LongJim

Yes. But it's probably not news to anyone that the SBC is viewed by many as a conference that could probably be won by 10 1AA schools in this country. App. State isn't chopped liver--they've had 11 winning seasons in a row. Many national football so-called "experts" believe that most of the schools in the Belt should still be in 1AA right now, based on the level of talent in the league, and the attendance, etc. Take that for what it's worth, but yes, we should be at least as competitive as them right now.

Eye-opener: You Too Can Get a HS Diploma!

I totally agree with this view--with a couple of qualifications. I think we should be competitive in OOC games yes, but it also depends on the quality of the opponent. No, UNT shouldn't have been smashed by Tulsa or KState. I felt like the MG could have played those games within 15-20 points, and against Tulsa, I thought there might be a W. In hindsight, that was obviously wishful thinking. I know I've said this more than once, but UNT is not at the point--YET--where they can simply re-load, or even semi-reload every year. They have some--SOME--very good players, and some very good up and comers, and must continue to improve their recruiting EVERY YEAR in order to keep moving up. At the point the program is now, there are going to be down years here and there. Having said that, I also expect UNT to compete for the SBC title every year. I don't disagree with this, but I want the guy to keep working the HS arena here in Texas for better players, and keep building inroads into the state talent pools like Houston, DFW, and the east and west texas schools. I don't know what his reputation is among HS coaches, but IMO, building and nurturing those relationships is paramount. The relationships with donors is the other big thing, in my book. As far as I'm concerned, he can bad-mouth the armchair qb's all he wants--and I definitely fall into that category. But from what I've read on this board, he seemed like a pretty cool guy during that fundraiser football game, but whatever--Just win, baby. Cerebus made a very good point in another thread: You don't have to love DD, but don't make him bigger than the football program at UNT, because he isn't.

*shrugs* Attrition happens in all programs. It's nothing unusual, and the reasons for it run the gamut. UNT isn't immune.

Daniel Meager-QB Brandon Jackson-S TJ Covington-CB*** Deavin Cox-CB Colt Mahan-OLB Travis Thompson-ILB Brandon Monroe-ILB Tye Rexrode-QB Thomas Pratt-RB Jamario Thomas-RB*** Roy Covington-WR Brock Stickler-WR Brady Hartman-OT Chad Rose-C Jermiah Chapman-S Isaac Thomas-DT Micah West-DT All recruits were rated at least two stars.

Players have to execute the play they're given. They have to step up and make a play. Too many times this year, UNT did not do this. Yes it can. Notre Dame and UT both did it this weekend.

Cut by the Lions 9/3...

Yep, this is a great bowl for TCU, and will get them lots of pub. Congrats to them.

Current attendance averages: HERE

Current info on John Jenkins--whose now working for Forrest Gregg (!) in the CFL: HERE

Here's some stats that might be of interest. 2005 SBC Stats Pay particular attention to the team defensive stats. Totally supports early-season projections that the UNT defense was going to be a work in progress this year. This year hasn't only been about the offensive struggles.

I want to chime in to agree that it's fun for some of us who actually ENJOY seeing the bands at halftime. There are those who appreciate the "competition" between the bands, and it really does add a lot to the atmosphere. Thanks for coming!

Heh! No kidding. Last week, UT fans had to sweat through a Friday night "QB breaks hand in fight" rumor.

There are rumors that have Dodge going to other schools besides SCHMOO in some capacity, but they're definitely RUMORS at this point.

UNT 24 Ulamon 20

For fans of this offense, this is one of the best breakdowns/histories of this offense I've seen. Will probably bring back memories (some bad in my case). Enjoy. Part 1 Part 2

Heh. They're treating me for carpal tunnel as I write this. OW!!

Don't say that too loud. (Just kidding) Welcome! No doubt about that!

That's "Grandpa Urine" to you, pilgrim.

