North Dakota Fighting Sioux

[walleyek]

I had a beer the other night with a buddy's little brother (a not so little 310lb center) who just played 4 years at North Dakota. He said this year's team is something special and thinks they'll win the D2 title. Of course, gossip is gossip, but when I see 5Dimes offering them at +15 against Pittsburg State Saturday I have to take notice.

 

[hawkeye]

I watched Pitt State defeat Colorado Mines-they are big fast and their QB is a horse who can run well.

 

[Spalding]

Alright! Finally a thread about my boys! :clap: I am willing to keep this thread going as long as people want to talk about it. I went to UND and lived in GF for 22 years so I know a bit about them.

First off---it is the Classic Game of #1 Offense vs. #1 Defense in the country. This Pitt State offense is something to talk about. They are averaging about 60 point a game I believe! They run the option and power game, will spread you out just to keep you honest though. When the going gets tough, they turn to the veer option. All two-back option. QB is 6'4-256 lbs and fast. Decent passer. Doesn't usually have to pass though. This game he will. Running back has 2000 yards and is explosive.

UND runs a 3-4 defense that was put in to stop the Veer Option attack of NDSU. Well they stopped it and now teams know better against them. The weakness is the short, quick throwing game and that is nowhere to be found in this game. UND beat Pitt 38-0 in Grand Forks in 2001. They also beat them 24-14 last year in GF. Both game were in the playoffs. Bigtime revenge factor for Pitt! At home also, very tough to win there. UND's D plays at least 2 guys at all position throughout the game, and the Outside Linebackers, which are the key to the 3-4, play 3 deep at each position.

I am still trying to figure out what is gonna happen but I will stop back off and on with some more insight!!

Spalding :clap:

 

[gman2]

north dakota needed a big 4th quarter rally to get past grand valley last week. gvsu pretty much won the battle in every category except the final score (which is the most important of course) but im not sure UND can score enough to stay in this one. one thing i will say is that UND is damn tough vs the run. this is the 2nd straight yr they shut down grand valleys run, and if you can do that, youre pretty damn good on D

 

[Spalding]

You are right Gman, they did need a big rally last weekend! I was at the game. Grand Valley is as vanilla as you can be on offense so UND did do a good job, yes, but this offense we are gonna see is anything but vanilla!

Grand Valley did not win every category though. UND ran on them in the second half pretty good. GV got one long TD run that this little quick guy broke for them that inflated their numbers for rushing. Two of UND's interceptions were long passes on 3rd down that they just chucked up to the heavens and ended up being the best punts they had all day!!

I honestly cannot figure out if UND can slow them down enough to stay with them. The X-factor of this game is UND's offense. If they can do anything in a sustained drive type of fashion, UND has a real shot! Pitt is not gonna score 40 points. UND has got to move the ball and keep them off the field. If they 3 and out it a bunch and Pitt gets on top like 14-0 or something, ITS OVER! They are very good Front-runners! Not so good when they have to pass!

Spalding

 

[Another Steve]

Minot State Beavers Attendee here. Like to see good ole No Dak mentioned. Wish I could make a Play, Local doesn't offer the Play.

Will watch the Game, think it will shown somewhere.

 

[genosays]

Would like to see this game available at Pinnacle .... maybe will be closer to game time Saturday .... Pitt State -15 is pretty steep, but the Gorillas have been pretty dominant this year .... as mentioned above they have big revenge for ND and somehow don't think they can be stopped .... take my opinion with a grain of salt though as I know nothing about North Dakota but have seen Pitt play this year and they are fun to watch .... good luck and here's to hoping this game comes up at Pinnacle before game-time .... what other books besides 5Dimes has this game on the board now??

 

[Spalding]

Minot State Beavers Attendee here. Like to see good ole No Dak mentioned. Wish I could make a Play, Local doesn't offer the Play.

Will watch the Game, think it will shown somewhere.

Minot State Beaver Alum on the madjack board! :clap: I thought I was the only Nodaker on here! It is gonna be tough sleddin for the Sioux but if any team is gonna slow em down it is gonna be UND. It sure as hell isn't gonna be Valdosta or West Chester, whoever the hell that is. If Pitt wins, hand em the title cause those other two are a joke.

Anyone else from around the Kansas City or just Kansas area feel free to chime in with any help you can give!

 

[Spalding]

Well it is gameday and it is time to get it on for the Sioux and the Gorillas! This is a homer pick to say the least but I gotta pick UND.

UND Fighting Sioux +14.5

GL to anyone else who wants to jump on with me! It is available at 5dimes.

 

[Bigdog4242]

Good to see everyone talking about this game also!!! I am also a UND ALUM and can't wait for this game. I think Spalding did a pretty good job explaining the UND D against the PITT ST O.

BUT the real X factor in this game is the QB for ND. Last week you saw a Senior QB Bowenkamp in there for the FH and he didn't fair to well and then the Sophmore Belmore came in to start the Second half and was able to lead the troops for the victory.

If Belmore plays the whole game UND will cover and win may win outright!!!!(I HOPE THEY DO!!!) But if Bowenkamp plays it will be a long day for SIOUX fans.

Spalding give me a call when you get a chance.

GO SIOUX!!

 

[Spalding]

Well, it was bittersweet boys. The Sioux lost to Pitt 31-19 but they got the cover. Great game to watch, came up short! :clap:

 

[gman2]

nice job on the spread spalding.

is it me, or is there a lot more interest in I-AA and II football than the books think? they should hang more lines on these games. there is good football being played at these levels. hell, they put lines out on some really obscure college hoops games. no reason they cant put more I-A and II lines out for the bettors

 

[Spalding]

Pitt is a hell of a team Gman. For those of you who do not know, they broke the all-time record for all divisions (including 1-A) for most points scored in a season and most yards in a season.
The team averages 59.6 points and 629.5 yards per game.

Great point---Yes there is really good football at the D2 and D1-AA level and yes I wish they would add more of them in during the regular season. I did Very Well betting 1-AA this year through 5dimes.

Looks like UND is looking at going 1-AA and joining the Big Sky along with NDSU. That would awesome! Could bet on them every week!

 

[bjfinste]

I have friends that went to D3 schools like Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-La Crosse that are in friggin' fantasy football and basketball leagues with just the WIAC schools. And even though they're only like $15 leagues, they are INTENSE. I'm sure those guys would bet every week on those games if they offered lines.

Spalding- would South Dakota State go with the NDSU and the Sioux to the Big Sky? I spoke at length with the AD of SDSU when their move was being discussed, and I know that the Big Sky had been an option, but the travel was a big issue with schools like NAU and Sac State having to travel to to places like Brookings and Fargo.

I would think a league with the two NoDaks, the two SoDaks, the two Montanas would make a lot of sense, at least geographically. Then throw in some combo of Idaho State, Eastern Washington and Weber State. Hell, Wyoming would actually be a great fit there, but can't see them leaving the WAC for the Big Sky.