The "must Win" Factor & S M U

MeanGreen61 · September 4, 2007

The "must win" factor and SMU

A year ago, North Texas pulled off arguably one of its best non-conference wins in recent years against SMU in the final season of the Darrell Dickey era. It was a magical night that UNT put together because of two key factors that gave UNT an emotional edge: The Mean Green had been pointing to the Mustangs as the key opponent of the season all year long and UNT’s players had been well versed in the school’s tradition of despising its private school neighbors.

After Texas Tech pounded SMU 49-9 on Monday, the Mustangs seem to be in the same situation UNT faced last season. Phil Bennett can't lose to UNT twice in a row and the Mustangs have a host of veteran players who felt the pain of falling to UNT last season. I would just about bet the farm on the fact former Denton Ryan standout and current SMU quarterback Justin Willis has been thinking about getting even with his hometown team for a year now.

That's not to say UNT can't or won't win the first game of the Todd Dodge era in Dallas. I just have a feeling that it will take a special effort from the Mean Green, one that would well exceed what it came up with in its first game of the season against Oklahoma.

Willis didn't have a very good night against Tech on Monday, but he was the Freshman of the Year in Conference USA last season. Junior running back DeMyron Martin was hurt early against UNT and missed five of the next six games. SMU will know its back is to the wall after losing to Tech when it comes to becoming bowl eligible this season.

Players are motivated every week, or at least they should be, but every once in a while a team can have a chip on it shoulder and take advantage of it. UNT followed that path to a win over SMU last season. The Mean Green will have to be at its best Saturday because there are a lot of factors that point to the Mustangs have that same edge this season.

island eagle · September 4, 2007

The "must win" factor and SMU
A year ago, North Texas pulled off arguably one of its best non-conference wins in recent years against SMU in the final season of the Darrell Dickey era. It was a magical night that UNT put together because of two key factors that gave UNT an emotional edge: The Mean Green had been pointing to the Mustangs as the key opponent of the season all year long and UNT’s players had been well versed in the school’s tradition of despising its private school neighbors.
After Texas Tech pounded SMU 49-9 on Monday, the Mustangs seem to be in the same situation UNT faced last season. Phil Bennett can't lose to UNT twice in a row and the Mustangs have a host of veteran players who felt the pain of falling to UNT last season. I would just about bet the farm on the fact former Denton Ryan standout and current SMU quarterback Justin Willis has been thinking about getting even with his hometown team for a year now.
That's not to say UNT can't or won't win the first game of the Todd Dodge era in Dallas. I just have a feeling that it will take a special effort from the Mean Green, one that would well exceed what it came up with in its first game of the season against Oklahoma.
Willis didn't have a very good night against Tech on Monday, but he was the Freshman of the Year in Conference USA last season. Junior running back DeMyron Martin was hurt early against UNT and missed five of the next six games. SMU will know its back is to the wall after losing to Tech when it comes to becoming bowl eligible this season.
Players are motivated every week, or at least they should be, but every once in a while a team can have a chip on it shoulder and take advantage of it. UNT followed that path to a win over SMU last season. The Mean Green will have to be at its best Saturday because there are a lot of factors that point to the Mustangs have that same edge this season.

We (our team) better want this game MORE than SMU or we LOSE. It's a simple as that. SMU has more than enough talent to win if they play harder than we do.

untbowler · September 4, 2007

We need to win against SMU no questions asked. We should beat SMU also. As fans we should expect no less, who cares about their veteran players and star QB and RB, alot of good it did them against what is usually a weaker Def in TX Tech.

We did a great job of stopping the run at OU, so SMU should do no better.

whatshisname · September 5, 2007

We (our team) better want this game MORE than SMU or we LOSE. It's a simple as that. SMU has more than enough talent to win if they play harder than we do.

Funny you should bring this up. I sent the following in an email to a friend last night.

Have you seen the SMUt schedule? If they don't win this weekend against the Mean Green, they just might have it in 'em to go winless in September. Look at it. Texas Tech killed 'em. After us, they play Arkansas State. If the same ASU that showed up against the 'Horns shows up against the Ponies, SMUt doesn't have a chance. Then they play at TCU & then UTEP. If they don't win this weekend, they could be in a lot of trouble. Somehow, I don't believe that would hurt John's feelings any. Question: If SMUt goes 0-5 in September, will Coach Bennet be around for October?

On the other hand, if the MG wins, we can go 2-2 in September. If we can do that, we'll be good to go since it's the toughest part of our schedule. I would be very content with a 2-2 September. As long as we leave September 1-3 with a conference win, the northern front will be ok. Not great, but ok.

Edited September 5, 2007 by whatshisname

stebo · September 5, 2007

I am telling you - I wouldn't be penciling that W next to the FAU game just yet. Shnelly knocked off Conference Co-Champ MTSU this weekend with no problem. In fact, the game wasn't even CLOSE. FAU was up 27-0 before they took their first string out and let them rest. Shnelly is 2-0 against the Mean Green and went 4-3 in Conference Play last year... I wouldn't look at that game as a gimme. In fact, I would dare say that FAU will be a tougher game then SMU.