Tough Schedule Ahead For NT

[MeanGreen61]

http://www.ntdaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...1/42fb6af42d077

Tough schedule ahead for NT

Rian Johnson

Staff Writer

August 11, 2005

Although its first game is not until Sept. 3, the most critical point of the Mean Green season is the month of August.

Traditionally, NT opens its season with several non-conference games, providing the Mean Green newcomers with valuable, game-time experience prior to entering conference play.

However, in a season that has NT replacing more starters than any previous Sun Belt year, the Mean Green does not have that luxury. Instead, NT will face two of its major conference threats in the first five weeks of the season, a schedule unreceptive at the idea of "gelling."

In the second week of the season, the Mean Green will travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to take on conference rival Middle Tennessee, the leading candidate to dethrone NT from atop the Sun Belt.

"We are playing at their place early in the season, and we are not necessarily notorious for being fast starters," NT coach Darrell Dickey said. "Our games in the past have gone down to the wire and could have been decided by either team in the fourth quarter."

In the four-year history of the conference rivalry, the average margin of victory is less than seven points. If that trend continues, Middle Tennessee could have a decisive edge over NT as the Blue Raiders is returning 17 starters compared to the Mean Green's nine, placing a greater importance on the success of the Mean Green's preseason workouts.

A key to how NT fares against the Blue Raiders will also hinge on its performance against SEC power LSU in its season opener. While Baton Rouge on a Saturday night may seem intimidating, the Mean Green hopes to gain valuable game experience in preparation for Middle Tennessee.

"We are not intimidated by the atmosphere anymore," Dickey said. "Our guys have been in it and get excited and know how to focus on the game once it gets started."

NT's next conference hurdle will also have a BCS lead in. Two weeks after Middle Tennessee, Dickey will take the Mean Green to his alma mater Kansas State before hosting Troy, another major threat to replace NT as Sun Belt champions. While the competition may vary from week to week, Dickey admits that one thing will stay the same.

"We will take the same game plan as every week," Dickey said. "Try to get into the fourth quarter with a chance to win the ball game."

The Mean Green is not the only Sun Belt school lining up against BCS schools. Both Middle Tennessee and Troy will play BCS schools the week prior to their matchups with NT. The Blue Raiders will visit Alabama, and Troy travels to South Carolina. Dickey admits that the first few games of conference play, as well as non-conference games, will be the key to success in the upcoming season.

"Everybody in this league knows if they can come through their non-conference healthy, win a few of those close games early in the conference and get on a roll with a little momentum, they have a very good chance to be there at the end," Dickey said. "That is what we are all hoping to do."

[pollock]

http://www.ntdaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART...1/42fb6af42d077

"we are not necessarily notorious for being fast starters," NT coach Darrell Dickey said.

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Oh Coach Dickey, how you have mastered the art of understatement.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Wonder how soon Coach Dickey installs the Middle TN game plan?

Hope our players have several copies of some video of last years game, that would be most beneficial (expecially if they watch the video).

GMG!

[GreenBat]

The new video room is very impressive. They could burn DVD's easier than they could make videos.