Dustin

Wow, I wonder why the fans didn't turn up. Anyway, good to know.

At this point, I don't think SDSU could lose a playoff spot with all the profit being made from playing a MVFC schedule, unless they really tank. Like you say, a loss to NDSU won't really hurt them that badly. I also think that UND getting a top 8 seed is also extremely unlikely, given there's no profit on their Big Sky schedule. So, if UND and SDSU are both at-large selections, those two schools would probably be matched up against each other, and it will probably be in Brookings, based on their ability to bid high. I would say root for SDSU to get one of the 8 seeds, and root for UNI to get knocked out of the playoffs all together. I think both of these things happening are achievable goals.

I better throw in there that UNI probably can't make the playoffs either if UND wants to host, unless number 1 happens, then it won't matter.

http://www.fcs.football/fcsfront.asp #22

So the best case for being able to host a playoff game is either: 1) UND makes it to the top 8 and get seeded; 2) SDSU makes it to the top 8 and gets seeded; or 3) SDSU sputters and doesn't make the playoffs. My guess is number 2 is the most likely, if they can beat their conference opponents.

My oh my, that would be euphoria for many people!

I guess the only thing we're disagreeing about is how beneficial it is to have two bye weeks before hosting a playoff game. That said, a point I hadn't thought of was that the bidding may be against a team like SDSU that has a bigger facility and could outbid us. In that case, two bye weeks and hosting a playoff game is better than one bye week and going on the road.

In all likelihood, you'd need to be a top-4 seed to host two home playoff games, unless there were an upset. I highly doubt that could happen this year, so it'd still be play one at home, and then go on the road.

I'm pretty sure we would be able to bid our way to a first round home playoff game.

Contemplating whether a top 8 seed is even something we would want this year. Top 8 seeds get a bye the first weekend of the playoff. Since our scheduled bye is the last week of the regular season, would be want two weeks off before playing a playoff football game? I would think we'd like to use our bye week to get ready for the first playoff game, get rested, get healthy, and then put a on a good performance in playoff game number 1 to get back in the swing of things, and then be all primed for a what would surely would be a tough playoff game number 2, which could possibly be against the Bison.

Even at 8-3, UND is guaranteed a better record than Illinois St. (currently #23 at 2-4), and no worse than tied with Northern Iowa (currently #11 at 2-3), so I would tend to agree that we shouldn't have to worry about being 8-3. 9-2 is better though!

Found it now. Couldn't see the link at first.

Any game highlights anywhere?

UND basically has to treat every game as if the season is on the line, because in a sense it is. An eastern Washington loss will have to happen if UND is to get the auto bid, otherwise the tie breaker is the sagarin poll. The best chance for an EWU loss appears to be in a three game stretch against Montana St., Montana, and Cal Poly. Cal Poly game is in SLO, and a win by CP would do wonders for UND, provided UND does its part.

Making my first game of the year this Saturday, and maybe bringing the wife.

Lots of good things, the combination of which led to a drubbing of a team that, on paper, were supposed to drub. Kudos to the coaches and players for making that happen. With that being said, there is plenty of room for improvement in certain areas, namely place kicking (although he did come back to make all the remaining kicks after missing the first two), kick returns, penalties, and fumbles. Clean those areas up, and we are a contender. #daybyday #leavenodoubt

For being undefeated in conference play (until tonight), Sacramento state didn't have any hitters that scared me. I'm guessing we'll have scarier teams than that as the season rolls on.

She's wearing the warm up jacket and not playing tonight either.

Would love if every word of this came true!!!

I definitely wasn't hating on Baukol, if that's how it came across. I fully believe UND is lucky to have him.

My huge Bison fan co-worker says that the strength and conditioning of NDSU has allowed them to stay fresh late in games, whereas their opponents are wore down. I hope Baukol is doing the same for UND players. I think that is about as crucial as it gets - who can outlast who.

to me, not winning this game would show a lack of growth in the program - it would be the third year in a row with a big mid-season disappointment. But I hope that the coaches are preparing for every game like it's the last chance they have at saving the season. Need that urgency there every time.

What is the Big Sky football tiebreaker for conference champ when the teams haven't played each other? Thinking ahead if both UND and EWO go 8-0.

Mariucci Arena

Wouldn't mind if you kept it up until I can get to a tv.