NDSU 31.........GOPHERS 17... Lets hear your prediction!!!

[TommyJ33]

BISON ROEHL over Gophers!

Too bad we won't get to play UNI this year.

[PierBridge]

Whats the deal with that when to do they get to play for something in the post season?

[MuskieMojoTackle]

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Whats the deal with that when to do they get to play for something in the post season?

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I believe next year they are eligible for post season play?

Pretty strange, the best team in the country not even in the playoffs

[LMITOUT]

It's due to the mandatory five-year transition period between D2 and D1-AA where they cannot participate in post-season play (NCAA rules). It's unfortunate since they are doing so well this year, but hopefully this isn't the peak of their program and they'll have that chance for a D1-AA championship soon.

[iffwalleyes]

NDSU has always had a strong program. They have 5 national championships in D2 I believe. They were down the years I attended school there aka (The Bob Babich years). Since coach Bohls took over the program has come back into its old form once again. They are a great team and they will continue. Lots of great players on the team. It sucks they can compete in post season as I think there might be another national championship in the works. But it is just part of this next step. I for one hope the gophers will consider making it a annual deal. I realize it really doesn't benefit the Gophers to play NDSU and that is probably why it won't happen again. But I think it is great for NDSU.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, I was there during the "lean" years as well, but got to see them win the Nickel up in a cold Grand Forks in '95 I believe. Great time.

This definitely isn't the peak in the history of the football program, but it is of their new D1-AA status and with wins like we saw last weekend it should help in recruiting for the future.

[hanson]

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I realize it really doesn't benefit the Gophers to play NDSU and that is probably why it won't happen again. But I think it is great for NDSU.

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How does it NOT benefit the Gophers?

60,000+ fans in the Metrodome equals $$$$!

Ticket sales, concessions, shirts, hats, etc.

A lot of money coming into the city of Minneapolis as well in hotel rooms, gas, bar tabs, restaurant meals, etc.

Anyone know what the attendance is for the other Gopher home games?

[so haaad]

The attendance for Gopher games really varies depending on the opponent. At the NDSU game, I think it was 53,000 or so. I'd say that most games it's more like 40,000 - 50,000. I personally liked the UM-NDSU matchup because it's an entertaining border battle. But it does more for NDSU than UM. Sure this matchup brings in a few more fans, but it doesn't do much for UM's recruiting or recognition. You ever wonder why the U played Bowling Green (Ohio) or Florida Atlantic? It's because those are football hot spots in the recruiting world. I would rather see a non-conference game against a team like Texas Tech, Tulsa or Central Florida. If it's a border battle that they are after, then I would schedule a UM/Iowa State matchup because they are both at the same level. And that's not a knock against NDSU.

[Northlander]

And when the gophers lost it killed their recruiting chances with anybody worth having.

[Pointer_Pride]

The loss amazingly has not had a noticeably negative effect. Right after the loss they recieved a commit from a four star(scale of 1-5) WR from Chicago. The gophers are also considered leaders for the second best dual-threat QB in the nation. IF we get some more on defense it will be a great class compared to the dump mason was bringing in. Brewster is doing his thing.

[LMITOUT]

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At the NDSU game, I think it was 53,000 or so.

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63,088.

[fishyguy]

I believe the 63,000+ number is what I heard also. As many from both sides have stated before it is a no win situation for the Gophers and a no lose situation for the Bison.

I realize the money was brought by the green horde but remember the little green guys also walked away with $300K after whipping our butts.

[PierBridge]

It's a fun game I wouldn't mind having it every year....but it makes no sense at all for the Gophers to play them.

Nothing can be gained from it in the Gophers attempt to have a succesful Football program which at this point is a big pipe dream and probably will never happen....

Go Gophers!

[LMITOUT]

I don't know why they couldn't play NDSU in one of their early season filler games just to keep the interest going. It's obviously a game that gets people's attention due to the regional match up and proximity of the two programs.

If not NDSU, then they are going to schedule some hyphenated team from across the country that is barely D1-A anyway, so why not bring in the crowds and fill the inflatible toilet to capacity once early in the season? Playing Kent State, Ball State, Illinois State, Toledo, or FAU is hardly going to get the attention of potential recruits anyway. They are going to schedule cupcakes regardless of what Brewster says because it's their best shot of getting into a crappy bowl game, and eventually the tide will turn and they will beat up on the NDSU's again, so it might as well be the Bison on the schedule to keep the regional interest going. They've got the Axe, Jug, and Pig trophies so why not get one going with NDSU. It might be the only one they get to keep on campus on a regular basis in the future.

[PierBridge]

The Red River Border Battle Jug...sounds good to me.

Actually we are getting a New on campus Outdoor Stadium not sure if you guys could handle the outdoor elements...it stays pretty toasty in your Minny Dome...

Like I said I'd like to see it happen but I just don't think it's in the cards..

[LMITOUT]

Well, all those championship years that the Bison had were played on good ol' Dakota Field....outdoors ma boy.

But then again with that many MN players on the Bison roster, and they can't handle the cold Fargo fall/winters like those ND boys can, maybe a dome is a good thing.

[hanson]

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...it stays pretty toasty in your Minny Dome...

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Actually its more like a big machine shed, keeps the farmboys comfortable. A Dome would be technically round.

[so haaad]

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They've got the Axe, Jug, and Pig trophies so why not get one going with NDSU.

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What would the trophy be??? A giant buffalo chip??? Wait! It would be the battle of the Red, so it's gotta be... A GIANT CATFISH!!! I know Hansen agrees with me.

[tims]

Well NDSU lost the last game of the season to SOUTH DAKOTA STATE. Im happy because I played for SDSU. This post however, is just to prove my point. The difference from the bigger schools to the smaller schools is smaller than people think. SDSU lost to UWL(d3)last year. SDSU won the conference this year with the win.

This brings up another question in another post. Could the Johnnies or UWL beat the Gophers? Probably. The Gophers by the way, competed with the 24th ranked Badgers closer today than they did the 2 previous years with the Bison. The Gophers are letting lots of instate talent slip by to the smaller schools, who are outperforming them.

[PierBridge]

Gongrats to the Jack Rabitts!

North Dakota is going to join the Bison and Rabbitts in D1 "1AA" next year right?

[papabear]

Well with the Bison-Sioux game back on NDSU has no reason to play MN. That was the oldest longest running rivalry in sports until SU went D1. MN has nothing to compare with it. So I guess the Battle for Ole's Spitoon will have to be put on hold. Heck the Crystal Bowl would be more competitive.