GrayEagle

Admittedly, I don't understand all reasons for the disparity but it seems to hold true for every university. I think that the number of full-time students pursuing degrees may be a factor. Houston is shown to have a few less undergraduates than North Texas and that doesn't agree with their published figures either.

They are included; just not assigned to any sport. There are no specific amounts dedicated to football, basketball, soccer, etc. That gives the AD more flexibility. I didn't examine the report closely but it's possible that a portion of the fees designated for stadium debt retirement or interest could be on a separate report.

I didn't see him getting a lot of support. There are several things that he needs to consider. Notre Dame may feel the same toward SMU as he feels toward us. They need as many butts in the seats and wins as they can. Highly unlikely that they'll get many playing Notre Dame consistently. They stand a much better chance of both by playing us. This is one comment from one supporter. Ignore it and consider the source. We've said a lot worse about them to my chagrin. There are also many on this board that feel the same way towards Texas State and UTSA. It never makes you taller when you try to push others down.

I am truly disappointed in Craig Thompson. He cries about the Big East taking his teams after what he's done to the WAC. They're only taking two, not the entire conference as he did. Now he's considering taking two more so that he can have ten before any other moves. The MWC is the primary beneficiary of a three team alliance. He doesn't have 12 teams for a conference playoff and has little to choose from to try to garner that many. So he tries to form a 36 or whatever team league to give his members some sort of access to the top BCS bowls. Why would the Big East even consider that when they have an automatic bid and access to any of the teams in the other two leagues? Then consider Conference USA. They have a contract for their championship game from when the conference consisted of 12 members. They will now be reduced to nine but they have several strong candidates from among the Sun Belt and the WAC and could quickly return to 12 again and fulfill their contract. With no agreement that the winner is guaranteed a berth in bowl championship, what's the incentive for CUSA? This alliance thing seemed doomed from the start and why did Commissioner Thompson try to sell it? Was he looking to take over all three leagues?

The first thing that sports networks look at is the TV homes served. It allows them to sell to advertisers; the more viewers, the more buyers, the better their rate. There is no single university that can deliver the DFW market because it is so large and diverse. North Texas has more than 200,000 living alumni. Approximately half are located in the Metroplex. The Mountain West and CUSA can garner a better TV package if they have large student and alumni bases in major markets. If we are competitive we can garner many more viewers than the only team in a small/medium market. Ten percent of the Dallas-Fort Worth market is greater than the entire Nashville market (and there are about fifty markets smaller than Nashville). Believe me, we will add presence to the DFW market. As to to your question about our helping the Sun Belt TV package...probably very little, if at all. The reason is Cox and Charter do not broadcast into this area. There is a little revenue generated by those few games that are picked up by Channel 21 and broadcast into the area. It's also possible that ESPN3 generates some income from our presence. We should definitely be more advantageous for CUSA and the MWC.

Exactly. I'm not saying that Vito is wrong. It's just that I don't want to be reminded of the last six years ad nauseum. Look at the first five questions posed. That pretty much says it for me so why continue doing it? Elevating DD to a greatness continually actually has the opposite effect on me. And, is there a soul here that does not know of Dodge's sorry record? Is there anyone that enjoys being constantly reminded of it? For pete's sake Brett, base your comparisons on the beginning of Coach Mac's era. We all know that he didn't start with a load of talent. An occasional reference to bygone eras is fine but I certainly don't enjoy a steady diet to the tune that I've turned you off.

Man, I'm lost. The original intent, at least as presented, was to have an alliance whereby the two football champions play for a BCS bowl berth. All other sports were totally separate. This is the first article I've seen where a merger is implied. Even then it was a little murky because no berth was promised and different were members such as Boise State, Houston, SMU, Air Force and UCF; all likely to be AQ members. If it's a merger who is the surviving commissioner? Do they have the basketball teams in the (former?) conferences running coast to coast? All of the minor sports too? Until an official announcement is made by either commissioner, please take this with a grain of salt. It's not the first time that Joe has confused us. P.S. Since Conference USA's office is in Irving and the Mountain West commissioner has stated that he wanted a presence in Texas, the DFW area is likely still high on each league's list.

There also seems to be a real possibility that UAB gives up football. If that should occur would UAB play their other sports, except football, in CUSA as they once did? Legion Field is becoming dilapidated and the Alabama board just turned down an on-campus stadium. If UAB leaves does CUSA add one, three or five teams? My guess is likely three and there'll be another needed when West Virginia leaves. That could take a pretty big bite out of the Sun Belt.

I think that it's just a dig at the WAC who seems to be searching for anyone that can help sustain their football program. I don't understand the joy of continually kicking someone when they are down. I don't want to join them but I can feel their pain. They will still be a Division I conference they just won't be an FBS conference as it now stands.

And/or k.d.lang

?????? First, I don't believe that he has a redshirt year left. He originally signed with Georgia Southern before transferring to the JUCO. I think that he's a sophomore in eligibility because he was allowed a redshirt year for his time at GSU. But even if he can redshirt next year, McNulty will also be a junior after next year and Thompson will be a senior. He definitely won't play that year. Best case scenario...he gets injury/mop up duty as a senior. That's if Cooper Jones or some other candidate does not move in front of him on the depth chart. Just my opinion but if Osborn wants playing time he won't find it here. Brent should be given the opportunity to see if he can replicate his performances against Alabama and Tulsa. He has a better Quarterback Rating than either Thompson or McNulty (by more than 30 points). He should have received playing time against Arkansas State. The game was already lost so why risk injury to McNulty?

The only constant is DL coach Mike Nelson. Don't know if he's the reason or not but he doesn't have much history in playing a lot of defensive linemen. Just sayin...

