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Baylor 70-ULM 7 Miss St 45-Troy 7 (at the half) Iowa 59-Western Michigan 3 aTm 39-SMU 6 (11:00 to go in the 3rd) Ball St 51-East Michigan 20 (Man, what if we could beat Ball State, huh?) Syracuse 52-Tulane 17 Maryland 37-W. Virginia 0 Wisconsin 41-Purdue 10 Man, I'm sure these fan bases are glad they didn't embarrass themselves by being tied at 21, on the road, at a top ten team. I'm sure they're happy to have been truly dominated and not just subject to pointless hyperbole. This is a 8 win team folks. You can enjoy the ride or pout, kick and scream...either way this train has left the station.

There have been numerous debates on here for years on what the challenge is for this program: coaching, budget, recruiting, attendance, wins, etc. etc. I think the biggest challenge this program has is perception. And even though the end result in Athens, GA yesterday wasn't what we began to hope for....the program took a big step in helping with our biggest challenge. UNT already has the cards stacked against it given this location. What helps us (being in Texas, DFW, hot bed for recruiting) also hurts us (now 12 FBS programs in TX, 3 within 30 miles, old SWC focus, big 12 bias). Oh yeah and a loooong history of irrelevance in football. (apologies to the Hayden Fry fan club) We've heard the term "sleeping giant" thrown out. Some roll their eyes at it, others hold out hope that it will rise. What I noticed yesterday as we were tied 21-21 halfway through the 3rd quarter with the SEC East preseason favorite, is what I believe is a pent up ground swell of potential buzz around this program. I started looking around twitter at this time to see what was out there. Now I'm not a big twitter guy...I follow mostly sports media and probably check it once a week or so. But I saw mean green buzz like I've never seen. Corby Davidson tweeted about The Mean Green. Bill Jones. Sean Bass. Tim MacMahon. Chris Fowler. (yes ESPN Gameday Chris Fowler....and his tweet was an apology for the NTSU mess up. someone called him out) Greg Williams. Keith Whitmire. Brett McMurphy. Etc. Etc. Local media as well as national media. Harry posted several twitter snap shots as well. The Mean Green all the sudden became......"cool" with 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of a "body bag" game. They started trending. This morning, I searched the headlines: "Georgia pulls away to avoid upset vs. North Texas" "N. Texas hangs tough, but falls to No. 9 Georgia" "Georgia defeats North Texas in a tough one" "Georgia rallies against gritty North Texas" "Georgia forced to pull away later than hoped" Now they weren't all in that vain but what headlines like that do for our program is add some relevance. Regardless of the final score, those headlines shine a positive light on the program. WE NEED A LIGHT SHINED. What this program needs is some "cool." And you become cool in college football by getting your name mentioned on twitter and on ESPN. Why is that important? That depends on your definition of "sleeping giant." Our sleeping giant is the 100K+ alumni and 36K+ students in this area. SMU doesn't have that. TCU doesn't have that. They can't. We already have that. All we need now is to improve our perception. And the sleeping giant that stirred oh so gently yesterday may just open its eyes. All around the metroplex yesterday as twitter blew up, this sleeping giant said, "man...UNT is hanging tough with GA." "Hey, what's going on with UNT?" "Hey...I went to UNT!" At 2-2 with every game left on the schedule winnable, what a tied score in the second half at #9 GA does is puts an eye slightly up I35. If we beat Tulane, it won't be, "Tulane sucks." It will be "hey, UNT's pretty good.....they went toe to toe with GA." If we take care of business in NO and come back to what will be the largest crowd of the season and beat a good MTSU team.....it will be "UNT is 4-2....headed toward a bowl." It won't be "they don't play anyone." Every win will be followed by "They went toe to toe with Georgia." That combined with the increased ease of getting the message out is the difference between our previous bowl run and this one. And make no mistake....we are in a bowl run. Get on board. I fully expect this team to beat Tulane. With these players and this staff.....we should. Monday at work....you will hear non-UNT grads congratulate you. You will hear "man ya'll looked good on Saturday, Ya'll gave them a game." And the grads you do work with, that have been cowering in the corner for years will start to pick their head up a little bit...might even read an article on their alma mater....the crazy ones might dust off that green pennant that's been in their closet. What happened halfway through the 3rd quarter is our perception improved. And the message got out quickly. We have a real D1 coaching staff. A team that believes in one another and a preemptive light shined on UNT. Now if we do what this team is capable of doing, we will continue to improve our media position (social and otherwise) People that are associated with UNT in some form or fashion heard about UNT yesterday. And they were able to be proud. What may seem like a small step was actually a big one.

