MGB: Saturday scrimmage notes

Travis · April 6, 2015

I drink the green juice a lot, and I try not to be a negative nancy, but UNT90 is right.

I think 6 games is doable even with McNulty at the - oh crap it's the green juice again. But yeah, 6 games is doable.

You do drink the green juice.

Aldo · April 6, 2015

You do drink the green juice.

Tastes like America. And liberty.

Mean_Green09 · April 6, 2015

Iowa and Tennessee will murder us, unless Smith comes in and sets the world on fire and Mac allows him to do so.
Long long long odds.

Iowa really doesnt have a track record of murdering anybody early in the season. We should be able to keep the margin of victory for Iowa under 20.

SilverEagle · April 6, 2015

Moore isn't a JUCO transfer. I am with Billy. Not even looking at Dillman at QB is a huge mistake. Also, I would like to read about a stud QB recruit at one of these practices, not another DB.

And (once again) if you had observed the same thing that I observed in a couple of the practices, you would feel even stronger about this. I've gotten feedback from a couple of sources that the mysterious #16 playing WR is, in fact, Grimm. If that is the case, then we have a less crowded QB situation and surely Dillman could get a look. IMHO #15 is never going to be a viable option.

MeanGreenTexan · April 6, 2015

Iowa and Tennessee will murder us, unless Smith comes in and sets the world on fire and Mac allows him to do so.
Long long long odds.

Did you know those two teams played each other in the TaxSlayer Bowl just a few months ago?

Did you know the score was 42-7 after the 3rd quarter when IA started putting up garbage TDs when TN's 2nd & 3rd stringers were in?

Iowa is graduating a bunch of nice NFL-caliber Seniors. Any IA player listed on the B1G All-conference teams (even the HMs) were Seniors.

Iowa is not a world-beater, at all. Tennessee is a different story.

IF we have a good team, we can beat Iowa in Kinnick. That's a big IF though.

GOMG2013 · April 6, 2015

Did you know those two teams played each other in the TaxSlayer Bowl just a few months ago?
Did you know the score was 42-7 after the 3rd quarter when IA started putting up garbage TDs when TN's 2nd & 3rd stringers were in?

Iowa is graduating a bunch of nice NFL-caliber Seniors. Any IA player listed on the B1G All-conference teams (even the HMs) were Seniors.

Iowa is not a world-beater, at all. Tennessee is a different story.

IF we have a good team, we can beat Iowa in Kinnick. That's a big IF though.

Iowa lost to iowa state at home early last season.

they should be favored, but i dont see us getting blown out if we can beat SMU and Rice at home.

BillySee58 · April 6, 2015

We're 5-20 on the road under Mccarney, including 0-6 last year. Until we prove we can win on the road, any talk about a bowl or winning at Iowa is premature IMO. Even our home record which we hang our hats on may have been a little misleading. 4 wins at home, but those 4 teams won a combined 8 games on the year. We also lost to 3-win Southern Miss at home, for their only conference win and the only team we played at home last year who finished with a winning record was La Tech, and they were up on us 42-7 in the 4th quarter at Apogee.

We lost 49-24 at Indiana, one of the worst teams in the Big 10 last year. Even if Iowa takes a step back, we still would have to be much improved to even have a shot there. It is a road game after all. I think people are underestimating how big an improvement we need this year. I could see us improving this year and having a worse record because of how much harder our schedule is.

The first two weeks are really going to tell us a lot about this team. Dallas may not be a far trip, but we need to start winning on the road and that's about as prime a chance as we'll get. It's a shame they'll already have a game under their belt and we won't.

UNT90 · April 6, 2015

We're 5-20 on the road under Mccarney, including 0-6 last year. Until we prove we can win on the road, any talk about a bowl or winning at Iowa is premature IMO. Even our home record which we hang our hats on may have been a little misleading. 4 wins at home, but those 4 teams won a combined 8 games on the year. We also lost to 3-win Southern Miss at home, for their only conference win and the only team we played at home last year who finished with a winning record was La Tech, and they were up on us 42-7 in the 4th quarter at Apogee.
We lost 49-24 at Indiana, one of the worst teams in the Big 10 last year. Even if Iowa takes a step back, we still would have to be much improved to even have a shot there. It is a road game after all. I think people are underestimating how big an improvement we need this year. I could see us improving this year and having a worse record because of how much harder our schedule is.
The first two weeks are really going to tell us a lot about this team. Dallas may not be a far trip, but we need to start winning on the road and that's about as prime a chance as we'll get. It's a shame they'll already have a game under their belt and we won't.

Well said.

UNTLifer · April 6, 2015

Again, why did we not get a return game from Iowa?

MeanGreenTexan · April 6, 2015

Again, why did we not get a return game from Iowa?

Because our paychecks would be smaller/non-existent if we did.

