The UND @ South Dakota State 9/30/2023

[CMSioux]

Would be great to start to see the UND football fans start to increase their road tripping. The drive is easy, there is tailgating, weather is going to be in 80s. Hoping to see some green this Saturday in Brookings. 

[Mama Sue]

Where and when is the tailgating?

[Upper Deck]

Everything SDSU tailgating: https://gojacks.com/sports/2019/7/8/tailgating

[siouxfan512]

2 hours ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Sample size isn’t huge, 6 games. Facts are still facts. Nothing imaginary about records / stats / facts. You’re justifying mediocrity again. Team needs to put up or shut up. Haven’t done it with Bubba. This isn’t DII anymore. Can’t just win in front of 5k-10k crowds and get to the next tier. Need to win big games.

beat Montana State in 2016 in front of 19507 fans by score of 17-15 

… since …

2017 L 16-37 @ Utah

2018 L 17-41 @ Montana

2019 L 7-38 @ NDSU

2021 L 24-48 @ Utah State

2022 L 17-38 @ Nebraska

2023 L 18-42 @ Boise State

A lot more loses at Alerus Center against FCS teams in attendance range of 10-12k (can’t ever seem to sell the place out unless NDSU comes to town). UND is approximately 0.500 since 2016 in games with attendance 10k+ if you exclude the games above. You can spin it anyway you want, but this staff/program has underperformed since 2016. 2017 was a fireable offense, and it hasn’t skyrocketed since. 
 

*BUT* - beauty is can right the ship this weekend in Brookings. 

FBS losses suck, because they are so flashy if you win. Those losses don't hurt as much as the close conference games. The NDSU and SDSU games from 2021 hurt bad, because we had very legit chances to close those games out and take the W. Winning in Brookings isn't easy and I'll be honest, its tough to have a lot of confidence after the game in Boise.

There weren't many positives in that game, but the silver lining is a lot of the issues we saw are not typical of this team. I get the gripe about Tommy's long ball, but the fumbles were uncharacteristic of his career. The D forced some turnovers, which was great to see and they need to keep that going.

Kicking has to be better, especially on XP. I get that the holder needs to figure out how to spin the ball, but we aren't talking about a 55 yard FG either. Shouldn't a college kicker be able to hit the XP even if the laces are in? Maybe it isn't dead straight, maybe it doesn't feel perfect coming off the foot, but should a kid with a strong leg that only kicks be able to muscle that through? That missed XP put us behind the 8 ball the entire game trying to claw back with 2 point conversions.

I am looking forward to seeing if there are some new wrinkles in the game plan. Do we bring out some of these freshman that are supposed to be playmakers? Does Danny open up the playbook a little more? Can we get a FG or punt block? So many questions heading into this one. 

Find a way to compete and beat SDSU and you will see a very packed house in Grand Forks in a few weeks for a top 10 (possible top 5) matchup. I don't want the moral victory, but I get nervous we could be talking about how we played an awesome game in Brookings and just couldn't quite finish or match up. Bigger fear is a repeat of Boise.... maybe it is better that they fell apart in that game and can be better prepared coming out of the bye.

Regardless, after a long week off (one where I had no kid's sports on Saturday afternoon and actually could have watched the game), UND football is back!

 

 

[HoopsFan03]

30 minutes ago, siouxfan512 said:

I am looking forward to seeing if there are some new wrinkles in the game plan. Do we bring out some of these freshman that are supposed to be playmakers? Does Danny open up the playbook a little more? 

The trick plays are cool when they work, but I'd like to see Danny not try to get too cute this game and just run what is working. Don't overthink things or make it more complicated than it needs to be in big games.

[SIOUXFAN97]

2 hours ago, CMSioux said:

Would be great to start to see the UND football fans start to increase their road tripping. The drive is easy, there is tailgating, weather is going to be in 80s. Hoping to see some green this Saturday in Brookings. 

win one of these "big" games and you will see siouxfans travel to more away games but until that happens no one likes traveling to boise and watching that crap....you want the look/feeling of the wyoming game and that is now 8 years ago.....

[UND-FB-FAN]

3 hours ago, CMSioux said:

Would be great to start to see the UND football fans start to increase their road tripping. The drive is easy, there is tailgating, weather is going to be in 80s. Hoping to see some green this Saturday in Brookings. 

