The Fake Lonnie Finch

I personally like us to the Big 12, although it's a pipe dream. I would understand TCU because they've proven with 11 winning seasons in the last 12 that they aren't a flash in the pan. Plus, since 2005, they've taken down Oklahoma, Iowa State (bowl), Texas Tech, and Baylor (twice); so, they've proven that they can compete there. I doubt they'd continue winning 10+ games a season in the Big 12, but they'd likely be bowl bound every year. Their attendance would be jacked up, too, because of all of the Big 12 alumni in the metroplex. (Again...I wish I was writing these things about us...but for...many things, not worth discussing anymore [Oh! For a bigger stadium!]) Geographically, it seems like Arkansas would be the best fit to join the Big 12, but they're already in the best conference in the country. What would sting - SMU or Houston getting into the Big 12.

Yes, it will test the resolve of the ADs at non-BCS schools. If schools such as ours, Tulane, NMSU, etc. will schedule each other instead of taking in multiple body bag games, it can work in our favor. However, if we and others similarly situated load up with two or more games with BCS powerhouses, we're right back where we started. This can actually be a line in the sand moment where RV and other ADs at non-BCS schools stand up and quit taking body bag games without reciprocal visits. The question is in the contracting. Yes, Oklahoma, we'll play you in Norman twice, if you come to Denton once. Buying out of the Denton game will be the dollar equivalent of what you pay us for the two games in Norman combined. The only factor then is whether non-BCS ADs have the balls to do it. There comes a point in time when you've got to stand up to the Moody's of the world. Will our AD and others use this opportunity to do it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mzfFZQOgpg

I like this rule. It helps us. I now officially revise my call to schedule Sam Houston State, Texas State, Missouri State, or Stephen F. Austin - let's NOT do it. Schedule winnables such at Tulane, Army, Utah State, New Mexico State, etc.

I read the article, but not the three pages of commentary, so forgive me if I'm being repetitive: (1) The guy is aiding terrorist. Therefore, I don't care where he was born. You step into the arena, be prepared for the bull and his horns. (2) Obama could have been naive about the war on terror while running for president, but I doubt it. I think he was wise enough to play to the far left idiots in the Democratic base who really believe he'd change the war on terror. But, once in the White House, he knew he'd have to accept the reality of continuing to fight and kill terrorist, by any means, for the tenure of his term. (3) I'm drinking RC Cola this morning and I'm not ashamed of it.

I welcome Thursday night games because it gives us center stage in the football world. On Saturday dozens of other games on, we're lost in the shuffle. TCU, Boise, Fresno...all of those programs have taken advantage of playing on the odd night to help build recognition for their programs. Even though it's a misprint, I'm definitely not opposed to playing a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night game.

Disappointing to me as a Tulsa grad, but I understand the family ties. Anderson seems to be restoring Mizzou, although they haven't finished above third place in the Big 12 yet during his four seasons. It'll be tough for him to get over on Kansas and Texas in that conference. Tulsa, meanwhile, graduates three starters - forward Bishop Wheatley, guard Ben Uzoh, and center Jerome Jordan. They do have a guard who transferred from UConn's 2008-2009 Final Four squad, Scotti Haralson. They've also got a forward named D.J. Magley who started 33 games for Western Kentucky during their Sweet Sixteen run a couple of seasons ago. Both sat this season out due to transfer, but they'll be up and running for 2010-2011. Still, would have been nice for at least one of the Pressey's to go to Tulsa.

Good point. Mills has hung on as a practice squad player for four seasons, occasionally being put on the Vikings active roster in the past. He was Kragthorpe's first hybrid H-back/Tight end. Wouldn't it be cool to see Mosley thrive under the new scheme the way Mills did after Kragthrope arrived at TU in 2003? Guy ended up setting alot of receiving records on the way to the NFL. Would love to see Mosley schemed into a 50-60 catch season and a combine invite to cap off his career. http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mills_garrett00.html http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/Garrett-Mills/d17c3f11-7e3a-42b2-9174-e912eb58c63f

