LongJim

Well, if anyone cares about this: After watching the OK State game again, it looks like the Cowboys game film is what aggy used to prepare their offense. OK used the spread with a read option, and was able to really confuse the UT defense for much of the 1st half. One thing I noticed is that in their spread on a run play, the "flanker" would block down on the DE or outside LB, and drive him inside, and the tackle or TE would dive at the outside leg of the DE to seal the outside corner for the running back. There was a lot of chop blocking by the OK OL, and it worked against UT's stronger guys for a while. The Cowboys also had success running up the middle out of the I with a 5 step drop and handoff, and tried to set up play action this way with minimal success. aTm also tried this. OK state also used Pena in a lot of rollout plays, and he would sometimes just tuck it and run if the pass wasn't there--which was often. Similar to McGee, he took a beating that became evident as the game went on. OK also used a trick play on 4th down, just as aTm would a couple weeks later, and both resulted in touchdowns. OK state created turnovers by Young and turned them into touchdowns by being very aggressive offensively. The OK DL played above their heads, and for the first half at least, were able to contain Young by forcing him to run (when he did) to the middle of the field. Depth and talent level wore the Cowboys down in the second half.

Congrats! Take care of your hose, LSE.

I have to agree with this. I for sure know that UNT is better off than it was during the 90's, IMO. I'm not really satisfied with the speed of the progress or the consistency of the recruiting progress for a team w/4 bowls, though. I also believe that this year is a benchmark/reassessment year for this program in every area. ADDENDUM for PMG: POSITIVES: I believe, as some do, that the fact that UNT is getting "name" opponents is a good thing, because I believe in the long run, it will help the program, give it legitimacy in 1A, and we're starting to see the Akrons and Rice's of the world start coming to Denton. Has it taken a long time? Yes. Absolutely. There's no question that there's more visibility and interest in UNT football than when I was living in Denton from 1992-1998. Absolute world of difference. This can't do anything but help the program. Frankly, UNT (for 4 of the past 5 years anyway) has done as well as they can do in their conference, and gave themselves a chance to shine on a national television stage in NO for 4 years. That's a credit to the program. NEGATIVES: I don't think recruiting is where it needs to be for a 4 time bowl team. I believe UNT needs to be recruiting at the level of the Boise States, Marshalls, and USoMiss's. It's not happening. How long do you wait until it does? What will help it along? More recruiting $$? There have to be relationships built w/the high school coaches in Texas. Who knows how much of that's going on, and at what level? Maybe Bill Utter will let some of the recruits "test drive" a few vehicles for a few weeks during the season as an incentive, like OU has allegedly done. (Joke). I don't know. Just throwing stuff out there. What kind of success do you expect OOC if your recruiting isn't where you believe it should be?

Interesting read!

Okay, I’ll preface my comments by saying that I’m not an expert on this stuff, but I’ll throw it out there anyway at risk of being embarrassed by the more football-learned in our midst. With that out of the way, I took another look at the UT/aTm game from last year and wanted to share what I saw. UT DEFENSIVELY · Did not adjust well to the spread option run by aTm. (I’m sure Chizik has rectified this.) · Safety/DE/LB’s did not seem to know who had quarterback on the option, and they did not adjust consistently until about 6 minutes left in the 3rd · Cornerbacks pretty much shut down aggy receivers except for the halfback pass for a TD that was set up by all the option plays before. I believe a receiver also got loose in the late 3rd/early 4th, and McGee could not get the ball to him. · Did not keep contain on McGee to the outside · Could not find an answer for Lane inside, although in viewing the game, he got a majority of yards in the 3rd and 4th, when the UT DL was a bit gassed. · In the 3rd and 4th, the beating that McGee was taking began to take a big toll. I didn’t remember it being that bad while watching the game, but he really took a pounding. aTm DEFENSIVELY · Did a great job on the edges keeping Young in the middle of the field. Young was not able to get outside like he normally does, and the LB’s/S were able to tackle him by forcing him inside. Although the backs still gained their yards · Showed a lot of 6 and 7 man fronts, and would drop the corners into coverage at the last minute. · Did NOT blitz as much as I remembered. When they did, it was just as likely to come from the middle of the field. · Were VERY aggressive in the secondary. Appel was mugging receivers all day, and kept Young from finding targets consistently. In fact, the entire secondary did a very commendable job against UT’s receivers. · DL interior had some inspired play, which was helped by an injury to UT’s starting center, and some boneheaded plays by UT linemen, but they did a generally good job against the UT backs inside, and they were not intimidated. UT OFFENSIVELY · Run, run, run. It was obvious that Brown did not want to get Young hurt during this game, and had him hand the ball off most of the time. The Horns had success off tackle and straight up the gut. Taylor was effective outside. I think this is what the MG will see September 2. · The pass to the flat, and the slant were open all day, although Young was running for his life much of the time. aTm OFFENSIVELY · Heady play by McGee, who ran the option out of multiple formations to confuse the Longhorns. · Used UT’s overpursuit against them on McGee’s last touchdown, and several plays to the outside. · Was not effective with the pass, as UT was able to get good pressure in passing situations, and McGee was not accurate due to pressure on others. · Lined up in Trips w/1 back, 2 wides to each side w/1 back, split backfield, under center, I formation, and basically ran the same option play out of each of these formations. After working off-tackle, and outside by pulling the ball from the diving back and keeping, he would then give UT a dose of the back up the middle. · Ran the halfback pass to perfection, by setting it up with previous option plays, and finding just the right time for it, as the safteties were overcommitting to the run. aTm had a very good DL/OL, and it showed in the UT game. The secondary played out of their minds, and the QB was fearless while taking a terrible beating. This will be key this September in Austin when the MG visit. What will be exciting is to see what progress has been made in the offseason by UNT on these ends.

