Old School Approach does big things @UNT, aka Stanford of C-USA

[Harry]

DENTON The football has never been in the air on Saturdays as much as it has been in todays college game.

In 2000, just one college team passed for 4,000 yards and only 17 amassed as many as 3,000 yards. That was before the explosion of spread offenses. Teams now fan out three, four and five receivers across the formation and throw, throw, throw.

There were 58 teams that passed for 3,000 yards in 2013, 14 of which passed for 4,000 yards and two that hit 5,000 yards. College football has become a game of finesse. Its become fast-break basketball on turf.

But not at Michigan State. The Spartans major in physical football. They run it on offense and smash you in the mouth on defense. Despite finishing 82nd in the NCAA in passing, the Spartans won both a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl and claimed a No. 3 final ranking.

Stanford also majors in physical football. The Cardinal run it on offense and smash you in the mouth on defense. Despite finishing 92nd in the NCAA in passing, Stanford won a Pac-12 title and claimed a No. 11 final ranking.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/rick-gosselin/20140818-gosselin-old-school-approach-does-big-things-for-unt-aka-the-stanford-of-c-usa.ece

[greenminer]

Totally guessing, but I think that 2000 team was Hawaii led by Timmy Chang?

[VideoEagle]

Being compared to Stanford is not a bad thing.

[Eagle1855]

Being compared to Stanford is not a bad thing.

...on any front. I'll take it. I love this style of play. Is and always be my favorite brand of football.

[JesseMartin]

Yeah, when I read the title I was wondering if it had to do with team GPAs.

[golfingomez]

Totally guessing, but I think that 2000 team was Hawaii led by Timmy Chang?

no... apparently that was Weinke going crazy at FSU that year for 4,167 yards...

Chang, a Freshman that year, came in 10th at 3,041 yards(this was his weakest year passing the ball

other notable names in the top ten include Jared Lorenzon (all 800 pounds of him), Drew Brees, Josh Heupel, Kliff Kingsbury, Byron Leftwich and Philip Rivers

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2000-passing.html

Edited August 19, 2014 by golfingomez

[oldguystudent]

I thought the old school part was that our defense has gotten so vicious that I've found myself watching games and thinking, "Alright! The other team has the ball!"

[UNT90]

Problem is, we can be the Stanford of CUSA, but playing this style of football won't get you what this program so desperately needs.

A program defining win over a highly respected P5 program.

[untjim1995]

Problem is, we can be the Stanford of CUSA, but playing this style of football won't get you what this program so desperately needs.

A program defining win over a highly respected P5 program.

Yes, it can. Don't be negative just to be negative. I watched Arky State beat A&M by absolutely running the ball down their throats. I watched TCU beat Oklahoma by running the ball down their throats and using the pass effectively. Hell, just last year, BYU's freaking white QB ran for 250+ yards against Texas in their win over the Horns.

Not saying we will beat them, but that approach has just as good a chance of winning as having a high flying passing attack.When AQ powers lose to non-AQs, its usually because they turn the ball over a lot and they run out of time because the non-AQ team has effectively used the clock. This ain't Dickey's plan of running the ball into the line three straight times and then punt, so that we can get the game over and collect the check, even if it may seem similar. McCarney has looked at these games as real opportunities to change the program. K-State in 2012, Georgia in 2013, and now Texas in 2014 are not looked at solely as UNT AD fundraisers, but as real opportunities to make some waves in the college football world, even if its a world that we are getting squeezed out of in the near future.

Edited August 19, 2014 by untjim1995