30 games in under a year?

[tony]

Knock on wood, but if NDSU wins two more championships, that's something like 30 games in 10 months.

What can NDSU do not to destroy our players in the process?

This seems like something that the NCAA might want to weigh in on to put some sort of "number of plays or games" limit on players.

[bisonaudit]

Knock on wood, but if NDSU wins two more championships, that's something like 30 games in 10 months.

What can NDSU do not to destroy our players in the process?

This seems like something that the NCAA might want to weigh in on to put some sort of "number of plays or games" limit on players.

My initial take is I’m not terribly concerned. The off season will be shorter which could create depth problems related to serious injuries because players won’t have enough time for a full recovery and rehab. That’s a legitimate concern. But the break is substantial enough I don’t think i’d Expect a material increase in soft tissue or fatigue related injuries. Maybe I’m way off base with that? And teams should have more players at their disposal because of the eligibility rule changes.

[El_Chapo]

these are 18-22 year olds in top physical prime shape. I don't understand the coddling. They will be fine.

[runtheoption]

My initial take is I’m not terribly concerned. The off season will be shorter which could create depth problems related to serious injuries because players won’t have enough time for a full recovery and rehab. That’s a legitimate concern. But the break is substantial enough I don’t think i’d Expect a material increase in soft tissue or fatigue related injuries. Maybe I’m way off base with that? And teams should have more players at their disposal because of the eligibility rule changes.

You are not off-base. If we make the championship game, that means they will play the last game on May 15 or May 16. The players getting the most workload will get their 2 weeks of active recovery/active rest and get after it starting in early June. They will get a solid 8 weeks of strength & conditioning training before starting fall camp. Those needing off-season surgery will probably be SOL, but that's where Kramer working with the freshman and others getting limited game reps all spring will be very very important to the fall campaign.

I think we'll be fine.

[Professor Chaos]

It should help this spring at least that they'll be able to play all true freshman (2020 recruits) as many games as they want and still retain the same eligibility clock for them. There's a potential they could play 12 straight weeks of games from 2/21 to 5/15 and even if they delay the start of the 2021 fall season I'm sure there's going to be some players injured in the spring that could've gotten back in a normal offseason but won't be able to this year. Depth will be tested as much as it ever has.

[Gully]

I think it will be ok but they do need to leverage their depth. Any time they get some separation, start subbing aggressively. Of all FCS teams, NDSU is best positioned to handle this.

[Bison03]

I dont play college football but I would think with off season and fall camp modifications, teams will be able to adjust. I could see the discussion of 2021 season being delayed a month, but I see that likelyhood being small.

[Kevin]

Maybe an easy solution is expanding the number of games freshmen are allowed to play without using a year of eligibility. Just for that season, I think 4 is plenty in a normal year.

[THEsocalledfan]

Maybe an easy solution is expanding the number of games freshmen are allowed to play without using a year of eligibility. Just for that season, I think 4 is plenty in a normal year.

You already have an entire year that will not count. I assume NDSU will be well above the maximum of 63 scholies next fall; we will need it for depth.

[Kevin]

You already have an entire year that will not count. I assume NDSU will be well above the maximum of 63 scholies next fall; we will need it for depth.

An entire year doesn't really help when you're cramming two seasons into one. Depth will be the issue. Letting the new class coming in take a fair share of the snaps will help.