We are in the future. Drones, artificial intelligence, perfect grass and nearing something like a good playoff for college football. Our favorite university, the University of North Texas still competes in the highest level of college football but we all can admit that we are some way off of truly being in the same realm as the big boys. I read some where during these last two months that the SEC is still getting all ornery for not having all 16 of their teams in the 12-team playoff. I may have that wrong but spiritually, that is right.
The Spring season saw Eric Morris get some new defenders for his defensive coordinator. We are building something there. We also heard him say the goal is to be the number one offense in the nation. It is a bold goal, and yet also one I think should be within the realm of achievability. North Texas will face a soft schedule, and Morris has put up big numbers in the past. Why not have a sparkling stat to wow the next AD or recruit? It is a solid plan. Interestingly, having a good offense is one aspect that helped to recruit some of the Sam Houston transfers. For 30 years or so, throwing offenses have been disparaged for not having good defenses. I can acknowledge this fact, but also point out that the Air Raid and its ilk were getting teams to punch above their weight a bit. Also, I have seen plenty of good offenses and defenses get bottled up, or sliced up (respectively) when they came upon a better opponent.
Sometimes it can be bad to get the spotlight. You get exposed, but not in the social media way, but more you get more eyes on your team that don’t know what they are looking at. This is the nature of fame, however.
That kind of conversation is for August. Right now we have hopes and dreams anchored by the reality that those big fall plans depend on good fortune and dedication this summer. The workouts, the right decisions, the wrong decisions, and all in-between will happen from now until fall camp opens. The extra effort you need in the 4th quarter against Navy in November happens because you put in a little more care for your body now. Such is the game. Incredible that we require 20-year olds to have this wisdom. That is what makes college football so silly and part of the reason why we love it.
For you and I, it is probably time to see about tickets and budgeting for some trips.
The Football Schedule
Aug 30 (Sat) – Home vs. Lamar @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Sep 6 (Sat) – Away vs. Western Michigan @ Kalamazoo, MI
Sep 13 (Sat) – Home vs. Washington State @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Sep 20 (Sat) – Away vs. Army @ West Point, NY
Sep 27 (Sat) – Home vs. South Alabama @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Oct 10 (Fri) – Home vs. South Florida @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Oct 18 (Sat) – Home vs. UTSA @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Oct 24 (Fri) – Away vs. Charlotte @ Charlotte, NC
Nov 1 (Sat) – Home vs. Navy @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
Nov 15 (Sat) – Away vs. UAB @ Birmingham, AL
Nov 22 (Sat) – Away vs. Rice @ Houston, TX
Nov 29 (Sat) – Home vs. Temple @ Denton, TX (DATCU Stadium)
I already have floated the idea and put aside some cash for the Western Michigan trip. It is only about 6 hours away from current MGN HQ, so I am willing to drive up there for the funsies. I have still yet to visit West Point but coming on the heels of a trip to Michigan, I don’t know if I can swing it. I think I will leave it for some other year.
Charlotte away is not interesting. Neither is Birmingham, or Rice. When I lived in Texas, the Rice game was always a given.
The home games, for a non-local like me, are pretty boring. Washington State is the headliner, but UTSA in October should be fun. Navy will draw some folks, as well. Depending on how the season goes, Temple might be another empty stadium.
Probably the worst game of the year is Oct 10 vs South Florida. It is a Friday game (ugh).
Outside of raw interest, the whole schedule looks pretty weak. I’ve seen some crazies talking about an undefeated season or whatever. There are, of course, no guarantees. I was bullish on the group that started last season, if they could find some defense. They looked super explosive on offense until the QB started turning the ball over and the running back room all were injured. The offensive line stayed rotating, and the defensive coordinator got himself fired. With all that, the AAC was still not so much better in talent. North Texas was a play or two from upsetting Memphis on the road. They might have even stole a couple of points from Army. Might have.
The defense absolutely needs to be better, while we have every reason to think the offense should be as explosive. The question we have every year is if the system can find enough explosive players to stay scoring touchdowns. For two years running the squad will have to replace the QB, WR, and leading RB.
Again, conversations for another time. But we’ll say the schedule looks thin, and from a revenue perspective the squad will need to make good on the scoreboard and in the win-loss column to get any interest in the program. They aren’t testing themselves too hard there, so it will be difficult to steal any attention come this fall.
The Basketball Program
In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen is ending one era and starting again with a new coach. The outgoing coach is leaving for Real Madrid, having left a legacy of winning in his three years. The guys who helped win and make memories are leaving for richer pastures. Leverkusen will start next season with something like eight new faces and a new coach, building from scratch with a new system.
In Denton, North Texas is doing something similar. The coaches and players who made up the system for NT’s most successful run are gone and everyone associated with the program in that time is moving on. It is the way it goes, as the institution remains, but people change. Daniyal Robinson is the new name, and he is bringing his own players to Denton for something new.
We’ll pause here, as the program is something like 6-months away from taking the court so there isn’t much need to get into specifics. Basketball has always been the program with the greatest potential for national prominence — FAU went to the Final Four, and NT was about 4 points worse than them in two games — but like everything else in the realm of college sports, the opportunity for competition with the richest programs is narrowing every day.
I say it is not enough to grind out possessions and slow the clock every possession. NT needs a little sauce, a little oomph, and little juice to really sell the game and the team. Basketball is supposed to be up-tempo and fun, remember? I don’t know that Robinson will bring that but this is an opportunity to do just that. Defense wins championships, but outstanding offenses sure do help a ton.
Everything Else
Here at MGN we will attempt to do what we have done for a while now. It will be slow during the summers as we reset, and build good will with the family. Come the fall we will be back podcasting and posting and all the other good stuff. GMG