Been out of town on business the past three days, and just caught up with how practices are going. I'm going to try to make the game tomorrow, but my boy's been sick, so we'll see. Love what I read here from Vito: "Micah Mosley made an appearance with UNT's tight ends today. It's all part of Mike Canales' plan to use some of UNT's bigger backup running backs in hybrid roles." To me, this indicates the night and day difference we're going to see with a guy like Canales - he knows how to work all talent into the picture. I argued last year that Mosley should be used the way Tulsa uses Charles Clay - at H-back, Fullback, Tight end, Wide Receiver, and Halfback. We already know Mosley can run tough. I know he may have been tweaked by small injuries somewhat in 2008. But, there really was no excuse to have him standing on the sideline line year. I'm chomping at the bit to see this guy tear into people the way Tulsa's Charles Clay does when people focus on their receivers or run game. I think Mosley will be a true weapon at a variety of positions in 2010 - and help us get back to championship form. So happy we've got coaches who are working him in again. Clay gets alot of TDs for Tulsa from so many different positions. I think Mosley can be that kind of X-factor/game-breaker for Canales' offense.

I'd rather he tweak the knee now and have the rest of spring and summer to heal than to tweak it in the fall and be hobbled all through the season. Another thing - which I fear will be unpopular. If the 3-star JUCO from CCSF does arrive in the fall, I'd like to see DeLoach & Co. move AK-47 to LB. I've always been impressed with the kid's ability to learn. But, his lack of size has often been a factor at DE. Although, I've got to say...I've moved some safeties to DE on XBOX and it worked out, so who knows. I've also created schools in Alaska and Guanajuato, Mexico and one called Granbury State.

I tend to agree. You've got to factor in how inexperienced the O-line was with Vizza as well. For as much pressure as that kid was under, he did a heck of a job. He also had nothing in the way for real, experienced receivers form the onset. Then...there was the coaching on both sides of the ball back then. Awful. It would have been interesting to see Vizza as a senior working with Canales offense behind an experienced O-line and with veteran receivers. I'm eager to watch Tune and Thompson, though. I think Vizza was a better scrambler than either of them. But, as you may have guessed from my post prior posts, I'm not completely enamored of scrambling quarterbacks. It's a useful tool to have in your belt, but you don't want it to be the main tool for the job. To me, scrambling is like the nail setter - useful when you need it, just sitting down in the pouch when you don't.

They said somewhere in that long thing you posted that DeLoach was shuffling alot of people in and out of there. He's got more people to replace - and more important ones - than on the offensive side of the ball. I'm not worried that he's trying different LB combos and such out. We improved 11-12 points per game last year. I'm betting that after all the tickering around now, we'll see the cream rise to the top by the end of fall practice. He's got to find the players now, so he'll shuffle and it'll look ugly. I'd be more concerned if the defense was stuffing the offense at this point. Remember also, that alot of what they do in practice is situational. DeLoach can get in a film room and make corrections. The upside is that DeLoach & Co. have now seen everyone - new JUCOs, redshirts, etc. - and sees where they need work. There there are big spots to fill that were left by departing players. DeLoach will get the ones in there who can do it. Everyone else will stand on the sideline and wave to their girlfriends and parents.

