Dustin

Against lesser opponents, yes. Against playoff teams, you just can’t expect the offense to win a big game with no defense.

I am not one to rag on coaches, but I’m ready for this, too. We wouldn’t have to be the cardiac kids if the D didn’t give up 30+ each game.

Truth. Offense is the shining star of the squad. Just think where we could be with some complimentary defensive.

I’ll applaud the valiant effort of the second half. Ready for a change on defense, at least. Scoring 31 in a playoff game should be enough. It was a problem all season. Our offense could overcome against lesser opponents, but not playoff caliber teams.

This would be a nice situation when you could hang your hat on your defense. We’ll see…

Ok, force a TO and whole game is different

So, I turned off the radio. What is/was the halftime score? 3q started yet?

Another sweep where we get shellacked in the third set. Season ends on a seven game skid. I bet that’s the only time that happens on Tupac’s watch. Some good times (NDSU win), some growing pains, but the future is bright. Excited to see what is going to transpire in this program.

Had the same thought.

UND down 2-0 vs NDSU at the Summit tournament. We had leads in both sets but could not hold on to them. This team is just not built to put away the opponent. I am betting that changes as the Tupac era continues.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/college/south-dakota-state-university/2022/11/21/tucker-kraft-south-dakota-state-tight-end-declares-for-nfl-draft/69666671007/ No Kraft (NFL draft) or Jankes (graduation) for SDSU after this year.

Agreed. My other thought was get them to Grand Forks.

A little surprised there hasn’t been a new DC thread yet. But maybe everyone’s thinking the same as me and don’t want to start it??

A receiver pulling away from the D-backs a la 1998 Jim Kleinsasser would be good.

Will this be the game Kelly finally gets his fake punt??!! Only if we need to make a game changing play, I’m assuming. It’d be nice not to be in that position.

I agree. I would think they would be weary of letting us have the ball for too long. Interestingly, that would also be our key strategy as well.

BTW, the 35 we put up on SDSU was their highest points allowed of the season.

In terms of offense, SDSU > NDSU, right? Is their running game similar, but SDSU has a better passing game? I know UND can't let NDSU score 49 (like SDSU did) and expect to win. Maybe holding them to under 35 In terms of defense, would SDSU = NDSU be a fair statement? UND put up 35 on SDSU. Will need at least a repeat of that. I've said it before, but 35 points is kind of where I see the tipping point of this game. UND will likely need to score 35 just to keep pace, and NDSU will need to be held to less than 35. I could see a tight game where each team is within a score of 35. Hopefully we are the team with more points.

Good call.

I agree. UND wins this game by getting to 35+ and hope the defense gets a couple of keys stops.

Has the O/U been set? I’m guessing you are close with your prediction and we will be about 10 point underdogs. I guess I didn’t follow directions

What have other teams done to keep games close against the Bison? Indiana State only lost by 5. Southern Illinois only lost by 3.

Ok, Thanks. I usually see those tweets, but I didn’t catch that one.

I'm on your side here. Who knows, maybe all the tickets were sold to NDSU fans. We'll see on Saturday.

After our game with SDSU this year, I would say they are our #2 rival in football. That targeting play and subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct were the declaration of war for me.