mediocrity again. Team needs to put up or shut up. Haven’t done it with Bubba. This isn’t DII anymore. Can’t just win in front of 5k-10k crowds and get to the next tier. Need to win big games. beat Montana State in 2016 in front of 19507 fans by score of 17-15 … since … 2017 L 16-37 @ Utah 2018 L 17-41 @ Montana 2019 L 7-38 @ NDSU 2021 L 24-48 @ Utah State 2022 L 17-38 @ Nebraska 2022 L 21-42 @ NDSU 2023 L 18-42 @ Boise State A lot more loses at Alerus Center against FCS teams in attendance range of 10-12k (can’t ever seem to sell the place out unless NDSU comes to town). UND is approximately 0.500 since 2016 in games with attendance 10k+ if you exclude the games above. You can spin it anyway you want, but this staff/program has underperformed since 2016. 2017 was a fireable offense, and it hasn’t skyrocketed since. *BUT* - beauty is can right the ship this weekend in Brookings.

Pretty damn good seasons prior to 2008/2009. Amazing seasons after 2010. There was a trend. Nothing of the sort with current UND coaching situation, unless we want to hang our hat on 2016 season and 2021 COVID spring

He doesn’t.

Haven’t won a game in front of 13,000+ fans since 2016 … big games/crowds are kryptonite to Bubba ball

I find all this 2013 team talk entertaining. ironically, UND had a big matchup against South Dakota State in 2013, also. Hopefully this 2023 matchup goes better than that one did.

Too bad every other position group on that 2013 team was, well, not good.

Montana State with impressive 40-0 win at Weber State. MSU almost beat SDSU in Brookings; MSU is definite top 3 team, main threat to SDSU and NDSU at this juncture, as polls indicate. After that, up in the air. Could UND be top 5? Well …

Beating #1 (South Dakota State) next weekend is where your real poll movement could occur … Losing to #1 wouldn’t do much unless it’s an embarrassment of an outing.

more pertinent to this thread

I’ll go with Fresno, they host Boise St. Wyoming also up there, played Texas tough. Air Force looks solid. Despite all of that, Air Force barely beat Sam Houston State, and Fresno State barely snuck by Eastern Washington. Portland St hung within 14 of Wyoming. Meanwhile, UND pisses themselves out at Boise in front of 100+ fans/parents. I’m sorry, but the leadership and results for UND football is and has been lacking. 10 years later, sample size is adequate. I put my money where my mouth is, and get disappointed year after year. Change is needed, look forward to it, whether next year or in 10 years, it needs to happen.

Not convinced Boise State is some loaded team that will win their conference. I think they’re middle of the pack in Group of 5. San Diego State is meh. Time will tell.

UND “can” win all the games on their schedule, but as the game in Boise showed last week, there’s still some intangible processes getting in the way.

Usually the head coach can get that done, but, well, yeah … Cant win big games, makes you wonder what’s being said (or not being said) … “Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.” - Bill Belichick

Apathy is burning the soul. Big opportunity to change that next weekend in Brookings. Go Hawks

Thought this year might be different, but looking back it, nothing has changed at the top in terms of leadership to suggest it would. UND hasn’t won’t a game in front of 13,000 + fans (approximate capacity of Alerus Center) since 2016 … I repeat, 2016. Another game with major hype, 13,000+ fans in attendance coming up on 9/30 @ SDSU… history suggests one outcome, I hope for a different one.

I think one thing to recall is the ability for quick turnaround with the transfer portal, NIL, etc. we shouldn’t worry about losing players to transfer with a coaching change because it inevitably happens every year no matter what. Might be a few more that leave during a coaching switch, but if you’re getting a better leader and overall improved staff, the investment is definitely worth it in the long run.

Meet you in Frisco, I’d be on board.

Need to try new leadership at this point. It’s absolutely necessary- UND has plateaued, can’t win big games. Maybe SDSU on 9/30/23 will completely change my mind on this, we’ll see. Danny Freund - if elevated - would need to hire a new OC, that could be from current staff (Pawlak?) or someone outside (Jake Landry?). With that said, it’s never a bad idea to just see who is interested in the position (head coach or OC) outside of UND currently; never know, could get a Kalen DeBoer type guy apply. I posted this elsewhere, but this is applicable here also: Statistics suggest Bubba is not cut out for big games: Last game that Bubba won in front of a crowd of 13,000+ was 2016 @ Montana State. Quite frankly, if it’s a big game with a big crowd, he hasn’t produced. Lights get too bright. Stage is too big. Interestingly, UND will have another big game, next up, with a crowd over 13,000+ at South Dakota State. Will the squad be ready to perform and will the coaches be ready to lead? We will see, but history suggests not.

Statistics suggest Bubba is not cut out for big games: Last game that Bubba won in front of a crowd of 13,000+ was 2016 @ Montana State. Quite frankly, if it’s a big game with a big crowd, he hasn’t produced. Lights get too bright. Stage is too big. Interestingly, UND will have another big game, next up, with a crowd over 13,000+ at South Dakota State. Will the squad be ready to perform and will the coaches be ready to lead? We will see, but history suggests not.

They’ve been contacted. They just need to do it. Tunnel walk with appropriate audio (Sirius, Chicago Bulls theme is my suggestion) +/- helmet (as I truly see helmet as optional) is what is needed. How they want to go about logistics and details is ultimately up to UND in-game / productions staff.

Spot on. Our next HC will likely be another “one of us”. But, have to hope for the best, I guess. A different leader is ultimately a different leader. You never truly know until you give the individual the opportunity.

Crosses my mind numerous times. So close in ‘13 to making this hire, but yet, so far. Bubba is a great guy, but a change in leadership would be best for UND. Bubba has given UND a decade of solid coaching, but at some point (and I think it’s soon), transition to a different leader is best. This is a conversation best had after the season - obviously. For now, it’s onto SDSU.

“Champions behave like champions before they are champions.” - Bill Walsh “Set high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working for a common good.” - Bear Bryant