I've gotta say--good post. I think this year will be a turning point--one way or another--for the UNT football program. We'll see where it all leads.

Sounds like the neighborhood around the Orange Bowl when I lived down there.

Isaac Thomas. There were at least 3 games last year that if the DL can buckle up and make a stop, game over. Troy's backfield gashed the MG last year and gave me a frowny face. Actually line play is the biggest factor this year on both sides of the ball, IMO. QB is second.

I say someone pick up the phone and call Acme Brick in Denton, and see if they can get a ball rolling.

I took a look at the recruiting, and I believe that UNT was midway budgetwise, with one of the Florida U teams waaay ahead something like $215K to next closest at about $80K? Those aren't exact figures...

I agree with you, Rick. Got to create pressure on the new guys. I do, however worry a bit about Snead running the ball should he play. He's quicker than most people think, and I believe we will see a world of difference with him and McCoy when the MG visit in Sept. Good points. One thing in looking at aTm the past couple of years, was that Franphony recognized the need to hit the weight room w/his DL, and they did that after the aTm game 2 years ago. I think it made a world of difference, because Aggy basically took it to the Horns OL all day last year. One reason why I'm interested in seeing how/if the weight room work that the MG did (?) this off-season has made any difference. I think we'll be able to see some proof in the pudding the first couple of games, because if the MG comes out and hangs in there at the LOS, I will be optimistic about progress being made in the off-season. See above. I don't know. I'm hoping that UNT's lines can make some noise. We should be able to tell pretty quickly, though. As I said, aTm got physically whipped 2 years ago in Austin, and whatever Fran's other faults, he recognized this and sent his hogs to the weight room hard in the off-season, and it showed last year. UT very nearly lost that game, because aTm came out and smashed them in the mouth, and a young QB had a game plan he could execute to his level of ability/experience. It was a great game plan by DF, and what a game by the QB. He earned a lot of respect from OB's everywhere that day. I'm glad we get them in Austin this year. At any rate, to have some success in the inside running game, I believe UNT will have to run a lot of trapping, leverage-type plays to try to help them physically at the line of scrimmage. Of course it's easy to say that sitting here at my keyboard.

Craig Way can make even the most humdrum HS game worth listening to. I wish there were more like him. My brother went to school w/Fallowill, and said he was a walking book of statistics even then. Frustrated athlete, too.

He's probably not exaggerating. They're nowhere near ready for tOSU or OU, but the fact that Snead got in for spring ball is huge in his development. Remember, they're practicing/scrimmaging every day against one of the top defenses in the country. Still, I think that UNT can possibly create some havoc with UT's offense if they can get pressure on these young guys, because they are going to make mistakes.

That's a great idea! I have the tOSU, aTm, and Ok. St. games on DVD. I'm going to do a scouting report.

LOL!!

