ClassB

Trent Pink to SCSU per SFI

Bolded is really what I was responding to. Not taking anything from you SCPA! I just think the rhetoric should be that we expect to be in the title game with a season starting like this.

I don't know if we need to be calling for heads if this year's team doesn't get it done - nor any season, with the degree of success we've had in 10+ years - but doesn't the goal have to be a Natty? Not much else left for this program to do, sans *another* Championship.

I think as far as settling whether this season has been a surprise, Zane left, so must have been at least aware that there was a possibility of harder times ahead. That said, my mouth waters thinking of the kind of things that would happen if Zane were in net with this team in front of him.

The Ice Vols? trying to develop our niche sport's reach ?

really interesting -- I would have pegged UNI as a really solid test for UND at the end of the year, two fairly hot teams with similar plans. I hadn't looked into it, but the turnovers on UNI's part look to be like a good equalizer. Here's to hoping we get to play UNI and NDSU next fall in the playoffs.

I think we took a step toward establishing the program this year but wouldn't call it established in the eyes of FCS. I fully expect a playoff season next fall just like everyone else but if you want the respect of other FCS fans, not sure if I'd refer to us as established yet.

he's 'neutral' until the chips are on the table, officially.

So, I'm not allowed to subjectively prefer UND's run game and run d (loyalty comment), but its also not useful to compare statistics? Johnboy, what would you have us discuss? Enlighten me, with my poor Class B educated mind.

I guess if my loyalty is what you choose to insult, I can't complain too much. Per yahoo stats, UND allowed 150 fewer rushing yards on the season than NDSU, but gained 39 fewer rushing yards than NDSU.

Definitely it changed the course of the season. I am telling you that 9 days ago I would take Santiago behind our O-line over SU's, and our front 7 against the run over yours. Was wrong on the punting.

excited to see how recruiting goes this offseason. If i'm not mistaken, almost all incoming recruits will go directly to redshirt, as we don't have any GLARING holes? That's exciting for the future.

seems illogical to offer an olive branch and then flip us off as we take it?? I like UNDs run game over NDSUs. I like UNDs rush defense over NDSUs. Other than that, the edge goes to NDSU, in every category other than punting.

I have some cognitive dissonance going on here. I think we were a damn good team to end the year, I think we controlled Portland State and beat them when we weren't even that good. Portland State had already beaten wazzu, which is a good team, but I can't decide if they are actually as good as a 6 seed or just the top in the BSC? Is anyone else struggling to see them as dominant? Side note, for both the BSC and our own sake, I do hope they win the damn thing, I am just unsure of their potential.

Funny you still consider UND an opponent of NDSU's, they played two months ago. Quit living in the past, unless you plan on talking about the 2019 game. UNDs season is over, go check out eGriz. That's where you'll find someone who gives a flying f*ck about NDSU.

The inconsistency is this: I feel like once before have they ever taken a 6 D1 win team - SHSU 2010 (11? 12? don't remember), but they have ignored a 7 win team w/FBS win. One unlikely situation, combined with an unprecedented situation make this a little fishy. What's more, this year would've been great to develop some name recognition, now next year, they'll find a way to keep out an 8 win North Dakota team.

Not downplaying Ratelles departure, but is there a chance the defense improves next year? 1. D line improves with age 2. Secondary improves with age, Arnell's return 3. Backers get Rich back, everyone should get better as a group Not to mention this recruiting class should go straight to Redshirting and depth ?

True. Last years loss to Weber was bad. While this one hurt bad and didn't sit well, it was to a team over .500

I don't know if thats fair to Jack, this should have been an hour interview. Also, if I had pissed off the RRV like Mark did, I don't know if I would agree to more than a 20 minutes segment.

he did a great job of saying things like "yeah we take those things into consideration, SOS, w-l, quality wins, quality losses" to every question.

clarified some things here at the end

For what its worth, Mark didn't back down on anything he had to say, he obviously feels like they made solid decisions.

Jack: says some closing comments. then mentions there will be podcast. Mark: you're welcome thanks for having me.

dan: couple questions, RPI, is that in question? Auto qualifying, you didn't take that into as much consideration in past (PSU-SUU, NDSU-ISUR, RICHMOND-JMU (i think)) Mark: We don't use RPI, we do use SRS. We do talk about auto qualifiers, but then we look at total SOS and total victories, so its not automatic that an AQ will be seeded higher. Jack: Mark you should be on this end, BTW. we just don't have enough time to hit all these questions whoops. theres westsides questions Jack: name one quality win for EIU, (something about a back judge and bubba?) we have enough emails here for ya Mark Mark: no thanks, i've had enough emails over the past few days (laughs)

Terry (caller): couple questions. 1. you do have authority to place teams wherever you want, if this is national tournament, why are we having regionalization? NCAA only makes a couple billion dollars a year, can we not afford to make it an actual national tournament? it feels like NCAA d2, i thought moving up was going to be a true national tournament. [talks about SDSU and montana and how often they play, wanting to play east coast team] [seems like he had one question] Mark: NCAA talks about revenue, that the NCAA is the institutions. and that the majority of money comes back to institutions. yadda yadda yadda, my duty as chair is to follow the policy that is set forth, if there is a game within 400 miles, that team will be on a bus. westside, not going to have time for your question probably.