NT71

GMG1999 I agree the game against LSU to many dropped balls by our receivers. I do not know why Brown was pulled from the game as he was running effectively on the draw. It seemed to me NT needed to run the ball between the tackles as LSU was defending the corners well on runs. However, passes to the flat we seemed to make some progress. You hit the nail on the head with the comment about run defense. I saw to many missed tackles on the long runs by LSU. However, on a positive note when LSU used the big back (280lbs?) we seemed to control or even stop him. Mac indicated this week they would be working to correct those errors. I hope this gets corrected as they will probably be against a lot of speed. If the team continues to play and use Mac's guidance then they will win this week. GMG

The key to this season is both lines D and O. If they remain healthly and the D line get to the opponents QB and stuff running holes and the O line can protect our QB I see a 7-5 record. If not then this will be a VERY LONG season. GMG

Perception and Money!! Based on what I see in the economy some folks will prioritize where they will spend their entertainment dollars. If we can schedule SMU and TCU in the same year and get a battle of who is the metroplex champs particularly in football why would one want to travel to Ark St or MTSU. Whether we like it or not particularly in football your strength of schedule in out of conference games now that we are in CUSA (2013) will in the minds of fans not of the UNT persuasion provide the perception of NT football--are we deserving a bowl bid. One other major factor is winning the games. The perception is if you are beating your level or higher you are a quality school deserving a bowl bid particularly if the attendence is high at both away and home games. Now for what I think regardless of perception and money is the impact on the student athlete. If they travel to a game that is a few hours away or less,play the game, and return back to Denton they will not miss class time. Also, remember these athletes after expending a lot of energy will still need to study so they can make their grades and graduate. That is one reason that I am glad UNT is now in C-USA. GMG

I went on the C-USA web site and the Commissioner stated the divisions had not yet been worked out but did indicate that currently they designated 8 conference games. So the question becomes with 13 members and maybe a 14th (either ODU or MTSU) how do you see the divisional alignment and what teams would be conference games for 2013. My thoughts would be for the divisional alignment UNT UTEP UTSA Rice Tulsa La Tech Tulane Southern Miss UAB FIU Charlotte Marshall ECU (ODU or MTSU) For 2013 Season everyone in our division plus Southern Miss and dependent upon the last member added either MTSU or UAB. GMG

So all we hear is unnamed sources say .... will be in C-USA. My guess is that C-USA will be announcing at an appropriate time who is in the conference and I would suspect that the new members will be for the 2013 football season. Do I think UNT will be one of the new members? Yes, without a doubt because of all the ties to the conference (President Rawilins one of founding people of C-USA and Rick V. Southern Miss) and NO SMU to veto our membership. GMG

Harry My questions for RV are as follows: 1) Can you address from your perspective where you see North Texas in terms of a conference whether in the Sunbelt or CUSA/MWC/Aliance in 2012 or 2013? 2) Now that we have a stadium what is the status of adding a baseball team? 3) As the AD what are your short term and long term goals for North Texas athletics? 4) What is the health status of coach Mac? Thanks

Harry in revisiting your post that began this thread and providing two quotes my greatest concern with Benson is his track record. If memory serves correctly he was at the head of the conference (WAC) when the split occurred into the Mountain West and WAC. He currently is jumping ship from commissioner of the WAC to Sunbelt and you have the same issues that were in the WAC split. Many of the former football schools in the WAC have been bailing or trying to bail some successfully into CUSA and others wishful thinking. The WAC is sinking and without a commissioner will probably fade into the sunset concerning football. Then the question begins of the remaining schools that play football will the Sunbelt become the new WAC/Sunbelt conference? With the landscape of the Conference Shuffle still on-going my guess is that behind the scene activity between NT and other potential conference mates we maybe moving soon into the alliance. My rationale is the TV market and fertile recruiting ground in TX high school Metroplex. Only time will tell.

Do you think it might have something to do with moving to the Big East?

MeanGreenWithEnvy I agree with almost everything you say except the score. Establish the Run I think UNT runs wild UNT 35 ULM 17 Don't establish the run but gets the passing game going UNT 42 ULM 21 Don't establish the run nor passing game The D gets tired UNT 21 ULM 35

Okay now I will put my 2 cents worth in this discussion. First have you noticed the bias in sports reporting? If SMU and Houston do go to Big East their games will probably be played in mid afternoon in the East. So that means on ESPN, local stations and newspapers their games will make the Sunday print. Also have you ever noticed that many of the awards and discussion about athelets(sp) focus on many teams in the East or South? So guess what happens in the rankings their stock goes up because they are playing in the East and it hits the papers in the East. Second there are no guarantees that North Texas will be offered an invite to either MWC or CUSA but the real question is who will be left in each conference. Also, who will those conferences cherry pick from WAC and Sunbelt and to throughly muddy the waters AF would be in the BE as a football only but go to the WAC. Next in CUSA baseball is a must but do not know about the MWC. From my perspective it could be that due to economics some of the teams in both CUSA and MWC could kill football due to the expense and keep other sports and then how many would be left standing or would there be a merger with some of those universities going to the WAC or even sunbelt-- GMG

I agree this year we win 5. Has anyone heard if Tulsa managed to finish the game with Boise without additional injuries?

Based on the Alabama game one of the things that gives me hope that these men can win is that Hamilton can cut and go. If they use Dunbar for screens and passes in the flat and DT can hit Outlaw on some passes down the field I expect North Texas will win!! Why, because it will spread the defense and then Dunbar can begin to run up the middle with devistating results. GMG UNT 71

Based on the Alabama game one of the things that gives me hope that these men can win is that Hamilton can cut and go. If they use Dunbar for screens and passes in the flat and DT can hit Outlaw on some passes down the field I expect North Texas will win!! Why, because it will spread the defense and then Dunbar can begin to run up the middle with devistating results. GMG UNT 71

My 2 cents was that the folowing was occurring based on comments by Mac. He wanted to see who can play in the game who will play in the game Each time FIU scored what was the problem missed tackles (execution game plan or need for better coaching) blown coverage (execution game plan or need for better coaching) Now my observations The QB held the ball to long The QB can throw the long ball Some of our receivers should have caught the ball hence the issue (who will play in the game) Did not see a lot of draws, screens, quick slants, curls or short outs to counter the aggressive defense rush. The OL was continued to be shuffled after JJ (center) got injured during the game. They need to get the ball into the hands of our receivers who can catch Outlaw, Chancler(sp)and how about Dunbar out of the backfield and some of our other running backs. The D was able to score to keep us from getting skunked GMG

Expectations for this team is to cut down on mistakes, execute the gameplan and win baby win!!!! I still think under Mac this team finishes 5-7!! GMG