You and 90 have become two of the most hot air filled douche bags ever. You want us to jump from bottom of the Sun Belt to top of theSEC in three years with a third of the budget of the teams in the monopoly five. Good Lord, give these young men and our coaching staff some credit for performing well enough to have people that get paid to assess these games speak favorably of our program, Coach Mac and Coach Skaldany. Nobody on here is touting 7-5 or 6-6 as a measure of our return to greatness, but being bowl eligible after our last 8 years is great progress. There is no reason we can't either win out or finish 9-3, but this team is learning how to win and still as sone issues to fix. The only stats that matters are points allowed and points scored. Learn to enjoy this and pull off your shit colored glasses. Your D&D dork-a-thon awaits your return.

Your team showed me and a lot of other people something Saturday.. You guys are not a cupcake at all. As far as Im concerned we beat a very well coached bunch of young men. Mean Green will do some big things thats for sure... Mean Green will be my 2 team going forward... Maybe we should have gotten you in the SEC instead of Mizzou ROFL... anyway Great Game... Go Dawgs and Mean Green..

Against a team that has average 540 yards of offense in first two games vs Clemson and South Carolina - 540+ vs Clemson and 536 vs South Carolina.

I was at the game today, and am a UGA grad. The Mean Green is a solid, well-coached team. They played right at Georgia's level until late in the game. Excellent defense and kicking game. UGA scored about the number of points I thought they would, but N. Texas scored quality points (not late 4th qtr "garbage" points) against Georgia's first team. Good luck in winning your conference this year. I'd like to see that happen.

Say what you want....but that looks pretty good. Not bad after a 24 point loss. Perception. We took a step yesterday.

And you seriously need to lay off the personal attacks.

Put this is four inch headlines: NORTH TEXAS WILL COME INTO THE MUTS GAME 3-2 I don't get all hopped up over "moral victories" so I'm not just judging our Georgia performance (though I wouldn't call the heart we showed in Athens a moral victory). I am seeing a legitimate CULTURE CHANGE in our football team. Every year we hear the "we think we are improved" or "we're ready" talk from players. This year we are seeing this team live the no quit mantra. I was fairly impressed after Ohio, firmly in the camp after Ball State and officially at the head of the parade after Georgia. When I watched that Georgia game with Diet Coke Boy we made a point to ask "would that play have gone like that against anyone but Georgia?" Would anyone else have got the pressure up the middle that caused Derek to miss Brelan at the two yard line or to hurry his throws to the tight ends? Would any other team left on our schedule have shut down the run game like UGA did (by the way, we passed the ball plenty...so save that complaint). Our play calling was more than diverse enough to beat anyone else on our schedule...and if we had the quality depth of a Georgia it might have put us in position to beat them. Am I calling for 10-2? No. We still, clearly, have work to do. But I am saying that, barring injury, 8 wins is a reasonable goal. And one of those wins will he against Tulane in two weeks.

No. But there are also no games left on the table you'd consider un-loseable. Right? What game did we consider unwinnable after we did what we did at K-state last year? It's about objectivity. Is trying to be objective such an evil thing?

Harry, thanks for the updates and thanks for this website. I am really proud of this team today.

