Why I Feel Good About The Season From Here Forward

emmitt01 · September 18, 2007

It is undeniable that this conference has moved forward in the years since we joined the league. Games that would have been sure losses (and probable blowouts) have become games that we, as a league, are competing in. Every team we play from here on out will be a test. So, why the optimism Emmitt?

First, the SBC has no juggernaut. If people will recall, even when we won 26 straight, we didn't blow our conference brethren out. Same can be said of the "heavyweights" in our conference today. Troy has an impressive win against Okie Light. FAU has an impressive win against Minnesota. Arkansas State beat down a SMU squad that we lost to. MUTS hung almost half a hundred on Louisville. On first look it would appear that these are 4 sure losses. But let's look below the surface.

In losing to Troy Okie Light turned the ball over 5 times.

In losing to FAU Minnesota turned the ball over 7 times to FAU's zero.

In losing to Arkansas State SMU turned the ball over 3 times...compared to our turning the ball over 4 times to SMU's 2. And how many of our penalties kept their drives alive?

MUTS put up 42 on Louisville and actually lost the turnover battle 4 to 1. That same Louisville team turned around and lost to Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky is an SEC team and boasts a 3-0 record...with the other two wins coming against monoliths Kent St and E. Kentucky. And MUTS? They shoulda been blown out by FAU and got drubbed 44-0 by LSU.

What am I trying to say? That we are vastly superior to these teams at 0-2 and that I don't think any of them can play? No. What I AM saying though is that with an offense that is all of 2 games old at North Texas and that will get better by the week we can win any game left on our schedule (save maybe Ark) if we can take care of the football and eliminate giving away yardage on penalties.

Oh Emmitt, you are soooooo naive though...we don't have a defense, remember? Well, I have it on good authority (from several sources) that the days of the cover 1 and basic defensive game plans are over. Additionally I am told that Dom Green WILL start on Saturday. Further, I don't put all of the blame at the feet of our defense for our record. Just how well did the university of Miami's defense do against OU? And if my eyes didn't fail me our defense got us key stops when we were mounting a comeback against SMU. In fact, didn't they force an interception to give us the ball back tied 31-31 at midfield? I believe it was a subsequent INT by us that put the ball back in the hands of SMU and put our tired defense right back on the field.

Bottom line...I think Todge knows that winning the games on the pocket schedule denoted with an asterisk is what really matters. And I also think I should decide now whether I want a room with our without a balcony. Go Mean Green!!

MeanMag · September 18, 2007

Well, I have it on good authority (from several sources) that the days of the cover 1 and basic defensive game plans are over.

Emmitt I am not questioning the validity to your statements, or the credibility of your sources.

I really hope you are right, but I am very sad that we didn't get rid of it earlier. I hope we weren't "holding back" this whole time.

emmitt01 · September 18, 2007

Emmitt I am not questioning the validity to your statements, or the credibility of your sources.
I really hope you are right, but I am very sad that we didn't get rid of it earlier. I hope we weren't "holding back" this whole time.

From what I understand it was not a matter of "holding back" but rather a bit of...how shall I say..."coming to an accord" that led to it.

greenminer · September 18, 2007

Does good authority tell you anything about a running game?

adman · September 18, 2007

IWell, I have it on good authority (from several sources) that the days of the cover 1 and basic defensive game plans are over. Additionally I am told that Dom Green WILL start on Saturday.

Two deep roster from MGS begs to differ with Dom Green starting or even being back-up. It does have Peachy starting though which should be a good thing. It also has Venegas backing he and Santiago up.

Cooley · September 18, 2007

My observation after week #3 is that UNT could easily lose out the rest of the way. We played our best game of the year against SMU. Middle Tennessee, Troy, FAU & Arkansas State are much better! I can't say that we are better than Northeast or Southwestern Louisiana.

I will be satisfied for this staff to just get accustomed to college ball again; while implementing their system. Moreover, recruiting better players to compete with the Troy's of the world. Maybe in the old Sunbelt, it may have been possible to convert a run oriented offense into a passing offense (with success) in 1 year.

Boy, doesn't our 4 straight conference titles look tainted now?

