UND vs Southeastern Louisiana

[slulionsfan]

Newbill has two sacks and seven tackles for loss...not sure why the article listed it that way.

[UND92,96]

Judging by the anygivensaturday board, people aren't too impressed with the fact that UND has a much higher Sagarin ranking, or is receiving votes in most of the polls, because if you throw out the homer votes SE Louisiana is being picked to win by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

[mksioux]

Judging by the anygivensaturday board, people aren't too impressed with the fact that UND has a much higher Sagarin ranking, or is receiving votes in most of the polls, because if you throw out the homer votes SE Louisiana is being picked to win by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

I think that has to do with the 3 point margin of victory in the Idaho State game. I think people were expecting a better showing than that. It appears that most people believe Southeastern is better than Idaho State, which is probably correct.

I think the game on Saturday will come down to the health of UND's secondary. If it's the same personnel as in the second half of the Idaho State game, UND will be in deep trouble.

[UND92,96]

I think that has to do with the 3 point margin of victory in the Idaho State game. I think people were expecting a better showing than that. It appears that most people believe Southeastern is better than Idaho State, which is probably correct.

I think the game on Saturday will come down to the health of UND's secondary. If it's the same personnel as in the second half of the Idaho State game, UND will be in deep trouble.

I'm sure that's part of it. Of course, if people want to base everything from one game, I will do the same and continue to believe that we're better than USD, and if USD can come within a few feet from winning there, we can pull it off. Judging by what I've read from some USD fans, the USD offensive line is considerably down from the caliber it's been in recent years, resulting in an inability to run the ball effectively against decent competition. I don't believe UND has a similar problem, and I believe Freund is every bit as good as USD's quarterback Sheppard.

[slulionsfan]

Judging by the anygivensaturday board, people aren't too impressed with the fact that UND has a much higher Sagarin ranking, or is receiving votes in most of the polls, because if you throw out the homer votes SE Louisiana is being picked to win by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

I won't comment on why some folks on AGS are picking us to win, but as far Sagarin goes, I don't know of anyone who puts much stock in his FCS ratings...especially this early in the season...as far as polls, we lost last week and jumped 10 spots in the Sports Network poll...it's all meaningless...it'll be decided on the field.

[Yote 53]

I'm sure that's part of it. Of course, if people want to base everything from one game, I will do the same and continue to believe that we're better than USD, and if USD can come within a few feet from winning there, we can pull it off. Judging by what I've read from some USD fans, the USD offensive line is considerably down from the caliber it's been in recent years, resulting in an inability to run the ball effectively against decent competition. I don't believe UND has a similar problem, and I believe Freund is every bit as good as USD's quarterback Sheppard.

Hold on a sec. Coyote Fan is the one saying USD's offensive line isn't as good as in the past. His opinion is based off their performance in the UNI game, however, UNI also dominated SDSU's O-line. I think it is more that UNI's front seven are real good more than USD's O-line isn't that good. From what I have seen USD has a much better overall team than last year. Shep has seriously stepped his game up from last season as well. Really, I think he is the best QB in the Dakotas right now (you know that statement includes the SU's). Best part is he's a junior. One more year of Shep, and the kid behind him is a highlight reel freak too, just raw and unseasoned.

On the AGS board I picked SELA in a real tight one. I stick by that prediction. The difference maker in this game is UND is on the road. SELA travels to either Verm or GF and I think either U wins by 2 TD's.

Can't wait until Nov 22. Should be a great game.

[UND92,96]

I won't comment on why some folks on AGS are picking us to win, but as far Sagarin goes, I don't know of anyone who puts much stock in his FCS ratings...especially this early in the season...as far as polls, we lost last week and jumped 10 spots in the Sports Network poll...it's all meaningless...it'll be decided on the field.

Agreed--the polls are meaningless at most any level of football. But then again, what else is there to go on if one were picking a game and they know nothing about one of the teams? I will admit that if SE Louisiana were ranked in any of the polls, or hadn't played a close game against a team we're all very familiar with, I'd be more apt to think UND was a clear underdog. Maybe that makes some sense, and maybe it doesn't.

[UND92,96]

Hold on a sec. Coyote Fan is the one saying USD's offensive line isn't as good as in the past. His opinion is based off their performance in the UNI game, however, UNI also dominated SDSU's O-line. I think it is more that UNI's front seven are real good more than USD's O-line isn't that good. From what I have seen USD has a much better overall team than last year. Shep has seriously stepped his game up from last season as well. Really, I think he is the best QB in the Dakotas right now (you know that statement includes the SU's). Best part is he's a junior. One more year of Shep, and the kid behind him is a highlight reel freak too, just raw and unseasoned.

