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Biggest game of the exhibition season right here

I wouldn't come back either.

Well, I'm late to the party, but do have some basic thoughts that I can kind of throw into the mix. I'm not quoting because it would make my comment unreadable to those with epilepsy. 1) Lee Jackson was made chancellor for several reasons. The fact is that we didn't even have an endowment of any real amount and didn't even have an office in Austin when he started. Jackson didn't step into a situation which was great at the time - he stepped into a system that had historically undervalued itself and had no interest in making even minimal efforts to improve its standing statewide. It takes decades to turn that around - it's much harder to do that than even to start from scratch. 2) Bill Lively's impact hasn't been felt yet, but I can absolutely 100% ninja-face guarantee that it will be within the next 3 years. 3) Anyone who has done the Austin education dance knows that the Horns and Aggies lock arms and walk into the Capitol together every session. There are ways to break that monopoly, but it involves getting the Dallas, Houston and other non-Austin delegations to work together. It also involved making alliances with other systems with similar interests - which are out there, but we have to start playing the game. Finally, it involves emphasizing the rivalries within the U Texas system itself: UTD and UTA hate each other while we are on great terms with both (the UCD thing has no impact on that). UTEP and UTSA, and their friends, hardly talk to each other. UTT wonders if anyone in Austin knows they exist. 4) There are plenty of legislators willing to help UNT in Austin, but UNT's never engaged there. UNT hasn't had a lobbyist until extremely recently, and has always hid up north and assumed that everything is ok. 5) As far as the THECB is concerned, they just want an updated description of the bonding procedure (every system is super-bonded at the moment, so that's not unusual), some actual numbers on usage (UNT just submitted a general "we're bigger than the last one we built") and is also making a pro-forma rejection in a period when any spending is going to be initially rejected just for show. Plus, few people listen to the THECB anyway. The THECB was very much against the NTDLaw idea, has repeatedly questioned the need for additional universities like UNTD and TAMUSA, and has approved ideas which have never gotten taken care of. 6) Because of the laws in Texas, the University and System can't lobby the state at all - it has to go through the Alumni Associations of the schools. I hope I don't have to explain that UNT's alumni Association hasn't really been in a position to do that. On the other hand, if you're interested in talking to some legislators on behalf of UNT this upcoming session, PM me. I may or may not know of an initiative to do just that in the upcoming session. 7) The Tier One situation is going to continue to suck for a while. We don't have the endowment because we didn't think we needed one until a few years ago. Plus, we've always been the state's fine arts/liberal arts school. Unfortunately, the areas where we excel at - music, psychology, political science, urban planning, etc. - are not the biggest draw for qualifying research spending. It's just who we are, and while there are very strong efforts to fix that, it's gonna take a while. Oh well. 8) An additional point that always gets overlooked is that we don't command the same intense loyalty that the other systems have in their local areas. Texas, A&M and Tech all have complete control over their local legislators and officials for good reasons - they're the only game in town. UH has the advantage of a huge market that they share with only one other state school of note (A&M) and other non-system schools (PVAM & TSU). UNT doesn't even control Denton or the area north of DFW. If we're going to get anywhere, it means that we need to continue to wait for the blue-hairs which defend the independence of TWU and Midwestern State to retire. The point is coming soon where a push for integration of those schools, plus TAMU Commerce and Texas Tyler would be possible for UNT, and it's extremely necessary for the future of the System.

You call out schools for being P's while being one yourself?