I'm not sure if this is common knowledge that I just stumbled into, but looking ahead at the remaining schedule, if our Mean Green win all their homecoming games, we'll be bowl eligible. That's right, we're the homecoming date for 3 of our opponents: Tulane, La Tech, and Southern Miss. Add our own homecoming against UTEP, and we've got 4 homecoming games in total. Road games are tough, so the prospect of sweeping all three of those is pretty daunting - no matter how bad those squads may look currently - but it sure would be fun to announce our CUSA arrival by ruining the festivities for those who assumed us a pushover, no?

Robertson just had a big fumble recovery at the end of the 1st half. Browns actually look somewhat decent with their 3rd string QB in the game.

This team is also entertaining to watch, which makes for lots of potential at the turnstiles. Chancellor was electric yesterday.

I was think more like the battle of the chalupa.

Derek got the hell beat out of him three or four times. Twice I didnt think he was going to get up. Very proud of him today...and very proud of his toughness. Rick

We know what the guys on TV were already pointing out - NT looks different because the defense has had the same defensive coordinator for two consecutive seasons for the first time in the seniors' careers. This is a good coaching staff. Disappointed to give up 640 yards. But, to a Top 10 team on the road, what can you say. I don't think Oklahoma had that much against us in 2007, and we were much worse. Until someone stops it, each opponent will be picking on our corners. They are flat out getting beat. Still, props to the guys. They played their hearts out. No one had this penciled in as a win, and Vegas had us as a 33 point dog. We beat the line, and got a pretty good bit of TV exposure. Nice to hear them, at the end of the game, say that they thought we'd compete for the C-USA championship.

That's why I think we need to quell the we will win CUSA talk. Take it one game at a time.

Exactly! Enjoy this team! Not sure that we will be as good next year but enjoy it this year because this year's team ain't no joke. Enjoy it while you can! I'm all aboard! I know EMU sucks but damn, Ball has been impressive outside of the NT game. We're that good.

UNT90...yes we lost, but think about who we just played. A team comprised of the best coaches and players money can buy, a budget that triples ours...at least, a Heisman hopeful at QB and running backs that per Andre Ware announcing our game should be in the NFL. I am concerend about a few things. Pass defense is first. Dropped passes. But, realistically, how many times do we play a GEORGIA? Saw on here that we have to play one game at a time...I agree 110%...I was just stating that some things I saw gave me hope to have a very good showing in CUSA and that this team CAN win CUSA. My perspective...MEAN GREEN took steps forward today...we certainly did not take steps back.

You know, after responding to MoGreens slap at the Alumni Association and doing my usual "glass half full" thing, it dawns on me what a positive change we see right here on GMG.Com regarding watch parties. Right here we have had threads about watch parties set up in: Denton -multiple locations Collin County Dallas San Antonio Arizona. So, how long has it been since we have seen anything like this in numbers? Long time I believe. So, sure not as many as some folks and smaller crowds than some, but it is a very positive sign of the momentum for support for the Mean Green that is building. And, in a few of these locations, we have dedicated folks who have stepped up to make sure these sort of events continue to build and become "must do" events for more and more alums. Well done, folks...really a great sign and speaks volumes about where the ship is headed for the future. Have a great time folks...Go Mean Green!

Not calling us to run the table, but I don't think any team left on the schedule is a guaranteed loss. Never in my short career of UNT fandom could I say that with a straight face at the beginning of conference play.

North Texas could beat... http://www.secrant.com/rant/p/44797556/North-Texas-could-beat.aspx Georgia just beat a Bowl Team http://www.secrant.com/rant/p/44793535/Georgia-just-beat-a-Bowl-Team.aspx

