2026 UND Football Season Thread

[Roger S.]

3 hours ago, SiouxHawkGuy said:

11-1

The loss is to?: Nebraska?

[CMSioux]

6 hours ago, sioux24/7 said:

I couldn’t believe we didn’t this year. 

Agreed, I was there. Nice tailgaters so might go again 

[Wilbur]

2026 Way too early prediction:

LIU..........thats a win.

St. Thomas....win

At Portland State.....win

At Nebraska....loss

At ISU Blue.....win

Murray....win

At Northern Iowa....win

South Dakota State.....better play calling leads to a win.

At South Dakota.....Can we please get a win at the Dakota Dome?  I'll say we get over the hump.

At Youngstown....I think their QB does what he does and this is the one league loss.

Illinois State.....Well coached team, but we don't lose at home this season.

Southern Illinois.....Close out the regular season with a senior day win.

10-2 is on the table, with thoughts and dreams of 11-1 happening.

 

[F'n Hawks]

I like that Nebraska is week #4. A couple of games to get Jerry some confidence back and the defense to get dialed in again.

Edited Tuesday at 03:56 PM by F'n Hawks
Actually week#4

[UND-FB-FAN]

11 hours ago, Wilbur said:

2026 Way too early prediction:

LIU..........thats a win.

St. Thomas....win

At Portland State.....win

At Nebraska....loss

At ISU Blue.....win

Murray....win

At Northern Iowa....win

South Dakota State.....better play calling leads to a win.

At South Dakota.....Can we please get a win at the Dakota Dome?  I'll say we get over the hump.

At Youngstown....I think their QB does what he does and this is the one league loss.

Illinois State.....Well coached team, but we don't lose at home this season.

Southern Illinois.....Close out the regular season with a senior day win.

10-2 is on the table, with thoughts and dreams of 11-1 happening.

 

Fair predictions but I don’t agree.

UND beats Nebraska and thus owns the FCS in ‘26. I’ve seen this story before. Ya’ll better get ready to go.

[UND69er]

16 hours ago, F'n Hawks said:

I like that Nebraska is week #3. A couple of games to get Jerry some confidence back and the defense to get dialed in again.

Also gives Nebraska time to get all their parts fine tuned.

[ND-fan]

I have to agree that we should be 2-3 loss team but I would love it if we were one loss team it would guarantee we would be one or two seed for the playoffs. I hate it that all tough games are at the end of season because late season loss very likely will cost top one or two seed. There is very little then left to recover from a loss with committee  for seeding.
If we can claim top seed in the playoffs and long run in the playoffs is going to put the program front and center for state and region to promote UND Football. This where NDSU even if they are successful with winning record there season will be done before December. Local media and regional media are going to be paying attention to FCS playoffs especially in North Dakota and will continue as long as other Dakota schools continue to be part of FCS.  I have my doubts  Dakota Schools move up near future if they have to pay costs NDSU has committed to going into FBS and not getting much in additional revenue right away.  Mcfeely latest article continues to put forth the numbers for additional costs to run FBS program there looking at 17.5 million to just to get in then another 8 million to.compete in the program plus additional scholarships costs, no figures for extra staff, travel costs are going to be huge traveling from eastern Illinois to Hawaii. Then costs to bring in FCS team that will draw and then giving away home date one of three years to get quality program and if they should be one these teams see how it goes to get home game after this. I have watched number of opinions consensus for smaller schools FCS has best playoff system it gives these teams maximum of exposure for these teams and also for number of players.  This our time now to build this program nationally and I believe conference that NDSU went to with top teams in FCS will be put back together probably after FBS playoff formatted is completed and end of Bowl system reduces down to just few games for Holiday viewing and even that may not survive with new FBS playoff system. 

[Wilbur]

7 hours ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Fair predictions but I don’t agree.

UND beats Nebraska and thus owns the FCS in ‘26. I’ve seen this story before. Ya’ll better get ready to go.

I think our defense will be fine in that game and more than hold their own.  Hopefully with three games already played Jerry and Danny have a good feel for what our offensive identity needs to be and we move the ball in what will be the biggest road test next season.

[AJS]

Final 2025 Sagarin rankings. UND at 95.

LIU (215)

St. Thomas (188)

at Portland State (236)

at Nebraska (54)

at Indiana State (208)

Murray State (220)

at Northern Iowa (180)

SDSU (99)

at South Dakota (109)

at Youngstown State (118)

Illinois State (87)

Southern Illinois (108)

 

In the ever-changing landscape of college football, I'm feeling an urgency for this program to win and win now. Insert yourself in the national championship discussion. 

High-level, what I like about the schedule.

• Non-conference schedule. 3 high % games and a winnable P4 game. 
• Last year in conference there were 3 teams that were considerably worse than the others, UND plays 2 of the 3 on the road. 

Things I don't like

• Don't love 3 straight road games, but not sure really how big of a deal that is. Do think it helps that it's at the front-end of the schedule. 

 

I think 10-2 is doable. 

[CMSioux]

20 minutes ago, AJS said:

Final 2025 Sagarin rankings. UND at 95.

LIU (215)

St. Thomas (188)

at Portland State (236)

at Nebraska (54)

at Indiana State (208)

Murray State (220)

at Northern Iowa (180)

SDSU (99)

at South Dakota (109)

at Youngstown State (118)

Illinois State (87)

Southern Illinois (108)

 

In the ever-changing landscape of college football, I'm feeling an urgency for this program to win and win now. Insert yourself in the national championship discussion. 

