They had 5 DL on the pac12 all conf teams. 3 were seniors. The best and biggest in my opinion will be back....he was a fresh all American , 1st team PAC 12 as a soph and possibly injured last year....Hon mention PAC 12 as a jun. He's a 6'3" 320lb senior. His partner is a 6'3" 290lb senior....HM PAC 12. Big big Samoans!!! They also bring back DE (ucla transfer) that was inj game 3. He was leading the team in sacks and TFLs before the injury. He will be a senior as well. They will be very difficult to run against.
They lose their entire o line except one. Glad to get them in first game of season. They have only 4 upper class men here ....2 sen 2 jun. Our quickness could create problems for them.
Their secondary loses 5 of top 6 guys...but the one coming back is a stud ...6'3" 220 jun. need to be able to pass on them
They return a first team all American punter.....field position field position field position!!
They are going up tempo this year and they are built for it.....the majority of the skilled guys are smallish....5-9ish 175 lb ish. Quickness.
und brings back a ton of experienced men ....and they know how to win. cant wait!!!
I posted this back in April in a different thread. My take is the same today:
Utah will very difficult to run against, not only for UND, but for any team. Their DL does not get pushed around...they do the pushing. Keaton and the passing game need to be playing at a high level for UND to have any chance of a victory. Keeping Utah honest is a must! I would like the TEs to be used early and often and a ton of screen passes to say Santiago or Cam. Three and half yards each play, all day would make me smile. They need to burn the clock and keep their offense off the field. I have knocked Rudolph almost every game since his arrival....hope I don't after this game.
I really want to see UNDs quickness at the LB positions to be the strength against these guys. They could exploit the massive inexperienced o line of the Utes. I like the backers in this game. Schmitty will get the most out of his players, so I'm not worried about focus, discipline and being game ready. The secondary will be tested, well UND has two pre season all Americans in the secondary plus a very talented true sophomore. If UND can get pressure around the edges, I like UNDs secondary against a completely revamped offense. UND needs to make their qb twitchy and jumpy from the gate.
UND returns a ton of players that have started 3 or 4 years now. Senior class is seasoned and seems to be a lot of leadership within that group. It will take a massive doing to leave Utah with a victory but this is Unds most talented and experienced team to date.
Don't forget about Tyus Carter.