ForneyGreen

The 2 games at Iowa are interesting. I wonder if there is any way that we have a 2-for-1 deal with them (with Iowa coming to Denton at some point in time)?

Good point - and I'm not even sure that MWC is really very attractive to UTEP, especially that they now have UNT, UTSA, Rice, Tulsa, and LaTech as close schools. If you are a mid-major program, sticking with schools in the East and Central parts of the country are really the best way to go. That is where the markets and money are located. Plus, I don't think UTEP would give up its Texas identity by going West. CUSA is still in a poachers position for mid-major programs. I really think that MTSU would make a lot of sense as a new member because of its Nashville proximity (37th largest market) and strong programs.

I'm not even sure that there will be shiny new uniforms. Unless anyone knows differently, I don't know of plans for new uniforms. The only difference I see for next year is that teams like Tulsa will drill us worse than the Ark St.'s of the world.

Correct * 2 Hate to say it, but our coaches lost some games this year, flat out. Just don't understand it.

I am so tired of this crap. No down field passes to even try and put the game away in the 4th quarter. You could see this finish coming from the beginning of the quarter. Something big needs to happen - some major shake-up at the coaching level. But I doubt anything will happen and we'll get to enjoy 3-4 wins again next year.

I think the UTA game on Wed will tell us a *whole* lot about this team. It is a home game against a pretty tough opponent. We have 7 games under our belts, so we need to be able to go out and win this type of game. If the team is gelling at all and if things are coming together, this is a game you have to win.

Agreed. Coach Mac knows exactly what he has on this team (and what he doesn't have) - and he's going to direct his Asst Coaches to run schemes that best utilize the team's talents. This year does remind me a lot of Dickey Ball, and Coach Dickey was good at using schemes that didn't expose his team's weaknesses and thus gave the team a chance to win. Frustrating at times (and can be boring to the casual fan) - but can also be effective when the team doesn't have a lot of play-makers on offense. If Brock is able to win the QB job next year and lives up to his billing, then this offense will be much less conservative. I'm looking forward to getting the zone read back into the playbook - Jim Jim would really thrive off of that play with his quickness.

I fixed the Texas record for ya - I'm counting 1988 as a win for UNT :-) I think all of Tulsa, UTSA, and La Tech will be natural rivals for UNT. I know some folks from Tulsa, and they are really looking forward to forming a rivalry with UNT. They've wanted us in CUSA for a long time.

I also think that we have good talent at DB. We do have an issue that I've noticed with safety reads. I like that Trice will get up to the line quickly to help with run support (good tackler and closer), but I would like to see our outside linebackers making more of the run support tackles that Trice is currently making. When our safeties cheat-up to the line, good QB's and WR's will make that read and find a spot behind the safeties for big plays.

I think this is the key... I think there is something about Osborn that makes Mac nervous, and it probably is turnover-related. It's almost impossible for us to really evaluate because we just don't see those guys practice day after day. I do remember in Osborn's limited FIU game time last year that, while the team moved the ball, he looked a little Romo-esque at times and had a couple of near-interception throws in that game's final drive (we did score - so it turned out well). I wish Osborn would make a better impression on Mac because the guy is very athletic and seems to be a "gamer" - maybe just too much for Mac's liking.

My first thought was that we need to start recruiting a 300lb 12 year old in Mesquite...

Amazing to think that the throwing of tortillas at football games was banned under Rick's (a.k.a Ricardo's) watch Congrats Rick :-)

For those in the know... was moving Cooper to TE a case of trying to get a talented guy on the field or was this a case of coaches thinking that QB is not his best position? I find this move confusing because he has good size and seems to have a strong arm from the little that I've seen. I don't necessarily think we *have* to sign a QB in this class, although not signing a QB in this class puts huge pressure on the staff to get 2 good QB's signed in the next class. I would not go the JUCO route unless we just had a diamond fall in our laps.

Well said - thanks for all you do Harry. It all started with a simple web site called Harry's Mean Green ...

1) Local Teams - I have the CUSA map as my laptop background - it just looks so cool having so many close teams. 2) Recruiting - The majority of kids don't know about the Sun Belt, but they do know CUSA. I would even say that more kids knew about the WAC (or would strangely identify with the WAC) just because of that conference's history and past recognition. Being able to go into a kid's house and say "CUSA" is huge - doesn't even matter who the current members are in the conference - it's all about the conference name 3) Donations - I don't know anything special about future donations, but I have a feeling that donations do increase when our athletic programs show the effort and progress to push forward - and entrance into CUSA will be seen as a push forward for all programs.

KRAM - please go ahead and add me for tomorrow's draft - I'll PM you also: Name: ForneyGreen Height: 5'6" Weight: 155 40: Actually I'm over 40 Notables: Other than the fact that I can't run, jump, throw, or catch well, I'm a pretty damn good player Thanks!

The one in Forney went about 2 miles north of our house. We're very blessed. That was the blackest cloud I've ever seen. Thanks Plumm for Tornado Talk :-)

We'll be 5-1 going into Oct 16th - mark it!

Yes, I was also transfere impressed with the video - very nice indeed. Was cool to see Coach Jones out there - he really loves UNT. Brave Combo Rocks

Old man syndrome? Just kidding KRAM I agree that Coach Mac is doing a terrific job - I'm really proud to have him as our Head Coach. Students seem to be interested in attending a "big event". I think in most of their minds, a home UNT Football Game is a "big event" if one of the following is true: 1) We are playing a name opponent (e.g. Baylor, Houston, etc.). 2) We have a good record and have recently beaten a name opponent 3) We are playing a game that means something significant (example: game to decide a Conf championship) At some other schools (Texas, Texas A&M, etc.), a home Football Game is a big event in and of itself without any other criteria. We're just not at that point yet. A great tailgating environment does help as does great weather. Anything else that can be done to promote the games as a "big event" would help to get students to the games. Once there, if we have a product on the field that catches their attention, we have a chance to get them hooked.

I definitely don't have a problem with half the fans being in covered areas for this past game - the weather was crappy. I'm proud of all Mean Green fans that made it to the game, period. It is good to know that our "core" attending base of fans is in the 13-15 thousand range. Progress can be slow - but that my friends is true progress. I can remember times when we wouldn't have 2,000 show up to watch a 4-win team in the cold rain. Enjoyed that game very much - our guys really wanted to end the season right, and that shows a lot of pride and character by the players and coaches for getting them prepared.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwL5xmhJejQ

I think the benefits (at least perceived) are 1) the possibility of arranging the winner of the MWC/CUSA as as BCS invitee and 2) relieve the pressure of either conference having to make a quick decision on adding new members I also feared that this merger would at least slow the process of UNT getting a CUSA (or MWC) invite, and I think that was one of the goals for the merger - produce stability without adding new schools. Without further change, the Sun Belt would have 10 football schools in 2013 once U of South Alabama becomes a full football member - which is a nice number for scheduling purposes. I really don't understand the Sun Belt hate threads lately... every school wants to get into a better conference, but I disagree that Sun Belt membership somehow holds us back from being very successful. Boise St. didn't need MWC membership to become a perennial Top 10 program - they just took care of themselves. Best thing for us to do is just take care of ourselves and win games. I'm sure our leadership is touting all the positives of UNT to both the MWC and CUSA at every opportunity.

I was hoping for better attendance by students, but not too bad considering our record. The students that were at the stadium were loud and into the game, which is great to see. I was thinking the official attendance would be about 15k just from the eyeball test - but I'll take 17k

Thanks guys for getting me pissed-off all over again! BTW... is it just me, or did our team look pretty sharp in those 1988 Uniforms?