What I'd Like To See During The Tennessee Blowout

risinggreen · November 10, 2015

I don't fear many things. But I fear this game. Tennessee will take us out behind the wood shed. Lesser teams have given us program destroying losses.
We may need to go Slapshot style and run around the field in jock straps. It would be less embarrassing than actually trying to line up and play football. Everyone spends some time in the barrel, I didn't know we were going to receive our mail there....

Early in the game they will likely be playing their backups who were part of top 5 national recruiting classes the past couple of years, while we will be playing our starters who were mostly part of classes ranked not too far from 150th nationally. Not pretty math.

Maduro · November 10, 2015

What I would like to see...

1. Goree and Rutherford as our top wide receiver options

2. no punting and only onside kickoffs... what do we have to lose? After portland state, i no longer feel shame and we wouldn't be the first ncaa team to try out a gimmick.

What i will see...

1. Litton's burger special followed by the red velvet cake

2. moonshine

3. prime rib at the Copper Cellar

4. a big boat parked on the boardwalk with my green flag flying on top

greenminer · November 10, 2015

What I would like to see...
1. Goree and Rutherford as our top wide receiver options

Why? Have you seen enough to think they are our top 2, or are you in "develop for next year" mode?

Maduro · November 10, 2015

Why? Have you seen enough to think they are our top 2, or are you in "develop for next year" mode?

i've been in "develop" mode since i saw the roster on the field during the smu loss. also, everyone knows that i am a superior talent evaluator when compared to any current coach on the unt staff.

rutherford was randy moss at carthage. just one time this season i would like to see us toss up a deep ball down the sideline and watch him compete for a jump ball against ncaa competition. and before anyone replies with "dude, i'm sure they tried that in practice and he sucked", just know that i don't care and i want to see him given the opportunity to either succeed or fail in a game. outside of jordan murray, he might have the most "NFL'y" body we've got.

goree was brelan chancellor at carthage. give him the ball more and find out what he might be capable of. and before anyone replies with "dude, every WR recruit looks like brelan chancellor on their high school highlight reel", just know that i don't care and i want him to start getting every one of Smiley's targets from this point forward.

GMG24 · November 10, 2015

First, don't burn any redshirts this time of year in this season.
Secondly, don't shell shock the young guys. Every coach I know says that does have an effect longer than simply one game. Putting in players who are unprepared - less than three practices where they individually get 70% or more of the reps with the starters - only hurt their development down the line.
Third, since they won't have any real prep time and won't know the plays or options on each play very well. I guess the goal is laugh value at how the team as a whole and they react to multiple penalties, fumbles and interceptions. That doesn't sound like a good goal.
When Todd Dodge decided to treat the game in Norman as a scrimmage and not care about the score or success of any play, he was excoriated for bad coaching not only by our fans, but the OU staff and the press that cover OU and the Big XII. I don't think you'll be able to convince Chico that appearing to be a complete idiot is the best way to show yourself off for any potential jobs!

fixed except McNair (our first SEC looking recruit)

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 10, 2015

He's talking about Tennessee, not Middle Tennessee.

Thank you. Although....

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 10, 2015

First, don't burn any redshirts this time of year in this season.
Secondly, don't shell shock the young guys. Every coach I know says that does have an effect longer than simply one game. Putting in players who are unprepared - less than three practices where they individually get 70% or more of the reps with the starters - only hurt their development down the line.
Third, since they won't have any real prep time and won't know the plays or options on each play very well. I guess the goal is laugh value at how the team as a whole and they react to multiple penalties, fumbles and interceptions. That doesn't sound like a good goal.
When Todd Dodge decided to treat the game in Norman as a scrimmage and not care about the score or success of any play, he was excoriated for bad coaching not only by our fans, but the OU staff and the press that cover OU and the Big XII. I don't think you'll be able to convince Chico that appearing to be a complete idiot is the best way to show yourself off for any potential jobs!

What...some other school won't be able to figure out he was here for six years, then look at the offensive output during those years?

Volosaurus rex · November 10, 2015

Tennessee can name the score here. We won't score more than 10 points, they won't score less than 50. It really won't surprise me if this is a Portland State style ass-kicking.
The really crazy part is that this is the first time we have scheduled P5 giant in a smart way--later in the season, when SEC schools that are out of the division race will often get beat or have a dogfight on their hands. Unfortunately, we had this on the schedule in a year we also scheduled another P5 giant that is awesome in Iowa, with no bye week, and our worst team since the early Dodge years at least, if not since we moved back up to FBS in 1995.

