[Houston vs. Tulane tonight]

Even further, the vaunted Houston O can be beaten by halftime adjustments.

[Houston vs. Tulane tonight]

Alright, I feel good matching up against the Cougar corners. If we live deep, we may win going away.

[University of North Texas Sees Record Enrollment This Fall]

2 hours ago, drex said:

Why is a university with the enrollment that North Texas has still playing in a Group of 5 Conference?

 

1 hour ago, greenminer said:

Enrollment is not as big a factor as you think?

Too true. UCF has nearly 70,000 enrolled and every successful effort of theirs has just been met with derision.

[SMU vs Cal Poll]

Just now, Harry said:

We will find out how good SMU is as they play the Frogs this weekend.

SMU will win that game. Book it.

[Week 4: Totally Meaningless Stats Comparisons vs. UTSA]

Note the penalties stats. Saturday could get rather ugly in that regard.

[Football Attendance - Perspective]

6 hours ago, Mean Green 93-98 said:

Outside of places like Alabama...

Yeah, Alabama seems to think they have this figured out...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/sports/alabama-tracking-app.html

[Week 4: Totally Meaningless Stats Comparisons vs. UTSA]

Took last week off on this because, you know – work, travel, and C A L I F O R N I A.

But now, back to (meaningless) business.

Compiled via http://cfbstats.com/. These are currently filtered by All Games, but once we get to maybe week 5 or 6, I'll adjust the filter to only reflect FBS competition.

Top 10 Nationally underlined.

 

O F F E N S E	D E F E N S E
Scoring Offense	Scoring Defense
UNT - 66th nationally at 31.7 ppg	UNT - T 108th at 34.3 ppg
UTSA - 106th nationally at 20.7 ppg	UTSA - T 106th at 33.7 ppg
Rushing Offense	Rushing Defense
UNT - 61st nationally at 174 ypg, 2 TD	UNT - 97th nationally at 181 ypg, 8 TD
UTSA - 75th nationally at 166.33 ypg, 6 TD	UTSA - 124th nationally at 245.33 ypg, 9 TD
Passing Offense	Passing Defense
UNT - 53rd nationally at 259.3 ypg, 8 TD, 3 INT	UNT - 81st nationally at 231.3 ypg, 5 TD, 0 INT
UTSA - T 110th nationally at 172.3 ypg, 3 TD, 3 INT	UTSA - 7th nationally at 125.7 ypg, 4 TD, 1 INT
Total Offense	Total Defense
UNT - 55th nationally at 433.3 ypg	UNT - 88th nationally at 412.3 ypg
UTSA - 107th nationally at 338.7 ypg	UTSA - T 66th nationally at 371 ypg
First Downs	Opp First Downs
UNT - T 66th nationally at 21.7 pg	UNT - T 78th nationally at 20.7 pg
UTSA - T 106th nationally at 18.3 pg	UTSA - T 66th nationally at 20.3 pg
3rd Down Conversions	Opp 3rd Down Conversions
UNT - T 104th nationally at 33.34%	UNT - T 113th nationally at 46.81%
UTSA - T 45th nationally at 44.45%	UTSA - 80th nationally at 39.29%
4th Down Conversions	Opp 4th Down Conversions
UNT - 60th at 55.56%	UNT - T 90th at 66.67%
UTSA - T 33rd at 75.00%	UTSA - T 1st at 0%
Red Zone Scoring Conversions	Opp Red Zone Scoring Conversions
UNT - Tied 1st at 100%	UNT - T 96th at 90%
UTSA - T 51st at 87.50%	UTSA - T 93rd at 88.89%
Sacks Allowed	Sacks
UNT - T 102nd nationally (9), 3 sacks pg	UNT - T 18th nationally (10), 3.34 sacks pg
UTSA - T 102nd nationally (9), 3 sacks pg	UTSA - T 70th nationally (6), 2 sacks pg
Tackles For Loss Allowed	Tackles For Loss
UNT - T 95th nationally (21), 7 TFLs pg	UNT - T 26th nationally (22), 7.33 TFLs pg
UTSA - T 95th nationally (21), 7 TFLs pg	UTSA - T 65th nationally (17), 5.67 TFLs pg
S P E C I A L • T E A M S
Punt Returns	Opp Punt Returns
UNT - T 55th nationally at 8.00 avg ypr	UNT - T 111th nationally at 15.00 avg ypr
UTSA - 110th nationally at 3.20 avg ypr	UTSA - 125th nationally at 22.25 avg ypr
Kickoff Returns	Opp Kickoff Returns
UNT - 46th nationally at 22.87 avg ypr, 1 TD	UNT - 98th nationally at 24 avg ypr, 0 TD
UTSA - 27th nationally at 27.40 avg ypr, 0 TD	UTSA - 67th nationally at 20.17 avg ypr, 0 TD
Punting / Field Positioning	Opp Punting / Field Positioning
UNT - 71st nationally at 41.27 avg ypp	UNT - 76th nationally at 42.67 avg ypp
UTSA - 68th nationally at 41.69 avg ypp	UTSA - 29th nationally at 39.67 avg ypp
Field Goals / PAT Kicking	Opp Field Goals / PAT Kicking
UNT - T 1st at 100%, 2 made pg / T 1st at 100%, 3.7 made pg	UNT - T 76th at 80%, 1.3 made pg / T 26th at 91.7%, 3.7 made pg
UTSA - T 121st at 0%, 0 made pg / T 1st at 100%, 2.7 made pg	UTSA - T 89th at 100%, 0.3 made pg / T 33rd at 100%, 4.7 made pg
T E A M • S T A T S
Turnover Margin	Time of Possession
UNT - T 95th nationally, -0.67 margin pg	UNT - 42nd nationally, 31:25:33 pg
UTSA - T 108th nationally, -1.00 margin pg	UTSA - 19th nationally, 33:40:00 pg
Penalties	Opp Penalties
UNT - 120th nationally, 80 penalty ypg	UNT - T 91st nationally, 44 penalty ypg
UTSA - 127th nationally, 85.7 penalty ypg	UTSA - T 87th nationally, 45 penalty ypg
MASON FINE vs FRANK HARRIS
Completion Percentage	QB Rating
Fine - 82nd nationally, 60.6%	Fine - 76th nationally, 135.65
Harris - T 13th nationally, 72.5%	Harris - 86th nationally, 123.67
Passing Yards	Rushing Yards, Touchdowns
Fine - 34th nationally, 745 yards (248.3 ypg	Fine - N/R, -20 yards, 0 TDs
Harris - T 90th nationally, 486 yards (162 ypg)	Harris - N/R, 127 yards, 0 TDs
Yards Per Attempt	Interceptions
Fine - T 80th nationally, 6.8 ypa	Fine - T 100th nationally, 3 INT (1 INT pg)
Harris - N/R	Harris - T 65th nationally, 2 INT (0.67 INT pg)
Passing Touchdowns	Total Offense
Fine - T 21st nationally, 7 TDs (2.34 TD pg)	Fine - T 58th nationally, 241.7 ypg
Harris - T 85th nationally (last), 3 TDs (1 TD pg)	Harris - T 86th nationally, 204.3 ypg