MeanGreenTexan · April 6, 2015

We're 5-20 on the road under Mccarney, including 0-6 last year. Until we prove we can win on the road, any talk about a bowl or winning at Iowa is premature IMO. Even our home record which we hang our hats on may have been a little misleading. 4 wins at home, but those 4 teams won a combined 8 games on the year. We also lost to 3-win Southern Miss at home, for their only conference win and the only team we played at home last year who finished with a winning record was La Tech, and they were up on us 42-7 in the 4th quarter at Apogee.
We lost 49-24 at Indiana, one of the worst teams in the Big 10 last year. Even if Iowa takes a step back, we still would have to be much improved to even have a shot there. It is a road game after all. I think people are underestimating how big an improvement we need this year. I could see us improving this year and having a worse record because of how much harder our schedule is.
The first two weeks are really going to tell us a lot about this team. Dallas may not be a far trip, but we need to start winning on the road and that's about as prime a chance as we'll get. It's a shame they'll already have a game under their belt and we won't.

You and I are on the same page 99% of the time. I need to be VERY clear here, because we're still on the same page, I think.

I'm not expecting a win at Iowa next year.

I'm just saying that Iowa is not going to be as hard as they may seem. And, if we have a good team, then just like the 2013 GA game, we have a punchers chance. I completely understand and agree that the chances of UNT being a good team next year hinges on just about every variable hitting next season.

Now, we can look at the Tennessee game as a slam-dunk loss.

Travis · April 6, 2015

Because we want to return to the 90's way of doing things... you know, because that worked out so well for us then.

foutsrouts · April 6, 2015

Again, why did we not get a return game from Iowa?

I think our philosophy is to play there exclusively for recruiting purposes.

MeanGreenTexan · April 6, 2015

I think our philosophy is to play there exclusively for recruiting purposes.

You never know when we'll land the next McNulty!

UNT90 · April 6, 2015

You and I are on the same page 99% of the time. I need to be VERY clear here, because we're still on the same page, I think.
I'm not expecting a win at Iowa next year.

I'm just saying that Iowa is not going to be as hard as they may seem. And, if we have a good team, then just like the 2013 GA game, we have a punchers chance. I completely understand and agree that the chances of UNT being a good team next year hinges on just about every variable hitting next season.

Now, we can look at the Tennessee game as a slam-dunk loss.

So you are saying they may only beat us by 24?

If we have a good team?

Lovely.

Mean_Green09 · April 6, 2015

We're 5-20 on the road under Mccarney, including 0-6 last year. Until we prove we can win on the road, any talk about a bowl or winning at Iowa is premature IMO. Even our home record which we hang our hats on may have been a little misleading. 4 wins at home, but those 4 teams won a combined 8 games on the year. We also lost to 3-win Southern Miss at home, for their only conference win and the only team we played at home last year who finished with a winning record was La Tech, and they were up on us 42-7 in the 4th quarter at Apogee.
We lost 49-24 at Indiana, one of the worst teams in the Big 10 last year. Even if Iowa takes a step back, we still would have to be much improved to even have a shot there. It is a road game after all. I think people are underestimating how big an improvement we need this year. I could see us improving this year and having a worse record because of how much harder our schedule is.
The first two weeks are really going to tell us a lot about this team. Dallas may not be a far trip, but we need to start winning on the road and that's about as prime a chance as we'll get. It's a shame they'll already have a game under their belt and we won't.

Indiana was one of the worst teams after they lost their starting QB Nate Sudfeld in the Iowa game which was the game right after ours. Before that they were on pace to go to a bowl game and had a much more explosive offense than Iowa. The guy Indiana started the rest of the way only threw 1 TD I think.

Yes we have sucked on the road under McCarney.

Mac has taken teams and won on the road against Iowa so its a familiar setting for him. Gives me a little bit more confidence.

Iowa will not have an explosive offense to murder us. Its just not in their DNA.

Again have I full faith that we stay within 20 pts.

BillySee58 · April 6, 2015

Indiana was one of the worst teams after they lost their starting QB Nate Sudfeld in the Iowa game which was the game right after ours. Before that they were on pace to go to a bowl game and had a much more explosive offense than Iowa. The guy Indiana started the rest of the way only threw 1 TD I think.

Yes, but even their backup QB led a 4th-quarter touchdown drive against us where he had a big run and they didn't throw the ball once. We could not stop their run, no matter who was at QB or who was running it.

I'd have to see this new defense play first (I think they take a step back), see if Damarcus Smith gets eligible, and see if Coach Mccarney can take a team with only his recruits (no more Dodge recruits on the team) and be competitive on the road. But I understand what you're saying, and I don't see Iowa as a team that'll embarrass us the way P5 schools that are/were actually offensively oriented have in the past.

MeanGreenTexan · April 6, 2015

So you are saying they may only beat us by 24?
If we have a good team?
Lovely.

Since you're insistent on commenting, can you please give me a correct count of the # of trees in this photo of a forest while Billy & I continue discourse?

UNT90 · April 6, 2015

Since you're insistent on commenting, can you please give me a correct count of the # of trees in this photo of a forest while Billy & I continue discourse?

No.

Comparisons to a blowout don't really help anybody.

BillySee58 · April 6, 2015

You and I are on the same page 99% of the time. I need to be VERY clear here, because we're still on the same page, I think.
I'm not expecting a win at Iowa next year.

