**Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

[wretched]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Bailey is not a QB that can throw any timing routes, cannot throw from the pocket, shows an overwhelming tendency to run instead of throw, never throws the ball away & takes a sack in lieu of throwing the ball into the stands. On 3rd & long, I have zero confidence in his passing authority. When all of his teammates lose confidence in him, it will be completely over. You really don't know what you are talking about if you truly think Bailey can be a national title qb.

I agree with some of your assessments of Bailey's strengths and weaknesses but come to a different conclusion. I do think he can win a NC with a better receiving corp. I watched the ISUr game last night and everytime they needed to make a play in the passing game they threw it to #82 and often it resulted in a big 1st down. So tell me since I don't know football who was tgat player for Bailey or for that matter any UNI QB? Who? If Bailey had last years WRs he would have been a much more efficienct passer. Simple as that. With a year of seasoning the WRs should be much better along with the ever improving OL play. Not to mention a 2nd year in Davis' system.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Are you serious??

Yep-cut and paste from website:

Coaching Staff
NAME TITLE
Mark Farley Head Coach
Joe Davis Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach/Director of Offensive Recruiting
Bill Salmon Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
Ben Barkema Offensive Line
Jeremiah Johnson Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Brandon Lynch Assistant Head Coach for Defense/Defensive Backs Coach/Director of Defensive Recruiting
Olaitan Oguntodu Safeties Coach
Bryce Paup Defensive Line Coach/Player Development
Jason Ray Wide Receivers Coach
Nick Danielson Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles
D.J. Hord Director of Football Operations
Mike Bursik Analytics/Research Assistant
Luke Roseland Video Coordinator

[Mudrafan]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

I agree with some of your assessments of Bailey's strengths and weaknesses but come to a different conclusion. I do think he can win a NC with a better receiving corp. I watched the ISUr game last night and everytime they needed to make a play in the passing game they threw it to #82 and often it resulted in a big 1st down. So tell me since I don't know football who was tgat player for Bailey or for that matter any UNI QB? Who? If Bailey had last years WRs he would have been a much more efficienct passer. Simple as that. With a year of seasoning the WRs should be much better along with the ever improving OL play. Not to mention a 2nd year in Davis' system.

The receivers cannot throw the ball to themselves. Many of Bailey's issues have nothing to do with having good receivers or not.

[UNIChippewa]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Agree with the first part. But I have to ask, what is your definition of "decent" football for UNI? Because really, this season IS a fairly typical UNI season. And anything better than this is more an anomaly than the norm.

Pre-NDSU you hoped to go 8-3 and beat the one other good Gateway team in the Dome and get the autobid. Now with NDSU here, typically we're staring down a 7-4 finish, usually having to scrap together a bunch of wins at the end, and hoping to get an at-large in an expanded field. The truth is, there are about 3 seasons in the past 30 that have been anything better than this typical UNI season...and in each of them we spoiled a golden opportunity at home to advance and get a shot at the title ('92, '07 & '08...and the former might have been different if Shedd wasn't limited).

Remember too, that even the '05 runner up year had a bunch of bumps along the way, putting us in "playoff" mode a month out, and forcing us on the road for 2 of 3 games.

So, if your definition of "decent" is better than this, then, really, we can't get back to "decent" football because there is no real historical precedent suggesting anything IS better than this. In other words, to get to "decent" would require us to do something more frequently than this program has historically done in the past.

Now, it's not lost on me that there are a ton of schools out there that would kill to have this "typical" season as it's baseline. But I think seeing the success of our newest, and clearly, biggest, rival to the north heightens the frustrations and makes us feel as if a higher level than that baseline is attainable. Unfortunately I don't know if I really believe it is possible anymore, without some serious changes in approach.

NOTE: I'm sincerely not trying to call out/pick on PC here. I just think many of us - including me - can sometimes long for something from this program we really can't accurately claim we "used to be".

Post of the day right here.

[havok58]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Agree with the first part. But I have to ask, what is your definition of "decent" football for UNI? Because really, this season IS a fairly typical UNI season. And anything better than this is more an anomaly than the norm.

Pre-NDSU you hoped to go 8-3 and beat the one other good Gateway team in the Dome and get the autobid. Now with NDSU here, typically we're staring down a 7-4 finish, usually having to scrap together a bunch of wins at the end, and hoping to get an at-large in an expanded field. The truth is, there are about 3 seasons in the past 30 that have been anything better than this typical UNI season...and in each of them we spoiled a golden opportunity at home to advance and get a shot at the title ('92, '07 & '08...and the former might have been different if Shedd wasn't limited).

Remember too, that even the '05 runner up year had a bunch of bumps along the way, putting us in "playoff" mode a month out, and forcing us on the road for 2 of 3 games.

So, if your definition of "decent" is better than this, then, really, we can't get back to "decent" football because there is no real historical precedent suggesting anything IS better than this. In other words, to get to "decent" would require us to do something more frequently than this program has historically done in the past.

Now, it's not lost on me that there are a ton of schools out there that would kill to have this "typical" season as it's baseline. But I think seeing the success of our newest, and clearly, biggest, rival to the north heightens the frustrations and makes us feel as if a higher level than that baseline is attainable. Unfortunately I don't know if I really believe it is possible anymore, without some serious changes in approach.

NOTE: I'm sincerely not trying to call out/pick on PC here. I just think many of us - including me - can sometimes long for something from this program we really can't accurately claim we "used to be".