If the Big East is to survive they must start being aggressive. They must realize that good basketball is great but it does not drive the bus. Football does that so they need to push that sport to the forefront. They could be saved easily by adding Notre Dame. The Irish are not what they once were and need a conference where they would have a real chance to win a BCS bid annually instead of having to be in the top eight. Notre Dame's contract with NBC/Comcast either won't be renewed or will be at a much lower figure. They need to join the Big East while they still have the bargaining chip. They should, and would, get a better deal with the Big East than any other conference and might even woo others to the Big East or bar further exits. They might even lure some of those that are pending leaving to stay. Getting the service academies would also be popular with Big East fans and Congress. If they can still retain West Virginia they would only need three more to stay a power. UCF seems to be a lock for one of the slots. If Pitt and Syracuse decide to stay, roster done. If not, Houston and SMU would be good replacements. I think that Boise is just too far away for a good fit and it would be quite expensive for them. West Virginia is obligated for 27 months to stay in the Big East and by then they may not want to leave. I just don't see this as a done deal...yet.

I want North Texas to win every game, of course, but I try to be a realist about the outcome. This time pastorgrant seemed to be preaching to me..."Oh, ye of little faith!" so I'm flipping by original thought of an stAte win by seven to a loss by seven. Mean Green 31 Red Wolves 24

The Big East could keep their AQ status as long as it exists if they could do one thing....arm twist Notre Dame into moving their football program into the conference where all of their other teams are. Promise them that they can keep their Irish network and also participate in the conference payout. According to reports, Notre Dame is beginning to mellow on staying independent so now is the right time to take their best shot. It would also give the Fighting Irish their best chance to win a conference championship and the automatic qualification. That's almost the same as it is now except that I believe that Big East conference members are given preferential treatment because of head-to-head play. It would definitely make the conference more attractive to conference members. It might keep West Virginia and Louisville from wanting to move.

Only if he leaves North Texas is he a quitter. If he leaves any other university to come here he's a good guy and smart to see the opportunity. P.S. I didn't give you a -1.

For another tradition, how about 55,000 fans every game in some of the crappiest weather in college football.

Now you're thinking outside the box! Being an old ex-sailor I'm partial to the f-bomb but I can see where intimidating a punter by saying he'll have the day off could also have merit. Maybe we could do both. I think that we might also need to think about more stairs so that we could all rush the field. I saw some vaulting over the rail and I was almost concerned for their safety. Then again, maybe we could all stay off the field and act like we've won a game before. I do appreciate the school spirit but maybe the players could come to the stands since there are fewer of them. I was really applauding your #3 solution until I got to thinking. They might resent coming inside since their attendance might be counted. I don't really mind the couches but I'm afraid that the smell of puke might run others off. So, unless they agree to be issued barf bags (and use them) we might be better off if they stayed outside.

After four home games our attendance average is 20,043. Last year the average for the year was 17,718. That's an increase of 11.3%, not 20%. Our attendance average over the past six years was 17,122. That's six consecutive years of the worst record in our history. It was in the worst stadium in the FBS. It also included at least one bad weather day each year and often a Thanksgiving day weekend when the students were not in school. We haven't had bad weather this year yet; just the threat of it at one game. We'd have to total 39,787 over the next two games, or 19,894 per game in order to average 20,000. I don't see any way that we can average that this year and that's extremely disappointing to me. It has to start with the student body as they are the alumni of the future. I recall that back in the 50s we had about the same number of students attending with a third of today's enrollment. The drop back to 1-AA did away with that core and it's time to rebuild again.

If I haven't had a senior moment, Tomlinson went back into the game after about two series. I'd expect him to be ready for Saturday.

I don't know if I'd call it a great, great game but might go with one great. Thompson had a shaky beginning but ended with three touchdowns by two receivers. What's even better was that he completed to about eight different receivers and not trying to force the ball into double coverage to a receiver that he feels comfortable with. It also shows that he can spot second and third receivers. When the passing game is working it keeps the opponents defense from keying and stacking on Dunbar. Great job Derek.

In the words of the immortal Green P1...Prove It. (Sorry, GP1 if I misquoted but praise to whomever said it) The Greeks may not be the problem but they are a problem. If the fraternities and sororities think so little of their university and its football team why don't they just party at their house or some other location. They are at best a distraction. Many have so noted and unfavorably commented on it. At least one fraternity taught that any act that brings discredit on themselves also brings discredit on their fraternity and Greek system as a whole. Overall, fraternities and sororities are a real plus for a university but they can give both their university and their fraternity a black-eye when they act irresponsibly. At least take the Greek letters down when you're not doing something worthwhile.

You must be proud. It's sportsmanship at its best. (sarcasm) And we wonder why we have no friends. Taunting often works against you rather than for you. If it gets to you your response will be to go out and knock the crap out of your opponent.

I believe that the flies in the ointment are Boise State and Missouri. If Missouri does bolt for the SEC it could be that Boise gets the Big Twelve invite. I have a hunch that the Broncos might be picked to replace Missouri. It has been reported that the Big XII and BYU could not come to terms. If Boise State is not offered then they will probably go to the Big East. I firmly believe that if Boise wants to go to an AQ conference that they would be better off in the BEC where they would stand a better chance of winning that conference than the Big Twelve. As to SMU being on track I think that simply means that they have Board approval for the exit and entrance fees. We know that there have been conversations and likely a conditional invite but no face-to-face meetings.

It's a nice thought but the student fee is not earmarked for football whereas season tickets are. When we returned to Division 1A our Thai benefactor (whose name escapes me at the moment) bought several thousand tickets, all of which counted in the season average that qualified us for the then 17,000 requirement for a 30,000 seat stadium. So we've been guilty of counting season tickets sold; we just haven't had anyone willing to buy large blocs as SMU has.