Some of you may have noticed that I posted our watch party was in conjunction with Georgia's alumni in Phoenix. It was definitely an interesting outing. They were very receptive of our presence, and although my son and I were the only ones to show up, we had fun. They were pretty rowdy at the beginning, but by the time we pulled within 7 they were very quiet. Then when the game was tied, they were speechless for a while. One even asked me why I wasn't celebrating ("If I was you, I'd be raisin' hell right now!"), and I replied that I was cautiously optimistic...and would be progressively louder if it stayed close for a while. They seemed to think Thompson was more of a threat than he looked on the field, because a couple of times there was a missed or dropped pass, right when it looked like the reception would be made, a couple of them said, "OH! There's six!" So I think that definitely says a bit about fine-tuning...because 2 or 3 passes probably would have gone for TD's if they had been caught, and they all seemed to think (until they were back up by 2 scores) that they had lost the momentum and the game might go our way. So though things could have gone a bit better (missed a couple TD opportunities including the interception with the end zone in sight but miscommunication about which direction to turn), we looked pretty good overall. Still need to capitalize on those turnovers and good field position opportunities, and there were a couple of times I really expected a FG attempt but those didn't happen. This was a really good Georgia team, but there were probably 3-4 plays that could easily have been touchdowns had the catch been made or had the pass been a little tighter. It was really cool to be in such a microcosmic environment to see that, until the last few minutes of the 4th quarter, the alumni of one of the nation's best teams thought they might not pull out the win. And I thought that last gratuitous touchdown could have been avoided because it looked to me like they expected GA to just run out the clock for the win.

You guys have a solid team, good luck the rest of the way

We should have a good game coming up on October 5th. Tulane and young Montana should come out ready to play. We are not the best on the road, but we can pull this one out. There is no need to look ahead of them, because every team has a new set of challenges our team must be ready for. Looking past teams is a great way to ruin a season. Bring it Tulane! GO MEAN GREEN!

The optimism is there because we see improvement. Sure, there are still holes, but some things look like they have been addressed. It's also relative. You add the fact that CUSA teams have not been playing well, then UNT looks like it should make some noise. We may go up in the rankings, after a loss. 3 of the 4 teams we have played may be better than the rest of our schedule. We got beat by some big plays, but we will not see better talent at QB for the rest of the year. Our OOC schedule should have us prepared to do some damage in CUSA. Issues from last year such as play calling, turnovers, special teams, depth has look like it has improved. We still have areas to fix, and by the end of the season, we will have improvements there too. Did you see us throwing to the TE? What? He was wide open. We missed him a couple of times, but we will start hitting that play and its going to be a very unpredictable offense. DL is not horrible like some thought it would be. Those big plays are not from a QB scrambling or having extra time. Those corners are being singled out ahead of time when there is one on one coverage. I do like Buyers and James Jones in there. They will improve with more reps and they will be solid by the end of the year. Next year, they will be a strength of the team.

I saw quite a few empty seats in Athens, I think they need to promote the UNT game better

#hit10

A text I received after I got back to the car from an A&M season ticket holder. Rick

Interesting Rick

Proud of the performance today! It was a lot closer than the final score. However, there is someone on this board who thought this was just another game where we got "throttled" by another top 10 team.

I think I would rather see the Dawgs kick the hell out of LSU, in my opinion it is a much better reflection on us

Hey, so if we don't have basements in Texas, where exactly do you play D&D?

We've had disagreements but I need to buy you a beer.

Well, someone gets it. I take people at their word, especially when it counts...like talking to teams who may pay you big bucks to play a game. Those folks are serious and cannot afford to pay for lack of effort and potential not realized due to lack of effort. It was the right thing for TM to do...truth is not easy for some folks (are you listening UNT90?) to handle. Does not make TM any less of a player nor any less of a potential NBA all-star, but it will take playing every game hard, not taking any plays off and developing that potential that he clearly said was what he did not do his last season at UNT. And, if you think other players did not follow his lead last season at UNT you are a very very naive individual. Couple this with a newly minted head coach, clearly trying to find his way as a D-1 HC, and you have a season like we all experienced last season. It is no slam on anyone, it is simply the facts of a "lost" season. It happens, the world still spins and the sun still shines. And, a new season will start soon...as it will the next year and the next and the next. Let's hope that everyone from player to coaching staff decides to be a team and operate on the same page this season. If they do, my bet with UNT90 is the pure definition of a slam dunk!

Stay healthy.

Well said. I'm already on the train and can't wait to see our next stop.

That would/will be awesome brah!!!!

