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The bar in the Sun Belt isn't high. We came pretty close to breaking even last year with a banged up squad...so that was basically playing with inexperienced guys. Tulsa is overhyped. The coaching staff is simply stacked with guys who know the game. Other SBC schools have hired what I consider to be high risk coaches, none well known or known to build FBS-level programs. Look regionally, UT and OU coming off losing seasons hired Mack Brown and Bob Stoops respectively in 1998 and 1999. They both won in their first seasons with tougher schedules. We've got a coach who's been up there, and who has been up there his whole career. It's been all BCS, FBS, Division I-A, whatever you want to call it for Dan McCarney. You've got the architect of the Kansas defense under Mangino in Bowen. You've got a guy whose special teams work helped Colorado and Boise State to annual bowl games in Riddle. Look...the pieces are here on the coaching side. Even if we lose to FUI and Houston to open the season, their players won't be running back to the sidelines like OU's players were saying, "Coach, coach! They're not even trying to disguise their coverages!" On the defensive side of the ball, Dodge tried to man up on OU all night. McCarney, Bowen, and Riddle aren't that stupid (yes, I know Dodge eventually progressed, but that night was stupid). Anyone who beats us this year is going to be in a dog fight for 60 minutes. I agree that having McCarney, Bowen, Riddle, etc. on board is good for at least five wins. The Tulsa game is pivotal. We'll both have been through tough early stretches. They'll be loaded with returning starters on both sides of the ball; we'll have the better coaching staff. The theories of those of us who say coaching makes a huge difference at this level will leave theory and be put into raw practice that night. We will not be plundered in 2011 like we have been since 2005 under Dickey and Dodge. This is real. Many of us have never seen real. Those who saw Hayden Fry teams of the 70 and the late 60s Mitchell/Rust teams saw what competent coaching can do. Also, throw Corky Nelson into the mix for beat Texas Tech, Texas, and Rice (yes, I know the referees gifted Texas with a touchdown in the official record books). That was us as I-AAs beating three SWC schools in one season. We have that caliber of coach. We're just so used to seeing chicanery that we don't know what we have.

No other teams have holes to fill? NT lost both starting tackles but has some experience with Cantly, Abbe, McCoy and White. Orr was already ahead of Pinson by end of year and Phillips returns. With Herron, Wright, Johnson, January and Stojkovik, lb should be deeper than last year, although Robertson will certainly be missed. Wrs should be stronger in my opinion also, with Stradford, Outlaw and Bynes all having started before as well as Carey. Johnson, Taylor and Olawale also have experience. Most of the prognosticators look at past records and some obvious personnel losses and assume no improvement. Thompson should be a heck of a qb and if he stays healthy, the position should be in much better shape than then last year injury filled campaign. Also returning are several players that would have started last year if not injured; Bynes, Johnson, and Ford with several others that should help. I am not predicting NT to win the conference, but they were very competitive last year and this team should be significantly better. I think the defense is going to be much better and the offense should be also if Thompson matures into the position. This team is not the most talented in the Belt, but neither are they at the bottom. I think the new coaching staff and stadium will benefit the win and loss column. I am going to state the obvious, the Belt is not all that good no matter how much one thinks it has improved. ULM, ASU, MTSU, Troy, etc unless they improve substantially are not unbeatable.

Thirteen players, including five with prior USA Basketball experience, were named Sunday as finalists for the 2011 USA Men’s U19 World Championship Team. The selections, which were made by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee, came after three-days, four training sessions, during the USA U19 Team training camp that got underway Friday. The USA squad will look to defend the gold medal won in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship that runs June 30-July 10 in Latvia. Story Picture This post has been promoted to an article

You know he's a democrat b/c he sent his pictures to women.