On the AGS board I picked SELA in a real tight one. I stick by that prediction. The difference maker in this game is UND is on the road. SELA travels to either Verm or GF and I think either U wins by 2 TD's.

Can't wait until Nov 22. Should be a great game.

I'm no great USD football mind, but didn't you guys graduate nearly the entire line from last year? The rushing numbers really haven't been there so far, which could be attributed to some of the competition, the line or the caliber of backs you guys have this year. In any event, I do think UND has a better running game than does USD this year, but that will be either proven or disproven as the season goes along.

[slulionsfan]

Agreed--the polls are meaningless at most any level of football. But then again, what else is there to go on if one were picking a game and they know nothing about one of the teams? I will admit that if SE Louisiana were ranked in any of the polls, or hadn't played a close game against a team we're all very familiar with, I'd be more apt to think UND was a clear underdog. Maybe that makes some sense, and maybe it doesn't.

Well, I wouldn't make you a clear underdog under any circumstances, but our game with USD shouldn't have been anywhere near that close...taking nothing away from them, they had a great QB who was a playmaker,and had an excellent game plan, but we should have scored 45 or 50 points...we had penalties that killed drives and had two TDs taken off the board by questionable calls...one of their TD drives was aided by a pass interference which was also questionable...we also played without our best defensive back who makes a big difference in our secondary.

[SiouxMD]

Saw the doctor yesterday. If no baby this weekend, they will induce 1:00 AM Monday. And blessed is truly the word.

Update?

[slulionsfan]

I'm no great USD football mind, but didn't you guys graduate nearly the entire line from last year? The rushing numbers really haven't been there so far, which could be attributed to some of the competition, the line or the caliber of backs you guys have this year. In any event, I do think UND has a better running game than does USD this year, but that will be either proven or disproven as the season goes along.

We did lose 4 of 5 starters from last year's O-line, but we're WAY BETTER up front this year than last...not even close...the reason our rushing numbers are "not there" is pretty simple...our opponents are loading up the line of scrimmage to stop Jay Lucas...fortunately, we're more equipped to spread it out and throw it and have had great success doing so...eventually teams are going to have to back their safeties up and I'm sure we'll adjust accordingly...of course we've also faced two very good FBS run defenses in Miss State and La Tech.

It's funny because we had this same discussion last year with Central Arkansas fans...we had never played them and their fans kept going by our stats, saying we can't run the ball or stop the run...well, we rushed for 294 yards and held them to 41 yards...football is all about match-ups and it changes week to week.

[UND92,96]

We did lose 4 of 5 starters from last year's O-line, but we're WAY BETTER up front this year than last...not even close...the reason our rushing numbers are "not there" is pretty simple...our opponents are loading up the line of scrimmage to stop Jay Lucas...fortunately, we're more equipped to spread it out and throw it and have had great success doing so...eventually teams are going to have to back their safeties up and I'm sure we'll adjust accordingly...of course we've also faced two very good FBS run defenses in Miss State and La Tech.

It's funny because we had this same discussion last year with Central Arkansas fans...we had never played them and their fans kept going by our stats, saying we can't run the ball or stop the run...well, we rushed for 294 yards and held them to 41 yards...football is all about match-ups and it changes week to week.

I was actually talking about the USD line. I don't know anything about the SE Louisiana o-line. Sorry for the confusion.

[slulionsfan]

I was actually talking about the USD line. I don't know anything about the SE Louisiana o-line. Sorry for the confusion.

My bad...my comprehension level is substandard this time of year...it's football season after all.

[mksioux]

Well, I wouldn't make you a clear underdog under any circumstances, but our game with USD shouldn't have been anywhere near that close...taking nothing away from them, they had a great QB who was a playmaker,and had an excellent game plan, but we should have scored 45 or 50 points...we had penalties that killed drives and had two TDs taken off the board by questionable calls...one of their TD drives was aided by a pass interference which was also questionable...we also played without our best defensive back who makes a big difference in our secondary.

Perhaps. But didn't you essentially say the same thing on AGS about the games against La Tech and Alcorn St.? I mean, that's what football is all about. A call here, a bounce there can change the course of a game.

I'm not saying your wrong or dismissing the fact that your team has underachieved up to this point. But I would like to hear from a South Dakota fan whether the disparity between the two teams was as great as you claim (or at least whether USD's radio announcer thought so, considering most USD fans probably didn't get to see the game).

[Yote 53]

Well, I wouldn't make you a clear underdog under any circumstances, but our game with USD shouldn't have been anywhere near that close...taking nothing away from them, they had a great QB who was a playmaker,and had an excellent game plan, but we should have scored 45 or 50 points...we had penalties that killed drives and had two TDs taken off the board by questionable calls...one of their TD drives was aided by a pass interference which was also questionable...we also played without our best defensive back who makes a big difference in our secondary.

