Side Show Joe

I don't know if I'm ready to buy in to the talk about a Big 12/ Big East merger. I think the remaining Big 12 schools could have enough intensive to hold the conference together, and rebuild. If Texas, Oklahoma, A&M, Texas Tech, Missouri, and Oklahoma State all leave, there should be a lot of exit fee money for the remaining Big 12 programs. Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State, could split the money and then expand back to 9. Probably not more, because there are not enough quality programs or markets. If they added the right combination, they may keep their AQ status. They may even pull a team or two from the Big East. The question would be, which 5 teams would get the call? Maybe, BYU, Houston, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, or maybe a Dallas based school.

I think the Big East will have a hard time adding teams until bigger conferences are finished raiding them. Programs will not be in a hurry to join a conference, that could have a very different line-up, and not have AQ status. I'll be interested to hear what TCU thinks about these teams leaving the Big East.

If the Big East loses their AQ status, TCU could just stay in the MWC. More teams could leave the Big East. West Virginia is looking at the SEC right now.If given the choice, I think TCU would partner with the remaining Big 12 teams like Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, and maybe Texas Tech. I don't think Tech gets an invite to an AQ conference. These teams would lure the quality teams from the C-USA West, and some from the MWC. Without AQ status, the Big East will not have the draw to bring in the remaining Big 12 schools.

Houston has to be happy. They will probably get their invite to the Big East now. It might help ease TCU's fears too. Will the Big East be able to retain their BCS status? If not, will TCU still want to join?

ESPN reports the ACC has voted to accept both. What's next and how, or when will this effect North Texas?

I'm sure RV is working the phones to try and position North Texas as best he can. All we can do is fill the stands and make lots of noise for the Mean Green. With a bad Indiana team coming to town next week, and Tulsa losing their QB, we have a chance to make a run. If invitations are extended, and replacements need to be added, it will probably not reach down to our level until after this season. I think as fans the best thing we can do to improve our chances in realignment is to focus on attendance and creating an intimidating atmosphere at Apogee. Post another 28,000 plus attendance for the Indiana game and make playing at North Texas hell for Indiana. ESPN just reported the ACC has accepted Pitt and Syracuse. It looks like the top conferences are moving fast.

We may have lost 41-0 but I saw some positive things in this game. This team is going to fight. We forced turnovers and had a few sacks. On offense we were able to move the ball a little. I'm not going to say we have turned the corner and are ready for Troy or a rematch with FIU, but this undersized team, with a lack of depth is improving. I seen more heart and fight in our team this season then I did in any of the Dodge years. I'm proud of our guys. They are giving everything they have on the field. I give us a shot at beating Indiana next Saturday. I'll give us a better chance if we can fill Apogee and make noise like we did for the Houston game.

I understand wanting to get the other QBs some playing time, but not the way they did it tonight. I think Thompson did a good job for what he had to deal with. It looked like he got better at reading the defenses and making adjustments. Alabama is the #2 team in the country. Against Indiana and the other Sun Belt teams Thompson, and the offense should look much better.

Robertson reminds me of Fouts. I'd rather not include it in this argument. Lets see what Houston's new stadium is like. As for Ford. I think Ford is attractive from the outside. Not a big fan of the interior. It appears small and low inside Ford. I don't think it is a very intimidating place to play. To me, Apogee appears larger then it is. In the daytime, Apogee's exterior is not as attractive as Ford, but at night when all the lights are on, Apogee shines like a star. Add in "the Hill" and Apogee's exterior improves greatly. I think it's close, but I give it to Apogee. If we factor attendance into the equation, Apogee is the clear winner. I think we will out draw SMU this season, even if we do have another off year. 1. Apogee- A 2. Ford- B- Robertson- Incomplete

Tonight I talked a friend into buying 6 tickets and tailgating with my group tomorrow. The Wing Zone was all Ticketmaster had available. This is a great time to be part of the Mean Green Nation. I think Houston will be shocked at the size of our crowd, and will remember it next time they play at SMU.

Not trying to rub salt in the wound, just curious what you guys think. We all know we got blasted in the 1st quarter. But, did we play better in the 2nd, or did Cristobal take his foot off our throat? Did FIU let up in the 3rd, or not until the back ups were put in?

People are not mad that we lost. We were not expected to win. People are mad about how we lost. There is no moral victory in giving up 14 points on 5 plays. It took the entire 1st quarter for Murray State to give up 14 points to Louisville. I don't think the angry fans are being too unreasonable.

We got embarrassed tonight, and I'm sick and tired of watching us get are tails kicked up and down the field. I knew the odds were against us, but I didn't expect us to get spanked. Now I'm glad the game wasn't on T.V. Games like this will make it hard to sell those last few tickets to the Houston game. People want to go see a competitive game. We didn't provide that tonight. WKU is playing Kentucky close in the 4th, and all I can think is our team has a lot of work to do.

You are right. I am wrong. You never wrote UH shirt. I apologize for insinuating you were a tool. Now I look like a tool. I owe you a beer next week at the tailgating. PM me and I'll give you our set up information. Again, I apologize.

Tell you what, if U of h ever gets out of that dump and opens a real stadium, I'll be sure to swing by for the dedication and wear a North Texas shirt. Maybe then you will see how disrespectful it is. Don't be a tool.

I never thought a Texas team had a shot at getting an invite to the Big 12. Lets just focus on building North Texas into the best athletic program, with the best attendance, in DFW. If we do that, are expansion threads will concern our stadium capacity, and the rest will take care of itself.

I believe tonight could likely be the first win of a very successful McCarney era. Since I can't be there in person, I'd like to see that first win at Apogee. Comfort be damned! My wife and I will be sweating at Apogee.

I like to think I am. I got my season tickets and parking passes in the mail today. I talked four of my friends into joining the Mean Green Club, and buying season tickets for the first time. I talked eight coworkers into buys tickets and coming out to the Houston game. Last Friday at work, I sent out a group email forwarding the information about Thursday's watch party at the stadium. The believe the athletic department is doing everything it can. I think most of us on here are doing what we can, and I know there will be more Green then red.

But who's buying the tickets? North Texas fans, or Houston fans? I know we will out number them at the game, but I don't care to look over on either end of the home side and see large numbers of red.

I believe the student section seats 8,000, but I've heard concerns that we will have more students then seats for this game. The Wingzone is general admission. I don't know if the AD will do it, but a portion of the Wingzone could be reserved for students, if extra seating is needed.

For a while I've been wondering how many we have sold. As far as I know, nothing has been reported. I don't know why the ticket office hasn't released the numbers. Does anyone know where we stand? If not, does anyone have a guess as to how many season tickets we have sold?

Congratulations on your sons pancake, and in instilling him with pride for the Mean Green Nation. This is how we will grow. This and winning.

How can you name two offensive players team captains, and neither be Lance Dunbar? I'm not saying the others are not deserving, but with what Lance has done at North Texas, I think he is too. Just saying...

Highly rated offensive and defensive linemen are always at the top of my wish list, but I think we should always try to lure the best skill players we can attract. In this case, the kid has bagage. If he was interested in UNT, I'd trust Mac to evaluate the situation, and make the right choice.

With about 20 days until we open the new stadium against Houston, is the Mean Green commercial still airing? Will the athletic department increase the number of spots? Any new UNT football commercials?