Well you were on the sidelines... In Athens Georgia... Between the hedges... That's kind like any decent college football fan's dream. Jaded?

There is nothing to complain about here. We wanted a top notch challenge and we got it... full bore. This game was THE measuring stick for our team and this coaching staff to date. That,...and a paycheck of course,..and nothing more. So,.. if you had questions regarding the character of the Mean Green,.. and the Mean Green defense especially,.. NOW YOU KNOW. They don't quit,.. they dont back down and and they don't stop fight'n you no matter how big or fast or how highly recruited you are. That's what we learned about this team today.... Now bring on Tulane. Rick

Exactly. We eventually lost pretty big, but we were driving to take the lead at one point in the second half. If we would have been going 3 and out and never stopping them, then that would have been an ass-whipping, but this was definitely not that.

I think the board is pretty dang balanced positive/negative following a blowout. We sucked at plenty of things and we were good at some things today. I don't see that it showed us much we didn't know. I took more positives from Ohio than Georgia.

UNT passed the eyeball test today. Georgia is most-definitely the superior team. We all knew that. They proved it today. The big plays on defense have got to stop. At the same time, do you guys realize that this was the first team that did not score on us during their opening drive? Murray missed on some golden chances to beat our secondary deep. Judging from the first 4 games of the year, this is the achilles heel of our entire team. Improvement there is a must. And we have 2 weeks to work on it before our next game. Thompson made some very nice passes. Thompson made some pretty bad passes (for some reason he must think Marcus Smith is Brelan Chancellor or something because he overthrew him every time). Defense did what they do best and forced some turnovers at nice times. I have alot of confidence in this defense outside of the home-run, deep balls. Offense played a very balanced game and were just held in check by a superior team. It's going to be hard for me to predict a loss for this team moving forward. Rice and Tulsa appear to be the only ones that would be a toss-up for me.

No one is celebrating a loss. A celebration is in order for not getting creamed by the 9th ranked (we are ranked somewhere between 70-100, btw) team in the friggin country, gaining respect for our program, and confirming the hope that we have a shot at winning conference this year. RE-READ THE THREAD TITLE. I think you're lost, man.

Is that a mild form of Gonorrhea?

You know, you were pretty OK until you started talking that SEC smack crap! Seems to me GA is lucky to get out out this as they did based on how the Puppy Dawgs played earlier in the season and early in this games. Speaks loads about the character of your team. Enjoy your lofty ranking as long as it lasts...you will be in a minor bowl this year based on your early results. You guys will get pounded in the SEC thus year. You just don't have the character to play when you get hit hard and early. Enjoy the win over that "little league" conference team who gave you more than you wanted and kept those "reserves" of yours off the field for the majority of the game. I'd say the season will, once again, see an underachieving GA squad. But, good luck...try to keep it classy the rest of the year. Really funny that you blame the weather. Seems both teams were playing in that weather. Good teams do not use weather as an excuse for under performing. Says a lot about where you think your Dawgs are. LSU may well pound you senseless if you play like you did today. Make all the excuses you want if it makes you feel better. You will need to warm up the excuse machine for the rest of your season.

I too am growing tired of the avoidance of UNT. The athletic department wants to separate themselves from the rest of the university. That is why they go with the North Texas thing. This will not change until we get a new AD. I look forward to our branding the next go 'round because our marketing geniuses don't seem to see the error. RV will not do anything to change it. I grow tired of seeing "North Texas' everywhere including the helmets. I want to see UNT and I want to see a better something for our brand. But, it isn't going to happen because our AD is convinced that it isn't a good thing to do.

Tulane is the biggie. Then MTSU is the biggie. Then La. Tech is the biggie. One game at a time. Lost those 3 and Rice don't mean a damn thing. I still don't know if we can do enough on offense to win this conference. The defense's secondary play scares the piss out if me. We just got throttled by 24 while giving up well over 600 yards in total offense and we are proclaiming ourselves conference champions? Hardly. Beat Tulane. Then beat MTSU, then beat La. Tech, and then we have something to be excited about.