GrayEagle

If we can get it we need to consider a WAC/SBC merger. Besides, there will only be about ten teams left that aren't in a better conference. We won't be in CUSA because SMU won't let us and besides Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic, Troy and Louisiana Tech are ahead of us anyway. We are certainly not going to be asked to the Mountain West because we don't have a single ally in that league...plus TCU would stop us if we even got close. The WAC is the only conference that wants us. Hang the cost, it's so refreshing to hear that we're wanted I'd go anywhere just to be associated with friends. Of course, by then all we'd get would be San Jose, Idaho and New Mexico State. Hawaii would go independent, Utah State would be in the MWC and La Tech in CUSA. It has been written.

Here is my problem with that logic. The epicenter of CUSA would be near the Mississippi River; actually a little west of it. There are eight of twelve members west of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Why would you want to move further away from the core of your member schools? If and when the Big East decides to get with the rest of the BCS and increase their membership, UCF and East Carolina are almost assured to be gone. Marshall is a little more iffy but they could as well. That would leave UAB as the easternmost CUSA team. Even if it didn't happen, you just jumped the travel expenses by a fairly large amount. In this economy, especially, it makes much more sense to try to reduce expenses.

I hear ya about the two most important ingredients in selecting realignment teams. I would add a third in which we are also currently deficient, success on the field/attendance. As to power, none of our competition is dripping with it. We are fortunate to have Lane Rawlins at this time. There are few men available with his NCAA credentials. Also, his hiring of Chuck Neinas, one of the more respected men in college sports won't hurt our political clout either. If they can't do it then we deserve to stay where we are. It's also true that we don't have money but we are about to add a good deal to that thanks to our students. Our competition is not exactly rolling in dough either. Beginning next year, we could be at or near the top in total revenue among the major competitors for a vacant conference spot. The third factor that we are fighting is more serious. We have been non-competitive in football for the past five years. If we had success during that time, as we did in the first half of the decade, then I believe we'd stand at the top of the list. What we are going to have to sell is potential. In spite of five losing seasons, our attendance has been on par with our competition. We appear to be on the verge of really turning this program around. Maybe enough of the presidents that will decide new members will be able to see that. I've been around this program for more than sixty years and if anyone should be pessimistic about our chances it should be me. I've seen us never try so many times and fail a few times as well but this time I sense something different from our other efforts. There is a spirit now that hasn't existed before to make this effort a success. We haven't begun to reach our potential yet but at least an increasing sized group is trying. With our size and location we should be the leading candidate.

I really think that ULM is the only one that sticks in LaTech's craw. They did play Louisiana in 2004. The last time that they played ULM was in '99. Not only that, ULM is in the same market and direct competition for entertainment dollars. LaTech fans are vehemently opposed to ULM but I'm not all that sure that their administration is. I'm sure that they'd rather not join the SBC to appease their fans but if their existence depended on the Sun Belt they might acquiesce. If Hawaii leaves, the WAC will definitely fold IMHO. Louisiana Tech can't survive as an independent. If they can't get in CUSA it's either the Belt or the MAC, and they're a long ways from the nearest WAC team. The SBC would save them megabucks with a 12-team conference. Besides, ULM could be gone due to state budget cuts. They already operate with the smallest revenue in the FBS.

I believe that the moratorium ends on July 1, 2011. However, a FCS could be admitted to the WAC for all other sports but football which could keep the conference a viable entity. The problem would be that it would be two more years before they could play football at the FBS level. Unless there is a time in conference restriction it would seem that UTSA, Texas State, Montana, et al maybe could become eligible in 2013. That would take big expenditures to spend for a far-flung conference teetering on the brink and likely to lose the remaining star, Hawaii, at any moment. It would also be a gamble that all of the other five would even stay. I don't think that the pearl would be worth that dive.

I certainly have to agree with you about TCU not supporting SMU as a conference mate and UTEP's attendance for the two major sports is far better. However, when you look at the total football history, SMU is far ahead of UTEP in the all-time ranking. In other words SMU has more prestige to the presidents who decide on conference membership. UTEP's football record and their academics are near the bottom of the FBS ladder. UTEP is vastly superior in basketball but football drives the bus. TCU does not cover the DFW area. They are a factor but so is SMU...and North Texas. In fact, if you can add as many additional viewers in the DFW market as you would in El Paso with no additional cost, that is a plus.

Don't take board talk to heart. Memory is short term for many of the posters. They see the last five years (or even less) and think that we have always been losers. They don't recall our four straight bowl appearances or remember that we have been a Top 20 team. They often aren't aware of any athletics other than football. They don't know the size and scope of our university. Here's some of the things that we have going for us that university presidents know but most fans don't: - We have 36,000 students - We have the largest number of alumni in the 5th largest market - We have more than 185,000 living graduates and far more that attended but did not graduate - We have been a member of the highest NCAA division for 57 years, 45 at the FBS equivalent - We are a little more than 20 miles from one of the world's busiest airports, allowing cheaper fares and easy availability - Beginning next year, excellent football and basketball facilities and an athletic village that will soon be on par or better with any non-AQ university - We offer 246 baccalaurate, masters, and doctors degrees at the Denton campus - We are on a 10-year plan to become a Tier 1 research university - There are 17 FBS universities within a 500 mile radius of Denton The above, along with having a president that has been active in NCAA hierarchy and perhaps the top-rated consultant in college sports, I think that we are well-placed to be a "player" in the upcoming realignment. No guarantees but I like our odds.

