OK, What do you think?
So, we're a couple of days away from UND's game at Texas Tech.
A lot has been written and said about UND's upcoming venture to the Big 12 power. The central question is whether UND - in its second season as a Division I FCS program - should schedule a BCS power like Tech.
There are pros and cons to both sides.
Undoubtedly, it will be a great experience, one that brings exposure to UND no matter the outcome. It certainly can't hurt recruiting, especially in Texas where the Sioux have landed heralded freshman linebacker Dominique Bennett in addition to defensive backs Kenny Watkins and Kris Ankenbauer. The Sioux will be playing teams from Texas in the near future, so it's a state the Sioux want to recruit.
But what happens if things really get out of hand Saturday in Lubbock, where the Red Raiders have been known to keep their foot on the gas no matter the score.
With that, what are the thoughts out there about UND playing this kind of guarantee game?
The revenue ($350,000) from the game helps the athletic department's bottom line. That's a no-brainer.
But is money everything?
So, let's discuss.
Finally, to those of you who continually post mindless cheap shots, try - for once - to offer some constructive insight to the discussion.
September 3rd, 2009 - 08:17
The team needed the money with the transition going on. They are getting this money 1 year earlier than they were supposed to according to a poster on another site-they don’t count for FBS opponents this year. So taking the money is a no brainer if you can get it. No other FCS teams have gotten this amount-this early.
The biggest thing will be how the coaches do with damage control the week after the game is over. If they can get the players refocused during the bye week to not worry about the TT game they will be fine.
It is a complete mismatch on paper but its a payday and great exposure. In the future, we can schedule last place FBS doormats like other teams do.
September 3rd, 2009 - 09:59
I am not sure if my thoughts will be different late Saturday night but I think scheduling Tech was a good idea. We certainly need the money but it is also provides great exposure for the program. It will provide the experience of a life-time for our players and it should help with recruiting.
It is certainly the most talked season opener that I can remember. It should help with fundraising from alumni around the country as well.
My thoughts may change if the score is so out-of-line that it makes national “headlines” and/or if we sustain some major injuries.
September 3rd, 2009 - 11:24
Personally, I don’t get it. I don’t understand the move to DIAA (we said no initially and now look like hypocrites), I don’t understand this game (why such a power and not a lower A school), I don’t understand how getting absolutely smoked by another team “helps with recruiting” unless getting the name out there is that help.
That said, I hope the loss is respectable and that the team plays well. If the game is reasonably close only positives will come from it. Odds are it won’t be though…
My two cents.
September 3rd, 2009 - 12:42
it’s a bad idea going all the way down to texas to get our butts blasted. we should stick to our own region. it’s not like we are going to get more than 4 kids from texas in a recruiting class anyways. idk, just my thought
September 3rd, 2009 - 14:11
Just like life, you can’t be afraid to fail. If nothing else, they will see just where they need to improve. If you approach everything with a defeatist attitude, you won’t grow as a program. Staying in our region won’t help with exposure. The reason the hockey team is so successful is they have national exposure and name recognition. The other programs need to grow that direction.
September 3rd, 2009 - 14:40
The regional games will come with time. Northern Illinois is on the schedule next year.
Once again, we are getting this game 1 year early. UND doesn’t care what state the game is in, they are getting a huge check and exposure that no other transition team has ever gotten this early.
September 3rd, 2009 - 16:01
I am looking forward to the game results. Not sure it was a wise idea to schedule so soon after going D1, but history has shown that strange things do happen on the football field. I am sure the Sioux will not win, but if they can be respectable that will help the program. I recall many years ago getting pasted by Nebraska, but I also recall playing Minnesotat dead even statistically in the early 70′s and losing by a respectable 10 or 12, mostly due to Upchurch having a big return game. Like they always say, they put their pants on the same as we do, one leg at a time. Go Sioux!
September 3rd, 2009 - 23:28
It’s not only too early in the transition for this game, but the style of play is a terrible matchup for the Sioux. I also disagree that it helps recruiting. It only helps recruiting if the game is respectable. If it is a total beatdown, which I feel is a certainty, then to the Texas recruits its just another crappy nonconference opponent for Tech. Not the kind of exposure UND wants.
September 4th, 2009 - 08:39
You gotta play the best to be the best. Thank God we finally stopped opening the season against Crookston. Go Sioux.
September 4th, 2009 - 11:33
I also remember a relatively close game between the Sioux and the Gophers in the mid-1970s, something like 42-30 Gophers over the Sioux. And that was a fairly good Gopher team, featuring quarterback Tony Dungy and wide receiver Rick Upchurch among others. I think the whole experience with fans, Pride of the North Marching Band and the like will on the whole be a tremendously positive experience for the long run. Am hoping there won’t be any serious injuries. But I can’t help but believe this will be positive in the long run. Years from now who will really care what the final score was. The sheer experience of big-time Texas college football, however, will linger forever.
September 4th, 2009 - 17:10
Schools need money to recruit. $350,000 goes a long way in recruiting trips for the recruiters.
Also, some recruits that are not at the level for the top division in Texas may come here. Playing
Texas Tech can be nothing but good for UND even if
the score is lopsided. As for the people who are complaining about going Div 1, Guess what its to late. Real Sioux fans support them now after the move up as well as when Div 2.
September 5th, 2009 - 00:10
all I can say is this game is siouxicide.
September 5th, 2009 - 06:27
Civility…I love it.
September 5th, 2009 - 07:37
The game adds interest in a transition year. Coming home with no injuries would be great I remember many were saying the same thing when we played UNI a few agos and that worked out well. Of course this is a higher level than that. More upside than down in my opinion.
September 6th, 2009 - 15:11
“$350,000 goes a long way”
What did it cost to send the team to Texas? My bet is UND didn’t net even half of that.