[If Morris beats Navy will you forgive his past sins?]

54 minutes ago, Side.Show.Joe said:

I've watched us play every game too. Not all of the 4-man fronts we run are equal. Morris tends to lump them together when comparing them against our 3-man fronts. But, when we run a 4-down lineman front we are a more successful defense. We also run a 4-man front with two down linemen and two standing ends (that are too light and get drove back on run plays). That front gets beat just like the 3-man front. You can go back and watch the tape. It's all right there. 

This is what I’ve seen also. His 4-down line equates to a OLB/DE on the edge. While it gives the look, it doesn’t have the same functionality. You can’t replace 280-300lbs. 

[The key to victory today...]

Technique, technique, technique!!! Great point from the two above. 
also, I would hope for the offense to utilize the TE more this game. Their defense is aggressive and blitzes from the outside some. If Chandler doesn’t get enough time, we’re cooked. 

[If Morris beats Navy will you forgive his past sins?]

Whatever the defense we run…4-down or 3-down linemen, the point is can we tackle? Can we plug the holes? 

[If Morris beats Navy will you forgive his past sins?]

4 hours ago, NorthTexasWeLove said:

The scheme will be changed. My goodness, if we trot out a 3-man front tomorrow then go ahead and literally burn it all to the ground. 

I have a hard time believing otherwise. Craponi/ Morris will live and die by the 3-3-5 this year

[What I'm Looking For in the Navy Game]

At this point, I’m sure we all just want to see steady improvement from our defense game to game. Also, it’ll show the defensive coaches are doing their part to make this unit more functional. If not, I just can’t see how Morris remains confident with Caponi. 

[North Texas Volleyball finishes 0-2 against University of Tulsa]

Too many unforced errors. That’s why they lost both matches

[Another AAC projected ranking list]

Haven’t kept up w/ UAB, but who have they picked up to be placed ahead of us? Yes, we lost Abou and Tyler, but we also gained some P5 transfers that should be contributors. As a whole, I believe we’re better than last year 

[I Seem to Bring This Up Every Year]

Just like Jace Rudder to LB

[What I'm Looking For in the Navy Game]

I’m watching the Navy/Memphis game to get a better feel for our opponent this weekend. They have such a potent running game. They have good athletes and execute really well. They have really tough runners who can break it if we don’t keep contain. 
Defensively, they can be aggressive and show different alignments to confuse offenses. You can see them all run to the football and gang tackle.  
Just my thoughts for us to be competitive…

offense:

1. Maintain possession by establishing the run. I feel this will keep us in the game. I’ve seen gaps in their defense.   

2. Connect on intermediate passes. The way they come at you, Rogers needs to make quick decisions and complete these passes. 
defense:

1. LBs/safeties need to come up big this game. They’re going to have to make a lot of reads and a lot of 1v1 opportunities. 
 

2. DBs can’t be playing 10yds deep like they did against ACU. Since they don’t pass  as much, bring them closer about halfway in for run support. QB can throw and makes smart decisions. 
 

3. Gang tackle…or just tackle

[Morris Weekly Press Conference (10/03/2023)]

46 minutes ago, NT80 said:

We need more defensive Bulk.   We seem small-ish compared to other peer programs.

Exactly. That’s why playing 3-3-5 already puts us at a disadvantage. Makes a small team smaller

[Morris Weekly Press Conference (10/03/2023)]

If Caponi and Morris are set on running a 3-man d-line, why not just convert to some 3-4 odd front? This way, he keeps his beloved 3 down linemen but adds more LBs for run support. They seem to have recruited a lot of strong safety/LB types. You get more athletes out there who could help stop the run instead of lighter DBs. Just a thought. 

[Morris Weekly Press Conference (10/03/2023)]

Would like someone to ask what he and Caponi are adjusting defensively? There comes a time when we can’t keep blaming the players every game…though they have a large part to play in it. However, if you can’t change your players, shouldn’t they scheme differently, blitz more, etc.  What are they doing to put the players in a better position to succeed?

[Rain in Annapolis]

Rain would definitely benefit Navy since it would negate our passing game. Their game plan will remain the same. If we aren’t able to tackle during dry weather, I’m having a hard time believing we can tackle when it’s wet and slippery 

[Temple game to be on ESPNU 10/14 @ 11 a.m.]

7 hours ago, Big Z said:

Way too early

Yeah…most of the guys haven’t showered, $hit and shaved yet

[North Texas vs Navy (10/06/2023) Score Predictions]

15 minutes ago, emmitt01 said:

Navy - 56

North Texas - 41

 

And all of you who think Navy will win by driving the ball down the field and eating clock are WRONG.  
 

We don’t tackle..anybody.  They will gash us for 60 yard runs, not 6 yard runs.  
 

We’ll score with them early but in the second half it will be our OFFENSE that is tired because they don’t get a breather.  😭

Wow! Never heard of an offense getting tired coz they’ve been on the field too much. I believe it’ll be navy who’ll get tired coz they’ll practically be doing wind sprints for roughly three hours. 

[North Texas vs Navy (10/06/2023) Score Predictions]

We just need to play some old school rugged, smash-mouth football…like one bar on the helmet type football. If we do that, we’ll win this one by at least a fg. 

[Our Defense is TERRIBLE!!!]

