How Many Times Do Schedule The National Champion

[KingDL1]

In the last 7 or 8 years how many times have we started the season against the reigning National Champion?

Wow we sure can schedule them!

Beat LSU!

[DeepGreen]

I couldn't help but think about our '08 season opener while I watched LSU handle Ohio State last night. Comparitively speaking, Miami would have been a lightweight had we kept them on our schedule.

[Eagle1855]

On the flip (and without looking at the facts), I think LSU graduates a lot key players in this national championship team. Not that it matters, but LSU was sluggish at times early in the season (see the Tulane game) so if we could start out hot, who knows... ahhh who am I kidding- I'm tired of opening against these teams.

[NCMeanGreen]

3 times in 7 years...

[SUMG]

According to Vito's blog...this'll be the third time, in 7 years. One thing good about it: It probably ensures that the game will be on TV. Anyway, this is from Vito's blog:

January 7, 2008

It's official -- UNT opens at national champ again

Is it just me or did anyone else think back to one of Darrell Dickey's old sayings about North Texas tonight after LSU won the national title?

I remember how Dickey always used to say, "If you win the national title, part of the deal is you get to open the next season by hosting North Texas."

Turns out Dickey was right, at least about UNT opening the season at the national champion's home field. UNT opened at defending national champion Texas in 2006 and faced Oklahoma in the second game of 2001, a year after the Sooners won the national title in 2000.

Now UNT will open next season at LSU, which beat Ohio State last night for this year's national championship.

That's three times in seven seasons that UNT has faced the defending national champion the following season for those of you keeping score at home. It will be nice publicity for UNT next season, but it could also be a tough way to start the year. Texas hammered UNT 56-7 in 2006 while Oklahoma beat UNT 37-10 in 2001.

UNT likes to call these dates "opportunity games" these days. In a way they are when it comes to all the attention UNT will receive. But those games can be tough when it comes to injuries and getting off to a slow start.

The Mean Green will get another one of those opportunities next year.

Feel free to post your thoughts on UNT opening at LSU next season on the blog. Do you like the idea of opening the season against the Tigers or would you rather see the Mean Green start off with a cupcake to get the season started off with a win?

Edited January 8, 2008 by SUMG

[buff64]

According to Vito's blog...this'll be the third time, in 7 years. One thing good about it: It probably ensures that the game will be on TV. Anyway, this is from Vito's blog:

January 7, 2008

It's official -- UNT opens at national champ again

Is it just me or did anyone else think back to one of Darrell Dickey's old sayings about North Texas tonight after LSU won the national title?

I remember how Dickey always used to say, "If you win the national title, part of the deal is you get to open the next season by hosting North Texas."

Turns out Dickey was right, at least about UNT opening the season at the national champion's home field. UNT opened at defending national champion Texas in 2006 and faced Oklahoma in the second game of 2001, a year after the Sooners won the national title in 2000.

Now UNT will open next season at LSU, which beat Ohio State last night for this year's national championship.

That's three times in seven seasons that UNT has faced the defending national champion the following season for those of you keeping score at home. It will be nice publicity for UNT next season, but it could also be a tough way to start the year. Texas hammered UNT 56-7 in 2006 while Oklahoma beat UNT 37-10 in 2001.

UNT likes to call these dates "opportunity games" these days. In a way they are when it comes to all the attention UNT will receive. But those games can be tough when it comes to injuries and getting off to a slow start.

The Mean Green will get another one of those opportunities next year.

Feel free to post your thoughts on UNT opening at LSU next season on the blog. Do you like the idea of opening the season against the Tigers or would you rather see the Mean Green start off with a cupcake to get the season started off with a win?

You would think Ohio State would get the hint and scheldue UNT for an opener.

It would be nice to see how UNTs attendance would fare if they began the season with a win.

[drex]

What team would NT consider to be a cupcake?

[PerryG2480]

App. State vs. Michigan...I'm just sayin'.

[Dodge2007]

I would love to see Riley get his first start against LSU. It may not happen but what a story that would be. LSU would salivate to play against him (especially Les Miles who does not like Coach Dodge from Les's days at Oklahoma State). It would be very interesting to see Riley run the ball against LSU.