For comparative purposes and what little it is worth, Tennessee beat that Iowa team in the 2015 Taxslayer Bowl far worse than the final score of 45-28 would suggest. They led 42-7 at the end of the third quarter before emptying their benches.

Volosaurus rex · November 10, 2015

Matt, Tennessee is going to wipe the floor with us. For us to even keep this remotely respectable Smith will need to have a career day. I don't see Smith having a career day @ Tennessee. Expect a 60 something to 10ish score.

There are things that you can do to minimize self-inflicted damage. Above all else, kick the ball away from our kickoff and punt return specialists. Evan Berry's "average of 42.6 yards per kickoff return has him on pace to set the Football Bowl Subdivision single-season record. He has three touchdowns on kickoff returns to tie the school single-season record Willie Gault has held since 1980" (http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2015-11-05/tennessee-football-evan-berry-emerges-nations-top-kickoff-returner). Cam Sutton is second in the nation in punt returns, with an average of 19.5 yds. per return ( http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/returning/sort/yardsPerPuntReturn). Sutton and Alvin Kamara have both returned punts for touchdowns.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Volosaurus rex

Ben Gooding · November 10, 2015

There are things that you can do to minimize self-inflicted damage. Above all else, kick the ball away from our kickoff and punt return specialists. Evan Berry's "average of 42.6 yards per kickoff return has him on pace to set the Football Bowl Subdivision single-season record. He has three touchdowns on kickoff returns to tie the school single-season record Willie Gault has held since 1980" (http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2015-11-05/tennessee-football-evan-berry-emerges-nations-top-kickoff-returner). Cam Sutton is second in the nation in punt returns, with an average of 19.5 yds. per return ( http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/returning/sort/yardsPerPuntReturn). Sutton and Alvin Kamara have both returned punts for touchdowns.

The kicking game will make no difference in this game. Nice brags though.

UNT90 · November 10, 2015

There are things that you can do to minimize self-inflicted damage. Above all else, kick the ball away from our kickoff and punt return specialists. Evan Berry's "average of 42.6 yards per kickoff return has him on pace to set the Football Bowl Subdivision single-season record. He has three touchdowns on kickoff returns to tie the school single-season record Willie Gault has held since 1980" (http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2015-11-05/tennessee-football-evan-berry-emerges-nations-top-kickoff-returner). Cam Sutton is second in the nation in punt returns, with an average of 19.5 yds. per return ( http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/returning/sort/yardsPerPuntReturn). Sutton and Alvin Kamara have both returned punts for touchdowns.

Good thing we will probably only kick off one time while this cat is in the game...

Unfortunately, there will be many punt return opportunities.

Would you guys be interested in trading ADs?

Seriously?

Edited November 10, 2015 by UNT90

southsideguy · November 10, 2015

no quick offense just run the clock

greenit · November 10, 2015

If we took a felt of game on every play in order to use the entire clock and we ran the ball on every play, would we win the time of possession battle?

medpilot21 · November 10, 2015

I know I will catch it for this post, but I cant see why some are so quick to give up on Demarcus Smith? He is getting the reps he needs now in these games. That is exactly what we wanted? It has been pointed out that he is a Junior and should be better? Quite the opposite is true, he is a first-year QB in this system, and the system has already changed again during the season. Give the kid some time to develop and then judge the product on the field. Yes, he is going to be off in his timing at times, but he will also make some good throws. Some say he does too much with his legs, but that is actually a good thing considering the sacks his predecessor was taking? Many of us have seen the positives in Demarcus, and we didn't have much in the way of positives before Coach Mac was ushered out? Give this kid some time to play at this level, and get tutored over the Spring and Summer by our new coaching staff. Yes, that will be a new system also, but Demarcus will have some real game experience under his belt. Mistakes are a part of learning, and he is truly learning each week. If a Five Star QB gets recruited in the off season and shows he is ready to play now, of course I am on board. Otherwise, get our QB ready to go for the 2016 season and stay the course. We knew it would not be easy or pleasant to watch at times. Nothing has changed? This kid has promise, and we have nothing to lose by grooming him for next year. I vowed to back Demarcus Smith if Chico left him in there to take his lumps, and I am going to do that. I see something in him that gives me hope. At this point in this horrific season, ANY hope works for me. Okay, fire away!

GMG!!!

