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I was listening earlier to the SMU radio broadcast and it was almost embarrassing. One broadcaster is decent (guy from the Ticket), while the other guy sounds like he should be broadcasting High School football. I don't think we realize how lucky we are to have George and Hank, I would put them up against anyone. The football broadcasts are top notch. Thanks George and Hank, we appreciate all you do!!

Its still higher on the meter than your opinion.

It is well known that the folded umbrella is more likely to be used as a weapon than one that is in its open and most vulnerable phase. The folded umbrella can be wielded as a spike, spear or poison delivery system, as in the case of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, murdered at a London bus stop in 1978 with a ricin-filled dart hidden in an umbrella's ferrule by a person unknown, mostly likely someone linked to the KGB and the Bulgarian secret police. The opened umbrella, encountered most often during a rainy or snowy interlude, is more of an annoyance than a danger, in large part because its holder is unable to see the victim and can only flail and poke with little more than comic effect while the victim runs away unseen and unscathed. In addition, opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck to its holder. Thus the potential offender, unable to realize the umbrella's killing force when it is opened during a rainy football game, chooses to fold the umbrella upon entering the coliseum door for basketball and has at the ready, complete with the disarmingly quaint drips falling on the terrazzo, an implement of doom. Ergo, from the standpoints of law enforcement and international security, the opened umbrella outdoors is always to be preferred over the folded one within.

Did ya hear that on the Armed Forces Bowl...."And how about the Sun Belt." Go Mean Green Build the Belt

Arr, victors we will be. /Pirate talk inspired by the thread title

Everyone has outdrawn TSU-SM. And I thougth they travelled so well.

Goes for 30 against Lincoln to win Dallas Coca Cola tournament. Won tournament MVP

You are correct - which is why there is no way to tell if either one of you will actually be moving up. FAU, FIU, WKU, and soon to be USA all came up to FBS with the help of the Belt but they had to pay their dues by hitting all the other marks, too. I think that everyone should have to put their best efforts into a move up - simply being sponsored by a "bona-fide" conference sounds a little too easy. It has taken us a decade to stabilize but we are finally in the position to be picky about who we invite to the party. I wish you luck - you are going to need a few things to go your way. For football, the FBS rules have to change, the moratorium will need to expire, and you will need a new interpretation of the continuation rule (for non-football related matters)... The MWC did not get a free pass when they broke away from the WAC and I doubt that the WAC will get a free pass this time. I think that the WAC will "kind of" survive; but will lose their auto bids (for every sport) - the WAC will also not be recognized as an FBS conference which means you will not get a piece of the BCS pie other than the same half-unit split that Army and Navy get. The WAC will also need to find a television package - I imagine it will be a lot like the Belt's - which is not much of anything. You will also need to find a bowl game. The Hawaii Bowl is going to the MWC, the Boise Bowl will likely shut down, The Fight Hunger Bowl is only available as a backup every other year, and the New Mexico Bowl has dropped the WAC. With the amount of bowl games these days - that might work out to your advantage. Who wants to go to Boise, anyway? Negotiating in the free market could be a better setup for the Texas WAC schools (and La Tech) due to geography. Basically, you will be a collection of schools that have banded together for scheduling purposes. A lot like the Great West was for some wandering FCS schools. But you might finally accomplish the mission of the "Drive" and make it to FBS. I am so split on this. I want TSU@SM to make it - but UTSA just rubs me the wrong way. The "Runners" have about 15 ignorant dorky "fans" but they like to talk like they have 15K.

The healthiest relationships always start with waffling and sharp ultimatums.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26cohen.html?_r=1&ref=opinion The Global Warming crowd never gives up their agenda.

Scout.com: Uncommitted JUCO DT's. Rivals These are the JUCO DT's listed as uncommitted.

Yes. GMG will always allow us be as stupid as we want to be.

I agree we should draw a hard, firm deadline. It should be January 15th. Until then, as long as he's available... We sort of have to hope that he ultimately does decide to follow through and sign with us. The coaching staff has decided (and that's usually an unimpeachable final decision for you) that this kid shouldn't be given an ultimatum. And if there's anyone else out there remotely in his league (or even both potentially interested AND worthy of a D-1 scholarship), they haven't found them or decided it's worth abandoning the hope to settle for Plan B. Again... We sort of went through this with Shavod Atkinson. And I remember back in 1998, there was a huge article (more than half a page) in the Dallas Morning News where Spencer Stack was whining about how we were the only D-1 school to even offer him a scholarship despite his stats and the state championship. Even after he's already committed, he was complaining in print about how nobody else was interested and he felt insulted that we were his only D-1 option. This sort of stuff happens. It has happened in the past, it's happening now, it'll happen in the future. I don't care if we're a last option, so long as the talented guys end up here, play well, and represent the school appropriately. I hope the day comes when immediate starter DTs are trying to elbow each other out of the way to sign LOIs with us. But trying to act like that day is already here does nothing but hurt the team. Fortunately, the coaches don't seem to share that perspective.