Meager, Vizza or Riley will get the sh*t kicked out of them with all that speed. We'll start off the season with the worst statistical game of the year on offense.

If UNT cannot run the ball, its game over in a hurry. Those LSU DB's (even though they are getting hit hard with graduation) can freakin play. That pass rush was crazy that they put on THE Ohio State.

OL, Dunbar and Moseley better get ready for blitz packages coming from every possible scenario.

The "hat" (Les Miles) is going to run it up.

[NorthTexan95]

I would love to see Riley get his first start against LSU. It may not happen but what a story that would be. LSU would salivate to play against him (especially Les Miles who does not like Coach Dodge from Les's days at Oklahoma State). It would be very interesting to see Riley run the ball against LSU.

Meager, Vizza or Riley will get the sh*t kicked out of them with all that speed. We'll start off the season with the worst statistical game of the year on offense.

If UNT cannot run the ball, its game over in a hurry. Those LSU DB's (even though they are getting hit hard with graduation) can freakin play. That pass rush was crazy that they put on THE Ohio State.

OL, Dunbar and Moseley better get ready for blitz packages coming from every possible scenario.

The "hat" (Les Miles) is going to run it up.

So what's the deal with Miles not liking Dodge? I've never heard of a problem there.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

---Any team that would like to be the 2009 champion should schedule us as their opening game in 2010. I think it has worked three times plus --it is four times to get to the finals. (didn't OU lose one championship game to USC then play us the next year) .

[nautique]

So what's the deal with Miles not liking Dodge? I've never heard of a problem there.

My friends at Okie state have always told me that Dodge is not well received up there. Maybe its because he wanted his former SLC players to stay in the state of Texas.

[H-towngreen]

I would love to see us play all cupcakes..SFA, SHSU, MidWestern St., whoever. Wins against D-II opponents count towards a bowl game. Why not, for one season get a good record say we end up 10-2, those two losses being in the belt. Can you say Bowl Game and top 25. Why not. Look at who Hawaii played OOC, same for Ohio St.

Just throwing it out there

[GreenAlums]

I would love to see us play all cupcakes..SFA, SHSU, MidWestern St., whoever. Wins against D-II opponents count towards a bowl game. Why not, for one season get a good record say we end up 10-2, those two losses being in the belt. Can you say Bowl Game and top 25. Why not. Look at who Hawaii played OOC, same for Ohio St.

Just throwing it out there

I totally agree!! How many of those local D-II teams would love to play UNT???...and bring a good crowd to Fouts? The would get up for us just like we get up for Navy! I think we should do the homework. Find THE D-II school that has the most alumni and friends in the DFW (or local enough to travel) and then schedule them. All three listed above would be great to start with. We would all win on at least one of those games. Just remember, we need money for a new stadium. What's the long range plan????....beg donors for everything we get??? Man I would hate for the the UNT alumni to own Dodge like the SMU alumni own JJ! OK...I rambled....

[Varsity]

My friends at Okie state have always told me that Dodge is not well received up there. Maybe its because he wanted his former SLC players to stay in the state of Texas.

Bravo Coach Dodge! Keep em in state!

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

My friends at Okie state have always told me that Dodge is not well received up there. Maybe its because he wanted his former SLC players to stay in the state of Texas.

I don't get that either. I believe that his last three quarterbacks went to Missouri, Alabama, and Oklahoma (by way of Texas State). I've never heard of him being quoted that he wanted his players to stay in Texas when he was at SLC. He might say that now but only because he'd like to have the best ones at North Texas.

[MeanGreenEagle]

I would love to see us play all cupcakes..SFA, SHSU, MidWestern St., whoever. Wins against D-II opponents count towards a bowl game. Why not, for one season get a good record say we end up 10-2, those two losses being in the belt. Can you say Bowl Game and top 25. Why not. Look at who Hawaii played OOC, same for Ohio St.

Just throwing it out there

A win vs. LSU in Baton Rouge would have a bigger impact on the program than sneaking in the top 25 playing Denton Ryan High School to kick off the season.