GrandGreen

There are always going to be a few that complain no matter what, but the vast majority would have been elated after an one point win no matter how sloppy the game. Please think this through; NT loses to Clemson big and most are happy because of the effort and ability to move the ball; next game, NT loses to what most think of as an about equal team by one point and all is lost, fire the coach. Don't you just see a little irony there? In truth at this point, no one knows how good either Clemson or Rice is. Rice's defense actually looked better than Clemson's for most of the game. As far as the coach, I don't think you are going to find many that now think Dodge was a good hire. He obviously was not ready for the job, but that is old news; all that matters now is how this team performs this year. They are off to a bad start not so much because of the loses but the injuries. Thus far NT has gotten beaten because of mistakes and as disheartening as that is; IMO it is much better than getting plowed over by teams that it is apparent NT doesn't belong on the same field as. Dodge is a much better coach than three years ago, but is he good enough to save his job? The odds are definitely against him, but he is going to get a chance to succeed. I would like for someone to explain to me, how firing Dodge now would in anyway benefit the program. Does anyone really think that NT has an assistant that is going to improve the program or can hire a coach to come in during the season? Dodge will be terminated unless there are significant improvements; that decision has already been announced. So other than for venting frustrations, what purpose does post like the above serve? Do you really think Dodge or RV need the fan base to point out that Dodge better get his crew to coaching and playing and win at least six games?

Amazing, if the score had been NT 33 Rice 32: the sky would be sunny and most would be lauding the turnaround. Now very predictably, many want the instant firing of Dodge, although that would almost surely destroy any chance for a descent season. NT made far too many mistakes to even be close last night, yet they continued to play very hard and actually should have won. Too familiar a story for most, however the season is for from over. Many posters on here seem to think that RV is a great AD. If you have that much confidence: why not let him handle the coaching situation. I don't know if all are aware that NT was playing with 3 of 5 originally starting offensive linemen on the side line last night, J. Jackson playing with a just separated shoulder, and Casey still suffering from his hand injury. Tune had also been knocked out of the game earlier. That is a lot to overcome for a team that started out with good depth but that has changed quickly. Even with the awful special team play and the many injuries; the team never gave up to the their credit. I know any semi-positive response is going to be met with this is the type o,f low expectations that is holding the team back, mantra. However, I like the desire and effort I've seen in the first two games and NT does have some talent. Is this team good enough to challenge for the Belt title, a for more meaningful goal than 7 wins? The mounting injuries are reducing the odds, but there is still time to improve enough to win the Belt. NT did not play well enough to beat Rice, however it is way to early to give up on this team.

I still wonder why Dodge doesn't recruit more QBs. Now NT is down to Thompson and basically nothing.

What a disaster. Now NT is down to Thompson, Shorter and Williams at the wings. I assume we now see a lot of White at that position with Johnson at guard. One injury and NT is really in trouble.

This college facility arms race is going to continue until every team has their own "JerryWorld" and all colleges are bankrupt.

Guys, there is no way in hell; Baine is faster than Riley and I am sure with his job definitely on the line: Todd is not using his best players because of a personal agenda. I thought most of the fan base had moved on since Riley is no longer the starting QB. Riley will continue to be a great asset to the team and I hope Blaine never sees the field at QB in a competitive game because that would mean we are down to the fourth or fifth QB. Baine appears however to be a good athlete and hopefully they will find a way to get him on to the field.

It will be interesting to see how this comes out. No way should a fan vote decide such a thing but lets see. NT should be well represented but who knows, NT has B. Kennedy the only lineman to win conference MVP and he did it twice, two national rushing champions and the receptions leader in Fitzgerald. Has any other Belt player ever led a major statistical category. Kennedy should be a shoo in for most valuable defensive player, but unless NT fans vote in volume; NT could be without any representation. Few fans will actually intelligently vote, but most will vote for their teams players with only a few exceptions for well known players. Unfortunately, NT glory days were early and most will forget or ignore the most dominant run in the Belt. Note; for all those complaining about the exclusion of players; it states the listed players are based on the schools' nominations. Don't know if they had a screening process after that but at the looks of the ASU nominees; perhaps not.

I think the odds of the Super BCS are very low. There is the little matter of leaving out in your example ; 45 to 70 schools in today's litigious society. Plus there must be a few smart enough to figure out that leaving out the bottom half of the schools is going to greatly decrease the number of wins when the have's only play other have's.

What a weird subject. I know a number of people from Rice and they are not aliens and with a few exceptions, unusual.

Well lets see NT has been in a league with Louisville, Memphis, and Cincinnati.; so I guess we should also live in that past. I am really puzzled by your contention that UNT offers no money, no market and average facilities. The fact is that UNT is in the exact same market as SMU without the I think unfair rich privilege stigma of SMU. In addition, with the completion of the new stadium: NT will compare very well with SMU's facilities; there is no doubt the SPit is better than Moody. As far as money, I assume SMU will always have rich benefactors willing to try to buy success either legally or not. However, there may not be the operating budget difference that you think. Adjust for the difference in tuition build into the always questionable athletic budget numbers and factor in the huge difference in enrollments and the effect of newly enacted student athletic fees at NT and that advantage may not be as great as you may think and could very well close over time.

