[True Or False ? Unt Working On 2-1 With Oklahoma]

I don't understand this at all. If the game was in Arlington that would not be a 1-2 deal, it would be one neutral site and 2 away games. This may not be a bad deal if it would be in essence replace our guarantee away games for three years. However, I really doubt if OU has that much interest in playing in the metroplex twice in one year unless they got a massive guarantee to do so.

[Why Not Expand The Sbc?]

We're not going to get UTSA because they're going C-USA.

And, guys...I hate to say this, but...maybe Texas State goes C-USA as well. You look at their marketing, they were what, almost a Top 50 seller of their brand, beating out many FBS schools already.

We've got to just do what we can control - and that is KEEP WINNING, BABY!

So two teams that have never played fb division ball are going to beat out NT for a CUSA bid. Both schools are in the wild expectations phase of moving up. Fans support maybe high now, but wait till the reality of being another underfunded fb division program sets in. They are still a long way from being successful and both I would imagine are praying for a WAC bid. I think people including many of their fans greatly underestimate the task ahead of them. For example, both are expanding based on passing student fees that were $10 a hour to the state maximum of $20. That is an increase of $10 per hour, UNT currently has a dedicated athletic fee of $3 that go to $10 a hour but can also be increased to $20 an hour without another vote. So UNT has at least the opportunity of increasing their fee by $17 versus the newcomer twins increase of $10.

I really think that TSSM is going to have the rougher go being literally in the shadows of UT and UTSA starting a program just South. They do have an advantage of already having a program but I really don't think they are going to be anywhere close to the factor they hope for in the Austin/San Antonio market. UTSA has the plus of being in a huge City with little athletic competition. However, they have had a division 1 program in BB for ages and still average around 1500.

It will be interesting to watch their progression, but lets wait until they actually establish a fb division football program before we get overly concerned about the competition. They both because of their athletic fees and student body size will be comparatively well funded for the bottom tier of the fb division, but UNT will also have that advantage plus the added decades of fb division competition. As far as CUSA, IMO they will take a wait and see view toward the new programs. If either of these schools average 25,000 in football attendance and play decent football, they could be attractive to CUSA or the Belt, but I think their only chance now is a desperate WAC.

[Don't Call Us, We'll Call You ( Unt )]

Funny, as they stramble to get out of the WAC, they wonder why NT doesn't want to join them. Many La Tech fans continue to have delusions as they slowly circle the bowl. Reading their comments, you would never guess that they won only one more fb division game than NT last year.

[Don't Call Us, We'll Call You ( Unt )]

Funny, as they stramble to get out of the WAC, they wonder why NT doesn't want to join them. Many La Tech fans continue to have delusions as they slowly circle the bowl.

[It's Only Going To Get Tougher For The Wac To Play Up]

During Fry's era, Texas Stadium, was considered the home stadium along with Fouts. Not sure what that has to do with going 1aa which happened several years later after Jerry Moore and Bob Tyler.

I have never believed the failure to file documents story, although it has persisted for decades. Do you really think NT administration was so glueless that if they had chosen to fight the 1aa demotion; they would have failed because they didn't send in documents on time and then just gave up?

I think Dr. Hurley and crew were more than happy to drop down. They in their minds had survived Fry and his big ideas and had just got through the disaster of Bob Tyler. I also thought that they figured that NT would go to the Southland and dominate, which never really happened. They discovered that although their budget and tradition should have led to Southland success that their insistance on much higher academic standards for athletes then the norm in the Southland, hindered them greatly.

[La Tech To Hold Tuesday Press Conference]

I like La Tech's style. I am not sure they are going to pull it off, but in the face of lower WAC payouts and State cutbacks; they are in the building mode.

[Nt To Host Uta Tuesday Nov. 30]

I have enjoyed the UTA/NT series for many years. I always though the stage was too much of a home court advantage, but frankly the series has been close no matter where they played. I really liked the Snake LeGrand/ Jimmy Gales games back aways. I remember one game at the stage when NT had over 60 rbs, about twice as many as UTA and still lost the game.

Looking forward to the series being continued and only wish that the other metroplex teams would join in.

[Hawaii Discussing Leaving The Wac And Returning To Independent]

So much for the rumor that Hawaii subsidizes travel for teams that come to the Islands:

If they were willing to add UH, it could come with some form of travel subsidies, which UH doesn't pay in the WAC.