[After 3 games not a hot take]

3 hours ago, FirefightnRick said:

Agree but something is still amiss with the secondary.

Thinking about our first three games, here's my HSOs:

• We do not seem to be game planning well before games in the secondary. It's being put together with adjustments through the second-fourth quarters, but it's hard for the rest of your total game plan to get off the ground when you dig yourself in a hole defensively in the first...
• ...and then dig deeper with penalties. We're currently ranked 120th in penalties with an average of 80 yards per game. I may have some green glasses effect going on, and still believe half of those flags were bogus – my feelings further justified when I see how loud and livid Seth is with refs on the sidelines. Honestly, its relatively amazing how we well we have done nearly in spite of ourselves with those penalties in play.
• Fine and Bodie Reeder do not seem to be meshing well. Of course publicly they're very complimentary of each other, but on the field it does not seem to be lining up. There are the briefest of spurts where it seems like we're establishing a rhythm, only to be undone with three other series upended by terrible (re: horizontal) short-yardage play. Reeder needs to figure out real quick what elements of Harrell's offense did click with our personnel and incorporate that into his scheme. Marie Kondo it; "does this play spark joy?",  and then lose anything else.
• Biagiiiiiiiii, what is even happening with this foolhardy heroism on returns?? The football IQ needs to jump up in a big way on special teams lest we give ourselves no room to work with for the rest of the season.

[Scattershot Thoughts]

1 hour ago, SilverEagle said:

Nice. Did you slip'em a CD of Lab Band music?

[Comeback Effort Falls Short in Loss at Cal]

1 hour ago, jacksondf said:

The fans were really cool.  The stadium-not so much.  Port a potties for restrooms at. pac 12 stadium was a surprise.  

Where were you where that was the case?

South side of the stadium the restrooms were on-par with Apogee and even had sunscreen dispensers. That last bit was a life saver.

