MeanGreen61

New members raise bar in Sun Belt race FAU, FIU have national goals in mind Wednesday, July 27, 2005 By Nakia Hogan Contributing writer North Texas, a winner of 25 straight Sun Belt Conference games, hasn't faced much resistance on its way to winning the first four conference football titles. But all that could change soon. Starting this season, Florida International and Florida Atlantic will compete for the league title, a move many in the conference believe will make the Mean Green's task more daunting. "They improved the quality of this league the day they got here," North Texas coach Darrell Dickey said. "Basically you have two big-time coaches with big names. They are close to a bunch of good football players so they don't have far to go to recruit. "Florida Atlantic and Florida International really upgraded this league from Day One. We found it out the second game last season when Florida Atlantic came to town and whipped us like they owned us." Florida Atlantic's 20-13 victory over North Texas raised the eyebrows of many observers. The Owls weren't eligible for championship honors last season. After finishing the season 11-3, they return eight starters and face a non-conference schedule that includes Kansas, Oklahoma State, Minnesota and Louisville. The Owls aren't about to back down. "Our goal is to win the Sun Belt Conference this year and next year and the next year," Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger said. "But we also have bigger goals than that, and that's to beat Kansas, Oklahoma State, Minnesota and Louisville." Florida International, which was 3-7 a year ago, doesn't have such lofty expectations. With 19 starters returning, the Panthers hope to continue to build their young program, which like Florida Atlantic will be competing as Division I-A members for the first time. "It takes time for all good things to come together," said Panthers coach Don Strock, a former Miami Dolphins quarterback. "We are looking forward to this year, our first baptism under fire. We're playing everyone in the Sun Belt Conference. We'll have a much better idea of where we stand at the end of the year." Still, many observers view both programs as ones with plenty of untapped potential. With both schools located in talent-rich south Florida, current Sun Belt members don't expect it to be long before the two programs pull off major upsets. Florida Atlantic, which played its first game in 2001, certainly appears on the right path. The Owls have already become the fastest start-up program to win a Division I-A game and the fastest to make the Division I-AA playoffs. Schnellenberger, who coached the Miami Hurricanes to their first national title in 1983, said he is using the same plan with the Owls that helped the Hurricanes become a powerhouse. He's already mapped a recruiting zone that includes every county in Florida below Tampa and Orlando, and sent all nine assistant coaches searching for players. He's told his players to think big, scheduling formidable foes and telling everyone who'll listen that he can build the Owls into a team that can compete for the BCS championship. "This is the same blueprint that we used when I coached at Miami," Schnellenberger said. "Miami used to recruit all the way up in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but never recruited in south Florida. And they had 14 losing seasons in a row and were ready to drop football. But we came in there in 1979 and couldn't change it in '79, but changed it in '80 using this blueprint. We recruited the best football players in the United States and they've had the best football teams since 1983." He's also raised more than $15 million for the program and has started plans for the school to build a 40,000-seat domed stadium, while creating a buzz about the football program. "He's done so many things that he believes that any goal he sets for us is going to happen," Owls quarterback Danny Embrick said. "He said he wants to win another national championship in his lifetime. Anything is possible. "When I first came to FAU, people were saying, 'Who is FAU and why do you want to go there? ' Now everyone kind of knows who we are. We still probably don't get the respect that we deserve. Most people don't know that we've won 20 games in two years."

While North Texas lost a lot of quality players, Dickey and his staff have enjoyed excellent recruiting years because of their recent success. How can't you pick North Texas to win the Sun Belt championship for the fifth straight season? Granted, there are holes to fill, but Dickey is the best coach in the league and has plenty of outstanding players at his disposal. The Mean Green might not continue its Sun Belt winning streak for a full season, but it will still likely earn another championship. INSIDE SLANT http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...ort/NTX/8677215 STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL (Dated info on Byerly) http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...ort/NTX/8677217 NOTES AND QUOTES http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...ort/NTX/8677216