Folks; On a trip to Ft. Worth Saturday i was able to put Eage1855's CD in the player for the first time. The CD is named "old Denton Roads" and it is really really good. My bride and I played it several times Saturday and already have a couple of favorite tracks on the CD...namely "Tennessee Moon" and "Four-Leaf Clover". I am a sucker for good ballads, and this CD fills the bill for me. The CD is...BRANT LEE CROUCHER - "Old Denton Roads", and I would recommend that you check it out. Try www.brantleecroucher.com Brant was also great in helping us raise funds for the Andrew Smith Scholarship fund through the sales of his songs and CD during the April and May. Thanks so much for that help, Brant. But, folks, this is one of UNT's own and this is good stuff. Check it out. GO MEAN GREEN!

Actually a good decision by Perry. It was an unenforcable, feel-good law to begin with. What was next, a law against talking to a passenger while driving? Changing the radio while driving? Putting on makeup while driving? Looking in your glovebox/wallet/purse while driving? All of these are equally distracting. You can't legislate all stupid and dangerous human behavior.

I love jub but his old roommate ruins it for me. Its all about the GAC daddy Randy Galloway, who doesnt love a man who goes gambling, drinks like a college student and bails out quincy carter

In posting about the Tulsa game, I figured I'd pull out the bat and beat the dead "Who's Our Rival" horse. Here is a list of schools we've played most often, and the last time we played them: SWT/Texas State - 39 (1994) New Mexico State - 34 (2004) SMU - 33 (2007) Sam Houston State - 30 (1994) Stephen F. Austin - 29 (1994) ULM - 27 (2010) Tulsa - 22 (2008) UTEP - 21 (1980) Arkansas State - 20 (2010) Memphis - 20 (1980, regular season - 2003, bowl) TCU - 18 (2002) Cincinnati - 17 (1973, regular season - 2002, bowl) Louisville - 17 (1995) Louisiana - 15 (2010) Baylor - 13 (2004) Houston - 12 (1998) Louisiana Tech - 11 (2006) Nevada - 11 (1999) Oklahoma State - 11 (1994) Middle Tennessee - 10 (2010) Northwestern State (La.) - 10 (1994) Future Schedules - Out of conference (correct me if I have these wrong): 2012 @ LSU @ Kansas State 2013 Ohio Ball State @ Georgia Army 2014 @ Texas SMU @Army @ Tulsa 2015 @SMU @Iowa Tulsa 2016 SMU Tulsa @ Florida @ Army 2017 Army @Iowa @SMU 2018 @ Army @ Arkansas SMU Happy to see SMU and Tulsa on the future schedule. Very solid. The series with Army is classic. Love that as well. I also like tapping into the MAC. Now more than ever with Midwesterner Dan McCarney piloting the ship. Correct me, if I'm wrong, but I think I see these home dates available: 2012 - Two home dates available 2015, 2017, and 2018 - One home date available Available, from the "rivalry" list to play us at home in: 2012: TCU, Baylor, Tulsa 2015: Texas State, New Mexico State, TCU, UTEP, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, Baylor 2017: TCU, Memphis, Cincinnati, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, Baylor, Oklahoma State 2018: UTEP, Memphis, Cincinnati, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, Oklahoma State Would be nice to see some old rivalry games with schools now in the Big East (Cincy, Louisville...*sigh*...we were once conference mates), but it's unlikely that they'd do one shot home game with us. Ditto, Oklahoma State...although they did go to Louisiana last year, so it's not unheard of. TCU probably won't "bow" to play us at home ever again. Baylor, maybe. Although, they have been going FCS early to get an extra home game (something some of us have preached for years). We know Louisiana Tech thinks very highly of themselves...and, for no apparent good reason. So, where are we left if we want old rivals in the future? Slim pickings. With two away games already in the books from 2013 to 2018, we really have to room for back-to-back year home-and-homes to offer any of them. Happy to revive SMU and Tulsa, and should probably just leave it at that...although, I'd love to hammer Texas State once they jump up to FBS! This post has been promoted to an article

false. he had two othr former qbs playing that could have run the last three plays. there was nothing to be gained but a loss of a whole season for dt.

http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sunbelt/north_texas/yearly_totals.php 1947 Odus Mitchell 10 - 2 1977 Hayden Fry 10 - 1 correct me if I'm wrong here, but 1947 and 1977 are both greater than 1936... aren't they? farging bastages....