Amen!! Will get better if they win said roadtrips. Was in Boise, I’ll be in Brookings.

[Sioux94]

1 hour ago, HoopsFan03 said:

The trick plays are cool when they work, but I'd like to see Danny not try to get too cute this game and just run what is working. Don't overthink things or make it more complicated than it needs to be in big games.

I kind of agree. Against good teams you can't do triple reverses and what not way behind the line of scrimmage because the defenders are faster and bigger and snuff it out. 

However I'd be ok seeing that one short yardage play where Maag came sprinting across, Quincy under center, everyone thinking was going to hand to Maag or QB sneak it....but he pitched it out to the RB and took it in for a TD. Although I'd maybe rather see us run that play from our own 30 than their 20, because there is a good chance he could take it to the house. I think that one was against YSU. 

[The Sicatoka]

Trick play this week: 10 personnel group, motion from WR 3-1 to 2-2 to 3-1, set, run power.   

[UND08]

I'll be in Brookings on Saturday...forecast is mid 80s...gross!  I'm built for 55-65 in the fall...haha!

This is a big one for UND...lose it and look bad doing it and the restless voices start to amplify considerably...and NDSU becomes a "must win"...

Play well and all the good things we all want for this team is possible.  It's hard to be confident in that given our past performances in "big" games under Bubba...but I remain optimistic nonetheless!  Run the football...make plays on the edge and in space...limit big plays, and play clean on special teams and we'll be fine!  We just need to see it done in a game of this magnitude!

[siouxfan512]

3 hours ago, HoopsFan03 said:

The trick plays are cool when they work, but I'd like to see Danny not try to get too cute this game and just run what is working. Don't overthink things or make it more complicated than it needs to be in big games.

Totally agreed. Can't make a living off of trick plays.

There are other wrinkles I'd like to see. Utilizing some of our tools based on their defense and if something works stick with it. Do we go heavy with the screen game? Utilize TE's more? Dink and Dunk everything within 15 yards to move the chains and win the clock battle?

I do hope there are a few trick plays to keep it entertaining, but they have to be opportunistic and called at the right times.

[SIOUXFAN97]

21 minutes ago, siouxfan512 said:

Totally agreed. Can't make a living off of trick plays.

There are other wrinkles I'd like to see. Utilizing some of our tools based on their defense and if something works stick with it. Do we go heavy with the screen game? Utilize TE's more? Dink and Dunk everything within 15 yards to move the chains and win the clock battle?

I do hope there are a few trick plays to keep it entertaining, but they have to be opportunistic and called at the right times.

yes please.

[SlowHand]

Someone wanted the betting info.

SDSU opens 17.5 point favorites per 5dimes.

[Sioux94]

33 minutes ago, SlowHand said:

Someone wanted the betting info.

SDSU opens 17.5 point favorites per 5dimes.

I would sure as heck hope we could beat that at a minimum. But thinking SDSU is probably good for at least 2 more explosive plays than us, meaning like 40-50 plus type plays that lead to TD's.....and at their place I can see why it's starting at this. Sure would be nice for us to get an explosive offense play instead of having to dink and dunk a 10 play drive for TD's. 

We need to make some big plays, and limit theirs to flip the script!

[siouxfan512]

2 minutes ago, Sioux94 said:

I would sure as heck hope we could beat that at a minimum. But thinking SDSU is probably good for at least 2 more explosive plays than us, meaning like 40-50 plus type plays that lead to TD's.....and at their place I can see why it's starting at this. Sure would be nice for us to get an explosive offense play instead of having to dink and dunk a 10 play drive for TD's. 

We need to make some big plays, and limit theirs to flip the script!

Explosive plays are great, but I do feel like you need to win the clock battle here. Keep there offense on the sideline.

[GoodGood]

28 minutes ago, siouxfan512 said:

Explosive plays are great, but I do feel like you need to win the clock battle here. Keep there offense on the sideline.

How many 10+ play drives do you think you can put together vs an SDSU type defense? I would say not many. Need someone to make a play and get us a cheap touchdown. May even need multiple imo

[UND08]

3 hours ago, siouxfan512 said:

Totally agreed. Can't make a living off of trick plays.

