GMG_Dallas

Do people feel differently about playing an 8 win Arkansas state as opposed to what would have been a 10 win Troy with an LSU win?

@Ben Gooding Our coaching staff reminds of Jason Garrett. No emotion, little to no risk when your back is against the wall, nothing but coach speak. Funny thing is, the Cowboys were 13-3 last year but won so many games by close scores and off last minute drives. Look at them this year - young but on the wrong side of those close games due to a younger defense and exposed offense (injuries and suspensions haven't helped). Although I think both teams have hope, I expect UNT to follow the same path next season as they fall on the losing side of those close games. The law of averages will catch up unless we get some big transfers or recruits ready to play. I think there's hope for the future but I wouldn't be surprised to see us finish closer to 6-6 if we can't replace some of these veterans on defense and get more depth on the offrnsive line.

In the minority because most of you want a fun trip but I would have wanted New Mexico against top 25 Fresno state or SDSU. Would have been a good game with lots of free ESPN coverage. Shootout full of highlights against well regarding g5 teams from a top g5 conference. Instead a team we beat from CUSA will get that great matchup and we'll be brushed aside as playing in one of the bowl games nobody cares about.

Believe me I didn't gloss over your post I fully realize that you picked all but one regular season p5 upset to prove one side of your point and selective bowl losses to prove the other side of your point. Regular season vs bowl games but ok you're not picking and choosing what works for you. By the way, southern miss had around 10 straight winning seasons starting with that 2000 team that beat Alabama. Regarding one game not making or breaking one program I agree. My issue is UNT really doesn't have much to break while a quality signature win really can propel us forward. Just differing opinions. I see a new Orleans bowl loss as keeping us where we've been for their past decade and a win not doing much for us. That's my problem. It's like game planning to not lose when in reality risks are a necessary evil some times. I think this is one of those times.

I just need to ask... If we wanted to keep playing the Sun Belt and in New Orleans, why move to CUSA? I understand if we were 6-6 or 7-5, but if we wanted to finish 9-3 with one game left only to play the Sun Belt, why leave the belt? And how disheartening is it to realize that UNT can play in the conference championship game and this still be our ceiling? Other conference teams we beat will play in more reputable bowls against more reputable opponents than us despite our record. Just kills me.

You can't point out Southern Miss as 8-4 on a "down year" but not point out La Tech as "barely bowl eligible" without mentioning they're on a down year. After all, southern miss has gone 0-12, 1-11, and 3-9 since that 2009 bowl and has one 12 win season, one 9 win season, and two 8 win seasons including this season so to be determined (7-6 is the one missing season). Overall, pretty up and down but 8-4 is not a down year for them looking at the entire picture since 2009. LaTech had three straight 9 win season from 2014 to 2016, this year being a down year. They also won 9 games in 2012, with a bad 2013 campaign sandwiched between the two. Don't be selective with your criticism and analysis. There's more to your post that I just don't want to comment on because it would be more of a waste of time.

Thank you.

You mean Top 25 ranked Fresno from the Moutain West with Boise State and other strong programs? The elusive winnable game against a top 25 team that we've all been asking for? A win against a conference known to be respectable that we've talked about hopefully joining on this board? I don't care about dates. I care about opponent. Yes, Fresno state would be a good game and possibly a good win. Would be a shootout that would get lots of ESPN coverage by the way. Talk about extra recruiting.

I doubt a win against what would end up being 8-4 Ark State will help any in recruiting. A win against a strong Fresno State, SDSU in New Mexico Bowl or lower tier ACC team however does matter. Kids do care about perception. That's actually all that matters anymore. Play and lose against an ACC team and you still got to play a postseason game against the ACC. That alone attracts people from a competitive standpoint. It's the same reason why 4 stars aren't flocking to sun belt and NO bowl champs. They want to play competitive games against the perceived best, not win against the perceived lower quality teams. And we shouldn't still be recruiting against Ark State regularly if we want to make progress as a program anyways.

This is most likely where we stand. Good poll.

Then why not one of the other bowls we are tied into. Why take the one against a sun belt team? We can go to other locations and play more reputable conferences (Mountain West, AAC). Don't understand the obsession with NO Bowl.

I did read it which is why I mentioned Fresno and sdsu. I guess I'll just have to respectfully disagrees that G5 affiliations don't matter. AAC and Mountain West are respected conferences which is evidenced by the fact that they tend to have teams ranked in the top 25 every year. They got that way by having teams beat P5s regularly in either bowls or regular season. We can't get to their recognition by playing a sun belt team in a bowl. It just won't happen. @Green Lantern

Agreed.

Cool. Let's build on our brand by playing a sun belt team because our small fan base cares and they know football. We need wins against quality opponents to attract attention of: a) disassociated alum, b) dfw, c) national scene, d) recruits. I'm fine with SDSU or Fresno. Their conference has recognition and has for a while. Troy has it this year because they beat LSU but in less than 5 years it wouldn't be a memorable win. I don't care about the opponent as much as the conference unless that opponent is a perennial power. We need to up the conference's image and a win against troy does not do that.

Sooooo... You want to have possibly the best season in program history and then play a sun belt team in a bowl game? We can get that bowl at 6-6 or 7-5. Let's play somebody with name recognition. Y'all are excited about the NO bowl because it's a fun trip but this is about the football team so put your personal reasons aside. We need to distance our conference from the Sun Belt but we can't do that if we're having a division champ and possibly conference champ play them. And those saying Troy is a good matchup because they beat LSU, they lost to 4-7 USA a week later. It's still the Sun Belt and beating them does nothing for the program.

I'm waiting to see if UNT plays in the HOD to claim my tickets. Tuesday-Wednesday on nights so the HOD being on Tuesday the 26th is perfect for me. Count me in your crowd of those waiting to see who plays the HOD before claiming tickets.

My thoughts exactly. Sign him up. Just makes her tougher in the run game.

At 6 foot 3 and 250 pounds per 247, I would take him regardless. He would just pound through other defenses and would be very hard to take down. Love Smith's ability but I think a back of that size would really be a force in CUSA. If not at RB, maybe convert to another position at that size?

Not surprised. I saw a post that stated he has 31 wins since Manziel and 13 of those or so are in body bag games. Don't quote me on the numbers but he really hasn't been impressive since Manziel. Have to produce more when you get paid like a top 10 coach.

247 does show an offer. https://247sports.com/Player/Isaac-Beverly-46046591 Rivals as well. Good amount of g5 offers. https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/issac-beverley-21052

Per Reports, Tennessee finalizing a deal for Ohio State DC Greg Schiano and Florida finalizing a deal with Miss State HC Dan Mullen. I think we're safe for this year unless a lower local P5 ends up looking for a coach which I doubt will happen. At the end of the day, this should be what we want. Yes it's a bit worrisome because we fear not being able to hire another decent coach but for that we just need to trust in the new AD to do their job and enjoy the on-the-field success.

John O'Korn's Wikipedia page as of a few minutes ago. Position: trash

Great punt return by Darden!

We're in good hands.

If I don't get off late I should wake up in time to catch the game on tv! Good to know.