Since UND moved to Division I football last season, the Sioux have had one thing going for them.
Their home games have come largely against lesser-division teams they were expected to beat. Sioux fans show up, watch their favorite team win and leave happy. Just like the old Division II days.
Texas A&M-Kingsville? No problem; Sioux dominate 40-14, UND's "first" win as a D-I program; Division III Wisconsin-LaCrosse? UND wins 45-7. Thanks for not spoiling the Potato Bowl.
But that's all about to change.
UND on Saturday will play No. 18 Cal Poly, which will be the best Sioux opponent to play in the Alerus Center since it opened in 2001.
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For the first time in the Alerus, UND will not be favored to win on its home field.
Get used to that. There likely will be a few more teams that will come into the Alerus Center in the next couple of years that will be bigger, faster, stronger -- and likely walk away with a win.
It will remain that way until UND stabilizes its move to Division I football.
The 3-4 Sioux have lost their last two games, to Sioux Falls of the NAIA and to fellow Great West Conference member Southern Utah.
Sioux Falls caught UND by surprise. No question about that. It's a loss that still stings and won't quit hurting for some time.
Southern Utah's advantage was depth. The same was true during UND's 65-31 loss at Stephen F. Austin, although the FCS world is finding out the Lumberjacks may have as much talent and skill as any team in the country.
Depth will be UND's biggest issue as it moves through its transition to full Division I FCS status.
Next year, UND will be exceptionally young. It's conceivable that roughly half of UND's roster could be freshmen and redshirt freshmen. The Sioux lose 18 seniors from this year's team, which will be favored in only one of its remaining four games.
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It's going to take time to build to a competitive level of FCS play, similar to the one that existed during the Division II glory years.
It's going to require patience from a fan base that has expected winning seasons and championships for the last decade.
But the reality is that UND football lives in a what-have-you-done-for-me-now world.
So does nearly every other program that's had success in recent years.
It's going to take UND coaches time to build recruiting networks. The Upper Midwest is still UND's prime recruiting area. The muscle will still come from the same area as before but the program's arms and legs will have to come from elsewhere.
UND is now playing programs that recruit the South, California, Louisiana and Texas. The talent pool is a lot deeper in those areas.
As UND distances itself from the Division II days and moves forward in Division I, there is a risk in losing some of the Sioux fan base. Unfamiliar opponents and no more championship thrills could drive some UND fans elsewhere.
The attendance at UND's last two home games was down; perhaps a sign that the buzz about UND football isn't as loud as it's been in the past.
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There was a considerable buzz after UND's strong showing at Texas Tech in the season opener.
But one game doesn't define a season, especially one that requires more travel, more depth and more talent.
Saturday's game won't define UND's season, either, even if the Sioux upset the Mustangs.
The game simply will reveal where the Sioux have to go to reach the next level.
And the journey will take some time.
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