We have some great rivalries here on the board. That's all I need.

---Enforcing it in general may have been difficult... but enforcing it after an accident had occured would not have.... The fact that the law existed would have stopped many from doing it and made the roads safer. I believe in freedom but your freedom stops when you endanger the lives of others. ---Do you also think that driving though a neighborhood at any speed you want is ok. That limits freedom as well. That isn't all that easy to prove either... the radar gun could have on someone else couldn't it or even be faulty.. as happened to me once... They dismissed my ticket later in the day when they decided it was faulty. .

You know, North Texas doesn't really have an old rivalry in the traditional sense. Of late we've developed one with MTSU and with ULL.....and to a certain extent Ark St. Of those three, I hope that ULL gets bigger and more intense. Rivalries tend to work better when the fan bases involved are within driving distance of one another. Which is why, in addition to ULL getting bigger and more intense, I would like to see Texas St. get into the Sunbelt. Like ULL, it's drivable, and they have a great group of fans.....and a good location. In the case of Tx St., we could all travel down there and back on the train.

Should be plenty of seats available - Tulsa starts with three of first four on the road, including trips to OU and Boise State. They host Oklahoma State on the Sept. 17. Realistically, they'll be 1-3 when we arrive. It will be a pivotal game for both, especially if we roll in at 1-3 or 0-4 as well. When Bill Blankenship was promoted, he hired Brent Guy as defensive coordinator. Guy is the former Utah State head coach who hired Darrell Dickey as his offensive coordinator. It's safe to say Guy is going to be a step down from coordinating the defense. And, that's not good for Tulsa because defense was never its bread and butter. Even with Todd Graham, a former DC, and Keith Patterson, the Golden Hurricane defenses were never stout. They did have their moments; but, generally, TU outscored teams. They will not outscore OU on the road, OSU at home, or Boise State on the road. They will be returning from a road beating at Boise State when we roll into town. After a 10-3 record in 2010, they could be demoralized about their season beginning 1-3. Heck, if Tulane "upsets" them, we'll be facing a very surprised 0-4 Tulsa team on October 1. I'm not sold on TU's elevation of Bill Blankenship as a coach. He was a high school wonder-coach at powerhouse Tulsa Union for years. But, it's like Dodge and his Southlake story: If you've seen Union's facilities and compare them to other in the Tulsa area, there really is no excuse not to succeed there. The only school rivaling it from Tulsa to OKC is Tulsa suburbs' Jenks. It's true that Blankenship put in four years as an assistant to Todd Graham. And, Todd Graham left him with a veteran team. I'm just not incredibly impressed with his assistant hires, and not sold that he - or, they - can do the job at this level. When Tulsa and North Texas square off on October 1, both will likely be 1-3 or 0-4. This game will be a season changer for one or the other. I think it has the look of the "turn around/springboard" game for McCarney and his group of coaches at North Texas. They are shockingly longer in the tooth than TU's new staff. If the players respond well, we'll have the "upset" of Tulsa on October 1, and will sail into the meat of our Sun Belt schedule with the wind at our backs. So...let's go up there and watch my undergraduate alma mater pummel my grad school alma mater! Now, they will pay the price for hiring a coach whose main experience as at a rich, suburban are high school. My how times and fortunes change. We're 6-16 all-time against Tulsa and haven't beaten them since 1969 - a seven game losing streak. We haven't beaten them in Tulsa since 1968. 2005: Kragthorpe versus Dickey, 54-2 Tulsa 2006: Kragthorpe versus Dickey II, 28-3 Tulsa 2008: Graham versus Dodge, 56-26, Tulsa 2011: Blankenship versus McCarney...I like our chance here. We've finally got a coaching staff with more experience than TU! (Also, as a side note: We were conference mates with Tulsa and played them for 14 consecutive seasons, 1957-1970. This is a regional rivalry that never should have died. Tulsa is a school we should be playing every year since they come into Texas and recruit heavily. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech have tried to make their annual Big 12 game another OU-Texas rivalry. We should do the same with Tulsa. Among current FBS schools, we've only played New Mexico State (34) and ULM (27) more than we've played Tulsa (22). As close as they are geographically, this is a game we should be playing more annually, if not semi-annually.)

no to a conference from san jose to miami. however a conference could make geography sense of: nmsu unt utsa tx state la tech ull asu ulm mtsu troy usa wku

What's with the negative waves? Think positive. Mitchell will play for North Texas and earn a degree from North Texas along the way.