Berlund will start next season

So, if this has been brought up before, I apologize. BUT, if feel like this is important enough to restate anyways. My wife was asking me to delete some of my dvr'ed stuff...that meant the pre-game UNT 21 show for the Cajun Football game. So, I sat and watched it before I was about to delete it and make the wife happy again... Rick V and Tony B were interviewed, and the topic of scheduling for basketball came up. One or both of them said that it was "hard to get a game" with schools this year. We all know that SMU has been ducking UNT for years cause they didn't want to get their heads kicked in on the court... So, its a given that they are just a big(wait handfull considering what moody's looks like) old bunch of pink polo wearing P's... But, nobody outside of UTA would play UNT this year in state? Nobody? No Texas Tech? No Texas? No Houston? TCU? even Oklahoma State? Really? I heard a rumor that Texas last year made sure they moved the game with us forward in the season as to make double sure that Tony Mitchell wasn't eligible yet to play. I'm sorry, but ALL YOU OTHER SCHOOLS ARE A BUNCH OF P'S....and of course p stands for pansies. Carry on. Can't wait for Basketball Season! See you at the Super Pit! Go Mean Green!

Enough with all the excuses. The only REAL excuse Mac needs is the schedule. The similarities between what he is doing and what JJ did with our basketball program are obvious. He's NOT able to land enough impact players out of high school, but his connections around the country are helping him land solid transfers who will be impact players at the Sun Belt/CUSA level. Call it JUCO, call it transfers....whatever. The goal is the same. UNT has trouble getting top ranked kids out of high school because we have absolutely sucked since 2004. JJ hardly ever did much better than .500 in Sun Belt play, but was able to pad our record in OOC. That's easier to do with basketball scheduling than football....either way, over time, we were able to claim that we were a "winner" and we eventually landed Jordan Williams and Chris Jones. Mac's going to have to try to get us to 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 for a few years to prove that we can "win" here, OR have some of these transfers (<cough>Berglund<cough>) turn out to be program changers.

It wasn't my intention to suggest Troy and MTSU are greyhounds. I am just point to the absurdity of some of our fans that say we expect to win right now, therefore we should win and ignore the fact that we have a vastly inferior team as a whole when compared to other FBS teams this season. I do expect us to be more than competitive, I expect us to build into a winning program. My point is, you can't just show up and expect we are instantaneously competing for a national championship just because we say we expect it. There has to be a little common sense, if we are not competing and winning in the 4th or 5th year, we go get a coaching staff that can. However, to say we should go from what may have been about the worst team in FBS to expecting us to have a winning season in a year and a half is nonsense. The staff is doing just what they should, building up a young base of players so that we are ready for CUSA. Only time will tell if the talent level and coaching level are indeed good enough to win, but they are doing the right things and dont' deserve some of the ridiculousness that some of our fans spew.

UNACCEPTABLE. EXPECT MORE. NOT PUT IN POSITION TO SUCCEED. OUT-COACHED. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE. UNACCEPTABLE............................

It's not bologna. Many players play much better in practice than they do in games. Some players play better in games than they do in practice. People actually study and do research on these performance issues - it's called sports psychology or performance psychology.

Folks...I would say that there might just be more here than the "public" knows about this situation. And, I am in NO WAY talking about anything illegal nor academic. From what I can tell Brent is a good student and a good guy...I can also say that he has a super and very support Mom and Dad. These parents drive...DRIVE from Alabama to support Brent and the team whether he plays or not...I talked with them in Nashville just this last weekend for the MT game. For me, I wish nothing but the best for Brent going forward and I hope he gets in a grad school program he likes and plays for another team (and one closer to home) next season. I thank Brent for his hard work and contributions to the Mean green. many players in his position would have become nothing but a big distraction to the team once they found they were not playing...not Brent. Fair sails and following winds, Brent. All the best to you and your family. EDIT: Thanks Grant...fixed that one!

Really, you think football is like basketball? And just one "impact" player will make all the difference? This isn't playstation. These aren't excuses. This is a real assessment of where this team is, how it got here, and it is going to take real work to get the team where everyone wants it. This where someone will say something like just winning takes care of itself and will miss the point of thread entirely.