There's an old saying, It is better to remain quiet and let everyone think that you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Let's see. Larry Coker has a team that hasn't played anyone, before even one paying customer and should move ahead of scores of teams who have played hundreds of games before millions of people. Yeah, right Larry. You really belong in a BCS conference. What Larry Coker may, or may not, have done individually has little bearing on his pilot program. Until they have played (and beaten) someone before a decent crowd, he should keep a lid on it.

Admittedly the MWC would be a better situation but I'd want to see a guarantee that TCU stays (saving an invite from the Big 12-2). With Utah and Brigham Young gone I'm thinking that the Mountain West has lost a lot of its allure for TCU. With less than stellar marquis names, and the distance involved, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Frogs receptive to CUSA once again.

I did see it on a blog. I believe that it came from the Mean Green Gang but it could have been a DRC blog. It seemed plausible because he came in about 25 pounds over last year's playing weight. As has been said, he is an all-conference selection and will start. My money's on his getting his weight down to near 300 (he weighed in at 320) and be a tackle.

Santiago came back overweight and is being demoted temporarily while he plays his way back into shape. He is arguably our best lineman and will start. If he regains his mobility he will start at tackle; otherwise guard. The continuity is there for this year but only two will return next year. I like Antonio Johnson, Adedipe and Y'Barbo as this year's additions to the O-line. If we can keep adding that caliber, or better, to the 'hogs' and Coach Bryant is Lefty, sans experience, then we look strong for years to come.

I agree. Two-a-days + heat = sloppy dayafter

Based on his ratings we would be favored in six games, + or - home field advantage. Two others in our conference have less than a point differential. If he's right, a season of seven wins is very possible.

Optimist that I am...."We've Only Just Begun"

I believe that the reporter gave an honest account of what he was told. Giving opinions and protecting sources is done all of the time. I can understand why a coaching staff would hope that Thompson wins the battle. Thompson will lose another year's eligibility regardless of who wins the quarterback battle. If Thompson is the choice, and is able to save their jobs, he will have two more years at the helm. If Tune wins and is successful, he is gone and the process must begin again with an inexperienced quarterback. That is not to say that Tune will not be fairly evaluated and be chosen. For all of the turmoil that he has gone through he has certainly earned our respect and part of me wants to see him start as a reward for his effort. But, looking beyond this coming year, I also hope for Thompson's success. If he starts and wins seven games this year, we should not have to worry about the quarterback situation for the next two years barring some catastrophe. So, yeah, I may have an even stronger hope that Thompson wins the battle.

I did suggest a topic and he replied that he would try to do that at a later date because information on individuals could not be revealed at that time. He seemed to have, or was able to get, information that was seldom available to most of us. Since the site is still up I'm hoping that he is just taking a little vacation time.

Hopefully, we should still have Gaines, Akpunku, Obi, Boutwell, Bellazin and possibly Anyiam and McCoy returning next year. The only returning tackle will be Kyle White. Cantly has the size to stay at tackle.

As an aside, Hutch Bass was once a North Texas recruit. He dropped out of the football program before completing his first year. I'm not sure whether he finished college here or elsewhere. I believe that he is from Fort Worth.

As I understand it the U-back may be unique with us. I believe that it stands for utility back which is more of a combination fullback and running back. That is to say a blocker and runner (especially a power runner). The H-back is a hybrid tight end/fullback, or blocker and receiver. Since there is not separate category for fullbacks or hybrid backs I would still categorize him as a running back. That would make Mosley our second most experienced running back.

I'm not sure how the recruiting works. I thought that it was pretty restrictive as to who can contact potential recruits. Anyone know the rules?

To repeat what 93-98 said, this is not an article about UNT to the WAC. It's more of an article challenging Fresno State and Hawaii to accept leadership roles if the WAC is to survive. As I see it the WAC has three chances to survive. They can become a 12-team league, they can get rid of LaTech (and maybe Hawaii) and become a closer knit eight or nine team conference by picking up current FCS teams or they can hope that the MWC implodes and get those that don't really have a place to go otherwise. North Texas would only be involved in the first scenario, albeit that is their most likely for survival. It doesn't hurt to be wanted or needed and the mention could make us more attractive to CUSA. If a CUSA invite doesn't happen then a WAC invitation might be our best alternative.

It's UNFAIR!!!!!!

I believe that Green59 cleared it up with his post. Apparently, the last 15 aren't eligible to join workouts until after school has started. Why? I don't know. Anyway, there can only be 105 on the active roster when the season starts (and when fall workouts start).

Walkons go through a screening process before they are accepted. Normally, you are allowed to have a total squad of 120 at the beginning of fall workouts which is reduced to 105 by the beginning of the season. No more than 85 may be scholarship players, which means that the walkon group is limited to 20. Most walkons will be a part of the scout team but a few could advance to the traveling team. Historically, maybe two or three will win scholarships in any given year but as we improve the chances will lessen. Still, jewels like Casey Fitzgerald and Chris Hurd will pop up from time to time.

Kennan Flax is not on the list. Wasn't he on scholarship?