Houston Chronicle - Rice Notebook

[NT Drummer]

I don't think anyone else has posted this - it's the only article in the Chronicle I've seen so far this week:

Owls primed for prey their size

After defeats to Vandy and Texas, Rice set for UNT

[greenjoe]

That is an odd phrase "After defeats to Vandy and Texas"

Owl...the other white meat

GO MEAN GREEN

[Green Nightmare]

I saw this stat in the DMN

North Texas and Washington are the only two schools who haven't registered a sack this season.

[NCMeanGreen]

We had better win or at least make it comptetive as hell. How embarassing that there would be an article that would even suggest that a team like Rice (a non-BCS team like us) would even contemplate looking past us. It makes it seem like they are playing a IAA team or something. Like even the thought that we might be able to hang with them is unfathomable.

This is truly a low point for us as a program. Did I say how embarassing this was? Rice. If this were UT, or OU, or TT even I most certainly could not argue the statement that they find us an inferior opponent. But, and as the article suggests, for it to be entertained that Rice has such superior athletes than NT is ridiculous!!!

We have got to step up here folks! We have to make a statement now before we replace Army as the laughing stock of IA college football. I am truly going to lose some sleep if we become Rice's bitch this season...

[filmerj]

We had better win or at least make it comptetive as hell. How embarassing that there would be an article that would even suggest that a team like Rice (a non-BCS team like us) would even contemplate looking past us. It makes it seem like they are playing a IAA team or something. Like even the thought that we might be able to hang with them is unfathomable.

This is truly a low point for us as a program. Did I say how embarassing this was? Rice. If this were UT, or OU, or TT even I most certainly could not argue the statement that they find us an inferior opponent. But, and as the article suggests, for it to be entertained that Rice has such superior athletes than NT is ridiculous!!!

We have got to step up here folks! We have to make a statement now before we replace Army as the laughing stock of IA college football. I am truly going to lose some sleep if we become Rice's bitch this season...

Unfortunately it's not up to the fans to play the game, we can wish and hope all we want but it won't make it happen. All we can do is cheer for the team. Go Mean Green! See you in Houston.

[foutsrouts]

Yeah, we really need this game bad. I was there when we whipped them in Rice Stadium back in the 1AA days, and they acted like angry little children when we whipped them. Let's do it to them again. I think we have a reasonable chance if someone will step up and coach the special teams. Of course our DB's better be up to the task also.

[Green Mean]

I dont really care about a win in this game. Dont get me wrong I hope it happens and will be ecstatic if we are able to pull it off but I think if we are just competitive and have a little swagger then I think it will be good. I want this team to have meaningful 4th qtr minutes for once.

[Eagle1855]

I dont really care about a win in this game. Dont get me wrong I hope it happens and will be ecstatic if we are able to pull it off but I think if we are just competitive and have a little swagger then I think it will be good. I want this team to have meaningful 4th qtr minutes for once.

Uhh, I do. You don't ever want to be the team that Rice is worried about "overlooking." You should hear the way this game is talked about down here. Just another step towards Rice grabbing a bowl bid, no respect for UNT. Not to say we deserve any but who we have played IS relevant. Last year OU could have hung 300 on us and we still managed to go out and roll up 600+ yards on SMU.

This game is also a great opportunity to show Houston-area recruits (that Rice will no-doubt have in the stands) that there is an alternative to sticking around Houston, as many local kids dont hear much about UNT. We are competing for many of the same athletes as both UH and Rice.

We need to win this game.

Edited September 25, 2008 by Eagle1855

[Charlie NT 73]

Rice is 2-2 right now, with wins over 2 bad teams, a 56-27

win over $mu, and a 42-35 win over Memphis.

SMU put 337yds of offense on Rice, while Memphis put 523

yds on Rice. In Vandy's win over Rice, 38-21, Vandy

had 273yds rushing. Memphis had 150. Texas put 600

yds on Rice, with 259yds rushing. The Rice defense

is giving up big yardage to good and bad teams.

Rice has not stopped any of their 4 opponents.

I think the North Texas run game will take off on

the Rice defense, as well as our passing game. Each

Rice opponent had 250-350 yds passing.

Now on the other hand, Rice has moved the ball very

well, through their pass attack, with over 300 yds passing

in each game. 30-FD's vs $mu, 24-FD's vs Memphis,

23-FD's vs Vandy, and 19-FD's and 300yds passing on

Texas. The key to this game will be controlling the Rice

pass attack between the 20's. Rice will get their yards,

but, so will North Texas. First win of the season, in a big

shoot out, North Texas 38, Rice 31.

[DeepGreen]

Until NT actually does something on the field, you know, look competitive, score some points, then I expect teams like Rice to look down on us.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Anyone else thinking my player Royce Hill will come up big in this one?

.

--Personally I just hope the other side for the scoreboard doesn't come up big (for once). I think that may be a big hill to climb.

[GMoney]

Everyone tap the breaks. This is reporter asking the team if they'll overlook us because of our record. This isn't the coach saying that his team IS overlooking us and he's trying to get their attention. Actually, what he was saying was just the opposite - they're 0-3 but look who they've played.

I want us to go down to Rice, be competitive and get better. This team's main parts are still very young and I'm holding onto the plan of this ship starting to head in right direction going into Conference. However, let's make no mistake about this, Rice is solid team. Look who Rice has lost to - undefeated Texas and undefeated Vanderbilt who has beaten SoCarolina, Mississippi and Miami (OH). Right now, Rice has more experienced talent than us. It hurts, but it is true.

[Eagle1855]

Actually, Im commenting on what the media and fan attitude in general has been in and around Houston. That does have an effect on recruiting.

No matter, Rice is a "peer institution", athletically. We need to show up for this game. They wont be any tougher than anything we'll see in the SBC.

[KRAM1]

Those of you who think Rice is a "nobody" are silly. Rice has some good athletes and is NOT easy prey for "schools in its league" as they say. Sure, they will get the "you know what" kicked out of them in the early games too, but they need dollars for their program just like UNT does, so they endure these "money games". If...IF...UNT loses to Rice Saturday in Houston it will NOT be the end of the world for UNT football. If you thought UNT was going to win six games this season you were either dreaming or smoking something "funny". Calm down and enjoy the ride UP because that is where UNT Football is headed...IT TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE..let me say that again...IT TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE. I find it as frustrating as any MEAN GREEN fan that UNT is not beating the snot out of everyone right now, but the wait and the patience will pay off and will make PAY BACK all that much sweeter.

Hang in there MEAN GREEN FANS...reign your expectations in a bit, get realistic as to where the program is right now and think aboput how great it will be watching the MEAN GREEN WIN in that new stadium...WOW...good time are coming...yes, they are!

GO MEAN GREEN!

[TheTastyGreek]

You know what's even sweeter than suffering and then winning later?

Just winning. Now.

You know what sucks way, way worse than suffering and winning later?

Suffering now and continuing to suck into the future.

Just saying.

[Guest Aquila_Viridis]

Rice is not the complete suck-fest it has been in the past, but this is a winnable game. A good effort on tackling and fighting off blocks would give us a solid chance. Could be a turning point.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I expect a win.

The fact that we are already making excuses before we have even played is pathetic. There may be good to take from a loss, but I don't look forward to taking good from a loss. I look forward to a win.

GO EAGLES--DEVOUR THE OWLS!!!!