Mollberg or Bartels?

[nodak651]

I was hoping Bubba would start Bartels and play it off by saying that he wanted to let Joe fully recover.  I have more confidence in Bartels, simply because he does not turn the ball over.  Zero turnovers vs. Portland won us the game.  With Joe, there is almost a certainty that there will be at least one pick a game, and we don't score enough on offense to make up for it.  I think with a bad offense, limit turnovers and play Bartels.

 

However, last year we were complaining about Mussman's quarterback carousel.  Now we want Bartels to play, but what if he plays a poor game?  Back to Joe?  I think we should be careful what we wish for and trust Bubba.  

[Oxbow6]

I was hoping Bubba would start Bartels and play it off by saying that he wanted to let Joe fully recover.  I have more confidence in Bartels, simply because he does not turn the ball over.  Zero turnovers vs. Portland won us the game.  With Joe, there is almost a certainty that there will be at least one pick a game, and we don't score enough on offense to make up for it.  I think with a bad offense, limit turnovers and play Bartels.

 

However, last year we were complaining about Mussman's quarterback carousel.  Now we want Bartels to play, but what if he plays a poor game?  Back to Joe?  I think we should be careful what we wish for and trust Bubba.  

 

 

When Bubba goes with Joe next game IMO he has to continue with him from here on out regardless if his play is status quo or worse.  Joe hasn't done anything to cement himself as the number #1 guy with his play in games, I know...I know he makes all the throws in practice.  Joe is a TO ready to happen on every series and he hasn't shown he can consistanly lead this offense, but Bubba obviously feels Bartels isn't and won't be this team's QB at any point moving forward so Joe has the last remaining games of this season to show he can be the guy for next year.  With all that said, I would be shocked to see Bartels in a UND uniform next fall.

[UND92,96]

When Bubba goes with Joe next game IMO he has to continue with him from here on out regardless if his play is status quo or worse.  Joe hasn't done anything to cement himself as the number #1 guy with his play in games, I know...I know he makes all the throws in practice.  Joe is a TO ready to happen on every series and he hasn't shown he can consistanly lead this offense, but Bubba obviously feels Bartels isn't and won't be this team's QB at any point moving forward so Joe has the last remaining games of this season to show he can be the guy for next year.  With all that said, I would be shocked to see Bartels in a UND uniform next fall.

 

I disagree. Mollberg will need to play relatively well to keep his job, and I'm sure he knows that. But I do agree that in all likelihood, whichever of the two who ends up as the backup by the end of the year may very well transfer. I don't think it would wise to do so given how much can change in a year or two (Bellmore/Manke situation comes to mind), but that's just my opinion.

 

BTW, while I'm certainly not saying Bartels is MORE turnover-prone than Mollberg, he did have eight turnovers last year in basically less than half a season, so he would need to improve somewhat in that area, also. Mollberg has eight turnovers so far this year.

[Irish]

When Bubba goes with Joe next game IMO he has to continue with him from here on out regardless if his play is status quo or worse.  Joe hasn't done anything to cement himself as the number #1 guy with his play in games, I know...I know he makes all the throws in practice.  Joe is a TO ready to happen on every series and he hasn't shown he can consistanly lead this offense, but Bubba obviously feels Bartels isn't and won't be this team's QB at any point moving forward so Joe has the last remaining games of this season to show he can be the guy for next year.  With all that said, I would be shocked to see Bartels in a UND uniform next fall.

I agree about Bartles leaving and don't blame him , but for our program it is a darn shame.  It worries me that we are going to pin our QB hopes on Molberg and hope he moves toward his potential (which he hasn't done in the 2 1/2 years he has been in this program).  In my opinion Bartles is getting the crap end of the stick.  We better have a darn good freshman who can take over.  

[Oxbow6]

I disagree. Mollberg will need to play relatively well to keep his job, and I'm sure he knows that. But I do agree that in all likelihood, whichever of the two who ends up as the backup by the end of the year may very well transfer. I don't think it would wise to do so given how much can change in a year or two (Bellmore/Manke situation comes to mind), but that's just my opinion.

 

BTW, while I'm certainly not saying Bartels is MORE turnover-prone than Mollberg, he did have eight turnovers last year in basically less than half a season, so he would need to improve somewhat in that area, also. Mollberg has eight turnovers so far this year.

