Bob Stoops, And His 2 Off Coord's-game Plan

[Charlie NT 73]

OU is loaded agian with NFL type players, in all phases of the game. All 3 WR's return, TE's are

huge, RB's-they have at least 4, Murray- is pure speed. OL, are giants, 3 returning starters at 6-6

320-330lbs, plus a jr college transfer, Loadholt at 6-8, 350lbs. Only thing different is Stoops has

not named a QB-yet-the QB's they have are not consistant with what the staff wants. So, they

need a game they can contol, and work in new players.

So, If I were zero u, I would run between the tackles-alot, to ease in the starting QB, and set up the pass. I would try to get Murray matched up on the LB's with quick passes out of the back field.

The runs up the gut and short quick passes will help the new QB gain confidence, next try slants and outs to the 3 experienced WR's-very good at YAC. Deep passes-later in the game.

Control the ball, tempo, clock and work in the 2 deep chart players as much as possible.

This is how I see zero u attacking the North Texas defense.

[LongJim]

So, If I were zero u, I would run between the tackles-alot, to ease in the starting QB, and set up the pass. I would try to get Murray matched up on the LB's with quick passes out of the back field.

The runs up the gut and short quick passes will help the new QB gain confidence, next try slants and outs to the 3 experienced WR's-very good at YAC. Deep passes-later in the game.

Control the ball, tempo, clock and work in the 2 deep chart players as much as possible.

I agree, Charlie.

OU will not want to show much on offense in order to save it for 'bigger' opponents. They will be vanilla and will try to out-athlete UNT. Stoops' teams are characterized by their physical play, and they are going to try to pound the MG with ball-control. In a nutshell, UNT is going to have to be able to stop the run. That's going to be the priority, IMO.

UNT can hopefully keep the OU defense on the field as much as possible, and employ some ball-control of their own with the spread. Hopefully put up some points and make the sooners do some things offensively they don't want to do. I think a respectable showing in this area will be a good early indicator of what UNT may be capable of in league play this year.

[Daddy Dumpsalot]

This is how I see zero u attacking the North Texas defense.

I see them implementing a huge running game. Their size and strength will tire our defense.

[Harry]

There was a time, seems like a long time ago when even a team like OU or UT could not force run the ball down our throats... that was when you saw guys like Booger, Craig Jones, Darrell Daniels, Chris McIver, Cody Spencer, Jonas Buckles, Chris Hurd, Taylor Casey roaming the field... the games against OU and UT came down to depth and speed. Our secondary was a step slow and could not handle their speed in the passing game. We didn't win those games because a) the talent level discrepancy and our offense was absolutely pedestrian and one dimensional. That said I believe because of our run defense we earned their respect. To paraquote Jake LaMotta, "you never ran the ball against me Ray, you never ran the ball.."

I can remember one game against TCU when Craig Jones hit their running back so hard the guys shoulder pads shattered! I am dead serious. All of the pleasure that came from those remarkable defensive performances was washed away by the fact we were so poor on offense. Oh you wonder to what level our program would have been in had we been in a Dodge type of offensive system...then again, Dickey was always trying to run out the clock on offense to limit the time his defense had to play. He was always playing the conservative field position game. He relied so heavily on the defense to win games.

That hasn't been the case for several years now. While we have improved our defensive athleticism/speed our front line size is marginal and we don't have linebackers or safeties we had in the day. Therefore, I expect OU to run the ball right down our throats and set up the play action to put this game away early. They will have a new quarterback that they are trying to build confidence with so they will not put him in situations where he can fail.

I read in the paper that OU is now paying their women's basketball coach 800K. It's truly a different world. The odds are heavily stacked in their favor.

[DeepGreen]

Least we forget, Texas broke in a new quarterback against us last year.

[MeanGreenPOP]

the sports animal out of OKC is discounting this game as even a challenge for the Sooners...calling it an at home scrimmage and we would not be enough of a challange to tell were they are at with there new QB

[Charlie NT 73]

Yes, those were the days when NT had several key quality players that could balance

out the opponets strengths. I am concered about the NT interior D-Line guys matching

against the sooners O-Line play. I did watch most of the sooners spring game replay-

I noticed these huge O-Line guys seemed alittle slow and their mobility was rusty-so-

maybe, if our DL guys can get under and around these giants, NT has a chance to stop

their run game and disrupt the pass attack. I just do not want our LB's getting caught

flat on pass coverage with the RB's. I think our secondary will be better, but, they

cannot do it all. This will take a whole team effort, and a whole team effort to win-

not just show up and play. Win or lose, I think Coach Dodge and his staff will have

the team ready to play and play to win. I think our defense will be more agressive,

will attack more, with no more bend not break approach to defense.