The scientists who push it are just whores. Politicians are now paying for that kind of research. If they started giving grants for global cooling, they'd all be whoring for global cooling. I've always been skeptical of a global warming. But, I'm even more skeptical of people who claim to be above the fray in the pursuit of putting more money in their pockets. Scientists aren't anymore above greed and lust for fame those in any other profession. The research dollar these days is driven by global warming theories, so that's where they get on the corner and show their gartered thighs - the hussies.

Agreed. AGREED. The MWC spends more, succeeds at a higher level, and carries more national respect than C-USA. Don't get me wrong... I'd definitely take C-USA over the Sun Belt. But too many people here still get their dick hard fantasizing about potentially hobnobbing with the butt-scraping bottom of the old SWC and a bunch of private schools. Even the "regional" advantages are blown way out of proportion. I can't help but laugh a little every time I read about how being in a conference with other Texas schools like UTEP makes C-USA such a great fit for us. Because El Paso is the same road trip as Mobile, Alabama, just in the opposite direction. So much of the griping and complaining about or athletics programs centers on either a perceived disrespect from other institutions or perceived inferiority complexes among our leadership and alumni. So why are so many people here hoping dreaming wishing pining for a chance to maybe beg our way into a league with a bunch of do nothing shitsacks (and Memphis) who will see us as a tagalong lesser program, instead of hoping we can JUMP OVER ALL OF THEM to a better conference affiliation altogether? Even with the TCU/Utah/BYU departures, the Mountain West is DRAMATICALLY better in both football and basketball than Conference USA. If there's any way to get in there, we ought to be trying to batter down the door day and night.

MWC > CUSA Let us shoot for the MWC.

Good greif seriously? Yes they graduated from NT but they work for SMU and UT respectively. Rich Phillips has been the play by play for SMU for a really long time....so yes he will be a fan of theirs. He doesn't put NT down. As for Craig Way I can't say I know a ton about him but he's the play by play for UT...so automatically he will have some sort of rooting interest for UT which is understandable and common sense. Your dogging of Rich Phillips and Craig way is a complete joke.

http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=1091980&SPID=3802&SPSID=42968 MAC football has two teams in top 25 rankings in Bowling Green and Northern Illinois Steve, the link above is what was going on in the MAC in the SBC's first year of operation. The headline at the top shown here and the link tells it all. Also, we've had not one Top 25 SBC school ranking (when I think we should have in the past) during the season when MAC schools seemed to be making obvious impressions with some sportswriters? (Hey, I'm pulling for the SBC to have similar Top 25 rankings already). I think Troy a few years ago should have been Top 25 maybe for 2 seasons or more but the same sportswriters who have put 2 MAC teams in the Top 25 at one time were not around for us when I think Troy was as Top 25 worthy, too, did not vote for the Trojans for whatever reason. No conspiracy here, just sayin' what I've been see'in with the MAC other years they also had Top 25 school rankings as well. Bottom Line: I feel the SBC has had schools in past years that could have probably beaten some of those ranked MAC teams. Just my .02 GMG!

Just because they are wearing black jerseys, you think they look better? Or are you just an smu fan? I love the excuse for wearing them. We want to honor our opponents. Well, they certainly are honoring them...by spotting them 16 points and turning the ball over. GO ARMY! CRUSH smut!

I'm a big fan of black jerseys and think our Kelly Green looks great with them, but SMU's new bowl uniform is hideous. Not to mention the helmets clash with the entire thing. Fugly. Can't believe Army is dominating this game. Can't believe I put money on the over....

Mirror match?

Srsly? Dumbest most stupidest thread of ever.

Nothing of SMU's is better than ours!!! Pony Down! Go Army!!!

And if we don't win by 20 points, JJ should walk the plank!

UTEP doesn't have baseball either. Why do you think that they would choose a smaller market over the DFW market as neither have baseball? By the way, SMU also is without baseball.

Can we? Will we?

Panhandle outdrew UTA and Texas State. Should we refuse to play UTA and TSU?

Umbrella Talk - A new off-season low on the who gives a S meter?

