The Fake Lonnie Finch

How is it too early too question Mac? We questioned Dodge much sooner than his fourth season. And, it was at about this point in his fourth season that he was fired.

We're not talking about firing. I think what we're beginning to question is the depth and development. Canales has been here for five seasons, Mac four. And, yet...

...at QB, we're "hoping" the current guy develops because no one else on the roster has
...at WR we only have one guy making plays consistently
...at TE we appear to have depth, but not consistency in making plays
...at OL we were led to believe that this group was going to dominate based on experience; but, outside of Nicholls State, that hasn't happened this year, which is a shame because the one place we do seem to be okay is at RB.

...at DL we are thin on experience, and getting blown off the ball
...at LB we have not had a playmaker step forward to replace Orr; and, really, who besides Orr was a consistent playmaker at LB?
...at CB we still seem to shuffle a lot of bodies from here and there, and it hasn't helped us against teams with half-decent passers, which is a shame because we do seem to have had some decent Safety play.

Special teams seems okay. The new kicker is pretty good. I know we were spoiled by watching Chancellor as our return guy for the past few seasons. But, still, where is the talent to replace him?

We all fully understand that this isn't a "reload not rebuilt"-type program the way an OU, Texas, or Alabama are (should be, anyway).

But, doesn't it strike you that after four years with a coach that the depth and development shouldn't be as...lacking in so many areas? I can understand if you were not deep in maybe one part of a unit. But, on offense and defense, we seem to be waiting on development in many moving parts.

I suppose at the end of the day we only have to finish 4-3 in a pretty mediocre conference to make another bowl. But, if we can't make a second bowl game in this conference with a coach and staff as experienced as any in the league, isn't it right to start to raise some questions about recruiting and development?

And, please recall, I've been staunchly in McCarney and Canales' corner when many here raised these questions sooner. So, I wasn't lighting my torch after the Texas loss, or even the Louisiana Tech loss.

Hopefully, we can whip UAB and this thing will begin to gel. But, honestly, I'll be worried if we can't run on UAB, or if they somehow beat us. I know they are "improved"...however, I'd have a hard time digesting a loss to a team that has been down for so long, then led by an FCS via high school coach guy in just one season. Ya know?

Derrick Teegarden - Odessa - Signed in 2010, later moved to WR
Cooper Jones - Lone Oak - Signed in 2011, later moved to TE
Andrew McNulty - Iowa City, IA - Signed in 2011, never beat out Thompson
Brent Osborn - Senatobia, MS - JUCO Signed in 2011, didn't beat out Thompson, conspiracy theorist emerged when McNulty became Derek's backup in 2012
Brock Berglund - Highlands Ranch, CO - Kansas/JUCO, transferred in 2012 - didn't beat out Thompson in 2013, moved along to Divison II Northern Colorado
Dajon Williams - Pflugerville - Signed in 2013, didn't beat out Thompson

Six signed in the classes after Thompson. None could exploit Derek's broken leg in 2010 to their advantage in 2011. Two were eventually moved to other positions. Osborn graduated and left with eligibility remaining. Berglund quit and went back home. Dajon sat and nursed an injury while McCarney & Co. asked the NCAA for another year for him.

Add to that list of those that Thompson trampled under foot Riley Dodge, who transferred to McNeese State in 2011 rather than compete with Thompson for the starting job that season. Riley knew. Riley knew.

All were given the ability to compete on equal footing with Derek. But, none could slay him.

Derek...he conquered them all. With quiet dignity, he conquered them all, my Mean Green friends and enemies. He conquered them all and delivered unto us a bowl victory.

Thank you, Derek. Thank you again.

2014-15, with these players and coaches: http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ntex-m-baskbl-mtt.html

Of all the teams we played in the 60s and 70s, it's the series with Cincinnati and San Diego State I'd like to see renewed. To me, it's like the scheduliing run with old Missouri Valley foe Tulsa.

What we are really talking about here is 2018-2025. As of now, we have the schedule full through 2017.

2018-2021, we have SMU and Army. A third OOC is needed in each of those seasons. Many, many schools have empty schedules for those years. Strike now.

He's a short list of who I'd like to see us negotiate home and home with for any of the seasons, 2018 - 2025:

Wake Forest
We've never played them. Tulsa/Rice-like as a private school which is occasionally good. This season, ridiculously, Wake Forest plays ULM and Utah State...and both are road games! If they'll go to Monroe and Logan, in the same season,surely they would come to Denton.

Syracuse
We've never played them. Like watching games played at the Carrier Dome, for some reason. 'Cuse has grads all over; know some in the DFW area. They home and homed Central Michigan. Lots of history without the douchebaggery of the regional historic powers we schedule - OU, Texas, LSU, etc.