No offense, but even UND fans know that USD fans can legitimately use this same reasoning in every USD loss the last two years (except the debacle at UNO), including the UNI game from this year, the game at SLU, and the BIG game we lost to UND last year. If it wasn't for stupid penalties, turnovers, and questionable calls we would win most games we play too, but we don't, because those are part of the game and part of being a disciplined team.

So you can say the game shouldn't have been close, but it was. I could also say that when SLU comes up to the Dakotadome there is a pretty good chance USD will blow them out, but this game was played on the road and the results stand by themselves.

[SiouxMD]

NOTES and QUOTES - www.fightingsioux.com

28 UND

24 SLU

[GeauxSioux]

Sioux 31

Southeastern 20

[slulionsfan]

Perhaps. But didn't you essentially say the same thing on AGS about the games against La Tech and Alcorn St.? I mean, that's what football is all about. A call here, a bounce there can change the course of a game.

I'm not saying your wrong or dismissing the fact that your team has underachieved up to this point. But I would like to hear from a South Dakota fan whether the disparity between the two teams was as great as you claim (or at least whether USD's radio announcer thought so, considering most USD fans probably didn't get to see the game).

I don't recall saying anything similar on AGS about La Tech or Alcorn...those were three separate games with three different sets of circumstances...not sure what you meant by that comment.

[Godsmack]

Oregon State 27, USC 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ndtarheel]

Oregon State 27, USC 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does this say about tOSU?

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Sioux 34, Southeastern 24

[mksioux]

I don't recall saying anything similar on AGS about La Tech or Alcorn...those were three separate games with three different sets of circumstances...not sure what you meant by that comment.

Sorry, it was Lionsrking that was making excuses on AGS. You SLU guys all look the same.

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Sorry, it was Lionsrking that was making excuses on AGS. You SLU guys all look the same.

I also noticed that there are plenty of excuses on AGS.com from SELA fans...what is the deal with that? UND could have beat GVSU last year if we weren't down to our 4th string RB and playing our backup QB! We could have beat Idaho St. last week by more if our secondary didn't have injured members....I would have won the Powerball on Wed if i had only 4 more numbers and the Powerball!

[slulionsfan]

I also noticed that there are plenty of excuses on AGS.com from SELA fans...what is the deal with that? UND could have beat GVSU last year if we weren't down to our 4th string RB and playing our backup QB! We could have beat Idaho St. last week by more if our secondary didn't have injured members....I would have won the Powerball on Wed if i had only 4 more numbers and the Powerball!

You know, come to think of it, I haven't seen any excuses from North Dakota fans...

Had it not been for the short week to prepare and perhaps some elevation issues, I feel ISU would not have made the rally they did in the second half. It's not to say we would have totally shut them down, but I doubt we would have given up four touchdowns.

dmksioux

Condsidering it was a very short week to prepare it was a nice win. For whatever reason you see stuff like that happen quite often. A team dominates and builds a huge lead and than a team seems to relax a bit. I don't like to see that happen but it does. Nice win.

Dagger

Regarding UND, it's hard for me to get too worked up about one poor defensive half of football given the short week of preparation, altitude, injuries in the secondary and somewhat inevitable letdown after building a big lead.

UND92,96 on AGS board.

Our D was gassed in the 2nd half. Altitude a factor? 4 days rest a factor?

bincitysioux

On paper, our pass coverage looks vulnerable. But you have to remember that in our first 4 games we built very large leads by halftime, effectively forcing the opposition to throw the ball and abandon the run.

bincitysioux quote on the Lions Den.

Exactly. And while this does not excite me, nor did the result on Sat, it is tempered by the way the game was played. This was not a close game that was won on a couple of plays. It was not like UND's passing game was shut down at all. We could have opened it up and really put the game out of reach. Instead, we seemed bent on running the ball no matter what the outcome. Our run game never got going but we stuck with it. It never really seemed like we were in trouble and I think the players, crowd, and coaches sensed it. It seemed like they were just going through the motions.

Stromer, from AGS board.

[undchris]

You know, come to think of it, I haven't seen any excuses from North Dakota fans...

dmksioux

Dagger

UND92,96 on AGS board.

bincitysioux

bincitysioux quote on the Lions Den.

Stromer, from AGS board.

You know I have to agree on this one. I'm not big on excuses, BUT on the other hand a win is a win. All I know is that the guys better come out on play tomorrow night or it won't be pretty. I still think that it'll be close and depending on if we can stop the pass or not. 31-28 final score either way!