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/con...udome_0726.html FAU sets sights on complex, domed stadium By Marcus Nelson Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, July 26, 2005 Imagine a domed stadium on the Florida Atlantic University campus surrounded by retail shops, a hotel and apartments for students. FAU President Frank Brogan can envision that project and he'd call it "Athletic Innovation Village." All the university needs is a developer to finance, build and operate the complex. "There are some possibilities in the private sector, so we decided we'd ask the question and see how we could move forward," Brogan said Monday. "This is really testing the waters. This seems the best way to possibly put a proposal on the table to see if it is reasonable. At some point we have to determine the bottom line." In return for building and operating the complex, including a 40,000-seat domed stadium, developers would receive nearly all the revenue except money generated by school-related events, said FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos. The university would reduce its risk from building and running the complex, get it built quickly and ask to receive all revenue in 20-30 years, Angelos said. "From one standpoint there is no risk and no reward to the institution, but there is the prestige of having the stadium on your campus," Angelos said. The university is accepting bids on the proposed project through Sept. 1, but no official bids have come in yet, Brogan said. A domed stadium has been the goal of coach Howard Schnellenberger ever since he arrived in 1998 to help launch the football program. Two years ago, Brogan, Angelos and Boca Raton Mayor Steven Abrams toured the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. A similar facility at FAU could cost nearly $100 million. FAU has not officially explored ways to finance a stadium, but officials are first willing to consider a private owner. The school filed a Request for Proposal with the state to begin taking bids. The stadium would be home to the football team and men's and women's basketball teams and host graduation ceremonies. FAU did not spell out requirements of retail space, but Schnellenberger is thinking big. "It could be dormitories, retail, parking garage and a hotel" Schnellenberger said. Each proposal must detail how the prospective developer plans to win approval of the city of Boca Raton. "The university has to see what is feasible for them, but President Brogan has told me about that option," Abrams said of the private ownership. "If they went forward, we would work with them to understand the impact." If no bids are received or no bids are satisfactory, the university would consider ways to build the complex, Brogan said. "There are two ways to do it," Brogan said. "One is the old-fashioned way and that could take many years. And at the end of the day, that may be what we have to do."

Link to article on official board. http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=158119

Accidental double post (deleted)

Post from the ASU board about a similar event at Ole Miss where 400 attended. Interesting to see how many this Mean Green event might attract. "I'm not aware of this kind of event happening at ASU, but I just read in a Mississippi newspaper where Ole Miss had a "Football for Ladies" Day at their school recently. The article said that 400 ladies from all over attended the event and they were very impressed with what they saw and learned. The new Rebels head coach, Ed Orgeron, with present and past players and others helped with the instruction and showing them around the facilities. Needless to say, the ladies were impressed and got all excited about the upcoming season. I know we have many women fans who know a lot about football but they and others might benefit from a similar event at ASU, maybe starting in 2006. This could help build our fan base as well".

Wonder if this is some type of "force out" since he's staying at ULL ? UL’s Nelson Schexnayder expected to step down From staff reports Athletic director says he's taking a job elsewhere at the university University of Louisiana Athletic Director Nelson Schexnayder is expected to announce his resignation during an afternoon press conference today at the Cajundome. "I'm moving to another area of the university," Schexnayder said. He wouldn't say what his new position would be. Schexnayder served as the athletic director for more than 12 years, first moving to the position as the acting director in 1992 and as the permanent director in 1994. Before that he served as the associate director in 1991. Matt Hebert, UL assistant sports information director, confirmed Schexnayder’s resignation. Athletic department employees were issued a memo this morning about why the press conference was being held, but Schexnayder’s secretary would not comment on the memo’s contents. Schexnayder steps down amid ongoing major renovations to the athletic facilities and aggressive fundraising for the program. This fall construction of an indoor practice facility, paid for by student fees, is expected to begin. The facility is expected to help with recruiting efforts. In the spring, the NCAA began what the university termed a “fact-finding mission” rather than an investigation into allegations concerning a basketball recruit. The status of the NCAA inquiry is unknown at this time. Last year, Schexnayder also fired a new basketball coach, Glynn Cyprien before last season started after learning he didn’t graduate from an accredited institution and didn’t complete another degree listed on his résumé. Schexnayder’s most recent hire is Scot Wieland as the new women’s soccer head coach after the contract of the program’s inaugural coach, Dave Poggi, wasn’t renewed. Wieland’s hiring is pending Board of Regents approval. Hebert said he didn’t expect a replacement to be named at the press conference. Originally published July 26, 2005

Space Raider posted that the Dephi board will be shutting down in a couple of weeks.