Offense-well, I think as the game progresses, the NT offensive coordinators will be

able to see opportunities and go after these opportunities, to avoid the sooner

strenths, and play to what is available. This is where Coach Dodge comes in-creativity

and not afraid to try it! I want this team to beleive in themselves, and gain confidence

against one of the top ranked teams in the country-possibly the national champions!

North Texas has alot to gain and the sooners alot to lose. Either way-I think this team

will give the sooners more than what they think!

[adman]

There was a time, seems like a long time ago when even a team like OU or UT could not force run the ball down our throats... that was when you saw guys like Booger, Craig Jones, Darrell Daniels, Chris McIver, Cody Spencer, Jonas Buckles, Chris Hurd, Taylor Casey roaming the field... the games against OU and UT came down to depth and speed. Our secondary was a step slow and could not handle their speed in the passing game. We didn't win those games because a) the talent level discrepancy and our offense was absolutely pedestrian and one dimensional. That said I believe because of our run defense we earned their respect. To paraquote Jake LaMotta, "you never ran the ball against me Ray, you never ran the ball.."

I can remember one game against TCU when Craig Jones hit their running back so hard the guys shoulder pads shattered! I am dead serious. All of the pleasure that came from those remarkable defensive performances was washed away by the fact we were so poor on offense. Oh you wonder to what level our program would have been in had we been in a Dodge type of offensive system...then again, Dickey was always trying to run out the clock on offense to limit the time his defense had to play. He was always playing the conservative field position game. He relied so heavily on the defense to win games.

That hasn't been the case for several years now. While we have improved our defensive athleticism/speed our front line size is marginal and we don't have linebackers or safeties we had in the day. Therefore, I expect OU to run the ball right down our throats and set up the play action to put this game away early. They will have a new quarterback that they are trying to build confidence with so they will not put him in situations where he can fail.

I read in the paper that OU is now paying their women's basketball coach 800K. It's truly a different world. The odds are heavily stacked in their favor.

So would the answer be to blitz early and often?

[Charlie NT 73]

Last year, Texas blitzed 2 corners, LB's, on each and every play-dared North Texas

to try a pass- destroyed our run game and passing game. Texas wanted to break in

their new QB, not take alot of risks on offense because the focus was on their defense

to win the game-and it worked. Was not hard to figure out the DD offense and how to

stop it. Very easy to do.

This year will be different. Count on it!

[UNTLifer]

I can remember one game against TCU when Craig Jones hit their running back so hard the guys shoulder pads shattered! I am dead serious.

I can vouch for you on that one. Ahhh, the good old days. I hope a couple of our DB's step in to the mold of Jones/Buckles. That hit made me hurt. Wonder what Jones is up to these days and if he would like to work under LaCroix?

[MeanMag]

I can vouch for you on that one. Ahhh, the good old days. I hope a couple of our DB's step in to the mold of Jones/Buckles. That hit made me hurt. Wonder what Jones is up to these days and if he would like to work under LaCroix?

I remember those days too. Where I was more eager to see the what the heck the defense would do next to score points or punish players than seeing how many points our offense could score. Some of those hits made fans quiver. I'll never forget when I think it was buckles and another DB sandwiched that player from Troy. I loved seeing that defense hit.

[greenminer]

We need a thread in memorium of the Buckles/Jones combo. Maybe one for Neon Don's athleticism lol

[LAZER]

I ran into a OU fan today at work and I told him "Only 64 days until the saddest day of your life!" If was funny he new instantly I was refering to the North Texas game. He jokeingly made some dumb comment I shot back something about Boise State......he went into the fetal position haha. WE were just jokeing around he feels OU will attack us just like we all think they will here (lots of running up the middle a few short passes). He spoke really highly of Todd Dodge and all that he thinks he will do for the program. The one thing that blew me away was he said, "give Dodge a few years to get the guys he needs for his system and NT will be a force to reckon with" coming from an OU alum I was nearly stunned......

[LongJim]

He spoke really highly of Todd Dodge and all that he thinks he will do for the program. The one thing that blew me away was he said, "give Dodge a few years to get the guys he needs for his system and NT will be a force to reckon with" coming from an OU alum I was nearly stunned......

Why did this blow you away? This is the way it should always be at UNT. It's about time.