Lots of eyes will be on MTSU-North Texas showdown

pUNT · July 27, 2005

By MONTE HALE JR.

hale@dnj.com

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NEW ORLEANS — Storylines were numerous at this week's Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days.

Legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger will officially bring his Florida Atlantic Owls into the league in 2005, while former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock will usher his Florida International Panthers into the league.

There was talk of the dynamic running back duo of North Texas standouts Jamario Thomas and Patrick Cobbs.

There was much discussion on the progress of the Sun Belt, and while it isn't a player in the BCS scheme of things, it is finding its niche in the Division I-A landscape.

It was noted that North Texas' Darrell Dickey and MTSU's Andy McCollum are the only two remaining Sun Belt coaches since the league's inception in 2001.

There was mention of Troy's impressive run to a bowl game last year and the fact that defensive end Demarcus Ware became the league's initial first-round draft pick.

But as prominent as anything discussed was Sept. 10 when MTSU will play host to North Texas at Floyd Stadium.

It is the first Sun Belt Conference game scheduled this year, and another won't be play until two weeks later.

It is a game MTSU fans certainly have circled on their calendars.

It is a game North Texas fans probably are concerned about considering the Mean Green's habit for slow starts.

It's also a game that will draw tremendous interest around the league and its coaches.

"We'll check the score for sure," said Troy coach Larry Blakeney. "We won't worry much leading up to it because we all have our own issues, but that is a big game. Anytime North Texas is playing it's a big game for our league, and you'll always be tuned into it."

While North Texas opens up at LSU and MTSU at Alabama, both Dickey and McCollum acknowledge the early season showdown is intriguing.

"If you look at our track record, we're not notorious for being fast starters," Dickey said. "We started off 0-5 four years ago. We started 1-5 three years ago. We started 1-3 two years ago, and we started 0-4 last year.

"We've got a relatively young team, and Andy has a very experienced team with about 18 starters coming back. So we've got a challenge right off the bat, but our focus is we don't worry about the things we don't have control of like the schedule. All we focus on is getting ourselves ready to play, not necessarily the hand we've been dealt."

Added McCollum: "Starting off at home with a conference game, is it big? You can downplay it all you want, but yes, it's very big. It's a big game. It's a game that if you go back and look since we've been playing that they've been able to win by making the key plays. It's a game we've got find a way to make the plays they've made."

Players don't be report to fall camp until Aug. 7, and the season doesn't kick off until Sept. 3, but it's quite clear the North Texas-MTSU matchup Sept. 10 is already generating a lot of talk and interest in the Sun Belt.

Originally published July 27, 2005

PlummMeanGreen · July 27, 2005

"We've got a relatively young team, and Andy has a very experienced team with about 18 starters coming back. So we've got a challenge right off the bat, but our focus is we don't worry about the things we don't have control of like the schedule. All we focus on is getting ourselves ready to play, not necessarily the hand we've been dealt."

Coach Dickey obviously not real thrilled with the SBC schedule dealt him, either. Any of us in his shoes would feel the same.

I think NORTH TEXAS will have the best team in the SBC be mid-October, but playing our first SBC game on the road 2'nd game of the season is a schedule I can't think NT was responsible. MT has been given every chance to take the baton out of our hands even having had 2 games in a row scheduled in the 'Boro a few years ago. The SBC schedulers have done their part in trying to help the Blue Raiders prove that its not just about winning beauty contest as in off season recruiting contests? NORTH TEXAS has a challenge in the 'Boro on Sept. 10'th, but I think we have the offense who can take control of this game from beginning to end and the Mean Green "D" to hold off the 'Radas.

What a great TV game NT/MT will be, though. I will be interested to see the North Texas Metroplex Nielsen TV ratings because I think this game will more than win its time slot. BTW we've done that before when the Mean Green was on an ABC-TV game years ago and that NORTH TEXAS television ratings win was even reported on by Cathy Harasta of the Dallas Morning News back in the day. SUMG sent me a DMN newspaper clipping on that Mean Green TV rating's success.

Edited July 27, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

DeepGreen · July 27, 2005

Bullshit! I refuse to accept anything less than a 110% effort by Dickey's team, and a victory. I don't care if it's on the road at the 'boro or not; I don't care if it's our 2nd game of the season. Dickey and the other coaches need to get this team up for the MUTS.

FAU came into our house last year and laid on the Mean Green. We were not really prepared for that game.

I will not accept a 0-4 start this season.

adman · July 27, 2005

I will not accept a 0-4 start this season.

So if by chance we do go 0-4 to start the season does that mean you're going to take your ball and go home?

untbowler · July 27, 2005

So if by chance we do go 0-4 to start the season does that mean you're going to take your ball and go home?

Think it might be safe to say half the attendance and the students would probably pack up and go home, imagine if we start 0-6 before all the conference games really kick-in.

DD needs to get the team firing on all cylinders from Game 1, not like last year where we gradually shifted gears as season wore on, which coincided with Sun Belt play.

NTEagle08 · July 27, 2005

What a great TV game NT/MT will be, though. I will be interested to see the North Texas Metroplex Nielsen TV ratings because I think this game will more than win its time slot. BTW we've done that before when the Mean Green was on an ABC-TV game years ago and that NORTH TEXAS television ratings win was even reported on by Cathy Harasta of the Dallas Morning News back in the day. SUMG sent me a DMN newspaper clipping on that Mean Green TV rating's success.

