DRC: Three reasons UNT could be worse in 2018

[Brett Vito]

DRC:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/mean-green/2018/01/09/three-reasons-unt-could-worse-2018

[untjim1995]

The schedule shouldn't be too bad and keeping Fine healthy will go a long way in keeping us near where we ended. The more I think about it, I see us at 3-1 in OOC play, losing at Arky. Then in CUSA East play, assuming its @ODU and here against FAU, I see us splitting those two again, losing to FAU's speed and talent. In CUSA West play, I see us beating Rice, UTEP, USM, and La Tech, but losing at UAB and at UTSA in their Super Bowl. We finish 8-4, 2nd in the West. It will get us an almost-sure bid to the HoD Bowl, which I believe has the CUSA tie-in for next season.

I think UAB wins the West next year and plays FAU in the CUSA Championship game, with FAU defensing their title again with their Miami copycat team they are rolling with of uber talented and questionable characters, including both players and coaches. 

[Harry]

1 hour ago, untjim1995 said:

The schedule shouldn't be too bad and keeping Fine healthy will go a long way in keeping us near where we ended. The more I think about it, I see us at 3-1 in OOC play, losing at Arky. Then in CUSA East play, assuming its @ODU and here against FAU, I see us splitting those two again, losing to FAU's speed and talent. In CUSA West play, I see us beating Rice, UTEP, USM, and La Tech, but losing at UAB and at UTSA in their Super Bowl. We finish 8-4, 2nd in the West. It will get us an almost-sure bid to the HoD Bowl, which I believe has the CUSA tie-in for next season.

I think UAB wins the West next year and plays FAU in the CUSA Championship game, with FAU defensing their title again with their Miami copycat team they are rolling with of uber talented and questionable characters, including both players and coaches. 

Don’t underestimate La. Tech as they spanked SMU and always recruit good talent.  I think they will be back with a more experienced QB.

[greenminer]

If you want to get to that elusive 10+ win mark, you need to win a game you shouldn't have and definitely not lose any you shouldn't.

[emmitt01]

So he says we might be better because our defense will be improved in one article,

"All that help will almost certainly make UNT a better defensive team in 2018."

And then says we might be worse because of the defense,

"There is no guarantee UNT will be any better defensively next season than it was in 2017, when it struggled in a few key games."

 

So we will "almost certainly" have a better defense, but there's no guarantee.

 

 

Way to pick a side.

 

[SAGreenFan]

I thought the only reason CUSA flipped the home/away schedule was because UAB wasn't back in the fold yet.  It changed this season with Rice getting us at home again this season. Has the conference already released the 2018 schedule? Are we playing the same East teams?

[Ben Gooding]

Defensive struggle...In a few games? 

[untjim1995]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

Don’t underestimate La. Tech as they spanked SMU and always recruit good talent.  I think they will be back with a more experienced QB.

I agree...and usually I get this game wrong every year. But I’m giving us the nod because of fine and Apogee...

[Hunter Green]

Trevor Moore will be biggest reason were not as good. That kid was automatic.

[Hunter Green]

20 hours ago, Brett Vito said:

DRC:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/mean-green/2018/01/09/three-reasons-unt-could-worse-2018

Why do I always feel so dejected after reading Vito's articles?

[El Paso Eagle]

26 minutes ago, Hunter Green said:

Trevor Moore will be biggest reason were not as good. That kid was automatic.

This worries me a lot. I am really hoping our O-line improves and Mason does not take such a beating.

[greenminer]

18 hours ago, emmitt01 said:

So he says we might be better because our defense will be improved in one article,

"All that help will almost certainly make UNT a better defensive team in 2018."

And then says we might be worse because of the defense,

"There is no guarantee UNT will be any better defensively next season than it was in 2017, when it struggled in a few key games."

 

So we will "almost certainly" have a better defense, but there's no guarantee.

 

 

Way to pick a side.

 

Vito is not trying to pick a side, he's putting out arguments that support both.

[MeanGreenTexan]

19 hours ago, Harry said:

Don’t underestimate La. Tech as they spanked SMU and always recruit good talent.  I think they will be back with a more experienced QB.

I think that game was more because of the SMU players deciding not to play for their new coach.

We should win that game.   I think UAB is the only team standing in our way of a C-USA West division crown again.

[BTG_Fan1]

19 hours ago, SAGreenFan said:

I thought the only reason CUSA flipped the home/away schedule was because UAB wasn't back in the fold yet.  It changed this season with Rice getting us at home again this season. Has the conference already released the 2018 schedule? Are we playing the same East teams?

No, I believe it comes out around NSD in Feb.

[Wag Tag]

Devin Singletary not turning pro!

[EagleMBA]

Here is the answer folks! A mega-dose of Vitamin D UNT daily for about six months will shape up that defense.

[Aigle Vert]

22 hours ago, emmitt01 said:

So he says we might be better because our defense will be improved in one article,

"All that help will almost certainly make UNT a better defensive team in 2018."

And then says we might be worse because of the defense,

"There is no guarantee UNT will be any better defensively next season than it was in 2017, when it struggled in a few key games."

 

So we will "almost certainly" have a better defense, but there's no guarantee.

 

 

Way to pick a side.

 

Speaking of picking sides, he did go out on a limb and pick UNT to go 6-6 last year...on the other hand...  

Edited January 10, 2018 by Aigle Vert

[Mike Jackson]

If they are worse it will because of the defense and special teams.  They get most of their offensive weapons back next year and they have a qualified back up for Fine in Shanbor.   Also we have 4 of the 5 offensive linemen back from last year and they should improve with underclassmen competing to take their jobs hopefully.  They might be better by end up with less that 9 wins next year.  All I know is regardless of the outcome I want Seth here long enough to coach a QB that is physically bigger than Fine and more highly recruited.  If we can keep him here that long the program can really turn the corner.