I'm just saying that Iowa is not going to be as hard as they may seem. And, if we have a good team, then just like the 2013 GA game, we have a punchers chance. I completely understand and agree that the chances of UNT being a good team next year hinges on just about every variable hitting next season.

Now, we can look at the Tennessee game as a slam-dunk loss.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Unless Damarcus Smith works out I don't think we even have that, though.

Since Coach Mac has been here we've played 4 "money" games where it was a 1-game contract where we get paid to go play somewhere with no return game (Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Texas). In those 4 games we have scored 6 touchdowns. Of those 6 touchdowns, 3 have been passing touchdowns, 2 have been special teams touchdowns, and 1 has been a defensive touchdown. We have scored 0 rushing touchdowns in those games.

In all honesty, I think Coach Mccarney is not the type of coach I'd expect to take us on the road and win a money game. He wants to pound the ball and win with defense and ball control. If you go and look at all the major upsets in the past 10 years or so that have happened where G5/non-AQ teams have beaten P5/AQ schools, the G5 school has been able to pass the ball on the big guys. The "little guys" have no chance if they try to line up and run the ball all over the big school, in recent history. If Smith plays I'd imagine we'd throw the ball more than, say, Mcnulty would. To be able to back the defenses off our run game would be nice as well.

This Damarcus Smith story is just such a huge make-or-break deal for us, IMO. Coach Mccarney has now signed 9 QBs here, and Mcnulty is the most he has to show for it. He really does have the talent that could make us relevant, but after his talent there is nothing but a bunch of question marks.

Edited April 6, 2015 by BillySee58

GOMG2013 · April 6, 2015

I'd have to see this new defense play first (I think they take a step back),

WOW! a step back? our defense was bad last year. we only win 2 games if our defense is worse than last year...even if we get a decent qb.

defense is our only shot at 6 or more wins.

BillySee58 · April 6, 2015

WOW! a step back? our defense was bad last year. we only win 2 games if our defense is worse than last year...even if we get a decent qb.
defense is our only shot at 6 or more wins.

I like the talent of some of our young guys, but they need a lot of experience. Guys like Chad Davis, McClain, and Tillman Johnson will be first-year starters and those JUCO guys like Combs, Finney, and Gray could be good as well, but they deserve time to adjust to D1 ball as well.

I could see this defense taking a big step up in 2016, once all these guys have next year to get experience under their belt. I think this defense will start, at most 3 seniors this year (Austin Orr, Anthony Wallace or Blake Bean, and Kenny Buyers) so 2016 we should have an experienced and talented defense. As for this year, I think with so many guys being broken in at the same time, this will be the year for the growing pains. Especially considering how many road games they'll have to play, since young players playing on the road is usually not a great combo.

GOMG2013 · April 6, 2015

I like the talent of some of our young guys, but they need a lot of experience. Guys like Chad Davis, McClain, and Tillman Johnson will be first-year starters and those JUCO guys like Combs, Finney, and Gray could be good as well, but they deserve time to adjust to D1 ball as well.
I could see this defense taking a big step up in 2016, once all these guys have next year to get experience under their belt. I think this defense will start, at most 3 seniors this year (Austin Orr, Anthony Wallace or Blake Bean, and Kenny Buyers) so 2016 we should have an experienced and talented defense. As for this year, I think with so many guys being broken in at the same time, this will be the year for the growing pains. Especially considering how many road games they'll have to play, since young players playing on the road is usually not a great combo.

so based on those reasons, you expect a similar fall off on defense from our opponents. Rice has the same issues and turnover on defense. So Miss and UTSA also.

i agree about 2016. i think offense and defense will have a lot of talent returning.

Mean_Green09 · April 6, 2015

so based on those reasons, you expect a similar fall off on defense from our opponents. Rice has the same issues and turnover on defense. So Miss and UTSA also.
i agree about 2016. i think offense and defense will have a lot of talent returning.

You also have to factor in that we are replacing a D Coordinator while those other teams aren't. So while we do have talent to help replace those key guys we will also be learning a new system. Your going to be asking guys to do new things at game speed and that can be difficult for a guy who hasnt gotten a lot of game reps.

Ben Gooding · April 6, 2015

Yes, but even their backup QB led a 4th-quarter touchdown drive against us where he had a big run and they didn't throw the ball once. We could not stop their run, no matter who was at QB or who was running it.
I'd have to see this new defense play first (I think they take a step back), see if Damarcus Smith gets eligible, and see if Coach Mccarney can take a team with only his recruits (no more Dodge recruits on the team) and be competitive on the road. But I understand what you're saying, and I don't see Iowa as a team that'll embarrass us the way P5 schools that are/were actually offensively oriented have in the past.

If our defense does what you are predicting (take a step back) we'll go 1-11. Our D was not a very good D, granted our O help expose them but still not a good D.

*The most upsetting thing about all of this talk... We can legitimately go 1-11 (in this staffs FIFTH year) and McCarney will STILL be here (as will RV). And, of course, there will STILL be people defending this circus show. Yay for us!(?)