[Scattershot Thoughts]

4 hours ago, SilverEagle said:

LaLa fans almost physicallhy grabbed FFR and INSISTED that we come into their big tent and eat some genuine gumbo. One of them then gave us a tour of their new (at that time) baseball facility. Great fans!

A seemingly well-connected Cal Booster grabbed @FirefightnRick, myself, and others pregame, asked if we traveled from Texas, then promptly got us sideline passes.

That was pretty awesome.

["Official" (?) Cal Travel/Event Plans Thread]

Just now, aztecskin said:

I got GA through the University Away option. I haven’t got any notice about how to get those tix so I’m guessing it is at Will Call? 

Yep. SE side of the stadium, I think.

[Just In Time...]

2 hours ago, FirefightnRick said:

Sunset out our window.

 

Rick

Ours last night, roughly 300’ from our game seats.

 

["Official" (?) Cal Travel/Event Plans Thread]

1 hour ago, aztecskin said:

I am in Berkeley -- I am also staying at the Double Tree -- Marina. 

DUDE. What section for the game?? Let’s catch up!

[SFO Runway Construction]

8 minutes ago, FirefightnRick said:

No problems for me flying into SFO this morning.

 

Rick

Damn. I shouldn't have changed ours to Sacremento, then.

[COLLEGE FOOTBALL TV SCHEDULE]

10 hours ago, El Paso Eagle said:

For those who might like a listing of College games

http://lsufootball.net/tvschedule.htm

 

 

And from The Banner Society's (formerly Every Day Should Be Saturday) The Read Option email newsletter:

WEEK 3 WATCH GRID

Quote

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 As far as I can tell, there are no televised college football games. Why do we surrender these early Thursdays to Bengals-Buccaneers or whatever? I think every ACC game should be played on Thursday. Then again, this is probably not the CFB weekend schedule that could stand to be spread out any more than it is. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

ET WATCH THIS Maybe watch It’s football 6   North Carolina at Wake Forest, ESPN   7:30     Kansas at Boston College, ACC 9:15 #22 Washington State at Houston, ESPN

Not a terrible start! All three games could feature activity! UNC-Wake is a non-conference game, which is weird as shit, and could be plenty enjoyable! Wazzu-Houston could crack 100 points! I've seen way worse Fridays. Now for the actual challenge. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14   ET WATCH THIS Maybe watch It’s football Noon #6 Ohio State at Indiana, Fox Pitt at #13 Penn State, ABC Arkansas State at #3 Georgia, ESPN2     #21 Maryland at Temple, CBSSN Chattanooga at Tennessee, SEC     Kansas State at Mississippi State, ESPN Furman at Virginia Tech, ACC     NC State at West Virginia, FS1 Eastern Michigan at Illinois, BTN       Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati, ESPNU 12:30     The Citadel at Georgia Tech, ACC 1   Air Force at Colorado, Pac-12   2   FAU at Ball State, ESPN+ Norfolk State at Coastal Carolina, ESPN+ 2:30     New Mexico at #7 Notre Dame, NBC 3   Akron at Central Michigan, ESPN+   3:30   Stanford at #17 UCF, ESPN #2 Alabama at South Carolina, CBS     #24 USC at BYU, ABC Memphis at South Alabama, ESPNU     East Carolina at Navy, CBSSN UNLV at Northwestern, BTN     Georgia Southern at Minnesota, BTN       Army at UTSA, NFL       Oklahoma State at Tulsa, ESPN2   4 #19 Iowa at Iowa State, FS1 Arizona State at #18 Michigan State, Fox SE Louisiana at Ole Miss, SEC       Colorado State at Arkansas, SEC       Louisville at Western Kentucky, Stadium       Bethune-Cookman at Miami, ACC 4:15   North Texas at Cal, Pac-12 Idaho State at #11 Utah, Pac-12       Cal Poly at Oregon State, Pac-12 5     Louisiana Tech at Bowling Green, ESPN+       Idaho at Wyoming, ESPN+ 6   Buffalo at Liberty (someone has got to monitor Hugh Freeze), ESPN+ SC State at USF, ESPN+     Southern Miss at Troy, ESPN+ UMass at Charlotte, ESPN+ 6:30   Ohio at Marshall, Stadium   7   #9 Florida at Kentucky, ESPN Kent State at #8 Auburn, ESPN2     Duke at Middle Tennessee, Stadium Lamar at #16 Texas A&M, ESPNU     Weber State at Nevada, ESPN+ New Hampshire at FIU, ESPN+       Texas State at SMU, ESPN+       Georgia State at Western Michigan, ESPN+       Murray State at Toledo, ESPN+ 7:30 Florida State at #25 Virginia, ACC #1 Clemson at Syracuse, ABC Northwestern State at #4 LSU, SEC     Hawaii at #23 Washington, Pac-12 SE Missouri State at Missouri, SEC     TCU at Purdue lmao, BTN Texas Southern at UL-Lafayette, ESPN+ 8   Northern Illinois at Nebraska, FS1 #5 Oklahoma at UCLA, Fox       #12 Texas at Rice, CBSSN       San Diego State at New Mexico State, Flo       Missouri State at Tulane, ESPN+ 10:15     Portland State at #22 Boise State, ESPN2 10:30 Texas Tech at Arizona, ESPN     10:45   Montana at #15 Oregon, Pac-12   WHEW BOY. Ohio State-Indiana edges out the BIG NOON crowd because of the Hoosiers' eternal knack for putting a halftime scare into a title contender, then withering away, though the Pitt superweapon is sufficiently charged with losses and could obliterate a top-15 rival's planet at any time. The middle group is obvious. EL ASSICO is somehow the hands-down biggest game of the week. What a disgusting miracle. The prime time spot is the real puzzle. Casual fans who hadn't already looked ahead at the night schedule will be mystified to tune in and discover four-touchdown underdog Syracuse in the most prominent game, unless Cuse can once again luck into its most proven anti-Clemson maneuver: getting to face a backup quarterback. Let's be honest about what most of us will turn to as soon as Clemson breaks 14 points: FSU probably struggling as Virginia continues to sneak toward the Orange Bowl. Gary Patterson vs. Jeff Brohm should also be a hoot for chalkboard nerds. The late shift peters out without dragging anything until 5 a.m. ET this time. Texas Tech-Arizona will likely pack nothing but sugar, making for a nice, hard crash. It'll be fun, I swear! And getting all this stuff outta the way just makes the following weekends a lot bigger! Let's hear it for Week 3!!!