 

 

We must be watching completely different games this season.  He hasn't played "relatively well" yet is still the starter and this after his back-up did something in a half that he hasn't been able to do in any game to date.

[UND92,96]

We must be watching completely different games this season.  He hasn't played "relatively well" yet is still the starter and this after his back-up did something in a half that he hasn't been able to do in any game to date.

 

I am talking about from here on out. I don't believe for one minute that Bubba is going to just play Mollberg indefinitely for the rest of the season if he doesn't produce. What would be the point of that? 

 

Basically, I don't agree with the premise that just because Bartels is apparently not going to start against SUU, he's never going to get a chance to play again no matter what.

[Oxbow6]

I am talking about from here on out. I don't believe for one minute that Bubba is going to just play Mollberg indefinitely for the rest of the season if he doesn't produce. What would be the point of that? 

 

Basically, I don't agree with the premise that just because Bartels is apparently not going to start against SUU, he's never going to get a chance to play again no matter what.

So the first 6+ games Joe has played in this season don't count? 

 

My guess is Bartels doesn't feel the same way as you.

[UND92,96]

So the first 6+ games Joe has played in this season don't count? 

 

My guess is Bartels doesn't  feel the same way as you.

 

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I am not saying the first six games don't count. But I am not going to say that the coaches care more about playing Mollberg no matter what than they do about giving the team the best chance to win, either.

[BigGame]

We must be watching completely different games this season.  He hasn't played "relatively well" yet is still the starter and this after his back-up did something in a half that he hasn't been able to do in any game to date.

Joe hasn't been good this year but until he left the game on Saturday he was looking sharp.  He was accurate and decisive and playing very well and based upon that I think he starts as long as he is healthy enough to do so.  I felt Bartels should have been the starter this season to begin with based upon last years performance but he didn't win the job.  The coaching staff could have and maybe should have looked to Bartels in some other games when Joe was playing poorly and turning the ball over but they didn't.  If they didn't replace him then why would they now after he actually played extremely well up until the concussion? 

 

Even if Mollberg gets the start I agree that he will have a shorter leash based upon play on the field. 

[iramurphy]

We must be watching completely different games this season.  He hasn't played "relatively well" yet is still the starter and this after his back-up did something in a half that he hasn't been able to do in any game to date.

Bartles did a good job and I expected he would.  He is a good QB. For some of you, there is nothing that Mollberg can do that will satisfy you.  He played well against both Montana and against Portland. He threw a pick 6 against Montana State but played a decent game.  Some of these wide open receivers people talk about are not always the entire story.  Bartles missed a wide open reciever in the end zone but was getting pressured. Some games he will make that play and some days he won't.  He did make a good throw on the TD but wasn't perfect.  It isn't going to be. 

Leading 2 scoring drives in second half was good, but not a miracle nor unexpected.  Remember if Tillman doesn't score we likely don't win. That wouldn't have been Bartle's  fault but  it would have been Mollberg's  fault had he been the QB. . Hd Mollberg been the QB at end of first half and not let the play clock run down before the snap he would have been crucified by some of you.  If you guys think musical QB's is anyway to go you are nuts.  It didn't work last year.  Bartles was the starter last year and too many of you forget he lost the job cuz he wasn't playing well.  Joe then lost the job cuz he wasn't playing well.  Joe earned the job this fall cuz he was playing  well in the spring game and in pre-season.  I know a couple of you think practice doesn't matter but it does.  Mollberg has survived a rocky start with receivers who were dropping the ball and running poor routes, and an Oline that has struggled.  He has also made his own mistakes.  What I believe is the mistake too many of you are making is you forget this is a team game and although the QB's are maybe the most important position on the offensive side of the ball but only one position.  Joe is starting to look like the QB the coaches and many of us believe he is capable of.  Bubba and his staff see the same thing.  Bigger upside but still work in progress. If Bartles becomes the QB you can't throw him under the bus either as he adjusts and matures. I don't think we aren't seeing what you see, we just have a different opinion and dont' get pissed if the coaching staff seems to agree with our opinion.

[Woden]

Regardless of who the QB is, the most glaring hole on this team is still the offensive line, particularly their run blocking.  If they can't start opening some holes consistently to establish a run game, the opposing defense is going to be able to pin their ears back and harrass either QB all game long making whoever it is back there look pretty bad...........