I can't speak to this, because many of you are much closer to the program, that's for sure. I certainly don't know why Fouts isn't packed every Saturday, particularly in a town like Denton, which let's face it, has limited entertainment opportunities in-town. I totally agree with this, and you're absolutely right. It was way past due. But WOULD it have happened without the recent success that UNT Football has enjoyed? Beats me. But I think it's fair to note though, that SMU and TCU have trouble draw-ring fans as well. SMU has been pathetic for a while, while TCU has had great seasons recently and still can get "only" 30-32K to show up at AC while going 10-1 and winning their conference. I don't think it's specific to UNT. All I can say to that is what John Madden frequently says: "Winning is a great deodorant." The MG failed in that regard this year--no question, but should UNT go this year's Texas Tech route and schedule 1AA teams to (hopefully) beat up on, or play an "anytime, anwhere" schedule that might draw more fans, but get our aces beat in the process? Would someone please quote more of these comments? The only one I can ever find is the "I work here EVERY day.." thing that's been beaten into the ground. If DD is alienating contributors or alumni, that's not a good thing, but this is beginning to smell like the Cardiff Giant. (Those of you with first-hand quotes, post them. I'm only saying this because I haven't heard this "negativity", but maybe I frequent the wrong haunts.) On the other hand, sometimes people like to whine about people not pumping enough sunshine. Again, I may be wrong, so correct me if so. Gently please. Is that known as fact? If so, what's the big surprise? You don't think that happens EVERY DAY in NCAA DI football? Bowdens? Shulas? Nepotism and favoritism is everywhere. This isn't the X-Files. Has all this just come out? Where was the outrage 4 years ago???? Ahh. UNT was winning. SHHH!! For the record: I don't disagree with your feelings, and I can understand them. I realize that you and others definitely have more "inside info" than a lot of us. I for one, am NOT content with the performance this year. UNT has definitely underachieved, however, IMO the OOC success will come as recruiting continues to improve. Now whether that will happen with "Devil Dickey" or not, who knows? I just know that it WON'T be overnight, and I'm not certain that firing DD isn't throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

damn with faint praise Compliment so feebly that it amounts to no compliment at all, or even implies condemnation. For example, The reviewer damned the singer with faint praise, admiring her dress but not mentioning her voice. This idea was already expressed in Roman times by Favorinus (c. a.d. 110) but the actual expression comes from Alexander Pope's Epistle to Doctor Arbuthnot (1733): “Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, and, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer.”

We should have been more competitive w/Tulsa and La Tech., but they have better athletes at this point, and those were very losable games to THIS YEARS UNT team. To say that we're competitive with even a down-year KState right now is nuts. It seems to me that a lot of UNT fans still don't seem to grasp the fact that's been mentioned over and over and over--until we get more blue-chippers at MANY positions EVERY year for SEVERAL years--and keep getting them consistently--we will continue to struggle with big OOC games. If you want to blame DD for that, by all means go ahead. I'm not convinced that's true or fair. I personally believe that it is a slow, grueling, frustrating process that sometimes seems glacial. I will criticize DD and his staff for a few things: 1. His teams DO play very undisciplined football at times. 2. This team has been plagued by poor tackling this year. 3. I thought Meager was handcuffed and brought along too slowly--but that's a judgement thing. The bottom line is that UNT has to get bigger, stronger, and faster. I still subscribe to the belief that this team IS young, and will get better, but UNT is only just now beginning to semi-consistently recruit above the 1AA level. Sometimes this place reminds me of that scene in Frankenstein--I guess I just need to get my pitchfork and torch and join the march to "kill the monster".

I think it's hard to evaluate the leadership abilities of a redshirt freshman at this point, personally. But IMO there's no doubt that the offense needs to be built around the QB--whoever it is. I'm all for giving Meager every chance to succeed. 1 season as a freshman isn't sufficient.

QB.

One of the funniest posts I saw at another board was: Jim Tressell: "We're going to stack the line and make Young beat us with his arm." Vince Young: "Ok."