Maybe I’m just grasping at straws here, but do you think we will blitz more once we get to conference play? I noticed we haven’t blitzed much these first few games. Maybe Craponi is holding something back as to not show his full deck. 

[Week 4 Observations]

4 hours ago, golfingomez said:

this is an interesting statement, because the AAC is not as tough as we thought going in... 

UTSA is struggling, Tulane is not as strong as they were last year, UAB is having coaches meltdown on the sidelines... 

I would think the expectation for North Texas is that this team should improve throughout the year (new coaches, still implementing what they want to do). i think there's opportunity to win most games left on the schedule, which i wasn't sure of in July(I thought we would only win games over the first half of the season).

All that to say, Morris has a lost of room to impress with the remaining schedule and i hope he does.

While this may be true, it’s hard to show extreme optimism after the first 4 games. I’ve been pleased by the offense, but it’s hard to overcome a lot of what the defense cannot do. I hope they prove me wrong, but I would compare this team to the Texas Rangers - good offense, then the bullpen (defense) blows it. 

[Week 4 Observations]

6 hours ago, SilverEagle said:

that 39 yard catch and run he made while breaking at least three tackles looked like it could have been a punt return to me.

While it was a nice looking run after catch, the tackle he broke appeared to be a miss tackle. I didn’t see much juking on his part. Anyways, he showed well. And, if the coaches believe he can do the job, I’m all for it. 

[After 4 games, how do we feel about Coach Morris?]

9 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

A+. A little concern on Saturday that the second half would be a snooze fest but it was a good, competitive back and forth with true freshman Evan Jackson making a big play late. Also have 4 🧩 commits who have yet to announce. Potential there for some real game changers.

4+ commits? We seem to be getting a lot of DBs and WRs. I’m hoping for size and/or those that belong in the trenches

[After 4 games, how do we feel about Coach Morris?]

11 minutes ago, Big Z said:

Seems like ever since he shaved off his mustache we have gotten better…

What do you suppose he shave next?

[Week 4 Observations]

8 hours ago, SilverEagle said:

Let me just add to the comment about Landon Sides. I believe that there was a post about his signing with North Texas a few months ago. After listing all of the things that he did on the field, UNTLIFER beat me to the punch by saying that he sounds like a certain former player Michael Lawrence....something that  I immediately agreed with. After observing him last night, I think Mr. Sides is at a slightly higher level. 

I remember going to a fall practice with FFR back in 2010. One of the new players out there was a receiver that I had never heard of but by the end of practice I was very impressed. It was Breland Chancellor. FFR struck up a conversation with the young coach in charge of WR's and special teams, and toward the end of the conversation I asked about Chancellor. The coach acknowledged that he was a talented player, but they would probably redshirt him. I just smiled at the coach and said "Coach, I don't see how you are going to keep him off the field this year....he's too talented".  I am going to repeat that assessment for this young man.  They used him to great advantage last night. If I were in charge, the next thing I would do is put him out there returning punts. 

Sides returning punts? From what I saw, he doesn’t have enough wiggle to be a punt returner. 

[Early Prediction - Will we hold Navy to less than 500 yards offense?]

43 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

I definitely don’t think SL was “apathetic”.  I think he wanted to win.  The guys were obviously playing hard for him.

And I don’t know what else he could’ve done defensively.   He basically pulled one of the better DCs we’ve seen in a while, and gave him the keys.  I think we’re 3-1 with a much better fan-feel if PB we’re still running the defense.

I think SL did the very smart thing by hiring PB. He was a proven commodity, very experienced. It was just too little too late at the time

[After 4 games, how do we feel about Coach Morris?]

Mean Green football fans have been thirsting for a consistently good program for many years now. Getting Coach Littrell a few years ago was a step in the right direction. How do we feel about Coach Morris being able to elevate the program to the next tier? It’s only been 4 games, but I think we’ve seen enough coaching changes, philosophy and yellow/red flags to make us wonder…worry…be optimistic. 
 

1. I like his frankness during interviews. He doesn’t fill us with coach speak, but is fairly direct on the problems of the team. 
 

2. I didn’t like how he did not enforce his process when he started in the spring. He stated that he allowed things to pass that he normally wouldn’t allow. Now he’s going through the regular season to implement this. Discipline and his philosophy should’ve been the first thing needed to be established, IMO, to develop his culture. 
 

3. He recognized his mistake by not starting Chandler Rogers. He has rectified that, and the offense is humming.  
 

4. He recognizes the defense is the weakest part of the team. Now, will he do something about it? Will he create a plan and suggest more things or allow Caponi to have free reign?

5. His plan is to recruit from within the Dallas area. Love the Idea. 

I, for one, like his vision. But, just like politicians, they can tell you all they want to do and tell you what you want to hear. I’m not exactly ready to give him my 100% vote of confidence. I still have my questions.  

[Early Prediction - Will we hold Navy to less than 500 yards offense?]

12 hours ago, Side.Show.Joe said:

The UNT defense has allowed a 100 yard rusher in each of our games this season. Navy is going to smoke Morris' defense (Can't blame Caponi anymore. Morris is the one allowing this to continue, so he owns it now).

Did you see Dilfer go off on his coaches yesterday? Looked like he got heated coz of a defensive substitution penalty, and he let his defensive coaches have it. Maybe Morris needs to do that. Maybe these coaches need to get uncomfortable so we can see what they have under pressure