The NCAA in a way does subsidize Hawaii by allowing any football team traveling to the islands to have one more game that year.

[I Can't Help It - Smu Fans Talking About Unt]

Or better yet like Grey Eagle One tells us all how they should be shown LOVE after screwing us each decade for half a century. I hope you younger posters have to do business or tolerate some of these arrogant A__Holes in the real world then you'll see how much "respect" they should be shown. They are such an academic giant that when I was in school their COBA was not even accredited. Then they got big bucks for naming rights to their business school from Ed Cox. Only catch was Ed, Jr. was just a wee bit tainted after taking down First National Bank and Republic with some "funny money" commodity trading and did a nice streatch in the state pen for his deeds.

Unfortunately the days that NT had a superior business school and more specially the best accounting program in Texas are long gone. NT is still competitive but they have definitely lost the edge they once had. I have had a career in finance and information systems mostly in the Dallas area for almost forty years and have had the privilege of working for, with, and employing many SMU grads. I am certainly not stating that my experience in general with SMU grads. has been any better than NT, UT or others alums, but I have not had the issues that you apparently have. SMU is a good not great school and I think it is substantially over priced for the education you get, but I could state that about most privates.

[Texas State, Utsa Now...Sam Houston State Is Talking Fbs]

Where in the hell did you see anything about helping SFA, Lamar, UTA et al? This is about Texas State ONLY. They have paid their dues, literally and figuratively. Their being in the conference would help our attendance and reduce our costs. Is that that difficult to understand?

I do fault SMU for dodging us and trying to keep us out of CUSA. I don't care where they are open or subtle the results are the same. However, if we are friends with the other members it won't matter what SMU does. I don't know how much influence SMU can muster; maybe enough to keep us out and maybe not but I'm tired of hearing about their hatred for us. Truth is, we probably hate them more than they hate us but they're easier to blame for our failings.

Texas State got the jump on us and went for the highest amount that could be done under state law. We didn't go for the max because we didn't want the stadium to fail. I'm sure that we will eventually catch up with them in amount but it'll take a long while to match their total. The reason? We may have fewer undergrads than they will after UNT Dallas is removed from our total this fall. We have about 3,000 more graduate students but they take half the hours of the undergrads.

Whoa, never heard of exaggeration to make a point. I am not so sure, TSUSM would either save money or increase attendance. Their game would have to replace another game, this year for example Rice or KSU; they would not be near the draw either of those teams are. Them on the schedule would also eliminate one spot for a possible money game. I guess you can assume that the TSUSM game will replace another far away conference game but there is no guarantee of that. I have been to a number of SWT and NT games, I guess I did not notice the swell of additional spectators. I suppose I am as capable as anyone to assess costs and benefits; I guess I can ask you the same question about competition. The facts are right now, NT is at the bottom of Texas FB school in recruiting and influence, so any move ups are going to initially effect NT the most. Is that so difficult to comprehend?

I am not sure why you think TSUSM has paid their dues anymore than any other fb wannabe. I really think UTSA would be the horse to back if you must back anyone.

Both UTSA and TSUSM are starting at $10 per hour and will increase by $2 annually until they get to the current state max of $20. NT's additional fees will only start with the stadium completion and can only be raised 10% a year. I don't know about TSUSM but UTSA is capped at 12 hours a semester, so NT fees per student could be actually greater in the future.

As far as putting others down and not having pride in NT, really how did you come up with that? There is a big difference in assessing a situation and stating your view and putting someone down. In fact, you could interpret not wanting to aid the competition, as being very cognizant of their potential. Your analysis indicates to you, that NT should support TSUSM because it is the right thing to do and NT will ultimately benefit. My view is I have nothing against TSUSM or the other fc schools trying to move up but I don't think adding additional Texas teams to the

fb division is in the best interest of NT. I am not sure how this equates with putting down others and/or not having pride in your school, but I guess I will have to live with your opinion.

[Interesting Realignment Talk As It Relates To Unt]

I assume that those of you that are against the WAC due to travel expenses are assuming the current alignment and that the income will be no more than we are receiving from the SBC. The idea that is being imposed would make New Mexico State our farthest rival within the Southwest Division. With the SBC we have a trip to the Miami area every year. That's opposed to going to Reno every other year. Not all sports would have to have games with each conference opponent if there is a conference tournament. Recruiting would be enhanced where there would be trips to Hawaii possible.