First, I damn sure ain't defending Slick Rick, as I think he is the ultimate politician and only vetoed this law because he is considering a run for political office. But you can't legislate every poor driving decision. Obviously, some driving decisions are worse than others (DWI, speeding, etc...) and need laws in place to attempt to keep people in line, but you can't get into micromanaging attention span when it comes to driving. There are just too many distractions that can lead to accidents (which almost always happen because of distractions). Besides, if you become distracted by texting or something else and have an accident that is your fault, I will promise you that you have violated many other traffic laws for which you can be issued a ciatation (and are far easier to prove). Also, if an officer notices that you are texting, it's probably because you have violated some other traffic law during the process. I'm sure some of you are happy with the current law that states that you can only be on the cell phone in a school zone if you are operating hands free. Nevermind that the distraction is in your head and not your hands and this law does nothing to protect children from the still distracted blue tooth user. Completely worthless law, but it sure makes people feel good (you know, because of the children and all). If you want to be consistent, eliminate using cell phones completely in vehicles, or allow their use completely. Anything else and you are just creating feel good legislation. Personally, I think people should be responsible for their actions, and that people who use cell phones responsibly in vehicles shouldn't be punished for those who don't.

I think with the experienced college coaching staff that we have now, we should win at least 5 games.

I knew he'd make it, congrats Tony! Great publicity for our squad.

Thanks, Geezles! This is a wonderful gift.

I hope not! How are they going to fit on anyones head?!? We're gonna need them to be at least 3 times that big.

2745? Gee I hope we are able to get them all accommodated before September 10th. Rick

Some of you guys really are sad and pathetic little men. Get a life and move on.

I posted the total in a different thread, but it looks like now we will raise a bit more than i posted...I would think that we are now up to $2400.00. Thanks to all who participated...you are the ones who make this happen. GO MEAN GREEN!

I heard it also, seems like it was right after a TCU promo.

It would be cool if the team store was a year-round store so you can go shopping anytime other than crowded game days. It would also be cool if they built a smaller store at the Super Pit and open it during bball games. I WANT MORE MEAN GREEN GEAR!!

Only if said net says North Texas.

Well, screw me.

I think 3-9 or 4-8 seems very reasonable for this first season, if for no other reason than the lines are not where Coach Mac wants them to be, not even mentioning the QB position is up for grabs. I see wins at home against WKU and FAU and at least one win on the road at either Arkansas State or ULL. The home games against Indiana and ULM are both possibilities for a win, too. I don't see us winning at FIU, Tulsa, or Troy, nor do I see us winning against UH or MUTS here (even though we beat them on the road last year). Our bank account will win at Bama. Best case, to me, is 6-6, worst case is 1-11 (so glad WKU is in the SBC).

I agree that having it on the books MAY??? have served as a deterrent to some, but overall it wouldn't have made enough difference because there is such widespread negligence on the road already. To me, if legislators want to help make the roads safe we need to adopt a few requirements used in Europe, mainly Germany. 1. Raise the standards and training requirements to receive a drivers license so that it will return to what Silver says it should be, a priviledge, not a right. Raise the expense and fees for them. Include a mandatory witnessing of an actual autopsy, for example? The standards right now are so pathetically easy that we might as well get drivers licenses out of a cracker jack box. 2. Adopt the "Drive Right" rule for the highways. 3. Reduce the speed limits on free access highways and roads. There's not a damn single good reason a water truck or gravel hauler(or any thing for that matter) should be allowed to travel 70 mph down a two lane road or divided highway that is dotted with free-access crossovers and driveways. 4. Tougher punishments for repeat DWI offenders. Get rid of the stupid sobriety check devices being installed in repeat offenders auto's. Rick

Well, yes and no. A 16 year old in no way has the mental maturity to make the decision as to wear a seltzer belt while driving or not. Guidance from an adult may help, but they may not get the proper advice. So, legislation may protect them. A 9 year old passenger definitely can't make that decision so the law may force a parent to buckle then up. But, a 42 year old is capable of fully understanding the need for wearing a seat belt. I believe the law impacts them in no way. They're going to wear one or not regardless, and I don't care either way. Reducing the possibility that my hypothetical child is hit on accident because of something preventable is a good thing.