North Carolina State
Again, never played them. They have kind of a hippie reputation at their school as well; old fans would likely find some kindred spirits there. In 2015, they played at both South Alabama and Old Dominion.

Pittsburgh
Never played them. They played on the road at FIU (2014), Akron (2015), and Oklahoma State (2016); so, they will go. Pro stadium for home game. Like Syracuse, history without the apparent douchbaggery.

Virginia
Never played them. Historic institution. They have road games in the future against Connecticut (2016) and Boise State (2017), plus they play at BYU this season. They've home and homed TCU recently as well. So, they are game for travel across time zones.

Northern Illinois
We've played them once (1996) and won. They have been very good of late. They have future home and homes with UNLV (2014, 2015) and Wyoming (2015, 2016).

Kent State/Miami (OH)/Toledo
I lobbied for and like the MAC home and homes we had with Ball State and Ohio. Here are three MACs we've never played. In 2016, Toledo is playing at both Arkansas State and Tulsa.

Washington or Washington State
We've never played either. Selfishly, I'd lean toward Wazzu just for an excuse to see the Palouse. I'd also be up for an old Big 12 re-hash of Leach versus McCarney (Leach leads the series, 4-1). Of course, Seattle is a good trip as well on the other side of the state. The Huskies, though, rarely home and home East of the Rockies.

Colorado
We've played them once (Jamario's national break out game, 2004). They have given San Jose State a 2 for 1 (2015-2017). They have given Massachusetts a home and home (2014, 2015). Surely, they'd like to hit Texas again for recruiting purposes. As of now, they have no games scheduled with any Texas school.

Texas State or New Mexico State
History shows that we have played these two schools more than any other. Amazing, no? New Mexico State is desperate for games. Texas State is aiming to get where we (and UTSA) are. Crazy, no? Las Cruces ain't much for tourism, but El Paso is nearby. San Marcos is a nice road trip. Bobcat fans are strewn, for better or worse, throughout DFW. So, it'd likely be a good draw.

Kentucky
This is a school we've played three times in our history (we're 0-3); but, they've never come to Denton. Coached by a Stoops brother now. This is likely the most beatable Stoops brother. A chance to play an SEC school and actually have better than a punchers chance of winning.

San Diego State or San Jose State
Already discussed this. Nice trip to Cali for the fans and families.

I responded to this McCarney game plan thing on one of Harry's threads. McCarney is McCarney. He's gonna dance who who brung him. The run game brung him, and so he's going to stick with it.

We're either happy to be 7-4 and in a bowl game dancing with the run game that brung us, or...?

I think the main problem is, as discussed over the past few seasons, is adjusting within the game. Although, honestly, I'm really having a hard time complaining much at 7-4 and still a chance to get and eighth and ninth win. I was one who, before the season, said we'd only win four games - and, only by a miracle would we get as many as six! I've never been so happily wrong!

So, as low as my bar was set for this group in August, I'm happy. If McCarney's groups are going to be run heavy and have us in the thick of the conference races late in November, I'm not going to compain a whole lot.

Besides, most of the things we used to complain about have been addressed and conquered:
-Get a real stadium, check
-Get a real coach and coaching staff, check
-Get us in a conference with more bowl ties, check
-Stop the eight year losing streak and bowl drought, check
-And set the school attendance record to boot, check

I'm starting the think that unless some people see McCarney, RV, and DT walk on water, they are going to lose the faith altogether. It's as though many people here are like the kid who got a $100 bill in his Christmas stocking, then complained that he didn't get two.

If McCarney or RV left at this point, after all the work they've done, would anyone be surprised? If they can't make you happy by attaining the goals we said we wanted achieved, why would they stay?

If you all were my kids, I'd whip yer asses with a belt and send you to your bedrooms with no dinner!

I'm going to dream a little dream:

UNT 33, Georgia 26

I'm always confused when I hear that Dickey hated to pass...and, yet we slobber all over Scott Hall and Johnny Quinn as our best ever QB-WR tandem.

But, people confusing their hindsight with reality is a discussion for another day...

...what we are discussing to today is the absurdity of thinking the success of the 2013 season will be on the QB.

It won't matter if Jesus Christ himself descends to play quarterback for us in 2013 - if we don't have a defensive that can stop the run or defend the pass, we will be having our butts kicked weekly anyway.

People pout and preen on and on about Derek Thompson. Bag on Derek all you want. If the defense doesn't do its job in 2013, this thing ain't getting off the ground no matter what happens on the offensive side of the ball.