While I still would prefer to be in CUSA, the WAC would be a better alternative than where we are now. The current WAC members would no doubt prefer to be in the MWC but a 12 team conference is also better than what they are facing now.

Proposed by who? This dream division, everyone kepts writing about; could just as easily happen as part of the Belt. Why does anyone think that teams in Hawaii, California, Nevada, Utah and Idaho want a Texas centered division? Miami is much closer than 5 of the 8 WAC members. Going to Reno every year would have to be mixed with Moscow, Fresno, Logan, San Jose and Manoa.

[Texas State, Utsa Now...Sam Houston State Is Talking Fbs]

Where did we get our low self-esteem? Do we have no pride in the University of North Texas? If we do then why must we put others down?

I must've missed something in the Golden Rule about putting down others because others put you down. I'm old and my memory may be fading but I can still remember that I wouldn't want to be treated the way that we treat Texas State, UTSA and others.

Sam Houston State is looking to see if it's possible to seek Division 1-A membership in the future. They haven't yet applied nor or there any assurances that they will. Or that any other Texas schools are also trying to jump to Division 1-A.

Texas State and UTSA have already ponied up to the maximum, $20 per semester hour. They will soon have larger budgets than North Texas. Nor is either a tiny school; each has a student enrollment of around 30,000. Texas State has played 898 games in their history, winning 479 for a winning percentage of .549. That winning percentage is 44th in Division 1-AA and the highest in Texas. They have earned their spurs for moving up and why not help them? Wouldn't we want the same for us if the roles were reversed?

I'm not sold on UTSA yet. They have a good market city, a reknowned coach and a great stadium, even if it's not on campus. I would not advocate including them at the first opportunity. We need to see how they progress. And yes, Texas State can't be included until next year anyway. But with the money to attract a decent coach they can be a formidable foe and a good rival for the future.

They would be included only if we decided on the WAC or elected to stay in the Belt. We have no leverage to include them in any bid for CUSA.

I do agree that the best way for any of this to happen is to win.

Let see NT has gotten a lot of help from its Texas brothers in trying to move up the athletic ladder. I think NT should help TSUSM and UTSA as well as sponcer Sam, SFA, and Lamar's move up. Maybe we can even convince UTA to reinstate football. To heck with a new SWC, NT can be the bell cow in establishing a new FB division Southland.

I have never faulted SMU for their determination to keep their distance from NT, only their clumsy attempts to hide their intent. I think any fan that believes the proliferation of more Texas fb division schools is good for NT is dilutional. They will compete for media coverage, fans, recruits and they will lower guarantees of money games and ncaa revenue sharing. They will also only hasten the day when the "bigs" decide there are just too many barely hanging on schools around and will make moves to cull the "have nots" from the herd.

As far as budgets, are you sure that theirs will be higher than NT's. NT still has more students and their max is the same as NT. They may be able to get to the max faster, but all are limited to $20 per hour and all start at a lower figure. Their advantage is that the majority of their fees won't have to be spend on a stadium. However, a new on campus stadium also should be an advantage for NT.

[The Case For The Wac]

i have a real interest in a wac/east division, but also some real concerns. i am unsure as to the health of ark. state's athletic budget, but as we know the louisiana schools are in real trouble. in addition, while new mexico state is trying to maintain 1a status, they were recently forced to reduce their athletic budget by $1.5 million. it appears that if ark. state is financially stable, and new mecico state has stopped the bleeding, moving to the wac with the red wolves now and adding texas st. and utsa later might work. however, a lot of "if's" and moving parts.

One question, other than message board fodder; is there one thread of evidence that the WAC wants an Eastern Division. Why would they, they have tried that before with a much better cast of teams and it ended in flames? They offered NT and apparently others a slot before because they wanted to replace existing teams and would accommodate La Tech with adding one close rival. NT turned them down and they took Idaho instead of adding more than one Eastern team. Things are different now, they have lost only one team and I expect they would love for La Tech to leave. I am sure if they added another Eastern team they would prefer NT to TSUSM and UTSA; but there is a good chance that they do not want another Eastern team. There is also a possibility that La Tech will exit the league even without a CUSA bid. They have one of the lowest budgets in the conference and with the loss of the Boise generated revenue and pending big reduction in state funding: they may have to limp back to the Belt.