Silver, sounds like you never went to a game! Between talking to your Brother-in-Law and reading media guides, your sources have you confused. Yes, most SWC schools and others incorrectly assumed that African American kids could not play quarterback. Most kids that played the position in HS were quickly converted to WR or DB. (Fact) Can you name 2 other African American quarterbacks around the entire country during that era? Hell, there were probably more D1 African American head coaches than quarterback. Hayden Fry recruited Jerry Levias to SMU as the first African American to play in the SWC. He also became one of the best of all times. This wasn't about keeping his word but getting the best players on the field in their right positions. Ken Washington was a Pro-Style quarterback (5-11 height) who rarely ran the ball; unless absolutely necessary. (This continues to be a stereotype with black quarterbacks). Ken was not a speedster (4.65) but could buy time, until a man came open. Ken could also tuck the ball and get the necessary yards for a 1st down. He always had the poise to stay with the play. My initial post/point was to help dispel the thought that we should not offer a scholarship to someone who alternated and/or backed up another. Jordan Case was the perfect example I used. I don't know why you chose to knock Ken Washington with false and inaccurate information. If anyone saw Ken play there is no way in hell would they come away thinking this guy undisciplined! Totally False! I mentioned my past relationship with Joe Stevenson to point out that despite our relationship; he was, in my opinion, not in Ken Washington's league. Now Joe was often undisciplined; thinking that his arm could get him out of situations. Anyway, I'm through with this topic. Ken Washington was inducted into the NT Hall of Fame long before most QB's before and after him. He also, as stated earlier, was the best QB in HS. (in my opinion) Coach Fry, as in most cases, was brilliant in seeing something others didn’t or refuse to. The rest became Mean Green history.

Addazzio went to Temple and took his old buddy. On the bright side, it was a glorious 20 day run.

It takes a while to cool the court after 94 feet of heat...

I wouldn't be inclined to give him a time frame, but I would let him know that I was not sitting around waiting for his call (or faxed documents). I would let him know that I was going to go about the business of signing (JUCO and HS) players who REALLY WANTED TO BE AT NORTH TEXAS, and that I hoped that we would still have a ship available when he finally made up his mind.

Is that how it go, Ron?

The answer is 4. 4 replies before someone could tie a 2010 Defensive Tackle recruit back to Hayden Fry. This could be fun, I think I will start to track this.

I only queried JUCO DT's, since we need immediate help, but I would expect us to sign a couple of HS DT's also.

The Rivals site also has the HS DT's listed. I did notice we have an offer extended to Johnny Hubbard from A Maceo Smith (in Dallas).

I agree that going into the MWC is a reach but it is possible. Even if the MWC only gives us the slightest glance or sniff it will be because of the Media Market in DFW. Right now DirecTV carries the Mountain for free (or at least on one of its most inexpensive tiers) for the DFW area because of TCU being a local team. Since TCU is leaving there goes DFW. The Mountain will be moved up to a higher subscription tier which means that their customer/viewing base in DFW will be severely hit. This matters because with a lower number of viewers they cant sell their spots for commercials for as much money, meaning less advertising revenue. That is why I think the MWC will look at adding a DFW team or Houston because of the media market, they need something that they can sell to advertisers and other companies to help offset the loss of TCU. What hurts UNT in my opinion is that we don't have any baseball. This means that for the most part our sports stop in March once basketball is over. I know that there are still some other stuff going on, such as track, but the Mountain wants to broadcast games so that they can again, sell advertising. Without baseball we don't really offer the Mountain anything to keep their viewers in spring/summer. Meaning that they will effectively loose the DFW market for over a 3rd of the year if they chose us right now. This also hurts SMU since they don't have baseball either. That is why I think that if the MWC wants to add 2 teams from Texas, UTEP and UH will be chosen not UNT. But that's cool because that would leave a slot or two open for UNT, LaTECH and NMSU to fight over and I like our chances against those 2. Just my 2 cents.

Yet the major thing the MAC still seems to have over the 'Belt is they have a coalition of sportswriters who will vote one of their better teams into a Top 25 poll whereas we have not been successful getting poll'sters to vote for one of our best teams in the past for a spot in the Top 25. I think Troy would have been one of those who could have been Top 25 looking at how competitive they used to play OOC teams and I also think for the MAC and SBC its all about what you do against the better OOC teams. Not real impressive to poll voters when you come into conference play 0 & 5, 1 & 4, etc. and so forth. GMG!

Said it before but all this North Texas business will either drive you to the juice or religion. Lets all act like we of North Texas ain't interested in the slightest in the Mountain West Conference so another school so near and dear to our heats will not be either, OK? GMG!

