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Thought our flatlander cousins would like to see a USU fan's [and one-time player's] thoughts on USU's personnel. Offense first. Defense if I can find time today [I'm driving down tomorrow]. OL Tackles are RS Frosh Alf Edwards and Senior Sean Taylor on the left and right, respectively. They're backed up by Seniors Roman Andrus and redshirting frosh Jacob South. Edwards is the guy to watch. Surprisingly good footwork on the weak/blind side for a guy this long and this young. South still has his redshirt on and has a game to give. He's the future of the line, along with Edwards. They are all surprisingly [for us] good at getting downfield on running plays to take out DBs. The grand total of 5 sacks over 12 games gives the best indicator of their success taking out the rush, including the blitzes and dogs. Guards are Roman Andrus and Senior Rob Castaneda. They're backed up by Senior Moroni Iniguez and Frosh Wyatt Bowles. The following applies to all of the backups: because of the 1st stringers sitting down in nearly all games for the last quarter and a half, the backups have all gotten a lot of good minutes in real gametime. USU pulls a lot of guards, and requires a lot of them in holding blocks, as both the principal running backs are pretty good at waiting on the blocking before they commit. The ypc numbers are pretty gaudy as a result, with lots of breakouts by both RBs for long runs and TDs. Center is Senior Quin Ficklin, a yBu transfer who was a TE. He hit the gym and developed into a very highly regarded center. Calls a nice game. Check out Hans Olsen's [Merlin's nephew] youtube vids breaking down USU's team, especially the line, in game situations. He's backed up by Demo Ali'ifua. TE It starts with Dax Raymond, a RS Junior who's announced he's leaving school for the draft next Spring. He is perhaps the best blocker on the team, is really quick, with really sticky hands, and he's a load to bring down. He's backed up by Soph Terrell Carson, who's just as rangy, not quite as stout, but a pretty good blocker, and good hands. He lacks the breakaway speed of Raymond. WR It starts with the guys on the outside, Seniors Ron Tarver and Jalen Green, who bring in 10.90 and 14.16 ypc, with 7 and 5 TDs. Green's more a possession guy, with Tarver being the guy who wins jump balls on the sideline and in the endzone. In the slot is a three-headed-monster with Seniors Aaren Vaughns, DJ Nelson, and Soph Jordan Nathan, who bring in 15.23, 9.33, and 10.96 ypc, with 3, 0, and 3 TDs. Both DJ and Vaughns pass a little [DJ was an all-everything HS QB, who also holds for kicks]. Nathan runs back punts, quite successfully. Backups on the outside are Soph Savion Scarver and Taylor Compton and Frosh Deven Thompkins, who bring in 18.38, 7.25, and 7.22 ypc, with 2, 0, and 0 TDs. Scarver is the KO return guy. RB USU has a two-headed monster at RB who rarely are in the game together: Darwin Thompson and Gerold Bright. Thompson is not quite as fast as Bright. Bright is not as stout as Thompson. They bring in 7.2 and 6.3 ypc, with 14 and 8 TDs. Each is pretty good out of the backfield, 15.27 and 11.16 ypc, with 2 and 3 TDs. Both are in the 5'8-5'9 200 lb range. Thompson is a gym rat with astonishing measurables. QB 6'4 225 Soph Jordan Love has been quite a find. He's backed up by RS Frosh Henry Colombi. They rush for 1.5 and 8.3 ypc, with 6 and 1 TDs. They pass for 8.58 and 5.98 ypp, with 28 and 0 TDs, with 5 and 0 INTs, and suffering 5 and 0 sacks. Only two teams have been able to defend USU consistently: Wyoming and Colorado State, both road games. Boise did a fair job on defense, enough to keep ahead of USU by 2 points in Boise until the last 5 seconds of the game. But if you want to know how to defend USU, take a look at what our Front Range cousins did.