Well this trend is gonna stop.... and if it is not this year it sure as heck is next year

Why would anyone want to give Dickey another year? He should have been fired years before, anybody that follows football should have recognized he was not building anything. Just because Dodge should have never been close to a college hc job and was a total failure had nothing to do with the Dickey termination. The Dodge hire was just an awful risk that backfired about as bad as it could, but IMO I rather have a totally unequipped Dodge running the program than someone that seemed to take every opportunity to tear down the school and than seemed to be mystified that he couldn't recruit. Enter McCarney which has substantially more resources than any of his predecessors. Far to early to truly evaluate but just as he has certainly proved that he is more capable to be a hc than any coach since NT move back to fbc status, likewise he has not proven he is the answer. The issue with McCarney is that he has not proven despite super effort that he can significantly improve NT recruiting. He is not redshirting a lot of freshmen because he is stockpiling players that would make absolutely no sense. Highly more likely they are just not ready to play. Anyone with a grain of impartiality, is not going to be overwhelmed with his recruiting efforts thus far. Keeping Dodge that extra year and loading up with jucos didn't help the program but I am still not sure that is a big factor. McCarney made a decision to go primary with high schoolers which cost NT numbers and maybe a few games. Nothing wrong with going with a long term approach but it was McCarney's choice to do so.

No problem Champ

When... if ever you get down, I am going to be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very worried about the state of this program. And I'm not quite sure I used enough verys.

Not quite true. A Crighton win, a K-state win, a hot start could all add up to an impressive "resume". The kind of resume that would likely weigh more heavily with the selection committee than even a SBC tourney title. Wins in our first ten games and a SBC tourney finals appearance would land a much better seed than a SBC tourney title.

I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day. If he is high on the red-shirts and transfers, then I believe he has a pretty good reason. It is not so much giving up on this year (as I see it), but keeping an eye on the future.

The strength of this team is depth. It just got shallower for the next 2 to 4 weeks. A month in which we have the opportunity to beat Creighton at home, make the pre-season NIT finals, and possibly be ranked for the 1st time in the modern era. This hurts, make no mistake.

Holy crap, you figured it out. If only the coaches and players knew it was that simple. And all this time, nobody had any idea. Why have you been holding out on us? You should go to the athletic center before practice as the players and coaches are going onto the field and share your brilliant idea with all of them. Seriously, get them to all huddle around you and shine your incredible football knowledge on them.

In Darrel's defense, he thought based upon his 4 conference championships he deserved another year, as opposed to Dodge, who had to be susprised when he got one.

He's too small...

So yeah I think there's a sport of some sort about to start up. Heard we might be good this year. Usually they never carry these preseason tune ups on KNTU, but they are this time.

Honestly, that looks like a high school stadium in Texas ... except not as new. We really are blessed with Apogee. We take a back seat to no one.

Don't fret folks....the re-constructed student union building at UNT is not a dead issue.....just another step in the game of state politics and state process....it will get done IF the University of North Texas Administration and students want it to get done...now we can all see how badly they do want it re-built. My guess...project will get approved! Patience, grasshopper, patience!

Excellent post. I have said that UNT made a huge mistake giving Dodge that fourth season when it was apparent he was never going to get it going. Doing so would've allowed the new coach to at least lay a foundation during the final years at Fouts before opening Apogee. Instead, the worst possible scenario occurred. Dodge was fired midseason and UNT had to open a new stadium with another rebuilding project.

Don't block me!!!!! :-)

Yes, Coach Mac at the Radio Show last night said that Delgado is no longer suspended and will play against Arkansas State.

Under Over/Under on TM blocks??? I'm setting the line at 6

"The Tigers, who finished 5-21 overall and 2-14 in the GAC a season ago. ECU will have a new look this season, with 15 newcomers and just one returner from a year ago." http://www.ecutigers.com/article.asp?articleID=1402 Washington Generals?

Fire JJ if we lose?

Prediction = Pain.

It's the first year with real talent that takes a toll on scheduling. The other schools all know we have a lot of talent. The problem is that we have not made the national splash that I think we will. Once we are ranked and make it to the big dance again, the other teams will be more likely to schedule us. They want their RPI up, just like all schools, and playing us will help them. It will not be such a disaster for them to lose to 'little ole North Texas' if we have good track record from this coming season. Of course, SMU, TCU will not play us, as they can't stand the stigma of losing to us in the metroplex scramble for attention.