[Interesting Realignment Talk As It Relates To Unt]

I had to look up hyperbolic; nice. Actually I was including soon-added South Alabama in the estimate = ~120+

Your point is valid that the WAC is not much of an upgrade from the SBC, but it is an upgrade. So you're saying there's a chance!

Not a lot of love from WAC fans anyway in voting...currently UTSA/TxSt have us beat in a poll... http://mbd.scout.com...=2368&t=6071948

One comment from the thread: "We're too weak now to invite FCS schools. We'd be proclaiming ourselves the equals of the Sun Belt." ouch!

I am sure that vote is just WAC fans, not a chance that some UTSA or TSUSMT fans could be voting. I guess I can register my opinion that the WAC would be an incredibly stupid move for NT as many times as the proponents can advocate joining. Do you realize that the travel and the extended days away from class or not just for the football team but soccer, softball, volleyball, etc? The WAC may be marginally better overall in athletics but the travel, additional costs, time zone difference, stability of the league, accessibility of conference tournaments & bowls, and even bigger lack of regional foes are all negative factors when compared to the Belt. I will state again 5 of the 8 WAC universities are further away from Denton than Miami. In addition, it is my belief that the home crowds will actually decrease with WAC opponents versus the Belt. With the exception of La Tech, there will be no boost from the visiting team attendance and I doubt if any of the others will be anymore a draw than MTSU, ULL, etc

As far as the WAC inviting FCS schools, they have little other choice if they want to expand. In that regard, they are at the same level as the Belt unless NT does something really foolish.

[Top Ten Games In Fouts History]

OSU does and the students then have to buy tickets. UT and A&M both have athletic fees tacked on to students bills...at least that's what i am told by parents who have kids at both schools. Schools call these things a variety of different names, but they all seem to find a way to tack it on somewhere and somehow.

I would like to see the numbers at UNT and at several other schools on how many students...undergrad...are actually paying the full freight for their education on their own with no $$$$ help from family or scholarships. Probably no way to get this info, but seems it would vary by school a great deal. The student "pay" percent at UNT may be higher than others, but I suspect it is probably pretty much in line with most other state schools in Texas. I am not talking about a kid who works part-time for spending money, I'm talking about kids who are having to actually pay their own way...the vast majority of the cost...on their own...no family or friend help and no scholarship money.

Would be an interesting study I believe to look at this rate and how it compares to other Texas state universities and then expanded to other surrounding states such as Ark., Okla, N. Mex and La.

Per the NCAA reported revenue and expenses, neither A&M and UT charge students athletic fees. Giving student special ticket prices has nothing to do with mandated athletic fees.

The majority of students at NT receive some type of financial aid which is true at most universites. IF you count student loans as a type of financial aid then that number would be very high.

[Top Ten Games In Fouts History]

I understand that your comment is pointing out that the stadium will be too small.

However, I see this as a positive. If UNT can generate enough buzz (via winning) that the new stadium sells out constantly, then RV and the rest of the AD staff will be in a position to begin charging more, or dare I say...charging students to come to the games. That would generate more revenue and get us started on expanding the stadium!

UT/A&M charge $100's for "all sports" passes. If UNT can build enough excitement around campus, I don't think students would scoff at paying $50 - $100 for an "all sports" pass. Maybe I'm off though.

What do those of you who are students think?

If the product on the field were good enough to consistently sell out a 30K seat stadium, would you pay $100 for an "all sports" pass (you're basically paying for football and getting all other sports for free)?

I doubt UT or A&M have manitory student athletic fees. At $10 an hour and that can go up to $20, NT students will be paying more than you are suggesting. UT and A&M are programs that want to actually limit student attendance were they can sell more expensive tickets to non-students.

[Texas State, Utsa Now...Sam Houston State Is Talking Fbs]

I hope when the 32 team Super WAC is formed....that we're not in the same division with Devry and The University of Phoenix. Those two upstarts have money, and are gonna be good really quickly.

Shoot, bring them on; we are already in the same conference as Troy.

[Ranking The Sun Belt Facilities]

I don't know....I've read many media types talk about how great Diddle Arena is. I think ESPN or SI even said it was one of the most underrated venues in the country a few years ago

It always gets high marks even from the Green broadcast crew. I did see several on the Belt board who think that USA' s Mitchell Area is as good or better. I have attended games there and I prefer the Pit. It is like a lot of the new arenas reminds me of McDonalds, a lot of plastic and bright colors. I could care less about suites, I never been in any that offered a really good view of the game.

