fightingsioux4life

I don't think we will get enough guys back this week to make much of a difference. Maybe later in the year we will, but the season will be shot by that point (if it isn't already). This is a lost season.

People would be calling for Berry's head. Just like they are calling for Bubba's head now.

Please don't bring up the Packers beating the snot out of the Bears at home as an example of "next man up". The Bears are tough at home, but garbage on the road.

Please tell me of another example of a team losing this many guys at the same time? Because I cannot think of one.

I think the next couple of years will be very telling. One bad year after three years of progress does not mean they will not bounce back. If 2018 is another bad year, I will be on your side on this. I just am not ready to go there.

No, it is not "apples to oranges". NDSU was a Division 2 power in 1986 and they were an FCS power in 2013. So the comparison is valid. And you are the one implying that there should be a "set timetable"; you think we should have the depth now and we don't. I personally think we need a couple of more years to make an informed judgement of this regime. If we are still losing games by 45+ points next year, then I will start asking questions. But I really don't think that is going to happen.

UND-FB-FAN is hinting at regime change as the answer, he just won't come out and say it. I think it is way too early to start talking about that.

Depth isn't built in a few short years. It takes time. It took Roger Thomas a long time to build depth in the program, as he took over a dumpster fire in 1986. Bubba took over a similar dumpster fire in 2013. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong this year. I have never seen anything like this before. You can bet that NDSU would be in trouble once they got into the meat of the MVFC schedule if 13 of their starters were on the shelf, even with their superior depth.

And you think that depth should be there today, in full? The depth wasn't good last year either, but we weren't as banged up last year, so it didn't matter as much. It will take a couple of more recruiting classes to build the kind of quality depth you need to win at this level.

When you inherit a program in the toilet, three full recruiting classes are not enough to build quality depth throughout the program. That is what NDSU built during their transition and (except for 2009) they were competitive throughout that time. Once 2010 came around, they had the depth and talent to make the playoffs and their historic run started the year after that. Remember that it took Roger Thomas seven years to make the playoffs and eight years to make a playoff run and win a conference title. And he took over a trainwreck similar to what Bubba took over. And there was a national power 75 miles away (NDSU) in 1986, just as there was in 2013. The difference this time is that people are actually paying attention to the program today, while back in 1986, the program was a total afterthought. That, plus our unexpected success last year, has people very disappointed right now. Which is not a bad thing. I am focused on the big picture and the long-term. It will take another couple of years to determine if Bubba is the long-term answer. I am not ready to make that determination right now.

Good grief, when will this garbage end?

Then why were they 3-8 in 2013? The program was in the toilet when Mussman left. Don't make it sound like the cupboard was full of goodies when it clearly wasn't.

You think 13 starters being on the shelf is something that every team deals with? Please tell me you are stirring the pot, you cannot believe that.

I agree with this. Hope the young guys get better with more game experience and look forward to 2018.

And don't forget 2015, when they went 7-4 and were playing as well as anybody and were screwed out of a playoff spot. Bubba and his staff haven't forgotten how to coach. You simply cannot make chicken salad out of chicken crap. There is no getting around that, no matter what UND-FB-FAN thinks.

I have never seen anything like this before. It is horrible and there is nothing anybody can do about it. These guys just need to keep working hard and try to get better. The coaching staff will be watching who keeps working hard and who gives up.

So you think they should be undefeated? Or have maybe one loss? Please tell us, as you seem to know more than everyone else.

I am sorry too......sorry you are such a jacka$$.

The Vikings have ONE big injury and you are comparing it to 13 starters being out of action? Apples and oranges again. Please try harder next time, that was pretty weak.

Last year was a surprise to everyone, including myself. A pleasant surprise. We'll never know what could have been with this year's team, which is very disappointing.

Mussman's 2013 squad wasn't missing 13 out of 22 starters on both sides of the ball (more so on defense, obviously). And their antics on the sideline were embarrassing. You are comparing apples and oranges. Nice spin though.

So we should give the title back? We won the games on our schedule. Nuff said. And yes the playoff meltdown was disappointing, but they earned it fair and square. Our day will come. Whether you like it or not.

Bubba has had three full recruiting classes (I won't count his first one, as he started in December). When you consider he inherited next to nothing from Mussman's failed regime, it is going to take longer to build the kind of depth you need to compete at the highest levels of FCS. Even if we had that kind of depth, it would be hard to win games this season. 13 out of 22 starters on the shelf is not some minor problem you can solve by putting in warm bodies to replace them. That is reality, as painful as it is for me to admit.

Get lost troll. Go back to Bisonville where you belong.

They won a lot of close games and won a conference championship. But yeah, you are right, it was all a fluke. And what about the year before that when they finished 7-4 and were playing lights out at the end of the season and got screwed out of a playoff spot by those geniuses on the playoff committee? I suppose that was a fluke too, right?