From a longer NOTP article. UP IN THE AIR: ULM quarterback Steven Jyles, who was charged June 25with aggravated resistance by flight, which is a felony, was in New Orleans on Monday. Jyles, a 6-foot-1, 191-pound senior, also was charged with running a stop sign and a red light, which are misdemeanors. ULM sports information director Judy Wilson said school officials will have no comment until the judicial process is over. Jyles, the conference's all-time leader in passes (1,094), completions (586) and passing yards (6,752), said he plans to play when the Indians open the season Sept. 4 at Auburn. "I'm not going to miss any games. That's still going through the process," he said. "I'm real excited. I can't wait to get back out there with the guys and be a family out there. I'm putting that behind me. I'm looking forward to this season being like my first one." WELCOME ABOARD: Unlike last season when FAU and FIU were in their first year of Division I-A, the teams will compete for the Sun Belt title this season. FAU, coached by Howard Schnellenberger, who guided Miami to its first national title in 1983, could be the surprise team of the conference. Last season the Owls were 9-3, including victories over Hawaii (35-28 in overtime) and North Texas (20-13). This season the Owls have non-conference games at Kansas, at Minnesota, at Louisville and they host Oklahoma State. "To do that in your fifth year of existence is magnificent," Schnellenberger said. "This is the most exciting thing to happen to us since the development of our football team (in 2000). The Sun Belt Conference was a real blessing for us." FIXING THE HOLES: One of ULL's biggest problems last season, when the Ragin' Cajuns went 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the Sun Belt, was its inability to stop the run. ULL allowed 213.5 yards per game. But the team is hoping for better results. "Our biggest challenge will be stopping the run," ULL defensive end Eugene Kwarteng said. "We have to take what we learned and accomplished at the end of the season and kind of pick up where we left off."

New MUTS board up and running on Rivals. Here's the link http://middletennessee.rivals.com/default.asp

Warriors' Hawai'i bowl berth up in air By Ferd Lewis Advertiser Staff Writer The University of Hawai'i football team will have to finish in the top two in the Western Athletic Conference standings this year to be guaranteed a berth in its fourth consecutive Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. But even without the guarantee, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said he does not see the situation "as a threat to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." Since the game's inception in 2002, the Warriors have been guaranteed a berth as long as they won a majority of their games to be bowl eligible under the terms of a WAC agreement. Until this year the conference had contracts for berths in three bowls, but the NCAA's decision not to relicense the San Jose, Calif.-based Silicon Valley Football Classic has reduced the options to two: the Hawai'i Bowl and the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho. Because of that, WAC members voted in the spring to guarantee only their top two finishers this year and Benson has tried to secure an additional berth elsewhere. In each of the past two seasons Benson has managed to place a WAC team in another bowl. In 2003, Boise State went to the Fort Worth Bowl, and last year the Broncos played in the Liberty Bowl. Benson attempted to secure agreements with the Memphis, Tenn.-based Liberty Bowl and debuting Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, the only two bowls with openings. "Despite only having two guaranteed bowl berths, I am very confident that the WAC will be able to secure a third spot prior to the end of the season," Benson said. "I do not see this as a threat to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." UH coach June Jones said this week, "my opinion on that is that the rule needs to be changed, otherwise there won't be a (Hawai'i) bowl. If we're bowl-eligible and not playing in our own bowl, there may not be a bowl the next year. We already found that out (with the Aloha and O'ahu) bowls." Benson said: "The WAC is committed to the bowl and will do whatever it can to protect its interests as well as the interests of the University of Hawai'i and its other member institutions." Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser

Or did they order enough ? Remember PMG keeps reminding us of the number of UNT grads in the Metroplex (Tongue-in-cheek)