[Texas State, Utsa Now...Sam Houston State Is Talking Fbs]

Why not? Both Sam and SFA have traditionally better athletic programs than UTSA and TSUSM. I don't blame teams for moving up, but I am afraid all its going to do is as the FB numbers mount is to hasten the Big Boys to try to drop a lot of bottom tier programs. As self serving and undemocratic as it is, I hope the NCAA stops this flow of teams moving up.

[Ranking The Sun Belt Facilities]

Disregarding his stupid asides, the guy is only rating the football stadium and basketball arenas, a long ways from assessing total athletic facilities. I assume he is apparently a reporter who has actually seem all the facilities he is rating so his opinions on this subject may be better than his assessment of athletic programs. Actually he rates NT very high when you consider he is reviewing Fouts. I have not seen in person; Troy, MTSU, or WKU; so it is hard to argue. From all accounts, WKU basketball area is the standard having gone through an extensive re-model. They also spend a lot on expanding and improving their football stadium. He does state that NT could move up to two with the new stadium, I guess WKU is untouchable in his mind.

I have wondered how WKU seems to have the resources to have the biggest budget in the Belt. I am sure their basketball program helps but they are just starting out in FB division football. You would not think that a relatively poor state would have money to burn on college athletes.

[Did This Year's Recruit Class Help ?]

Despite some bad data and a lot of focus on walk-ons that most likely will never see the field, his conclusion that the defense with the exception of the secondary was not improved is questionable. The linebacker crew if you consider that Nwigwe was lost mid season has everyone back. Yet, they added their best high school recruit Orr and two smallish but potentially very good juco linebackers. Defensive end should be a lot deeper with the addition of two jucos and their second best high school recruit Bellazin plus grayshirt Boutwell. They did only recruit one interior defensive lineman and he seems a real stretch. Very unusual to recruit an offensive lineman and convert him to defense, look for him to end up back on offense. However, they do have a number of young defensive tackles: Cantly (I still think he will end up as a tackle), Anyiam (he also will end up at tackle), and White.

[Did This Year's Recruit Class Help ?]

I generally like this guy's work, but he did not do a lot of home work on this one.

[Ranking The Sun Belt Facilities]

Someone might want to ask him to compare UNT attendance numbers with FIU and FAU despite UNT playing awful football. This guy has got to be an embarrassment for FAU.

[Has The Boat Sailed On Unt Again]

Well like I said It would be nice to see TXST and UNT in the same conference. I hope we (TXST) are invited to the WAC and if we are on of the first teams I hope to see in San Marcos is UNT. I know that if we had a chance to play in Denton we would bring 5-6K to the game. Ask the Baylor, Rice and TCU fans we Bobcats show up in force to TX FBS games.

Yes, NT took over 10,000 to UT once. As TSUSM will find out that after a few beatings in away home games, the crowds will dwindle in a hurry. Clue, NT and TSUSM have been in the same conference before, neither team traveled remotely well; do you really think that is going to change if both are fb division?

As far as the WAC, I don't think many want to go East. They would be ecstatic if La Tech found another home. I doubt that the WAC expands unless they find a suitable candidate in the West or lose several more teams which would make them even less attractive.

[Softball Pitchers]

Can someone close to the softball situation tell me what they will use for pitching this coming season?

As I look at the roster for this year, I see two pitchers listed. One of them apparently didn't pitch last year and although she has good high school credentials she has no college experience. Her name is Ashley Kirk and she is listed as a sophomore. Why? The other is Brittany? Simmons, a relievf pitcher.

How can you let yourself get in that situation?

Unless the schedule is really stretched out I would think that you would need a minimum of two starters and it might not be a bad idea to have a second reliever. If one pitcher gets a sore arm, they're cooked.

NT only lose one position player from last years team but lose their two best pitchers. So, I too was surprised when no additional pitchers were signed. However, I suppose they could still add a pitcher. Simmons was a starting pitcher but she was third in the rotation, Kirk was injured and I don't think played, so she should be a redshirt freshman. It is not usual for teams to only use a couple of pitchers, some Belt teams last year used the same pitcher in every Belt tournament game.

Still, softball is even more pitcher dominated than baseball; so it is concerning that NT doesn't have more pitching options. NT should have easily the best team in their history next year if they can get good pitching.