Greendylan

I don't necessarily think the AP and Coaches Poll are the only (or even the best) evaluative tool for comparing G5 conferences, but if we are to use that metric, then CUSA is not doing well at all. Only the MAC is receiving fewer votes. Of course, this all could change with some important games left to be played.

Agreed

I'm not saying it's an awful team. But, when "the oline has clearly regressed," that could possibly result in a team that just isn't very good anymore.

Um . . . it may be time to accept the fact that we just aren't a very good team this year. We got really inspired and beat a bunch of bad teams early in the year. Now we aren't inspired, and we are struggling with even the dregs of division 1.

That game was at Coastal Carolina. UAB has not lost a home game since restoring their program.

14 tackles for loss by our defense . . . just let that sink in.

"Deep down we really all knew the NY6 was unattainable." Respectfully, I would like to disagree. It was always unlikely and by no means a slam dunk even if we had finished 13-0, but I still wouldn't call it "unattainable." Any G5 team that completes its non-conference schedule by blowing out every single opponent is squarely in the conversation.

The offense may be even better next year, which is definitely a reason for optimism. The defense, as others have pointed out, loses a lot and may take a huge step back. What's disappointing, however, is that we may not ever again have the scheduling stars align such that we can go undefeated in non-conference. For a G5 team not named Boise State, it could take two or three decades (or more) before that's a realistic possibility again. Oh well, that's not to say that we can't still finish this season as one of the best teams in the nation. A missed opportunity against a team that we were clearly capable of beating stings, but there's a lot still on the table.

I think there's a difference. But, our postseason prospects will be the same. That's not meant as a knock on the team, but the G5 reality is that you get one shot every decade or two to make some noise on a national level. Hey, I'll still take bowl eligibility over what we've come accustomed to in the past, but this was a huge opportunity that was lost with that blocked kick.

We now know the following: We will not be ranked. We will not win the conference. We will not win the West Division. There's no shame in going to the ServPro Bowl or whatever it is called, but at this point it really makes no difference if we go 6-6 or 11-1. Time to just focus on building for next year and maybe just maybe winning a bowl game for the first time under Littrell. Sadly, I think that's the only milestone that is possible this season. At least mediocrity is way better than we were a few years ago.

We look terrible, and unless something drastically changes, we are headed for a blowout loss. We are being completely dominated on the line and seem to have no answer.

Pretty much getting no pressure on their QB, so he's just picking the secondary apart. And, when he throws a bad pass, it's called pass interference every single time.

We can't beat Arkansas and the refs.

Welp, the refs have made clear their preference.

Maybe. CSU had the advantage of a home crowd and a 5,000 foot elevation, and they still were well on their way to a blowout loss before Arkansas wore down physically and fell victim to their own poor play calling. We will have a much more difficult task than CSU did, in my opinion.

Sure, that's a fair point. I don't want to speak for Vito here, of course, but an argument could be made that the binding thematic thread common to all these player/coach profiles and features throughout the game week is the overwhelming opportunity that the upcoming game (Arkansas) presents for those individuals and the football program they represent.

Any time one team is preparing to face another with whom there is any history, you read again and again about the all-time record between the schools, record vs. conference, previous scores, etc. It would be flimsy journalism to not provide historical context. And, Vito's actually framing the narrative in a way that sets us up for a whole spate of feel good stories if we pull off a win.

We have never arranged anything official with them, but Dot's was very accommodating to UNT fans last year.

I had a chance to visit Hog Haus Brewing Co recently when we were staying in a cabin near Eureka Springs for the Fourth of July. Awesome food, but what was even more impressive was how knowledgeable the staff was about their beers.

We would probably need to have 2000-3000 beyond Apogee's capacity AND have everyone actually sitting in seats (as in not congregating elsewhere throughout the stadium) at any given time to fill the Wing Zone. It will never look full even during a sellout. People who buy GA seats won't actually sit at the top of the "wing" since there are always FAR better options to squeeze in across the whole student side.

Strong write-ups!

Overall, this was not a good opening weekend for CUSA. Of course, I don't mind at all North Texas being one of the few success stories. Still, it is concerning that we didn't see more non-conference wins for CUSA and fewer blowout losses.

My "mobile" season tickets have yet to arrive via email even though I long ago received a confirmation email. So far none of my calls, voicemails, emails has elicited a response.

Might this be the proverbial "running back by committee"-type of year, rather than a feature back?

For what it's worth, I don't believe they have SMU in a bowl either. The "Matchup Predictor" on ESPN expects North Texas to win 8 games.