Tennessean.com article Sun Belt works on better reputation Happy with growth, says perception is problem By MARY FOSTER Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — The Sun Belt Conference kicked off its football media days yesterday by bragging about all its sports. The conference, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary beginning this season, is one of only 11 NCAA conferences to participate in Division I-A football and basketball and sponsors 19 sports in all. "This is a very exciting time for our league," Commissioner Wright Waters said. The Sun Belt was founded as a basketball league. The idea was to build a powerhouse conference in the Southeast and in the first year then-member Charlotte went to the NCAA Final Four. It wasn't until Waters took over in February 1999 that the league began growing in earnest. Before that there was no financial reserve, fans were dissatisfied and the member teams were scattered from Denver to Miami, Waters said. When asked to become the commissioner Waters had one big demand: "It doesn't work if you aren't serious about football," he said. The league assured him it was serious about the sport. Sun Belt football has grown. It now has both a national and regional television contract and the conference winner hosts the New Orleans Bowl. "We have made light-year improvement in what we're doing in football," Waters said. The Sun Belt has produced the nation's past two top running backs — North Texas' Jamario Thomas (2004) and Patrick Cobbs (2003). Last season, for the first time, the Sun Belt had two teams receive bowl bids — Troy at the Silicon Valley Classic and North Texas in the New Orleans Bowl. It's success that is frequently overlooked, to Waters' chagrin. "The biggest problem we've got is perception," Waters said. "We need more high-profile wins." The league needs more football upsets against big-time opponents such as Troy's 24-14 victory over then No. 19 Missouri last season. "When Troy beat Missouri last year people looked up and said, 'They might be pretty good after all.' " The Sun Belt must also improve attendance at games. Last season it ranked 10th out of 11 Division I-A conferences, averaging just more than 18,000 a game. That was up from 14,252 in 2003. Wright believes it will climb again this season. "I think we can be as good as anybody outside the top five leagues," Waters said. The Sun Belt won't have the reputation or glamour of those five, Waters realizes, but he believes it will continue to grow. "There are more teams in Division I-A that look like us than look like Southern California," he said. •

UNT picks up preseason accolades Cobbs, Thomas share offensive player honors 08:22 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS — The North Texas football team picked up one distinction that was expected – and another that came as a surprise on the first day of Sun Belt Conference Media Days. The Mean Green were the overwhelming choice to win the conference title in the preseason coaches poll. That was no surprise considering UNT has won the last four and enters the season with a 25-game conference winning streak. The mild surprise of the day came when the preseason all-conference team was released. UNT running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas were named Co-Offensive Players of the Year after the coaches’ votes were evenly split. “For us to be the preseason player of the year together is kind of crazy,” Cobbs said. “We found out that the vote ended up even between us. That is pretty unique. It’s an honor to be on any list with Jamario. I didn’t play last year and he had such a great year, so I was not expecting it.” Cobbs won the national rushing title in 2003 with an average of 152.7 yards a game and was expected to build on that performance in 2004, but ended up taking a redshirt season after hand and knee injuries cut his campaign short. Thomas took over and went on to win UNT’s second straight rushing title with an average of 180.1 yards a game. The pair is expected to split time and form one of the most decorated — and potentially one of the most dangerous — tandems of running backs in the nation this season. “It’s an honor because Patrick is a great running back,” Thomas said of sharing the award. The success both Cobbs and Thomas have had in the past and the preseason honors they picked up this year will put more pressure on both to perform this season. “There is no question that Patrick and Jamario deserve all the recognition they are getting,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “Both of them know that people are going to be keying on them this year. They are going to have to perform better than they have in the past to achieve what they want to achieve.” UNT will look to the duo to help the team extend a pair of impressive streaks this season. The Mean Green have won the last four Sun Belt titles and enter the season with a 25-game conference winning streak. The Sun Belt’s coaches predicted that UNT would pick up another conference title in their preseason poll. The Mean Green received seven out of eight first-place votes and finished atop the poll with 63 points. Troy was second with 50 points, while Middle Tennessee was third with 45 points. Louisiana-Monroe picked up the only other first-place vote and finished fifth in the poll. “It’s nice, but it is more based on our past,” Dickey said. “People’s tendency is vote the team that won the year before. It really does not matter; we still have to play the games. Our goal is to be there at the end of the season as opposed to the beginning.” Sun Belt officials are hoping that challenge will be tougher than ever before after a landmark season in 2004. UNT played in the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl last season while Troy played in the Silicon Valley Football Classic, marking the first time the Sun Belt has sent two teams to bowl games in the same year. “We all need to thank North Texas for what they have done,” Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters said. “Through Darrell Dickey’s and Rick Villarreal’s leadership they have set the standard. It is interesting because their margin of victory was pretty narrow the first year, then they took a big jump and now it is starting to get smaller. We hope that shows that the rest of the teams are becoming more competitive.” UNT will lean on several veteran players to lead the Mean Green back to the top of the conference standings, including eight who were members of the preseason all-conference team. Junior wide receiver Johnny Quinn was named to the squad both as a wide receiver and return specialist after racking up 1,494 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his first two seasons at UNT. Senior offensive lineman Dylan Lineberry joined Cobbs and Thomas to round out UNT’s selections on the offensive side of the all-conference team. Linebacker Brandon Monroe, who finished second among UNT players in tackles with 63, was among three members of UNT’s defense named to the team. Cornerbacks T.J. Covington and Ja’Mel Branch were also named to the team. Covington led UNT in fumble recoveries with two last season. Branch switched positions from wide receiver to defensive back during spring practice, although he is expected to see some time on offense. Before making the switch, Branch was among UNT’s top offensive players. The former Katy standout had 972 receiving yards in three seasons before sitting out last year. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