Eye uh gree. The offense was horribly predictable over the past three seasons. Folks complained about Dickey's last two teams having predictable offenses. But, the past three seasons have taught us that you can have an overly predictable passing game as well. That is all gone. It's like I've awakened in some sort of strange dream land since Christmas: -All assistant coaches are now 100% from the college ranks -We're one year into having a full time strength and conditioning guy for the football team -Todd Dodge has relaxed and handed the keys of the car to Chico Canales -We're going to have tall guys with strong arms at QB -We're going to have motion, tight ends, fullbacks, and snaps from under center -We're going to have depth along the lines -We're going to have Riley in a position to use his speed without getting killed -We're going to have GREEN HELMETS again! -And, we're going to have a new stadium in 2011. Man, I was depressed, literally, when the season ended and Coach Dodge announced no changes. I took my little family up to my other alma mater and watched them dismantle Oklahoma State on the basketball court. The next day, I wrote them a check. I wrote a horribly depressing piece about it and posted in on my miserable little site. Then, things began to change. Coaches began to mysteriously get jobs in other places. Other coaches were out of jobs due to their head coaches unexpectedly being fired or hired in other places. Suddenly, we had real coaches on board! Then, we signed alot of good depth for the future. Then, we learned of the green helmets. Then, Riley and Todd decided to move him to a position that I've argued for the better part of three years that he should be playing in order to give himself a shot at real college stardom and the NFL. The only thing I haven't seen is Riley returning punts and kickoffs. If that happens, I'll begin to wonder if Rick Villareal or the Football Fairy isn't sleeping under my bed at night and catching my dreams like so many Drew Pearson-like Hail Mary hauls. I know this one thing. My attidue is now 164% different. And, I'm pledging now that, even in this piss poor economy which is daily being wrecked by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, and Barney the Dinosaur, I will tithe the proceed of every tenth sale I make to the UNT athletic department. I'm even going to dust off my old FTC Do Not Call number and start cold calling people to drum up new sales directly. I now seriously see this thing taking flight with a trajectory none of us could have ever imagined - least of all after Arkansas State had just pissed in our Thankgiving turkey. And, I want to be at the tippy top forefront of it, riding on a wave of perplexing Mean Green insanity! You will rue the day, you damn RedWolves, that you permanently turned Riley from quarterback to receiver! And, the rest of the Sun Belt will rue it as well. Your Interception-Return-Stiff-Arm-of-Death will be your curse for the next three seasons as Riley weaves his way through your secondary like a new born Galloping Ghost and farts victory all over your heathen ashes on the way to the end zone! Time after time after time. I haven't been this giddy since 1980 when I went to see Flash Gordon in the movie theater at Richardson Square Mall and my eyes beheld that Italian actress wearing her tight red thingy and straddling our hero as he tried to guide the secret escape craft to the secret moon of pleasure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg1pfksRRF0&feature=related

This isn't a big deal. Many of us said from Day One that he didn't have the body to take the hits at QB at this level. It's not good that we had to be proven right; but, it happened. Now, we can see him at a position where he can really help the team. I still want to see him get a shot at returning kickoffs and punts. As a receiver, I think he has the shiftiness to be like former OU/current Baltimore Raven WR Mark Clayton. Stature-wise, they are almost identical. Their slashing running styles in the open field are identical. It will be exciting to see how he develops under coach Hines. To me, this more than makes up for the off-season loss of William Cole...who, again, was about the same size as Riley. 2010 is going to be a great season. We'll have strong-armed quarterbacks throwing to fleet-footed receivers. And, when opponents drop that safety out of the box or pull backers to go nickel and dime, we'll be hitting them with Lance Dunbar through an experienced OL. The only question still remaining is where to display the 2010 Sun Belt championship in the new stadium...and, whether we'll have enough money to keep Todd Dodge and Chico Canales around for 2011 and beyond.

CCSF produces good talent. They are normally one of the best of the Cali JUCOs. Nebraska QB Zac Lee, Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli, and New Mexico State's LT Dwayne Barton, Florida DT Edwin Herbert, Misouri Safeties Jarrell Harrison and Kenronte Walker and LB Josh Tatum, Hawaii DL Jake Huen and WR Darius Bright, New Mexico Center Ben Contreras, ULM DT Quantez Hunter, Tennesse DE Gerald Williams.... Former All-American LB Larry Grant from Ohio State and Lance Mitchell of Oklahoma. This is a JUCO that puts out FBS-quality players on both sides of the ball, and has been doing so for decades. This is a good get...if the guy shows up.

Good. CCSF has produced alot of FBS-level players. If this kid shows up, he'll be ready.

Yeah. Riley did it to the tune of 15 interceptions and nine touchdowns. I'm not sure there's much of a difference out of the Wildcat. I've never seen anyone throwing bombs or 25-yard outs from the Wildcat. To be fair, Riley was being tutored by high school coaches last year, as were his receivers. Things should be much different this year no matter who is slinging the ball around.