FACT

We were screwed by some rule changes on race day. The rules stated 6 inch or smaller wheels and 3 timed heats to determine the fastest coffin. On race day multiple teams showed up with non regulation wheels, two of which placed 1st and 2nd, and participated in a single elimination round robin style race bracket... Problem was... no one was made aware that it had been switched from 3 timed runs to single elimination. We went half speed on our first run to get a feel for the car/steering/hill and it was 1 and done. I was livid for about an hour afterwards... then the 24oz Miller Lites started to kick in. After 3 hours of smoking others in free runs and letting kids take pictures in it, all was good. Ended up winning the fan favorite design award. It will be parked in the driveway with the headlight on if any of you are trick or treating in Denia and want your picture taken.

Just want to say that it's been my experience that vehement, generally high profile, anti-abortion families frequently, and very discretely suspend their moral, religious and legal beliefs when the situation hits a little too close to home. Glad they have those resources. Obviously no citations, just anecdotal observation.

No, UNT90, it's a religious question. It's a case where one group of people wants to impose their religious beliefs on everyone else.

I've heard from someone reliable that Brent Osborne may get some playing time on Saturday.

I just noticed that Austin Mitchell (#10) from Plano HS was added to the official roster. I think I recall reading a post a weeks ago that he was an apparent walk-on.

NBA arena announcer "At forward, former Missouri signee from North Texas, Tony Mitchell!"

Better now then in the middle of the season. I think we'll be just fine during that 2 to 4 weeks. Who is ready for Thursday night and coming out?

Will I ever read a article about Mitchel that does not start out... Former Missouri recruit and signee....!?!?!?

I cannot accept your thoughts and disputable facts and just move on because they are wrong and lack logic. This is what I do accept... 1) There is a liberal bias in the mainstream media. It is easy for you to not see it and accept it because they are on your side and you believe them. So we will keep bringing that up because that is half of our battle. Better get use to it. 2) Only one of those articles, the first one, even mentions Cruz and Dewhurst debating. The others were written after Cruz won the nomination. So you are wrong, not all of those articles are in regard to the Dewhurst / Cruz debates. Only one is. Stop making stuff up. 3) Cruz's statement that you quote is correct. Every human life is a precious gift from God and should be protected in law. And if the law states that you cannot get an abortion except under those 3 circumstances then the law has done its job to protect life. Stop trying to take one single issue, the use of abortion for a pregnancy that stems from rape, and try to lump all conservatives/republicans together because of a few inappropriate words used by others on our side of the aisle. The fact is you do not know anything more then Cruz is pro life and wants to protect life to the best of our ability. That right there is probably enough information for you not to vote for him, which is fine. But it does not give you the right and everyone else in the liberal media to make up the rest of his stance and say he believes in something when the truth is he has never addressed it except in a broad sense. Is this the only single issue you are worried about this election cycle and want to bring up with Cruz or do you have something else to debate?

What about James Hamilton last year?

I did some follow on resarch for the last 5 recruiting classes that signed NLI's with North Texas (per Rivals). 2008 - 26 signed NLI, 3 still on roster (i.e. 5th year seniors). *sigh* 2009 - 20 signed NLI, 5 still on roster 2010 - 22 signed NLI, 12 still on roster 2011 - 21 signed NLI, 18 still on roster (counts Stojkovic) 2012 - 21 signed NLI, 21 still on roster Based on this information, we have 59 players still on the roster that originally signed a NLI (received scholarship). I don't have a way of knowing how many players on the current roster that were previously walkons that have earned a scholarship, or transfers that received a scholarship.