Message boards don't dictate much. We have a wheeler and dealer in college sports as our president, a new stadium, and an AQ level football coaching staff. Also a decent BB program. It's not that these things guarantee our entry to anything, it's that those plus our location, plus the lack of options, make it a possibility. If the MWC wants to expand to twelve, their options are: SJSU, Idaho, NMSU, USU, La Tech, UTEP, SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Houston, Texas State-SM, UTSA, and North Texas: SJSU seems like they are strapped financially. Idaho brings nothing that Boise doesn't, and Boise probably doesn't want them in the same conference. The Lobos would shit bricks if they were in the same conference as NMSU. USU is an option. La Tech is too far away and even worse once you're off the plane. UTEP seems to be happy with CUSA, but they could be an option. Same goes for SMU, Tulsa, and Rice. Houston is banking on a Big East invite, and I don't see them leaving a conference they helped found to pretty much move lateraly. TSUSM is too far behind in both sports, and UTSA doesn't have a football team. Also, adding FCS schools would look weak. North Texas has been down in football, up in basketball, and has had decent attendance (for a SBC school) for a few years now. So looking at that list, you realistically have: USU, UTEP, SMU, Tulsa, Rice, and North Texas. Assuming that there's not a lot of benefit for any of the CUSA schools in going west, then it would pretty much be down to USU and North Texas for the remaining two spots. It's not a slam dunk. All most rational people are saying is that if the MWC goes to 12, and if the CUSA schools stand pat, then we stand just as good if not better of a chance than NMSU, Idaho, and SJSU.

Who cares, build the Sunbelt. The Belt has a legitimate chance to go 3-0 against the MAC during this Bowl Season. The Mountain didn't do anything for TCU that they couldn't have done in C-USA other than waste millions of travel money every year(that North Texas doesn't have) and distance their true fans(what few they have) from ever getting to attend away conference games. Again, build the Sunbelt! Rick

Uh, never said that, but thanks for putting words in my mouth (so scared using that terminology in this thread). Each and everyone should view the research from BOTH SIDES (gee, what a concept) and then make their own decision WHICH OTHERS SHOULD RESPECT. The point of the story was to illustrate how people focus mainly on what affects them and what they perceive that they affect. Do you think that woman researched world temperatures to come to her global warming conclusion or just decided that since it was a warm winter that particular year (never mind 2 winters earlier there was record snowfall), and that was what she was immediately feeling and experiencing, then it must be because the world is warming, right? Because that is what she hears on the news. According to that woman's way of thinking, it looks like global warming has come to North Texas, since this winter has been milder than last.

I beg to differ. There is certainly a 3rd option. 2 Words: Lee. Jackson.

I don't know man, I just think science is super gay.

Either global warming, or illegal immigrants. Not sure which one to blame in this situation, but it's gotta be one or the other.

Ya, but when I was going, they were still teaching that an ice age was right around the corner. So I guess they were wrong? It's kinda like picking an NFL game. No one really knows what is going to happen until the final gun. Funny story, when I was in Canada for the Olympics, I was waiting for the bus to go to an event when a Canadian woman told me the lack of snow there was a result of global warming. I simply told her "Really? It just snowed 14 inches in Dallas and we are having a very cold winter." She responded that the cold winter we were having was a direct result of global warming. I just snickered silently to myself. Moral of the story, don't believe what anyone tells you (yes, even a college professor). Research it and make your own decision. Edit: And who gave me an Avatar???

I think our admin sees the WAC for what it is - a highly unstable conference that has the possibility of losing its auto bid and title as a FBS conference; with that said, there are only so many opportunities one gets to make the move up. The decision was certainly a gamble, but Benson seemed fairly confident that new NCAA legislation will be adopted in January voiding the continuity rule (6 teams together for 5 years I believe). If what he believes comes to fruition next month, then I think you will see another school or two added. Benson isn't in full panic mode yet because he still has until June next year to find a match (assuming current WAC members don't find new homes). Bowl tie-ins are certainly another issue as most of the WAC's bowl games have found new homes (sans boise's bowl which is still under contract). I do think you'll see a San Antonio bowl tie-in emerge in the coming years with the entrance of UTSA and Texas State. Our athletic budget will be $18.34 million next year and we have facilities that show our commitment. If the WAC collapses (and assuming the new FCS-FBS transition rule passes), I would bet money that we'd go independent in football (FBS) until a conference like the Sun Belt is willing to hear what we have to say. We have invested too much money in this to turn back now. Green Dozer, we played Houston last year. Not only was it one of their only sell outs, but even UH fans admitted that Bobcats travel extremely well. Like North Texas, we are one of the biggest state schools in Texas and have a lot of alumni. Houston is always smart to schedule, but an FBS (and to an extent FCS) Texas State would definitely bring out more fans than say a Rice type program.

Yes, they play in the WAC and the travel would kill our budget. Also, I heard they are going to use helmet stickers.

I know you guys are joking around, but I do think that North Texas should refuse to play against any school that will not schedule the games home-and home. The students of North Texas invest too much of their money to have the athletic department pad the budget by continuously scheduling embarrassing body bag games. Real division 1 programs do not sell games to the highest bidder. Real division 1 programs create the best possible product for their customers, then manage and promote the accordingly. Customer loyalty will develop.

It was a knock on Dodge's coaching. How is this A)Untrue or B)Surprising? We will have to live with this long shadow until coach Mac erases it.