Good post. I just don't like the fact that UNI is in "must win" mode by the middle of the season, that a 3rd or 4th place finish is acceptable most years, and seeing (outside of NDSU) SDSU and Illinois State make gains and pass up UNI. It just seems at times we're stuck and spinning our wheels as other schools have caught up to and passed us.

[BisoninNWMN]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

What a game!!

Two heavyweights throwing bombs.

Hats off to UNI. What a tough ass defense! I know a lot of Bison fans love to hate the Panthers but you have to give respect when it is due. UNI is tough as hell and both teams bring out the best in each other.

Kudos to #46, what a stud! Many times I thought the Bison RBs had a good hole to run through and all of a sudden #46 comes out of no where to make the tackle. Great instincts and very good sideline to sideline speed.

Too bad this game was a quarterfinal game....damn regionalization crap....

Gotta give credit where it is due and UNI is one hell of a team.

[igo4uni]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

So it is Bailey's fault when a OL gets beat clean on the snap...most negative fan base ever, Bailey made a ton of strides this year, WRs will be better next year, basically the entire offense is back, MVFC schedule is favorable, not sure why UNI decides to play both EWU and Montana in the same year OOC, b/c it's all about getting a top seed! And those blaming Farley on the onside kick, your an idiot, super well designed, missed by inches.

Yes. I am optimistic about the future of this team.

[BisonBacker]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Congrats to UNI on a dam hardnosed team. Just have to wonder how far you guys would have gone on the other side of the Bracket. I'm not a fan of regionalization either.

[Mudrafan]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Good post. I just don't like the fact that UNI is in "must win" mode by the middle of the season, that a 3rd or 4th place finish is acceptable most years, and seeing (outside of NDSU) SDSU and Illinois State make gains and pass up UNI. It just seems at times we're stuck and spinning our wheels as other schools have caught up to and passed us.

The schedule has more to do with the AD making it as well as UNI's financial situation than the coach. UNI will always play a unique & extremely challenging schedule. It is what it is.

[jegbomb52]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

I'm not putting it on AB. You gotta put him in position to succeed. I think the guy can Chuck it a bit if u call the plays. Where's the quick passing game?

This sums up exactly how I feel about this. He is a weapon no doubt and I think capable of being productive, maybe not the best throwing qb but capable of throwing 4-5 yard timing pattern routes and opening up the running game. Look no further than the first drive yesterday. The second we abandoned the short passing game it went to hell in a hand basket.

[tjamz]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Why do they have wind flags at the top of the goal posts?

NCAA requirement

[ronfitch]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

Agree with the first part. But I have to ask, what is your definition of "decent" football for UNI? Because really, this season IS a fairly typical UNI season. And anything better than this is more an anomaly than the norm.

Pre-NDSU you hoped to go 8-3 and beat the one other good Gateway team in the Dome and get the autobid. Now with NDSU here, typically we're staring down a 7-4 finish, usually having to scrap together a bunch of wins at the end, and hoping to get an at-large in an expanded field. The truth is, there are about 3 seasons in the past 30 that have been anything better than this typical UNI season...and in each of them we spoiled a golden opportunity at home to advance and get a shot at the title ('92, '07 & '08...and the former might have been different if Shedd wasn't limited).

Remember too, that even the '05 runner up year had a bunch of bumps along the way, putting us in "playoff" mode a month out, and forcing us on the road for 2 of 3 games.

So, if your definition of "decent" is better than this, then, really, we can't get back to "decent" football because there is no real historical precedent suggesting anything IS better than this. In other words, to get to "decent" would require us to do something more frequently than this program has historically done in the past.

Now, it's not lost on me that there are a ton of schools out there that would kill to have this "typical" season as it's baseline. But I think seeing the success of our newest, and clearly, biggest, rival to the north heightens the frustrations and makes us feel as if a higher level than that baseline is attainable. Unfortunately I don't know if I really believe it is possible anymore, without some serious changes in approach.

NOTE: I'm sincerely not trying to call out/pick on PC here. I just think many of us - including me - can sometimes long for something from this program we really can't accurately claim we "used to be".

This post should be a sticky, required reading for the football forum. I'd add the '85 and '87 seasons to the list of stellar seasons - those teams were special, but that is really going back in time (sorry, Cappy) and only further solidifies the point.

[Mudrafan]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

This post should be a sticky, required reading for the football forum. I'd add the '85 and '87 seasons to the list of stellar seasons - those teams were special, but that is really going back in time (sorry, Cappy) and only further solidifies the point.

Thank you! My '85 & '87 teams were very strong. Great defense, great offensive playmakers, great lines. Strong leadership. The Panthers had good offensive balance and were just starting to play & beat FBS/1A teams or play them off their feet. This is what cut a trail for great UNI teams to follow. I maintain that these two teams are the two best UNI has ever had...even better than that national runner-up team. Losing to Georgia Southern at home is the best game I've ever seen in my lifetime & the double OT defeat to Stan Humphries in Louisiana was also one hell of a game. We would have won it either year a win.

[BCPanther]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

So, the argument is that our past success really wasn't as great as we think, so we should be grateful to just make it to a quarterfinal?

Really seem to be trying to convince ourselves that it's okay that NDSU has not only passed us but we're 10 miles in the rear view mirror.

[ronfitch]

Re: **Game Thread NDSU--quarterfinals**

So, the argument is that our past success really wasn't as great as we think, so we should be grateful to just make it to a quarterfinal?

Really seem to be trying to convince ourselves that it's okay that NDSU has not only passed us but we're 10 miles in the rear view mirror.

Nope. I don't see that sentiment anywhere on this board. I do see a lot of frustration, but never contentment. We all want to see this program win a NC.