Greene, Dickey named tops in Sun Belt history 07:21 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer A media panel took a look at the history of the Sun Belt Conference this summer and decided North Texas featured the best the league has to offer in terms of a football player and coach. Defensive end Joe Greene and coach Darrell Dickey were named the All-Time Sun Belt Football Player and Coach, respectively, on the league’s 30th anniversary team that was released on Monday during the opening session of the league’s annual media days. A media panel selected 30 players, plus a coach for the team. Schools were allowed to nominate any athlete who played for the team, no matter when the school joined the conference. Running back Abner Haynes, and defensive lineman Brandon Kennedy also represented UNT on the 30th anniversary team. “North Texas’ football tradition is a lot better than people think,” Dickey said. “There have been some outstanding football players who have gone through North Texas. Maybe we have not gotten the recognition of the ‘bigger schools.’ That’s not a complaint, that is just the way it is, but I do think when you throw out Joe Greene you are talking about possibly the greatest defensive lineman to play the game. We have not been recognized as well as we could have been in the past. Maybe that will start happening more.” Greene was an All-American at UNT in 1968 and went on to become a 10-time Pro Bowl selection with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls and is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Haynes played for UNT from 1957-59 and was named an All-American. The running back was the AFL Player of the Year in 1960 and had his number retired by the Kansas City Chiefs. Kennedy played for UNT from 2000-03 and is the only player in league history to be named Player of the Year twice. Dickey credited his success in the Sun Belt to players like Kennedy. “The way I look at it, it’s a nice reward, but I know that the only reason I earned that honor is I have been blessed with outstanding football players and assistant coaches,” Dickey said. “It’s nice to be recognized, but while I am coaching I try to look to the future instead of the past.” UNT running back Patrick Cobbs credited the Mean Green’s success during the last few years in large part to Dickey. “Coach Dickey is a players coach,” Cobbs said. “He will do everything in his power to help make you the best player you can be. That is what I like about him. We keep winning conference championships and have a 25-game conference winning streak. We didn’t do it alone, coach Dickey has the reins.” Thomas reunion on hold The reunion of North Texas running back Jamario Thomas with his brother DeMario has been put on hold. DeMario signed with UNT after his senior season at Longview Springhill, but did not meet NCAA entrance requirements. He will attend Kilgore Junior College this season. “Kilgore is a quality school that is close to his home,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “He will be in a good environment and it may turn out pretty good for him to go down there and play and then come here a year or two later.” UNT is already loaded at running back with Jamario Thomas and Patrick Cobbs this season. The loss of DeMario Thomas leaves Evan Robertson of Pflugerville as the only running back in UNT’s freshman class. “I am happy he has some place to play,” Jamario said. “Playing at Kilgore will give him a chance to get used to college life.”

