There are so many different ways to judge a season. A conference title is primary to many. Improvement, a winning record, even laying the foundation for success in the future also are big to many programs.
For every North Dakota State or Eastern Washington or Sam Houston State smack dab in the FCS national title picture, there are even more teams toiling farther down their conference standings working toward achieving their goals.
And the goals are forever changing.
North Dakota (5-7, 3-5 Big Sky) - In the largest FCS conference (13 teams), nobody is paying attention to UND, but they should. Coach Bubba Schweigert had a strong defense in his first season and returns eight starters to the unit, including senior linebacker Will Ratelle after he posted the program's first 100-tackle season since 2004. The big factor is whether UND can improve an offense that averaged only 15.9 points per game. Three quarterbacks - Joe Mollberg, Ryan Bartels and Keaton Studsrud - started at least two games each. Running back Ja'Won Arrington (UAB transfer) and wide receiver Clives Georges (Arizona transfer) should be important additions to the offense. Pivotal Game: North Dakota's defense has a chance to make a statement on Oct. 10 when it hosts high-scoring Idaho State.
For every North Dakota State or Eastern Washington or Sam Houston State smack dab in the FCS national title picture, there are even more teams toiling farther down their conference standings working toward achieving their goals.
And the goals are forever changing.
North Dakota (5-7, 3-5 Big Sky) - In the largest FCS conference (13 teams), nobody is paying attention to UND, but they should. Coach Bubba Schweigert had a strong defense in his first season and returns eight starters to the unit, including senior linebacker Will Ratelle after he posted the program's first 100-tackle season since 2004. The big factor is whether UND can improve an offense that averaged only 15.9 points per game. Three quarterbacks - Joe Mollberg, Ryan Bartels and Keaton Studsrud - started at least two games each. Running back Ja'Won Arrington (UAB transfer) and wide receiver Clives Georges (Arizona transfer) should be important additions to the offense. Pivotal Game: North Dakota's defense has a chance to make a statement on Oct. 10 when it hosts high-scoring Idaho State.