Not a bad idea. OK St. is a good game to watch, as well. Believe it or not, I don't have that DVD. Man, I dunno. It's really tough. I think that UT is going to be very vanilla, and they are going to try to physically overpower UNT. I think they are going to do a couple of things. On UT's end: I think that they are going to give the MG a heavy dose of Jamaal Charles. I think you will see a lot of the wheel route to the new TE, and dumps out of the backfield to either Taylor or Charles on 2nd and 3rd down. Basically I believe that their passing game is going to be more of a 'run after catch'-type thing that will get the QB's some experience throwing at this level of competition without exposing them to too many mistakes. I think they will try to win the game on the ground, and keep UNT off the field, believe it or not. I think the zone-option is still going to be in the playbook, as well, but I don't think you'll see much of it. I believe Charles and probably Young will get the bulk of the carries. I would pay particular attention to UT's new tight end, because I think he has the potential to have a big game here. On UNT's side...I would try to get the TE and maybe RB/Flanker involved in the passing game in the LB's area. Create confusion in there with those guys. They are very good, very fast, and I believe will be overagressive. I think UNT will have difficulty stretching the field, and will need to concentrate on a shorter passing game. Shovel pass? I would also try rolling the QB as much as possible, and giving him leeway to run some. Did you see the rolling screenish plays that USC used? Don't know how they'd work, but might try 'em. I think UNT (probably crazy here) should work the running game to the middle. Possibly off-guard, and even off-center. Trap plays, counters. Those are the best running plays for the MG, IMO. Turn UT's DL speed and strength against them. Lots of play action. How about a naked boot with Wilson? I would definitely attack the LB's and the deep route two or three times. The line play for UNT is what will make or break this game, obviously. This will be a good barometer to see how the strength/experience things have helped the OL and DL. Heck, I'm still trying to come up with answers to my own questions.

I thought this might be fun... Put yourself in the HC position for UNT's first series of the year in Austin on both offense and defense. Here's the hypothetical on offense: You have scouted the Longhorns, and have discovered that although they have graduated some defensive players, their LB's are actually faster and more athletic than last year. A couple of their defensive backs are learning new positions. Their defensive line is mostly intact. You are countering that with the knowledge that both your OL and backfield have more experience and athleticism, and have been spending more time in the weight room. You return your healthy power running game, and have a mobile QB who has the ability to make plays with his feet. UNT has received the kickoff in the end zone and begins play at the 20 after the touchback. 1. Who are your starters at the skill positions? (QB/RB, etc.) 2. What are your first 3 plays, what part of the defense are you attacking, and why? 3. What offensive player is shouldering most of the load? ************************************ Here's the hypothetical on defense: Scouting tells you that Texas returns their RB "committee", but is starting 2 QB's. Their TE is new, but an upperclassman. The OL has a couple new faces. You realize that both QB's will probably play, and have prepared to face both. UT puts the ball in play at their 20. 1. What offensive weakness have you identified, and how will you try to take advantage of it? 2. What player(s) do you think has the best chance of hurting you? 3. How will you minimize his effect on your defense? 4. Will you play to create havoc and turnovers, but risk big plays, or play conservative defense to start, and try to identify what UT is trying to do, and then adjust? What do you see as the outcome of your decisions at game end?

*RIMSHOT*

Well, from my perspective, how about an Arkansas State team that whipped the MG's ace, took home the trophy from the school that had won the SBC during every year of it's existence, and did it in your face on your home field?

Right. Only coaching staff and BOR can be addressed in that manner.

Cletus: I think most UNT fans EXPECT to challenge for the SBC title every year. I know I do. Last year was a step back, no doubt, and it's disappointing when the level of success OOC hasn't improved. I fully EXPECT UNT to be challenging for the SBC title this year, and I EXPECT UNT to win/be competitive in OOC. I also expect the MG to kick your collective Arkansas ass this year. The only "stepping down" UNT is going to do is on your hillbilly throats.

A - Fleur de Lis B - 1 C - 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 D - 4 E - 3 F - 2 G - Male H - (35-43) I - 4

Below is chatter from Orangebloods that I thought might be of interest. The comparison is between a UT true freshman noseguard, and Kennedy. ******************************* Ben Alexander is a fireplug that can squat over 600 POUNDS.. At 5’10 he will root like a hog and be a friggen’ nightmare to move. No, college football has not seen anything like little Ben in the modern era, even Russell Maryland was 2 to 3 ‘ taller. Hook’em -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Actually Booger Kennedy from North Texas 4 years ago would probably be a very similar comparison. 5'9" fireplug with BAD intentions. Hell, I think he sacked Simms at least three times that first game of 2002 (might be off). If he can be as destructive as Booger, then we are very very happy.

That board is probably the the most nitwit-infested UT board on the internet. It's worth it to pay the subscription not to have to post there.