 

 

This.

 

 

And a RB.

 

 

And some WR's.

 

 

Other than that O is pretty stacked.

[Oxbow6]

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I am not saying the first six games don't count. But I am not going to say that the coaches care more about playing Mollberg no matter what than they do about giving the team the best chance to win, either.

 

Fair enough.

[Oxbow6]

This.

 

 

And a RB.

 

 

And some WR's.

 

 

Other than that O is pretty stacked.

I thought #23 was the player of the game Saturday for UND.  Pretty amazing he stepped in like he did...considering he played very little WR even in HS.

[UND1983]

Let's also remember that Portland State had never seen Bartels before and game-planned for Mollberg and that style of play-calling.  Now, SUU will have an entire of half of Bartels tape and the play-calling that went with him at QB.  Was it largely different?  Don't know.  But its something to factor in.  

[Siouxperman8]

Bartles did a good job and I expected he would.  He is a good QB. For some of you, there is nothing that Mollberg can do that will satisfy you.  He played well against both Montana and against Portland. He threw a pick 6 against Montana State but played a decent game.  Some of these wide open receivers people talk about are not always the entire story.  Bartles missed a wide open reciever in the end zone but was getting pressured. Some games he will make that play and some days he won't.  He did make a good throw on the TD but wasn't perfect.  It isn't going to be. 

Leading 2 scoring drives in second half was good, but not a miracle nor unexpected.  Remember if Tillman doesn't score we likely don't win. That wouldn't have been Bartle's  fault but  it would have been Mollberg's  fault had he been the QB. . Hd Mollberg been the QB at end of first half and not let the play clock run down before the snap he would have been crucified by some of you.  If you guys think musical QB's is anyway to go you are nuts.  It didn't work last year.  Bartles was the starter last year and too many of you forget he lost the job cuz he wasn't playing well.  Joe then lost the job cuz he wasn't playing well.  Joe earned the job this fall cuz he was playing  well in the spring game and in pre-season.  I know a couple of you think practice doesn't matter but it does.  Mollberg has survived a rocky start with receivers who were dropping the ball and running poor routes, and an Oline that has struggled.  He has also made his own mistakes.  What I believe is the mistake too many of you are making is you forget this is a team game and although the QB's are maybe the most important position on the offensive side of the ball but only one position.  Joe is starting to look like the QB the coaches and many of us believe he is capable of.  Bubba and his staff see the same thing.  Bigger upside but still work in progress. If Bartles becomes the QB you can't throw him under the bus either as he adjusts and matures. I don't think we aren't seeing what you see, we just have a different opinion and dont' get pissed if the coaching staff seems to agree with our opinion

 

I was really disappointed with the end of the first half when we were on our own 9 and snapped the ball twice with the clock running and left about 12-14 seconds on the play clock both times.  That gave PSU 20-25 seconds extra which is just what they needed to get another FG before half.   That needs to be recognized by the coaches, QB, center or anybody that can speak up and keep that from happening at the time.  Poorly done by all.

[Woden]

Let's also remember that Portland State had never seen Bartels before and game-planned for Mollberg and that style of play-calling.  Now, SUU will have an entire of half of Bartels tape and the play-calling that went with him at QB.  Was it largely different?  Don't know.  But its something to factor in.  

 

 

The play calling remained identical. 

[UND1983]

The play calling remained identical. 

 

100%, across the board?  

[gundy1124]

My frustrations are because of high expectations.  You can watch freshman quarterbacks and 1st year starters all over the country lighting things up and when you look at our QBs.......they've had a redshirt year, a freshman year (both under Muss), and now in their 3rd year we should be seeing better QB play.  If you're going to be a stud my feeling is you would have seen it by now, 3rd year in college football.   I guess the SUU game will be telling for Molberg.  I think the reps will be more divided in practice because 1) different guys react differently to concussions 2) everyone is ultrasensitive about the 'C' word so any little thing that goes wrong will be 'concussion' related with Joe.