Chicken Express is awesome. But Cane's is better. And this is coming from someone who grew up with a Chicken Express. Nothing can top the Cane's Sauce, or the toast.

How is that negative? If we have a guy on campus that is good enough to play in the NBA then more power to him. There is absolutely no way he plays 4 years for us and I'm okay with that. At least we'll get him for one, and MAYBE two. This will only help recruiting down the road. Also, the grades he makes at UNT will have absolutely nothing to do with his NBA chances. Derrick Rose didn't even take his own SAT test. Do you really think the bulls give a damn? This is the best basketball player we have ever had on campus and I can't wait for next season, but I don't expect him to be here for 3 years, much less 4, and I'm okay with that because I know he will accomplish big things while he is here. GMG!

if he's good enough to play in the nba and get drafted in a guaranteed money spot, there is no reason for him to stay.

True it would be difficult if not impossible to enforce. But some one explain this to me, Perry used the veto saying the the government should not "micromanage". Yet, earlier he signed a bill that required a woman wanting an abortion to get a sonogram and listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. Is this not the state micromanaging?

Amen, If he thinks he's better than FAU, then he should leave and take that better job.

PIZZA PATROL!!!!

Once again, sarcasm and stunts to make a point escape the majority of you...

I don't know if his estate would go for it.

Tom Hicks and team wanting to save money and creating a situation that could paint young into a corner as a bad guy? Discuss. i loved what I saw of Andrus - especially live - in Frisco this year, but this makes no sense to drop the hammer unless San Francisco is really going to give us Sanchez for Blalock.

To sum up: Dramatic headline Kneejerk baseball fans who don't know the game as well as they know Tom Hicks has beaten their will to live into the ground Mischief managed

Dude...that is disrespectful as hell. You should be ashamed...there is a lot of history at Fouts, and it has served us well for years...

Vito is that you ?

Well then, lets repeal all the drunk driving laws.

Well, I mean, nothing is illegal until you get caught. Rape laws, in theory, are nothing but feel good laws by you definition if you have a good disguise or a secluded place for the body. Give me one circumstance where NOT having this law could be a GOOD thing? Yes...it is a difficult, if not impossible thing to enforce, but the illusion the law creates is enough to help keep people safe...same goes for seatbelt laws, speed limits. Flawless? Certainly not...but practical to have on the books and completely pointless to veto. BTW, in Connecticut it is illegal to use one's cell phone while driving...and other neighboring states...New York, Massachusetts...have laws against texting and what's called "distracted driving." Again, is it difficult to enforce? Of course...but I promise you on the rare occasions I talk on my phone in my car I am very aware of whether or not a trooper or local officer is in the vicinity. These are effective deterrents.

While I understand what you are trying to say, this is actually a fallacy argument. I also see how this is difficult to enforce. However, we can and do legislate stupid and dangerous behavior. Simply because people get hurt. And since we love the preservation of life so much, laws like this make sense. I am all for being the author of my own life and trying to halt government's imposition in many ways. But, I am not quite sure if this is one of those things. The seat belt law is one that I see a better argument for your philosophy than the texting one.

Maybe the automobile has become such an integral part of just about every american family that we regard it as an inalienable right to own and operate. But I regard the operation of a vehicle in the weight range of 3000 to 7000 lbs on a public road a privilege not a right. That makes it subject to any sort of governmental regulation regarding it's safe operation as far as I'm concerned.

Already got a thread about this in the stadium forum.

Bowl game or bust, gotta get back to new orleans

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/Texas-ban-on-driver-texting-vetoed-1429579.php