DeepGreen · November 10, 2015

Remember these infamous words, "We Have Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself". Now, Mean Green, go out and show the world, beat the Vols! Remember, Tennessee has not beaten North Texas yet! Make it 2-0.

Cerebus · November 10, 2015

According to the football power index, Tennesee has a 99.6% chance to beat North Texas this Saturday.

no quick offense just run the clock

I KNEW Dickey still posted here...

Aldo · November 10, 2015

As long as weather permits, DaMarcus has a shot at a decent game in the air, and Smith and Wilson could have a decent game on the ground. Not saying we'll stay in this game, but it's just another good practice in full pads at full speed.

I could see giving Means a shot the last one or two drives of the game as he brings many of the same elements that Smith does (limited in the pass game, but has a solid ground game), but Smith needs as many snaps as possible going forward to 2016.

He may have accuracy issues right now, but the only way to work on that is through more snaps [and better coaching]. Additionally, as shaky as a passer he's looked, as a player he brings in more yards per play and more scoring.

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 10, 2015

I know I will catch it for this post, but I cant see why some are so quick to give up on Demarcus Smith? He is getting the reps he needs now in these games. That is exactly what we wanted? It has been pointed out that he is a Junior and should be better? Quite the opposite is true, he is a first-year QB in this system, and the system has already changed again during the season. Give the kid some time to develop and then judge the product on the field. Yes, he is going to be off in his timing at times, but he will also make some good throws. Some say he does too much with his legs, but that is actually a good thing considering the sacks his predecessor was taking? Many of us have seen the positives in Demarcus, and we didn't have much in the way of positives before Coach Mac was ushered out? Give this kid some time to play at this level, and get tutored over the Spring and Summer by our new coaching staff. Yes, that will be a new system also, but Demarcus will have some real game experience under his belt. Mistakes are a part of learning, and he is truly learning each week. If a Five Star QB gets recruited in the off season and shows he is ready to play now, of course I am on board. Otherwise, get our QB ready to go for the 2016 season and stay the course. We knew it would not be easy or pleasant to watch at times. Nothing has changed? This kid has promise, and we have nothing to lose by grooming him for next year. I vowed to back Demarcus Smith if Chico left him in there to take his lumps, and I am going to do that. I see something in him that gives me hope. At this point in this horrific season, ANY hope works for me. Okay, fire away!
GMG!!!

First, I want to thank you for throwing me the touchdown pass in the last GoMeanGreen.com bowl. At least, if I remember correctly, I was you.

Second, Damarcus Smith seems like a nice kid. But, we've seen football before and can tell a good quarterback from a bad one. Damarcus is a bad one.

Look, if he were a freshman - or, even a redshirt freshman - making the kind of mistakes and misreads he makes, that would be one thing. But, he's not developed at all throughout his career, okay?

He was at a Western Kentucky program that obviously knows how to develop quarterbacks. It appears as though he learned nothing there. JUCO numbers looked good enough...but, we were his only offer coming out of JUCO. Which should tell you that enough coaches watched enough film to decide to pass on him.

We now know that when he got here, he wasn't doing the things off the field that it takes to be successful. And, so I suspect the same was true at Western Kentucky - the "I'm not the starter, I'm not putting in the extra time"-attitude.

And, so, you've got a fourth year junior who plays as bad as a freshman. The truth is, there just isn't as much upside to Damarcus Smith as everyone hoped, okay?

Look, I'm taller than both Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues, but what does that mean? It means nothing. Both, I'm sure would to this day skunk me in game of one-on-one. Talent and hard work go hand in hand to create success. Whatever talent Damarcus may or may not have had has gone nowhere because of piss poor work habits.

I for one, would like to see whether any of the other QBs on the roster has a shred of a chance of being capable of even backups status to whomever the new coach brings in. All have more years to "develop" than Smith.

At minimum, it might give the new coach at least some game film on the younger guys. I'd be particularly interested in seeing Chumley, to be honest.

Chumley was at least as highly thought of as Smith coming out of high school (three-star Rivals prospect) with a host of offers from schools who have done well with QBs of late: Houston, La. Tech, Memphis, Missouri, and Oregon State.

And, Chumley's got what three or four more years? Much more time than Smith has. And, at 6-5, 240...I'd at least like to see what he can do. The bar isn't very high as to passing/accuracy among the QBs on the roster anyway. So, see how he reacts to pressure against a game squad of Tennessee's twos once they are in and Smith is (should be) pulled.