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=158015 North Texas Running Backs Earn Preseason Honors At Sun Belt Football Media Days Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 07/25/2005 NEW ORLEANS (7-25-05) - After leading the nation in rushing for the past two years, Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas were named Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year as North Texas was again predicted to win the conference title at the annual Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days. The Mean Green accounted for nine selections to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team and garnered all but one first-place vote in the preseason poll. "It is an honor any time that we are picked to win the Sun Belt Conference," said head coach Darrell Dickey. "When your colleagues and the people who cover you vote for you it is a compliment to what we have accomplished, but is by no means an indication of what will happen this season. It is a tremendous challenge for us to continue the success that we have had over the past four years and provides a great motivation for our players." Cobbs and Thomas will enter the backfield for North Texas as college football's first tandem of national rushing champions. The duo will lead the Mean Green in defense of its fifth consecutive conference title and bowl bid. Cobbs led the nation in rushing and scoring in 2003 after scrambling for 152.7 yards and 11.5 points per game. In his first season as the starter, the senior set three North Texas single-season rushing records, and added his name to the career list of several others. The 2003 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, Cobbs will return to the Mean Green backfield after battling a series of season ending injuries in 2004. The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in 2004, Thomas led the nation in rushing last season with 180.1 yards per game. Thomas set the NCAA freshman record for 200-yard games, going over that mark five times, and tied the NCAA record for the fastest to reach 1,000 yards when he made it in seven games. A candidate for All-America honors, the sophomore will share the backfield with Cobbs in 2005. "There are a lot of great players in the Sun Belt and to have the opportunity to share this award with my teammate is a great honor," Cobbs said. "I'm really looking forward to playing with Jamario and doing whatever I can to help this team win games." The Mean Green had a host of other players selected to the Preseason All-Sun Belt team. Johnny Quinn earned a spot on the list as a receiver and punt return specialist after a stellar 2004 season. Quinn led North Texas in receiving for the second straight season, hauling in 49 passes for 773 yards. Dylan Lineberry was named to the preseason team after garnering conference Newcomer of the Year honors in 2004. After starting every game for the Mean Green last season, the senior is expected to be the anchor of the offensive line in 2005. Place kicker Nick Bazaldua was named to the preseason team after taking the conference by storm in 2004. The senior was named first team all-conference after leading the league in field goals per game (1.57) and field goal percentage (11 of 12 for 91.7 percent). On the defensive side of the ball, Brandon Monroe, T.J. Covington and Ja'Mel Branch were named to the preseason all-conference team. Monroe was second on the Mean Green in tackles with 62 and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. Covington, the vocal leader of the Mean Green secondary, tied for fourth in the Sun Belt in fumble recoveries. The senior's 100-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the longest play of the season and helped clinch the win over Utah State. Branch, a former all-conference punt returner and receiver, has moved to cornerback for 2005. The senior returns to the team after missing the 2004 season. The Mean Green kick off the 2005 season at Louisiana State on Sept. 3, followed by the conference opener at Middle Tennessee on Sept. 10

Maybe the coaches picked the all-conference team & PR people picked the 30 year team ??????

Doubt if FAU @ Kansas & FAU @Minn are part of the "Sun Belt Package". Bet the regional telecast is linked to the home team/conference package. FAU @ Louisville is most probably linked to Louisville & not part of the "Sun Belt Package". Who ya play and where ya play can add to your exposure.

Absolutely correct. This is what the conference coaches think going into the season.

Even with this very young them, the Mean Green have 4 on offense, 3 on defense and 2 on special teams (Quinn named twice). Nearest is Troy & ULM with 4 each. Also you know who and you know who are co-offensive players of the year. 2005 PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT TEAM OFFENSE: QB: Clint Marks (Middle Tennessee, Jr.) RB: Jamario Thomas (North Texas, So.) RB: Patrick Cobbs (North Texas, Sr.) WR: Bill Sampy (Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.) WR: Johnny Quinn (North Texas, Jr.) TE: Joey Trappey (Louisiana-Monroe, Sr.) OL: Dylan Lineberry (North Texas, Sr.) OL: Victor Cernius (Florida International, Sr.) OL: Zarah Yisrael (Troy, Sr.) OL: Brandon Cox (Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr.) OL: Kyle Cunningham (Louisiana-Monroe, So.) DEFENSE: DL: Brandon Guillory (Louisiana-Monroe, Sr.) DL: Torre Lankford (Troy, Sr.) DL: Jeff Littlejohn (Middle Tennessee, Sr.) DL: Myron Anderson (Arkansas State, Sr.) LB: Bernard Davis (Troy, Sr.) LB: Shomari Earls (Florida Atlantic, Sr.) LB: Brandon Monroe (North Texas, So.) DB: Johnny Faulk (Troy, Sr.) DB: Nick Turnbull (Florida International, Sr.) DB: Ja'Mel Branch (North Texas, Sr.) DB: T.J. Covington (North Texas, Sr.) SPECIALISTS: PK: Nick Bazaldua (North Texas, Sr.) P: Joel Stelly (Louisiana-Monroe, Sr.) RS: Johnny Quinn (North Texas, Jr.) PRESEASON CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Jamario Thomas (North Texas, So.) and Patrick Cobbs (North Texas, Sr.) PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bernard Davis (Troy, Sr.)

DNJ Article from the Muts board. In the last two Sun Belt preseason polls since the voting format took its current shape in 2003, 70 percent (7 of 10) of the picks among the top five were proved right on the money by season's end. That's right, the preseason poll actually matters — at least in heightened sight. North Texas has been correctly pegged first each of the last two preseasons, while most of the rest have also fallen right into place. http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A.../507250318/1006

You know who and you know who are listed http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Fa...tball_Top50.htm

Chad Rose possibly ?