High-level, what I like about the schedule.

• Non-conference schedule. 3 high % games and a winnable P4 game. 
• Last year in conference there were 3 teams that were considerably worse than the others, UND plays 2 of the 3 on the road. 

Things I don't like

• Don't love 3 straight road games, but not sure really how big of a deal that is. Do think it helps that it's at the front-end of the schedule. 

 

I think 10-2 is doable. 

Wow SOS won't be on our side this year. 

[Dustin]

28 minutes ago, AJS said:

national championship discussion

I would say the need to be playing for and winning NCs is immediate.

[AJS]

15 hours ago, AJS said:

I think 10-2 is doable. 

I do believe this, but this program will have to continue to change narratives. There will be other difficult games, but the three "change the narrative" games that stick out with their schedule.

• Can you win a P4 game?
• Can you win at USD?
• Can you beat SDSU?

[Hawkster]

15 hours ago, CMSioux said:

Wow SOS won't be on our side this year. 

This is why I'm not a fan of playing poor teams like Long Island and St. Thomas OOC.   I know, we need the wins but iron also sharpens iron and I'd prefer playing better teams instead of someone that would struggle in D2.

[F'n Hawks]

11 minutes ago, Hawkster said:

This is why I'm not a fan of playing poor teams like Long Island and St. Thomas OOC.   I know, we need the wins but iron also sharpens iron and I'd prefer playing better teams instead of someone that would struggle in D2.

We are in the Valley, it will be fine. Nebraska will be a great test before we get to conference play. We have a Big Sky team on the schedule, just unfortunate they won’t be good. 

[forksandspoons]

30 minutes ago, AJS said:

I do believe this, but this program will have to continue to change narratives. There will be other difficult games, but the three "change the narrative" games that stick out with their schedule.

• Can you win a P4 game?
• Can you win at USD?
• Can you beat SDSU?

I’ll add depth to this. 

[Wilbur]

I think its big to just blow the doors off those first three opponents and go into Nebraska with all the positive energy in the world.  With Jerry in the right mindset he's a candidate for the Walter Payton award as we saw early last season.  Whether you like Danny or hate him, I'd rather have his creativity on the offensive side than Big Ten Isaac.  If we can average 25-30 ppg on the offensive side outside of the early season potential blowouts I like our chances to be serious contenders in the postseason.  

[F'n Hawks]

1 hour ago, Wilbur said:

I think its big to just blow the doors off those first three opponents and go into Nebraska with all the positive energy in the world.  With Jerry in the right mindset he's a candidate for the Walter Payton award as we saw early last season.  Whether you like Danny or hate him, I'd rather have his creativity on the offensive side than Big Ten Isaac.  If we can average 25-30 ppg on the offensive side outside of the early season potential blowouts I like our chances to be serious contenders in the postseason.  

I’m excited to see Jerry in Danny’s offense. With Schuster at QB for most of Danny’s time here as OC, the big knock was the inability to throw the ball deep. If he can continue to improve his accuracy, I think Jerry will fit well. I think Deng Deng really needs to break out, because lots of unproven players in that WR room.

Danny was also good in the Red Zone at UND, I hope that continues. Let’s also figure something out in short yardage situations as well.

[geaux_sioux]

7 hours ago, F'n Hawks said:

I’m excited to see Jerry in Danny’s offense. With Schuster at QB for most of Danny’s time here as OC, the big knock was the inability to throw the ball deep. If he can continue to improve his accuracy, I think Jerry will fit well. I think Deng Deng really needs to break out, because lots of unproven players in that WR room.

Danny was also good in the Red Zone at UND, I hope that continues. Let’s also figure something out in short yardage situations as well.

Jerry needs to tighten up his mechanics. He’s a mess. Good potential but still very unpolished.

[FSSD]

2 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

Jerry needs to tighten up his mechanics. He’s a mess. Good potential but still very unpolished.

A very big drop-off in production last year.  Not sure what to think about this year.  And I have concerns on the RB room right now.  Not much is know about that position group.

[Sioux95]

3 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

Jerry needs to tighten up his mechanics. He’s a mess. Good potential but still very unpolished.

With a true quarterback coach on staff, he'll improve

[Siouxperman8]

12 hours ago, Sioux95 said:

With a true quarterback coach on staff, he'll improve

Hopefully Danny’s that guy.  From the way back machine I heard from former QB family that the QBs back then weren’t impressed with his qb coaching ability.  A lot of time has passed since then and I’m sure he’s learned a lot.  

[UND69er]

On 2/25/2026 at 9:35 AM, Wilbur said:

I think its big to just blow the doors off those first three opponents and go into Nebraska with all the positive energy in the world.  With Jerry in the right mindset he's a candidate for the Walter Payton award as we saw early last season.  Whether you like Danny or hate him, I'd rather have his creativity on the offensive side than Big Ten Isaac.  If we can average 25-30 ppg on the offensive side outside of the early season potential blowouts I like our chances to be serious contenders in the postseason.  

With the Bison gone the pressure will be immense to have an outstanding season. A deep run in the playoffs at a minimum.  Hope the guys are up to the task. Best of luck to this years team.

[forksandspoons]

30 minutes ago, UND69er said:

With the Bison gone the pressure will be immense to have an outstanding season. A deep run in the playoffs at a minimum.  Hope the guys are up to the task. Best of luck to this years team.

At minimum UND should host multiple playoff games