Aldo · November 10, 2015

Chumley was at least as highly thought of as Smith coming out of high school (three-star Rivals prospect) with a host of offers from schools who have done well with QBs of late: Houston, La. Tech, Memphis, Missouri, and Oregon State.

Were all those QB offers, or do those also include TE offers?

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 10, 2015

Were all those QB offers, or do those also include TE offers?

No idea. But, in an interview with Vito, he said he was coming in as a QB...and, he's listed on our roster as a QB.

medpilot21 · November 10, 2015

No idea. But, in an interview with Vito, he said he was coming in as a QB...and, he's listed on our roster as a QB.

RV told me at the North Texas - Seton Hall Softball game that Chumley was only being looked at as a QB. I thought I read somewhere that Mac was looking at him as a TE? Regardless, I understand the opinions on Demarcus but I feel like we should not be so fast to raise the white flag and give up? We will see all of our QB's in the spring anyway, so why not give our best QB the chance to grow up now? I feel like we are at a point in this program where we need to be dedicated to something or someone. I'm no fortune teller, but Demarcus should be a very different QB next season after all the training and experience he is getting now. If another QB pulls ahead of him in practices, then Chico will play that guy. I would be okay with any QB except Mini-Mac. In the mean time, I'm backing the guy who has shown the most this year. He is not going to set off ESPN scoring alerts every two minutes against Tennessee, but every down he gets in full speed games makes the entire offense better. Nothing like hope with a slight hint of fear.

Just my two cents.

GMG!!!

Volosaurus rex · November 10, 2015

Good thing we will probably only kick off one time while this cat is in the game...
Unfortunately, there will be many punt return opportunities.
Would you guys be interested in trading ADs?
Seriously?

I don't know enough about your athletic director to answer that question. I do know that there are a lot of Tennessee fans who aren't thrilled about having someone as athletic director who was an Alabama grad and served in the same capacity at Alabama prior to accepting his current position at Tennessee.

UNT90 · November 10, 2015

I don't know enough about your athletic director to answer that question. I do know that there are a lot of Tennessee fans who aren't thrilled about having someone as athletic director who was an Alabama grad and served in the same capacity at Alabama prior to accepting his current position at Tennessee.

Trade you right now. Straight up.

I'll also throw in Dan McCarney as a position coach. He won a national title at Florida. You don't have to believe me, he will tell you within the first 2 minutes on conversation upon his arrival.

Deal?

Volosaurus rex · November 10, 2015

Gentlemen, I know that your defense has struggled mightily this year, but what are your relative strengths and weaknesses on that side of the ball? Have you faced many dual-threat quarterbacks this season? Josh Dobbs, our starting QB, falls into that category, but you may get a bit of a break, given the fact that he is somewhat injured and speculation is rampant that he will play relatively little, if at all, against North Texas.

untjim1995 · November 10, 2015

Gentlemen, I know that your defense has struggled mightily this year, but what are your relative strengths and weaknesses on that side of the ball? Have you faced many dual-threat quarterbacks this season? Josh Dobbs, our starting QB, falls into that category, but you may get a bit of a break, given the fact that he is somewhat injured and speculation is rampant that he will play relatively little, if at all, against North Texas.

We have one strength--letting you get experience throwing the ball and experience running the ball so that we can experience chasing you downfield. Our weakness is everything else.

Look, we are the worst FBS team in America. Some will get offended byt hat, but its true. We lost to Portland State out of FCS in the worst loss ever by a FBS team to a FCS team, 66-7. It was 66-0 in the 4th quarter before we scored on their walk-ons...at an FCS team...at home in Denton...on our Homecoming.

If I were Butch Jones, I would tell my starters that as soon as we get a three-TD lead, you're done for the day, as long as you stay in front by that much or more--basically, you get the day off as soon as you achieve this goal. That will happen sometime around the 7 minute mark in the first quarter, if not sooner. Your backups get the rest of the first half, maybe even half of the third quarter. Your backup's backups get the rest of the game, including walk-ons.

I see this one being about a 70-7 game, not even kidding either., if your guys want to get bowl eligible this week and have some kind of motivation. We have no offense at all that can compete with your defensive speed for your first three teams. Our defense is the same. Again, many fans may -1 this, but we will look like a bad FCS team to you guys. Your long-time fans from the 70s will take some comfort in the retribution you are going to get from this game. Even if your guys don't give a damn about this game, they will still win by 7 TDs...