Article states the ball could get rolling on this as soon as January 7th and that several people involved want this implemented soon. I want to applaud West Virginia president for recognizing the committee's arrogance regarding UCF and the G5. https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2810445-college-footballs-influential-voices-ready-to-discuss-8-team-playoff-format.amp.html "An eight-team CFP could include automatic bids for the Power Five conference champions, as well as three at-large bids, with one of those potentially guaranteed to a Group of Five school like UCF. West Virginia president E. Gordon Gee told The Athletic he doesn't think college football should wait for the ESPN contract to expire before making alterations to the system. "I also want to be very clear: I think that there's arrogance of us not taking a look at someone like the University of Central Florida, just saying, 'Well, they're not worthy of it,'" Gee said. "Maybe they are worthy of it based upon a number of considerations that need to be taken into account.""

So that makes our line-up: Home Abilene Christian Houston UTSA UAB UTEP MTSU Away SMU California Rice LA Tech Southern Miss Charlotte I think we got a good shot at getting back to the C-USA championship game.

Be sure to pick up a copy of tomorrow's paper:

I want a bowl win for these seniors so bad. After the start that they had to their career and losing the last two bowl games, a bowl win against a top 25 team would be a well deserved way to end their collegiate and for almost all football careers.

I was a 66' grad and think he was a year behind me.

Will not make it, but donated money for a student to go.

< 16 = more BS

Needs to be no less than 16. Rick

He threw a very catchable ball. Problem was, it was very catchable by either team.

From now on I say count SMU games as a home game, regardless of the venue.

ACU, UTSA, UTEP, UAB, MTSU, SMU, Rice, SoMiss, Charlotte I think 9-3 sounds about right I'd go conservative though and say 8-4

I'm pretty sure MidTen will figure out a way to keep Brent Stockstill around for his 12th year.

He throws one of the prettiest bombs you’ll see. High accurate arch that gives the WR’s time to adjust. If your a WR on this team your in a damn fortunate place for the next 12-13 months. Rick

Let's hear it GoMeanGreen.com... Who's going? I'll be there & will likely be at the Mean Green Night Out on Friday night, here: http://www.uptown-sportsbar.com/ From 7:00pm - ?? Then, at the Saturday morning tailgate.

DRC: https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/breaking-down-unt-s-new-mexico-bowl-matchup-against-utah/article_67b6a100-48a1-5692-b131-3130c94af21b.html

There is nothing on this planet I hate more than the invisible line between the P5 and G5, except maybe cats. Cats are pricks. If your "subdivision" has 10 conferences, the 10 conference champs should play it off to determine the national champ. Not rocket surgery. If that seems ridiculous, then the invisible line between P5 and G5 perhaps should become a real line and a new "subdivision" should be created where the G5 schools have our own national championship.

Well...if a lot of these players transfer, then it looks like SMU is going to have a lot of cap space. Look for them to make some big moves in free agency over the offseason. 🤨

Online content from the bowl section: Be sure to pick up today's paper https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/new_mexico_bowl/

I thought I was told on this board that Mason Fine would never be able to throw the deep ball... Update he can. He is actually the best in the nation at it..

Something to consider too... If we can pull out a win this Saturday, and win some of those OOC games next year. We could be looking at sniffing the top 25 heading into conference play. I think this sets up well for a big year for the Mean Green. This may be too soon to say this... Could be a really nice farewell tour for Fine and Littrell GMG!

Yes. That pleases me.

UAB is losing everything off their roster. Next year will be a struggle for them.

I live in Amarillo and we are expecting tropical storm force winds tomorrow (Thursday). Sustained at 30-40mph with possible gusts to 70. Friday through the weekend will be nice so no travel concerns at that point. If anyone needs anything or recommendations once you are in Amarillo, shoot me a DM, I’d be happy help. In addition to Chillicothe, slow down in Estelline as well. There’s always a cop or two hanging out.

Behind our throwbacks against La Tech, best look we’ve thrown down. Great choice for the bowl.

Mountain West? They’re not gonna get into the MWC. That’d be like Utah joining the PAC10. WAC will replace UTEP with them when Big East steals from the CUSA. Of course, by then UNT will be in the Big East. Who they gonna take? They’re not desperate enough to take low end schools like Tulane, Tulsa or SMU. That’s almost as silly as saying they’d take Wichita State for basketball.

This is by far our best look... Classic uni with a little touch of bling for the kiddos. GMG!