With all due respect, please tell me that you are joking. Seriously, the NT/MT game has to go up against the juggernaut that is Texas/Ohio State that night. I'm thrilled that our game against Middle Tennessee is going to be on TV, but at the same time, I wish it was on at a different time when it wasn't up against UT/OSU.

PlummMeanGreen · July 27, 2005

With all due respect, please tell me that you are joking. Seriously, the NT/MT game has to go up against the juggernaut that is Texas/Ohio State that night. I'm thrilled that our game against Middle Tennessee is going to be on TV, but at the same time, I wish it was on at a different time when it wasn't up against UT/OSU.

Of course, I don't keep up with Texas or Ohio St. as to know that we were up against them. Exactly what time does their game kick-off compared to ours? I know ours is at 6:00 PM.

Yet if much of our Metroplex NT constituency will tune in (and not genuflect to the flagship UT) we will still get some good Nielsen numbers IMO. We (myself included) need to quit worrying about what other schools do and just do our thing (iin a big way) and merely take care of our business. One day many NT'ers will wake up one morning and say: "Wow, we really do have a large constituency out there now don't we?"

Edited July 27, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

NTEagle08 · July 27, 2005

Of course, I don't keep up with Texas or Ohio St. as to know that we were up against them. Exactly what time does their game kick-off compared to ours? I know ours is at 6:00 PM.
Yet if much of our Metroplex NT constituency will tune in (and not genuflect to the flagship UT) we will still get some good Nielsen numbers IMO. We (myself included) need to quit worrying about what other schools do and just do our thing (iin a big way) and merely take care of our business. One day many NT'ers will wake up one morning and say: "Wow, we really do have a large constituency out there."

The UT/OSU game kicks off at 7 pm on ABC. Even though I would consider my self a Mean Green fan first and foremost, I am sort of disappointed that this two games are running up against each other since the UT/OSU game could be the game of the season,

DeepGreen · July 27, 2005

So if by chance we do go 0-4 to start the season does that mean you're going to take your ball and go home?

Absolutely not! I support the Mean Green all the way. I just don't want some "kissy face", lackluster effort by our team.

PlummMeanGreen · July 27, 2005

Absolutely not! I support the Mean Green all the way. I just don't want some "kissy face", lackluster effort by our team.

This year we need to be no worse than 1 & 1 heading to that new Omni-Grassed Fouts Field in our home season opener against Tulsa U.

Like some of you, I (bite my tongue) even feel we could lose in the Boro' but still have a chance to win the SBC, but don't won't to see us have to go down that road at all. (Still don't see us losing it, though).

Edited July 27, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

Eagle91Gator95 · July 27, 2005

I hate to interrupt the "kissy face" talk, but back to the original topic of this thread......

I had a job interview last week with a guy out of Nashville. I mentioned being a NT grad and he said that there has been a LOT of talk on Nashville sports radio about the upcoming game in the 'boro. And keep in mind this in the the heart of Tennessee Vol Country!! I plan on making the drive up from Atlanta again this year, this should be a great game to watch!!

FFR, any chance you and the Mrs. will be making this trip?

NT80 · July 27, 2005

"If you look at our track record, we're not notorious for being fast starters," Dickey said. "We started off 0-5 four years ago. We started 1-5 three years ago. We started 1-3 two years ago, and we started 0-4 last year.

Well, at least he's aware of it. Now if he can just find an answer for it! <_<

greensteve · July 27, 2005

SOme people will say anything during an interview...I find it hard to believe that there is ALOT of talk about the game in Vol Country...maybe some, but not ALOT.

As for the slow-start talk...I bet you people were just like me once we lost Drew and Patrick was out for the season, and 4 new LB...this team was in turmoil. We should be counting our blessings that DD and his staff held the ship together. Last season could have been our down season.

i wont settle for anything else than 1-1 coming back home either, but I also understand that it is a distinct possibility. The cards are stacked in their favor...but we are the Champs. DD will have this team ready to go...they will be fired up!!!

BTW...any word yet on TV for this game. Last i heard no TV>

PlummMeanGreen · July 27, 2005

SOme people will say anything during an interview...I find it hard to believe that there is ALOT of talk about the game in Vol Country...maybe some, but not ALOT.
As for the slow-start talk...I bet you people were just like me once we lost Drew and Patrick was out for the season, and 4 new LB...this team was in turmoil. We should be counting our blessings that DD and his staff held the ship together. Last season could have been our down season.
i wont settle for anything else than 1-1 coming back home either, but I also understand that it is a distinct possibility. The cards are stacked in their favor...but we are the Champs. DD will have this team ready to go...they will be fired up!!!
BTW...any word yet on TV for this game. Last i heard no TV>

ESPN+ will carry that game (and in DFW, isn't that Ch 52 that carries that part of the ESPN empire)?

FirefightnRick · July 27, 2005

FFR, any chance you and the Mrs. will be making this trip?

I'll be there but I doubt DJ will be. I'm still trying to find a flight to Nashville because I know I'll be driving down for the LSU game. I hate the thought of having to drive to both.

As for our effort in early games, if we play as good as we did in our second game of the season against Colorado and NOT fumble on the 3 yard line early, we kick the hell out of the MUTS.

Rick