Gameday at North Dakota

[DustRunner]

The issue of the defense with PSU has usually come down to the offense. Yes they gave up a lot of yards they shouldn't have, but on the other hand, the defensive unit had to play virtually all of the 3rd quarter because the offense can't get first downs. So it's shared blame for both units in my opinion.

 

[HornyVike]

The issue of the defense with PSU has usually come down to the offense. Yes they gave up a lot of yards they shouldn't have, but on the other hand, the defensive unit had to play virtually all of the 3rd quarter because the offense can't get first downs. So it's shared blame for both units in my opinion.

Eh, I think more of the reason the defense played the whole third quarter was because we couldn't stop UND on third and long 5 different times. Which is infuriating since UND has been regarded as the worst Big Sky offense this year and were playing their second string quarterback.

 

[Grant H]

Can I just say it for everyone? F*ck being a fan of this team!!! I'm so sick of investing, hoping something good will happen, but having been conditioned to know that it never will. Burton has had 5 years, if he was going to make something happen it would've!

Either hire a new coach or let football die at PSU. The former is a sad prospect, but honestly it's better than the feeling I get from tracking this failing team.

 

[VikThunder]

Nigel Burton's big signature win this year was UC Davis. They were beat at home today by Montana State 77-37.

 

[VikHoops]

I realize nobody is going to agree with this, but.... I say keep Burton.

1) My negative take on things: This year does feel like a train wreck right now, but if they get a new coaching staff, we'll have 2 or 3 more years of a new coach and everyone saying "These are not his recruits. Wait a couple of years." and "Be patient. We're such a young team." We heard it when Glanville and Burton came in. Like it or not, they can't financially afford a new coach. I think they live or die with Burton. PSU also can't afford to wait any more years. Realistically, there may not be 3 more years of football.

2) My slightly more positive take on things: If Justin Gonzales was a Viking last season, they are most likely a playoff team. Would this conversation be different if that had happened...

 

[bigskyconf]

I realize nobody is going to agree with this, but.... I say keep Burton.

1) My negative take on things: This year does feel like a train wreck right now, but if they get a new coaching staff, we'll have 2 or 3 more years of a new coach and everyone saying "These are not his recruits. Wait a couple of years." and "Be patient. We're such a young team." We heard it when Glanville and Burton came in. Like it or not, they can't financially afford a new coach. I think they live or die with Burton. PSU also can't afford to wait any more years. Realistically, there may not be 3 more years of football.

2) My slightly more positive take on things: If Justin Gonzales was a Viking last season, they are most likely a playoff team. Would this conversation be different if that had happened...

I still think we need to go to a conventional pistol attack, if that is the style of offense we are using, and shelve this "hybrid" junk. The pistol has been demonstrated to be very effective when used correctly and Burton supposedly said this was the offense we were going to use when he came from Nevada (where Chris Ault developed it). I guess, similar to what I'm hearing with the Blazers regarding Aldridge, we need to see if Burton has progressed as far as he's going to progress here and, if so, he needs to go. If Barnum is the one who has pushed for this "hybrid", he definitely needs to go. But, more importantly, and what you hinted at, if Burton is replaced, we need someone who knows the pistol to keep continuity in the program and not do a 180 like we've done many times before. We were ball-control under Walsh, went to a passing run and shoot under Glanville and now we are a pistol (hybrid-pistol whatever that is) under Burton. Three distinct offenses requiring three distinct types of personnel (three distinct styles of recruiting), and all requiring a certain amount of time to get those kids here. You are right, the feeling is there isn't much time left.