 

[UNT defies national trend, grows by more than 3% while doubling down on commitment to graduate more students faster with degrees that work]

Within the last hour, Smatresk had Mason Fine on stage towards the end of his State of the University address to speak of #6's storied time at UNT and then help launch bundled t-shirts across the crowd in Winspear Hall.

[Offensive Review by Cal]

Damn. A once-in-a-lifetime experience where reading the comments on an article was not cancer-inducing.

[SFO Runway Construction]

41 minutes ago, jtm0097 said:

It seems like flights from DFW to SFO are being delayed by 3 hours right now.  So do not be discouraged if your flights are delayed.

Tracking on FlightAware all week. AA139 is averaging 3 hour delays from DFW>SFO, the return that we were doing on Sunday AA1198 was out and out canceled on its run yesterday.

Not looking good.

[Us World News College Ranking]

While institutions of higher ed will still trumpet positive rankings from USNWR, it’s always been recognized as a joke.

["Official" (?) Cal Travel/Event Plans Thread]

[Some insights on Cal]

7 minutes ago, meangreenlax said:

Sorry, most of us aren't like that... UNT/Denton is a pretty progressive place considering it's surroundings.

Blueberry in the tomato soup.

[DRC: Littrell, players emphasize regrouping after loss to SMU]

Quote

Fine also said that new offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder acknowledged his role in Bussey being shut out and Fine finishing with 152 passing yards, his lowest total in a game he hasn't been knocked out of since his freshman season.

"Coach Reeder will tell you himself that he has to do a better job of getting Rico the ball," Fine said. "That is not coming from me. That is coming from him on Sunday. He is going to do a better job of getting the ball into our playmakers' hands. We are all going to look in the mirror."

DOUBLE Y E S .

[DRC: Littrell, players emphasize regrouping after loss to SMU]

Quote

SMU quarterback Shane Buechele racked up 292 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-31 passing. UNT was also flagged for three pass interference penalties and a hold in the secondary.

"We will see about lineup changes," Littrell said. "We have to put our guys in situations to be successful. We know who our team is and are going to have to adjust. Maybe some of your personnel changes.

"When it comes down to it, I am the one who has to be held accountable to make sure they are in the right position and then it goes to our coordinators and coaches. Then our players have to look in the mirror and hold themselves accountable."

Y E S .

[SFO Runway Construction]

3 hours ago, jtm0097 said:

No problem. I called American earlier and they were not helpful. However, my flight is not until Friday morning.

On that same flight...