[Oxbow6]

My frustrations are because of high expectations.  You can watch freshman quarterbacks and 1st year starters all over the country lighting things up and when you look at our QBs.......they've had a redshirt year, a freshman year (both under Muss), and now in their 3rd year we should be seeing better QB play.  If you're going to be a stud my feeling is you would have seen it by now, 3rd year in college football.   I guess the SUU game will be telling for Molberg.  I think the reps will be more divided in practice because 1) different guys react differently to concussions 2) everyone is ultrasensitive about the 'C' word so any little thing that goes wrong will be 'concussion' related with Joe.

 

So you don't mean Cialis?  At least I personally feel better now..................

[UND-FB-FAN]

If UND is going to win football games this season, my gut feeling is that it will be despite of Joe Mollberg. 

 

Bubba doesn't want a controversy in the locker room and that is why he is sticking with the guy he and his staff originally named the starter. Simple as that.

 

UND, like they have done already, will need to win games by playing very good defense and special teams, and running the ball/not turning the ball over on offense. 

 

I have my doubts with Mollberg, because he just makes too many mistakes. Obviously, he can improve and I surely hope he does. The beginning of the Portland State game did look promising. Nevertheless, I feel Bartels is the better QB right now, going off of last season and this season.  

 

Bartels avoids the big mistake better than Mollberg, which is a big thing to consider, and I think most coaches around the country would agree with that. 

 

 

Bottom line, UND has two weeks to heal up and prepare for an SUU team that has only one win on the season. I expect UND, regardless of who the QB is, to go down to Utah and get their 4th win of the season. Of course, it won't be easy as UND has yet to win on the road this season.

 

Go UND!

[Irish]

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I am not saying the first six games don't count. But I am not going to say that the coaches care more about playing Mollberg no matter what than they do about giving the team the best chance to win, either.

Wouldn't be the first coaching staff to have a stubborn blind spot.

[UND92,96]

Wouldn't be the first coaching staff to have a stubborn blind spot.

 

Yes, but it's not like they recruited either of these guys, and have some sort of bias in favor of "their" guy. I firmly believe they want to win, and won't hesitate to make a change if somebody at any position is not getting it done.

[Woden]

Yes, but it's not like they recruited either of these guys, and have some sort of bias in favor of "their" guy. I firmly believe they want to win, and won't hesitate to make a change if somebody at any position is not getting it done.

 

 

I think it is obvious.  Molberg has more of an upside, or potential if you will.  Everyone knows the OL, RB, and WR spots need more talent.  Might as well let the QB with the potential to be greater play and learn and hopefully peak in two years when the talent is here.

[SiouxFan100]

I vote that I am not smart enough to know which one should start. I hope and trust the coaches know what they are doing. I hope and trust that the coaches are making the best decisions they know how without bias. I hope to see improvements. I hope that the learning curve is a curve and not a dead end.

[iramurphy]

My frustrations are because of high expectations.  You can watch freshman quarterbacks and 1st year starters all over the country lighting things up and when you look at our QBs.......they've had a redshirt year, a freshman year (both under Muss), and now in their 3rd year we should be seeing better QB play.  If you're going to be a stud my feeling is you would have seen it by now, 3rd year in college football.   I guess the SUU game will be telling for Molberg.  I think the reps will be more divided in practice because 1) different guys react differently to concussions 2) everyone is ultrasensitive about the 'C' word so any little thing that goes wrong will be 'concussion' related with Joe.

I think that is the frustration many have with Joe.  There was a lot of excitement when he turned down the Ag School and had a lot of interest from Iowa and Northern Illinois.  Neither of these guys developed last year as they could have/should have.  Lots of factors but  one of them is going to be our guy going forward and this staff thinks it is Mollberg.  They need to know if they are right or wrong.  There  isn't any game this year that has answered that question, even the MSU game where he played poorly.  I understand the criticism, but your former high school coach  thinks Mollberg is the better QB. I do to so far.  Expectations are very high and dissapointment will be more for Joe and not so much with Ryan.  They both can play, but can Joe be a guy who can carry a team?  Maybe, I still think so, but hell, my opinion is no more valid than say... GFhockey or yours. .  The jury is still out on both of these guys and they both better be ready to play and stay ready to play.  If one isn't playing and pouts, he won't ever be the guy. I think they are both handling this pretty well so far. This staff will never make a decision based on fan opinion and they shouldn't. I think they are both capable of being successful.