akriesman

I agree and can't blame Tulsa, if that is what they want. We here at NT have been complaining for years that we want a more regional conference, with rivals the fans care about. I am sure the same is true for other schools. The problem for us is that the schools that we want to play with are constantly taking their toys and going elsewhere. These rival schools have a good reason to keep us in a class below them. We are a top-30 school nationally when it comes to enrollment size. But, our athletic programs still can't seem to break the top-100 despite all the upgrades. North Texas has long been regarded as a sleeping giant. Well, the sleeping giant still sleeps and our rivals are not going to do anything to help change that. We are going to have to help ourselves.

I think the two biggest pickups, for at least this season, are probably Brock Berglund and Darius Terrell. I wonder if Chico and Mac would consider putting some read option plays in for our QB's. Berglund and Williams would appear to be near-perfect read option QB's. The read option is hot right now. It wouldn't be bad taking advantage of it, before the defenses catch up.

GREAT post Harry. All good points and reasons for look forward to the coming season.

I have a really good feeling about both Berglund and Terrell. If they turn out as advertised, it should be good enough for a couple extra wins this fall and a few more butts in the stands. Terrell was misused as a RB at Texas if I remember correctly. We can really use a big-bodied RZ threat with good hands. While he does not possess top speed, he should be fast enough to hold his own in CUSA. It seems like we have had a lot of dropped passes the last few seasons. His hands will be appreciated.

As far as the USM fans go, they seem to be split on staying/leaving. I don't disagree that the new conference would have more visual appeal than CUSA. But, will they have the guaranteed money and bowl tie ins quick enough ? My gut tells me that before this is all over there will be a new conference and USM, Tulsa and UTEP will head out of CUSA (Tulsa and UTEP to MWC). This will leave us (NT) in the same hole that we were trying to escape with having no regional opponents.

Hmmmm. My last post was formatted correctly in the editor. But, all the linefeeds were removed when I posted FYI.

I would tend to agree with ArkStFan. The NCAA will probably bend the rules on this one. Plus, SMU won't return to CUSA with us in it (no way). Houston to a lesser degree would not like being with either UNT and UTSA. USF won't join with FIU and FAU. I don't know if Memphis alums see themselves as too good for MT.....probably. I see only 2 options: The NCAA bends the rules and a new conference is formed. I feel that this is the worst case for NT because the current football-only members will probably try and pluck USM and Tulsa from CUSA. I hope this is not the case, because it further weakens CUSA and may cause even UTEP to bolt to the MWC. I feel the most likely option is this: 1) Boise and SDSU return to MWC. 2) MWC expands taking SMU, Houston.....maybe even UTEP and Tulsa from CUSA (hope not). 3) Tulane returns to CUSA because it has no other option. I don't know what would be done with Memphis, UCF and USF. The Florida schools might have a real problem because of the geographical location and their unwillingness to go back to CUSA. Would the ACC take them (probably not) ? I would just like things to work out best for UNT just once. Our history of being shafted at critical times of change have kept us from growing time after time.

Wow. Just shocking

Our guys need a quality win over a tough opponent in a major, major way. If we can pull this out, it would be huge.

Damn. College football is a microcosm of the major leagues these days (with their minor league systems). If your not a consistent top 20 BCS team, then you are mearly a feeder school to the big boys when it comes to coaching staffs. It's impossible these days to keep a good coach at the mid-major level. What a shame.

Wow. Even more shocking to me is that FIU has fired Cristobal after just 1 poor season. I thought Cristobal was one of the up and coming coaches. And, his recruits have been top notch in the Belt. This caught me by complete surprise.

Sadly. This is most likely the probable outcome of all this. I used to love colllege football. Now, I hate everything about the FBS except for when NT plays. In fact, I am more likely to watch the FCS playoffs over a FBS bowl game.

Derek struggled at times for sure. But, the passing game success is based on the offense working as a team. I thought coming into the season that WR was our weakest spot on the team. I still feel that way. Next year's WR crop should be an upgrade, which will help either Bergland or DT.

While I would never want us to take a step back again, I have to admit to really enjoying the FCS playoff system more than the bowls (even though NT was winless in the 1AA playoffs at the time). At least they crown a real champion and not a paper one. I hate what has happened to college football (greed). And, the outlook is not getting any better.

Thank you for posting. Those are my feelings exactly. Benford's system may take a while to gel. But, it is a long season. Creighton was 18-2 at home last year. Virginia was 16-5 at home. Of UV's 5 losses at home, their largest defeat was 3 points playing a tough ACC schedule. The Alabama-Huntsville loss is the one really big black mark IMO. The first half yesterday was a debacle for the Mean Green. But, they didn't quit and made it interesting for a bit. Mark it down. NT will still win at least 20 games this season. We are not going to have the dream season that some expected. But, it should be a good one nonetheless.

Very fitting location for him and his dad. Craig James can give Deion some pointers about how to get your son some extra treatment.

25 regular season games left. I bet this team wins at least 18 of them to finish with at least 21 wins. Plus, the SBC seems a little weaker this year IMO. Benford is going to end up being a really good coach for us. This is a disappointing start for sure. But, expectations were probably a little high around here anyway A 21-10 record is more than reachable for this team. They will pick it up, especially at home. UTA has been our nemesis. We need to step it up a notch next wednesday.

To sum it up. Our record would be better if our return game improved and we starting punching it in more when in the red zone. That is what I take from the rankings. Also, we are doing a terrific job of pass protection and/or Thompson is good at getting rid of the ball under pressure.

My favorite overall: Kolache Haven Best On List: Kettle Corn

I read their thread after the game last night. Most of the Cajun fans were pretty complimentary of our team and staff. A few of them said we caught all the breaks. However, how many times did Broadway try and throw the ball while taking a hit ? There were probably 4 or 5 lame ducks that were up for grabs. He was lucky they weren't picked off. The ULL staff had better work on this with Broadway. He is a decent QB but takes way too many chances with the ball. I was not very impressed with him, except for his legs and arm strength.

From the looks of the earlier threads, a lot of apologies should be coming.

It is just unbelievable how far this BB program has come in the last 5 or 6 years. Instead of hoping for top notch talent, you almost come to expect it these days. While our FB program seems on the right track, it is taking baby steps compared to BB.

TD brought energy to the program. He reached out to the fans (but not as much as Mac) and increased attendance and excitement. Unfortunately, TD was apparently underqualified for the position. Unfortunately for high school FB coaches throughout the USA, colleges will look at the TD experiment and be too afraid to take the risk in the future. The TD era was maddening. His teams had no discipline at all. However, the man gave it his best and I appreciate his effort. Most of us here (not everyone I know) were excited by the hire. We all learned a lesson. The TD era led us to Coach Mac. If not for that, we may be on a different path with less potential. Things happen for a reason.

My feelings exactly. Although, I still worry about Houston turning things around in the next couple weeks. They have the talent on paper and are underachieving right now IMO. The Sun Belt is a completely different animal than it was 10 years ago.

Why is this video not running on ESPN's Sportscenter 24 hours a day ? It certainly deserves its own cable channel. Thank you Winters for this ray of shining light today. Please tell your team to go easy on us. We give up. Just help us take away the pain that is sure to come. It is the least you can do.