I wonder why SMU should play anyone? I always like the guys with all the inside dope, SMU is a sleeping giant, better conference affiliation! Where do you envision SMU; because I can't see SMU moving up anywhere, is the ACC calling? CUSA is a step above the Belt, but that step is a lot smaller than you seem to think. I do really like your confidence that SMU will always be a higher profile program than NT. Do you also feel that UT, Tex. Tech, Baylor, TCU and about a hundred other athletic programs will always be of a higher profile than SMU? I will end with a knee-jerk answer to why NT should play SMU. It is a game that I would like to see and I would think there are a lot of others would also. I'm not sure why a competitive game against a local opponent has be justified beyond that.

Never understood why the four metroplex teams don't play every year. The ole "nothing to gain" argument has always been stupid but now it is down right ridiculous. What has SMU got to gain from playing Florida Gulf Coast, Texas State or Occidental? At a time when it is very difficult to get a descent home schedule because none of the big time programs want to play away, it makes great sense to establish local rivalries and play home and away series that local fans can all go to. The basic truth is that SMU, TCU and North Texas all need attendance boosts and all could do much better in recruiting local talent. I fail to see how TCU and SMU avoiding NT accomplishes anything for their programs. Wouldn't it be great, if the four local schools actually formed a type of allegiance to build up rivalries and promote local college basketball. Maybe if they did they could get some casual fans to actually take interest and attend a local game instead watching UT or the Mavericks on TV. Also with more local interest, it might be possible to kept a few more of the great basketball players this area spawned here.

Rice could have easily had 3 digits if they wanted to. They did everything they could short of punting on first down to keep the score down most of the second half. . Getting beat that bad should certainly be enough to get NT fired up without the made up allegation that Rice ran the score up.

I don't think my comparing QBs to other positions is remotely close to as asinine as your position on trying to redshirt Thompson. I was one if not the most critical of Dodge for burning Thompson redshirt last year, but your position on Thompson this year is not only moot; it borders on the ridiculous.

Anyone think that the fact that NT gained over 460 yards almost entirely without Riley may have something to do with him playing so little? I certainly don't think NT was saving anything, what NT was doing in its base offense worked well. I guess one question was answered in that Dunbar good be pretty effective without Dodge directing the offense. I look forward to seeing Riley play much more, I think he would have been effective against Clemson; but there was no real need. I think Riley will win NT some games this year.

UNT90, we have got it you think that Thompson should not go in until absolutely necessary despite the fact that there are no other good QB options behind Tune. Playing backup in a game is of no merit and the likelihood of losing Tune to injury is remote. Never mind that it would make much more sense to redshirt Byrd, Bellazin, Orr and a multitude of others before Thompson, yet no one is questioning their lost of a redshirt. Also the decision has already been made and in this case unlike using Thompson last year, it is not even really a questionable decision. This is a must year for Dodge, the last thing he is worried about is whether he has a QB identified for 2012. Your second QB has to be really to play and Dodge has always tried to get his second string QB a few snaps to prepare him for when it is necessary. I bet Mac Brown wished he had given his backup to McCoy a few more series after the Alabama game. By the way, Clemson was in a prevent defense at the end of the game; the same as they would have been if the first teams were playing. One man's mop up is another's good experience, I guess.

North Texas 42 Rice 27

Yes, Ball State turned out to be a bad team but at the time; all we knew is that NT had beaten a team that was almost in a BCS bowl the year before. I too think Clemson is a much better team but the fact is that NT beat Ball State, NT lost to Clemson 10-35. I actually think that NT should beat Rice by 10 but just making the point that first games are often not a good indication of the team strength. Coaching staffs have forever to plan for the first game and generally the emotions are very high. Even the most veteran teams have new players and often new schemes that are still not perfected. As the old adage states teams improve the most from the first to second game.

Don't forget Rice was playing a home game versus away in front of a great crowd. Rice and NT both played well but lost. NT should win this game, however, the memory of last year were NT was even more impressive in the first game and went on to only win more game tempers my enthusiasm.

Good job, Matt. Please keep the news coming.

Yes, almost every team goes through a season with one true scholarship quarterback. I don't guess you noticed but Dodge burned Thompson's redshirt for one series last year, you really think with his job on the line; he is going to try to go through the year; with a couple of walk ons, his son who has been restricted to limited action and a 177 lb freshman who will probably never play at QB. Obviously you already have an answer, I just find it difficult to believe that anyone thought redshirting Thompson was even an option.

Vito, why would you even think that it was a possibility that Thompson would redshirt? I may have missed something but I don't see a lot of quarterbacks on this team. Bad news about Ford, at least there should be no doubt he can get a medical redshirt.

It says a lot of students want to be here. Again, why are you still obsessing about UNT. I would really like to know what perceived wrong has so dramatically effected your life, that you haunt message boards just to disparage UNT. I am sure that you are aware that your obsession is far from normal.

The conditions were the same for both teams. This is a young team who I hope will get much better, but you have to look at the competition. UNT beat a bunch of bad bad teams and just lost to a slightly better win-less team. A lot more will be learned about this team, Sunday. Hopefully, NT can defend its field and today's game will become an afterthought.

I hope for a well played competitive game. I don't want to see a surrender before the game is decided like against Alabama last year and Kansas State the year before. My prediction is that Clemson will prevail but they will know they at least played a legitimate fb division program. I do think the odds makers got this one about right.