Undefeated... because if we go 10-3, us being us, would not sniff the top 25

Murray is also a lot faster than Fine No many sub 6' QB's that have been successful in the NFL without being fairly mobile.

They'll have to limit his playing time or it will negatively effect his Social Security check.

This has to happen to make G5 relevent. The path to break up the P5 monopoly would be difficult & include many lawyers, but when each Big 12 school receives about $33 million in TV monies annually while G5’s are too embarrassed to say how small their take is—something’s got to give. The 8 team playoff could be that. If UT & OU vault from the Big 12 it’s leftover schools may some day face many of the things G5’s face now but (probably) not as $evere. Craig Way & Bill Mercer from a pic I took at our 1985 Homecoming. • I had won the silent auction bid to be in the press box at half time at a Dallas Mean Green Club gathering planned by Jim Hobdy (drex).

We need Kyler Murray to go pro this year and have a good rookie year. People say he's 5 foot 8 so if he can do find early success, it might pave the way for Fine.

That is one "Sexy" announcement!

Come out of Berkeley, Highland Park, and at home with Houston with at least two wins, and I'll feel really good about our chances next year for double-digit wins again.

read more: https://swcroundup.com/news/2018/12/11/with-littrell-staying-north-texas-looks-to-keep-historic-class

A lot of my favorites have been mentioned already, but I'll add on: Nate Brooks's comeback season. Spectacular play from him this year. I criticized him a lot over the last few seasons. All the pieces came together this year. Proud of that guy & I hope he gets a look in a camp this offseason. Cole Hedlund's comeback season. From Arkansas scapegoat to C-USA All-conference kicker. He was a luxury we didn't see coming after the departure of an all-time great, Trevor Moore. Cole, we hardly knew ye. Loren Easly's heartache. The guy contributed so much in a short time. Hoping he bounces back for a huge Sr. year. Quinn Shanbour's epic time to shine. Last game at Apogee, the setting could not have been more perfect. This gif:

If you are driving to the game via US 287 to Amarillo, please SLOW DOWN going through Chillicothe, Texas. They have a little speed trap there that has financed their local government for many years.

Here are my 15 in no particular order: 1. The Fayetteville Fakeout 2. Saliva gate at ODU 3. Clobbering SMU 4. First ever pro wrestling event following an NCAA football game 5. Post-whistle fumble recovery at UAB 6. Demolishing Arkansas 7. Undefeated in non-conference play 8. Easley trucking Arkansas players 9. EJ Ejiya 10. Fine transferring fake news 11. Littrell leaving not leaving 12. Breaking ground on IPF 13. Breaking down Fouts Field 14. Joe Greene statue 15. First win at the Alamo Dome

also...ammoland.com

We should expect nothing less from that tried & true journalistic beacon: ammoland.com

https://kuathletics.com/news/2018/12/11/football-emmett-jones-hired-to-coach-jayhawk-wide-receivers.aspx Jones is an ace recruiter with deep DFW ties. I know KU is already sniffing around some of our recruits. Should we be worried about them getting this guy on staff?

ha!

SHARP!!!!!

Rumor is he prefers football and would rather go to the NFL as a QB. The game against Alabama will go a long way to determining what he does IMO.

Andy Katz has compiled his projections for March Madness....he has North Texas as a 14 seed in the Midwest bracket.

That is very poorly written. How would GPS validate anything if his alleged threat was made "off-campus"? At any rate, neither gun ownership nor conservatism should lead to a student's suspension. A murder threat should lead to his expulsion and criminal charges.

half the guys bitching about the NT Daily are likely regular patrons of ammoland.com...of course, not recognizing irony.

When you build a house for your family to live in you borrow some money from a bank (or S & L or loan shark), you pay your contractors, and you have a place to live. You move in and start making payments to repay the loan plus some interest. Owing the money is not a problem as long as you can pay it back. The same would be true of an athletic department. Owing the money to build facilities is not a negative in any way - as long as you can pay back the money. It is the way the world works. I hope that someone will take the time to explain this process to the writer who did this article. He has a long way to go in order to know how the world works. On a different note, my granddaddy once told me that "them that is drawing interest is doing better than them that is paying interest". How very true......