Expecting: 8 Hoping for: 9 or 10 The only one I think we really don't have a shot at is Clemson. First one, out of the barrell, at a fairly raucous football stadium against an old school "defense first" school who grinds out a run game on offense...probably not going to be pretty. However, I don't think Clemson gets 40+ on us. I'm thinking 30-someting to maybe 10. And, to me, even that would set the tone for an 8-10 win season. I really do think that if we've won the Sun Belt title we've got a good chance of picking off Kansas State in the Last Game EVAR @ Fouts! K-State will have already gotten a good beating in the Big 12. When KSU limps into Fouts in will be their third consecutive road game, and fifth in seven games. Their November opens with Texas and on the road at Missouri. They then have a date with equally questionable Colorado in Boulder before they tiptoe into Denton. Their schedule sets up horribly for them and they may be - excuse the pun - "clawing" for a sixth win and bowl bid by the end of November. If there was ever a time for us to knock off a "name" team, that would be it. Opportunity will be knocking all year long, fellas. We've finally got the coaches in place to answer the door.

The Jamison Hughes Saga continues: 2007: Ole Miss 2008: Southern Miss 2009: Pearl River CC 2010 (briefly): North Texas Anyone got the back story on this one? Vito? Anyone?

The last three football seasons - one high school and two college - have ended due to injury for Riley. Therefore, I don't see the point in redshirting Thompson. It almost inevitable that he'll be needed. In fact, I'd advocate starting him if he's got the strongest arm of the three and can grasp everything Canales wants to do. In all honesty, both Tune and Thompson have better arms than Riley. Either will be fine. But...dadgum...isn't it exciting to see a kid 6'4" and 230 taking snaps? I mean, people talk about Riley being able to run around; but, what about having a QB as big as a linebacker being able to stand in the pocket, take a hit, and deliver the ball? That's every bit as valuable as "running around" with the ball. In fact, I'd say being able to stay in the pocket, take a hit, and deliver is more valuable because the timing of the play isn't messed up. If a QB pulls the ball down, receivers have got to readjust their routes and either (1) looks for an open space, or (2) come back to the ball. Everything's helter skelter at that point...and it led to too many turnovers last year. I like the thought of a bigger kid being able to hang in there and allow the receivers to complete their routes. I love Nathan Tune, but...dadgummit I'm pullng for this kid Thompson!

He'll get credit the same way the Bob Stoopses, Mack Browns, Steve Spurriers, etc. of the world get credit. Each of those coaches - indeed, most these days - give vast control of their teams to the coordinators. In the cases of Stoops and Spurriers, they only focus on one side of the ball and the coordinators have free reign of the other side. It's the 21st Century way to coach at the most competitive level - and, I'll gladly give Dodge credit for embracing it. It will assure that he stays at this level and perhaps jumps to the NFL someday. The defense, in its third year under Deloach and second with Nelson, will be staunch. I'm guessing we'll see another 10-12 point reduction in points against. We'll be the 2010 Sun Belt Champs.

Hmmm. Well, Dodge himself said when Chico was hired that he was turning over the QB coaching, gameplanning, and playcalling to him. Was he just lying for the sake of lying?

"UNT will begin installing new wrinkles in its offense immediately. Dodge said running backs Micah Mosley and Jeremi Mathis are prime candidates to become utility players who UNT will use as H-backs in the running and passing games." Good. This is something I suggested last year. Looks like having Canales aboard is already paying off.

We're not under Dodge anymore. He agreed to turn over QB-coaching, gameplanning and playcalling to Canales; and, we will easily win three with Chico calling the shots. If we don't win six with Chico, it will be due to injuries or some other freak thing. We will win. With as many returning starters as we'll have - and now under the full guidance of collegiate worthy coaches - this thing ought to take off like a rocket. I hope Todd Dodge enjoys the ride now that he's laid the reigns aside (that rhymes).

And, here's a good interactive links with stadium after stadium after stadium (WARNING: football-related content follows): http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=-1&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=16825&change_well_id=2

...2010 Sun Belt Conference Championship at the new Chico Canales Stadium in 2011? Should we incorporate it into the scoreboard or just make it part of a list hanging on front of the press box the press box like like OU does theirs? I'll hang up and listen. OR