There are other wrinkles I'd like to see. Utilizing some of our tools based on their defense and if something works stick with it. Do we go heavy with the screen game? Utilize TE's more? Dink and Dunk everything within 15 yards to move the chains and win the clock battle?

I do hope there are a few trick plays to keep it entertaining, but they have to be opportunistic and called at the right times.

You know what's fun?  Lining up across from your opponent and kicking their you know what until the whistle...then getting up and doing it again.  When they start to adjust you hit them on the edges or over the top.  Always staying one step ahead and imposing your will.  Over-reliance on trick plays is for teams that aren't as talented as their opponent.

It doesn't matter if we do it in the I formation with 22 personnel or some shotgun formation spreading the field...at some level football is football!  I love the inside zone running game we seem to be having some success with using Ziebarth and Skokna to spell...if you can get 4-5 yards a pop running that...then lean on it!

[SiouxFan100]

1 hour ago, SlowHand said:

Someone wanted the betting info.

SDSU opens 17.5 point favorites per 5dimes.

This sounds about right. We are underdogs. They are ranked way above us. Hopefully we make plays and things go our way for an upset and we win.

[Oxbow6]

2 hours ago, SlowHand said:

Someone wanted the betting info.

SDSU opens 17.5 point favorites per 5dimes.

If this team even has one collective nut they cover this easily. All duckies and bunnies here need to bet their 401Ks. I'd be shocked if UND gets boat raced by 18 or more. 

[Kab]

I would think this line is close, we somehow stay in a game and then a bad play or 2 or a bonehead coaching decision flips the game.

 

[siouxfan512]

4 hours ago, UND08 said:

You know what's fun?  Lining up across from your opponent and kicking their you know what until the whistle...then getting up and doing it again.  When they start to adjust you hit them on the edges or over the top.  Always staying one step ahead and imposing your will.  Over-reliance on trick plays is for teams that aren't as talented as their opponent.

It doesn't matter if we do it in the I formation with 22 personnel or some shotgun formation spreading the field...at some level football is football!  I love the inside zone running game we seem to be having some success with using Ziebarth and Skokna to spell...if you can get 4-5 yards a pop running that...then lean on it!

Agreed, I believe I said, you can't make a living off of trick plays.

But you can't also tell me you aren't entertained when they work. No, I'd rather run the ball down their throat, just hope our O line is ready to move some people.

[Sioux94]

5 hours ago, GoodGood said:

How many 10+ play drives do you think you can put together vs an SDSU type defense? I would say not many. Need someone to make a play and get us a cheap touchdown. May even need multiple imo

Yep we need at least one cheap/easy TD because SDSU will be scoring.  We need to sustain drives even if we don't always score, no 3 and outs. I do love our long methodical drives and hope we have a few of those, but hope we get a cheap one somewhere. Where it's pick 6, punt return....long run or pass....whichever. 

[Sioux95]

On 9/25/2023 at 6:45 PM, sioux24/7 said:

This room could be deep but the talent level doesn’t come close to the 2013 room. RJ McGill, Kenny Golladay, Jameer Jackson and Greg Hardin. 

Add Blair Townsend to that as well.  I think they had 650 yards receiving against Montana 

[jdub27]

18 hours ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Sample size isn’t huge, 7 games.

So roughly the same record as roughly 99% of FCS teams would have? 

Not saying UND couldn't or shouldn't have won at least some of those games but to pretend that the average occurrence of it should be different is a bit silly. 

And the NDSU game was sold out at the Alerus. 

Also interesting to see how the record changes when you drop it to 10k. I guess those extra 2k+ make the difference? (and completely aware in most cases it is significantly more than that number, just pointing out you picked an arbitrary number that only includes games on the road either at higher level opponents or some of the toughest places to play within the division). 

[AJS]

15 hours ago, SlowHand said:

Someone wanted the betting info.

SDSU opens 17.5 point favorites per 5dimes.

The UND big game status quo says that line is really good. I envision a one score SDSU lead late in the 3rd quarter. SDSU outscores UND by 10-14 points in the 4th. Puts you right on.

That's why you play the game, a decade's worth of big game frustration could be alleviated on Saturday. Here's to history not repeating itself!