Southern Miss - Some Numbers

[KRAM1]

You know, I asked my husband about this (who did play college football for 5 years) & he said aside from a few more butts in seats and a "don't lose or it's going to be really embarrassing" kind of mentality, there's really not a whole lot of difference in homecoming and any other home game. Obviously, you schedule the worst team on your schedule for homecoming, so outside of the motivation that you shouldn't lose.... nothing really. High schools make a bigger deal.

That being said, it is kind of insulting to be scheduled for a homecoming. Tulane's win was a gift to them and mark my words it will come back and bite us before the season's over.

Thanks...appreciate the perspective.

[UNTLifer]

I watched part of the ECU/USM game yesterday. USM's defense is not good. ECU ran all over them early. Not much of a game though so I only watched a little.

[greenminer]

If this SMiss game is as unevenly matched as we're hearing, maybe the coaches aren't going to open things up?

If we can beat them with what we've been doing, might they want to save any further offensive/defensive developments for a tougher opponent?

Having said that, I would agree there's nothing wrong with opening things up and experimenting with new ideas. We're still not in a position to take anyone lightly.

Edited October 21, 2013 by greenminer

[UNT 90 Grad]

I'm no player, but I seem to recall one if the players mentioning that they spoiled LA Tech's homecoming during the radio post game show. Therefore, I concluded that at least some players are aware.

[Cerebus]

Players and coaches know, its an insult. At least that it was looked out by the lettermen I knew.

[UNT86]

I could not tell which were passes "downfield", but I can tell you run/pass ratio on 1st and 2nd down from each of our games (except I did not include Georgia).

Idaho

First half 18 runs, 18 passes

Second half 18 runs, 14 passes

Ball State

First half 9 runs, 23 passes

Second half 25 runs, 11 passes

Middle Tennessee

First half 19 runs, 9 passes

Second half 29 runs, 9 passes

Home total

First half 46 runs, 43 passes

Second half 72 runs, 34 passes

Away

Ohio

First half 21 runs, 10 passes

Second half 10 runs, 10 passes

Tulane

First half 10 runs, 7 passes

Second half 5 runs, 24 passes

La Tech

First half 15 runs, 8 passes

Second half 26 runs, 6 passes

Road Total

First half 46 runs, 25 passes

Second half 41 runs, 40 passes.

So, now you know.

You are welcome.

Edited October 21, 2013 by UNT86

[UNT90]

I'm no player, but I seem to recall one if the players mentioning that they spoiled LA Tech's homecoming during the radio post game show. Therefore, I concluded that at least some players are aware.

It's an insult. And you don't need to be a former player to realize it.

[KRAM1]

I guess someone always has to be someone's homecoming game opponent...every college I know of has a homecoming game each year. If it's an insult, there sure are a lot of teams being insulted every year.

I guess I just never thought of it as such. Thanks. Going to ask a few of my friends who played and get that perspective as well. Would be an interesting study to see which teams are selected in each conference as homecoming opponents most often.

[UNT90]

I could not tell which were passes "downfield", but I can tell you run/pass ratio on 1st and 2nd down from each of our games (except I did not include Georgia).

Idaho

First half 18 runs, 18 passes

Second half 18 runs, 14 passes

Ball State

First half 9 runs, 23 passes

Second half 25 runs, 11 passes

Middle Tennessee

First half 19 runs, 9 passes

Second half 29 runs, 9 passes

Home total

First half 46 runs, 43 passes

Second half 72 runs, 34 passes

Away

Ohio

First half 21 runs, 10 passes

Second half 10 runs, 10 passes

Tulane

First half 10 runs, 7 passes

Second half 5 runs, 24 passes

La Tech

First half 15 runs, 8 passes

Second half 26 runs, 6 passes

Road Total

First half 46 runs, 25 passes

Second half 41 runs, 40 passes.

So, now you know.

You are welcome.

And now you see why the running game opened up in the second half. Balance. It's a wonderful thing.

Notice at home how we are balanced in the first half and are run heavy in the second? That's because we are not playing from behind. THAT is when you can really ground it out and wear down a team.

You didn't break down when we threw in the first half on the road. If you did, I bet you would find that well over 50% of first half throws occurred on 3rd and long situations. Not a great situation in which to put your QB.

All I have ever asked is that we call plays on the road as we do at home: to expose the defenses weaknesses. MTSU put 7 and even 6 in the box and dared us to run. We did. Straight down their throats. I've got no problem with that.

Just take what the D gives you and keep them guessing.

Edited October 21, 2013 by UNT90

[VideoEagle]

Folks, there is a lot more to scheduling homecoming that merely picking the weakest opponent on the schedule. The ideal homecoming game is in mid to late October following you Parents/Family weekend game. You want homecoming in October because your chances of good weather - not too hot, not too cold and not raining - is during that month. And, yes, it really does need to be a game at your home field. Once you have those parameters met, IF you have a choice of games THEN you pick the weakest opponent.

If you take a look at La Tech's schedule, you will see they played a home game in Ruston Sept. 12 and their next game in Ruston was us on Saturday. Their NEXT game in Ruston isn't until November against Southern Miss. I really think the calendar had more to do whom they scheduled than who they were playing.

If you look at Southern Miss' schedule, they had a game at home against FIU on Oct. 5 that was their Parents/Family weekend. Then us for their homecoming. Their next home game after us is November 16. It's not an insult - it's the calendar.

If you have an option, you pick the easiest team. Tulane had three choices: East Carolina (pre-season pick to win the East), Tulsa (pre-season pick to win the West) and NT. Nether La Tech nor Southern Miss had any choice. Those of us who have been going to NT games for a while will remember homecoming games against some of the toughest opponents on our schedules because the athletic department has to work with the calendar and make choice based on that before they get to pick opponents!

[KRAM1]

Folks, there is a lot more to scheduling homecoming that merely picking the weakest opponent on the schedule. The ideal homecoming game is in mid to late October following you Parents/Family weekend game. You want homecoming in October because your chances of good weather - not too hot, not too cold and not raining - is during that month. And, yes, it really does need to be a game at your home field. Once you have those parameters met, IF you have a choice of games THEN you pick the weakest opponent.

If you take a look at La Tech's schedule, you will see they played a home game in Ruston Sept. 12 and their next game in Ruston was us on Saturday. Their NEXT game in Ruston isn't until November against Southern Miss. I really think the calendar had more to do whom they scheduled than who they were playing.

If you look at Southern Miss' schedule, they had a game at home against FIU on Oct. 5 that was their Parents/Family weekend. Then us for their homecoming. Their next home game after us is November 16. It's not an insult - it's the calendar.

If you have an option, you pick the easiest team. Tulane had three choices: East Carolina (pre-season pick to win the East), Tulsa (pre-season pick to win the West) and NT. Nether La Tech nor Southern Miss had any choice. Those of us who have been going to NT games for a while will remember homecoming games against some of the toughest opponents on our schedules because the athletic department has to work with the calendar and make choice based on that before they get to pick opponents!

Good points. Thinking this might just be the "best answer" going.

Did UNT schedule UTEP for homecoming because UNT thought UTEP was the "easiest" game on the schedule? Or, perhaps more to what is mentioned here? I really don't know, but fans better turn out big for homecoming and make some noise...insult to UTEP or not!

Edited October 21, 2013 by KRAM1