NT03 · September 18, 2007

My observation after week #3 is that UNT could easily lose out the rest of the way. We played our best game of the year against SMU. Middle Tennessee, Troy, FAU & Arkansas State are much better! I can't say that we are better than Northeast or Southwestern Louisiana.
I will be satisfied for this staff to just get accustomed to college ball again; while implementing their system. Moreover, recruiting better players to compete with the Troy's of the world. Maybe in the old Sunbelt, it may have been possible to convert a run oriented offense into a passing offense (with success) in 1 year.
Boy, doesn't our 4 straight conference titles look tainted now?

We've only played 2 games and we have already played our best ??? Sure statistically yeah maybe , but our best will come when our offense,defense and special teams all have a good game , and it will come.

Ill agree however ,that we are behind Troy,FAU,MUTS & Arkansas St. and we will be lucky to pull out one of those games. Wins over FIU,ULL,ULM & WKU should happen. 5 wins is certainly not out of the question.

Edited September 18, 2007 by NT03

GreenN'walinsVet · September 18, 2007

Two deep roster from MGS begs to differ with Dom Green starting or even being back-up. It does have Peachy starting though which should be a good thing. It also has Venegas backing he and Santiago up.

Dodge said tonight that Venegas would start, but Peachy would see playing time

emmitt01 · September 18, 2007

Two deep roster from MGS begs to differ with Dom Green starting or even being back-up. It does have Peachy starting though which should be a good thing. It also has Venegas backing he and Santiago up.

In all honesty I'll take the word of those who are up close and personal over a website that updates weekly at best. Add to that that Dom was running with the first team in practice and I'd say it's a a good bet.

Edited September 18, 2007 by emmitt01

GoMeanGreen1999 · September 18, 2007

In all honesty I'll take the word of those who are up close and personal over a website that updates weekly at best.

And I am pumped even more now for the game saturday at even the thought or hint of major changes on the defensive front.

TIgreen01 · September 18, 2007

From what I understand it was not a matter of "holding back" but rather a bit of...how shall I say..."coming to an accord" that led to it.

Who's going to be calling the plays?...same guy who wanted cover 1? I would think his tendency would still be to resort to cover 1 in critical situations if that's what he trusts. Still, I expected us to show some wrinkles once we got to conference play. First 2 games--find out who our playermakers are. Week 3 (conference tilt), gameplan. DD, for all his simple gameplans, still always managed to throw in some new stuff when we played Sun Belt games.

SilverEagle · September 18, 2007

So Emmitt, I'm wondering how having "Dom" playing out there is going to change our situation regarding QB sacks......of which we have only one.

Because to tell you the truth, I'm more interested in hearing that one of our (heretofore) unused defensive linemen like Draylen Ross or Eddrick Gilmore is ready to step into the rotation and begin terrorizing opposing QB's. When that happens, our DB's are going to look a lot better.

Cerebus · September 18, 2007

My observation after week #3 is that UNT could easily lose out the rest of the way. We played our best game of the year against SMU. Middle Tennessee, Troy, FAU & Arkansas State are much better! I can't say that we are better than Northeast or Southwestern Louisiana.

Cooley, you are right, those teams are improved and we are going throw some growing pains, but even at my most pessimistic point I don't think we would drop both WKU and @FIU.

DeepGreen · September 18, 2007

So Emmitt, I'm wondering how having "Dom" playing out there is going to change our situation regarding QB sacks......of which we have only one.
Because to tell you the truth, I'm more interested in hearing that one of our (heretofore) unused defensive linemen like Draylen Ross or Eddrick Gilmore is ready to step into the rotation and begin terrorizing opposing QB's. When that happens, our DB's are going to look a lot better.

I thought Gilmore was done? Grades?

SilverEagle · September 18, 2007

I thought Gilmore was done? Grades?

I believe that grades kept him out of the spring practice, and he had to spend all summer in class, but he finally became eligible after fall practice began. He and Ajani Banks were in the same situation. Banks is back as well....and far down on the depth chart.

Got5onIt · September 18, 2007

From what I understand it was not a matter of "holding back" but rather a bit of...how shall I say..."coming to an accord" that led to it.

I'm just estimating here, but I'm thinking Dodge probably where's a size 11 shoe. Someone on the defensive staff may have learned a size 11 shoes doesn't feel good in the a$$.