The Dodge's came in with a gameplan that failed. But that does not take away from them being good people. I sound like I am talking politics! I wish them both excellent success from here on out and think he will do well in a sling it around the field program. I love watching A&M play the way I love watching Oregon play. If they can continue playing some D and terrify the heck out of the SEC D they could literally flip that conference on its head. I don't say it will happen but dang it would be fun! I was glued to the tv watching Johnny Football march the maroon machine up and down the field and emptying out much of the 82,000 by halftime! My Sis is an Ag so I went to many a games and learned their traditions, went to yell practice and bonfire...It does look strange from the outside but inside it is a flat out blast! GMG

Blaming this all on Dodge's use of JUCO players is just dumb. I understand that our new coach's philosophy is to build with high school players, but if that means leaving gaping holes in the roster then I would place the blame squarely on our current coach. Should we sign 7-10 JUCO players to fill holes?? Probably not, but if one coach digs a deep hole, why not chip away at it instead of just flat using it as an excuse?? This isn't rocket science, it's football.

I think what bothers me about this sort of debate is that it centers around concepts like "culture" and "spirit", yet is by its nature more divisive than any likely outcome. We would all like to see more successful results in the win column, and if Rick V. and company were to decide that someone else was necessary to fill a post in order to do so, then so be it. But if we are to discuss our culture and our spirit, I'm curious as to the degree of our collected vested interest in not only our athletic program, but the culture and spirit intended to be inclusive; now, I'm not saying that inclusion should involve the acceptance of mediocrity, not one bit. Rather, I would posit a question of our belief in our own unity. On my end, before UNT gave me my chance, the only thing anyone ever believed about me is that I would get my face bashed into the pavement for the rest of my life. Yet my departure to a new life led me to not only dare to believe in myself, but in the amazing collection of people that seemed to find solidarity where before there was none. I saw a very divided student body become amicable enough that even those who were on opposing sides on many issues began spending time together outside of class and student organization meetings. I witnessed an administration that had apparently been previously distant and combative with the student population find common enough ground to work with even the most raucous rabble-rousers we had to offer. I witnessed UNT athletes and Greeks engage the rest of the student population in ways that made it silly to think of the "separation" that most speak of. The only time I ever questioned whether someone should retain their employment with our University was when they made a purposeful and concerted effort to encroach upon the station held by another member of our University community without warrant. Many of us are quite a few years beyond our time attending, but if our ties did not remain strong, we wouldn't be on this board, taking an active interest in the goings-on of our alma mater. There may always be the outliers who claim that an educational institution shouldn't rely on athletics to assist in broadening its scope of name recognition, but in a sense the expectation that we should always be preparing to fire another coach seems just as unrealistic. Our bonds weren't forged by a Top-10 football team (though it would be wonderful to have one), but rather by our pride and fulfillment created by realizing that we were a part of something special. North Texas believed in me, and I learned to believe in North Texas. Our classes, residence life, organizations, and events made us a community, one with both culture and spirit, even if most claim we haven't enough of either. Attending everything from Freshman Orientation and wing meetings in the dorms, to classes and organizations, to Jazz Singers concerts and football games, and knowing that we were an important piece of everything that makes UNT great...this is what makes us who we are. Trussbussdad certainly go me thinking about all of this, but the ongoing negativity is bizarre to me. Most of us didn't discover our feeling of community just because our football team kicked everybody's ass or because half of the Jazz Singers have record deals (okay, maybe they do but you get the point); we came to this point because the institution that gave us our chance at a better life inspired us to the realization that we can be better than we ever thought we could be. If it takes football to keep us all together, then that's great. But as much as I like to see our athletes do well, I also appreciate that we are often branded as "underdogs"...because those who are handed everything from day one and remain successful don't make for a very good story. Rising above one's circumstances takes something truly special.

Yes! Seriously, though...it's not surprising that he'd end up on a staff using a spread offense. SIDE NOTE: I feel strangely bad that Texas A&M is going to get obliterated in the SEC. They made almost the worst possible hire they could have made for their entrance into the wickedly fast, defense-first SEC. Someday the people in Aggieland will understand that R.C. Slocum wasn't the problem.