Side.Show.Joe

I thought about that too. The PAC is one of the Autonomous 5, and I don't think the others can or would revoke that distinction. The P5 label will fade as we begin the era of the 12-team playoff, where the top 6 conference champs earn auto-bids.

First the ACC Network is not the best. I expected a little more than one angle from behind the plate. Having said that. this years edition of Mean Green Softball looks as strong as the team that played Oklahoma State in the Stillwater Regionals last season. And, there were no seniors starting today. DeLong has really built us a program.

This was a great win, especially considering they played a double-overtime game against UAB on Thursday.

I agree. But I don't think SMU (and whatever combination of MWC schools) actually get invitations until after the Big12 has made their move. With no combination that can save their desire for a true P5 media deal, what's left of the PAC will probably not want to over-expand, but instead keep the number to 9 or 10 in an attempt to maintain as much of their quality as possible. So, the two MWC options I named could both be on the table for the AAC.

I'm concerned about our game with Charlotte tomorrow. I'm worried the 2 overtimes may have left our guys in need of more rest than they will get. Charlotte is a fairly good team. If we are playing on shaky legs, it could be a trap game. Hope the bench is ready to contribute some meaningful minutes if needed.

SMU isn't a big fish, but the loss will require the AAC to add another member or risk having their media deal restructured to a lower amount. No way ESPN just will let the money stay the same. Army should be target #1. They are a national brand and add a New York market. That has value and would probably increase the AAC's current media deal. Air Force would be target #2. They're also a national brand, but without a bigtime market. And still more valuable than SMU. The MWC is in a weakened position with the imminent departure of SDSU. Their media deal will be taking a haircut too, unless they can find a replacement CBS Sports finds acceptable. But they have zero good replacement options. Target #3 is probably Boise State. They have a special deal with the MWC, and wouldn't get any special treatment from the AAC. But with the MWC's quality diminishing, they could view the AAC as the last life raft off the SS MWC. Of course it is also possible that all three seek invitations to the AAC and conference balloons to 18 programs. ESPN would certainly bump up the payout for that, and the AAC would certainly solidify their position as the top G5 conference.

The girls looked good today. Anyone know the status of Savage?

UNT was a 2.5 point favorite in this game, and won by 3.... but it took 2 overtimes. It was a great game and I have no idea how the overtimes effected the NET rankings. I'm just glad we squeaked out the win. Like others have noted. UNT has to win the C-USA tournament title to get an invitation to the Big Dance.

This could be a blessing in disguise. At some point in the not too distant future, the AAC will be replacing teams after the SEC and B1G poach Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, and Notre Dame's football (think about the B1G's USC invitation). SMU will probably be locked into the PAC. When the ACC makes their move into Texas, I can't see them wanting to pass on adding the DFW market. We just need to double our efforts to build our programs.

I'm not talking about rugby style. I'm talking about traditional style but with 1 step. This the best technique.

And every uniform combination they wear looks like crap. 😬

When Atterberry first got on the field he was a 3-step punter and got his kicks blocked. I guess we will wait until this kid gets his chance and find out which of us is right. But my guess would be that the coaches fix it before he sees the field in a real game.

Nope. Overload one side of the line and it's blocked. Won't matter how good those linemen are. No modern college program has a 3-step punter.

I think Wren kept Mosley very involved in the strategic plan for UNT, and his plans for transitioning to the AAC. I think Mosley knew the short list for replacing Seth (I'm sure they've had the list at least since last season). The Morris hire looks very much like the McCasland hire and De Long hire. Mosley was the smart hire for continuing our growth as we transition to the AAC. He was the hire I expected Smatresk to make.

He can't be a punter for UNT with that 3-step punt technique. Coach is going to have to fix that, or he will get a lot of those blocked.

This feels like Christmas!

I think I counted 4 or 5 Pick-6's in that highlight reel. Most kids can't pull 4 or 5 Pick-6's in their entire playing career, let alone 1 season. What an incredible addition.

What a great way to finish our signing class. I could see Anderson growing into a KD Davis type playmaker at LB for our new defense. With his speed and athleticism, he could be an absolute monster.

And today UNT moved up exactly 1 spot in the NET to #63.

I need to learn more about these recruits, but on the surface it is very encouraging that we are landing guys this late in the process that programs like Boise and UTSA were after. I can't wait to see what Morris and his staff can recruit when he actually has an entire year to work with.

^This. So much this. Aesthetics, as they apply to football uniforms, just don't get any better than these throwbacks. They are both unique and appealing. This is the look UNT needs to present as we play conference games on the ESPN channels against other AAC teams. That along with winning will grow UNT a stronger national brand.

I think the final spread was 8.5. I believe this 10-point win will allow UNT to climb up the NET a little.

I agree. I'm glad we only fell a few spots. UNT hosts UTEP tomorrow and we are currently favored by 8.

As to the topic... Joe isn't as spry as he once was. Plus, I wouldn't want to see his image cheapened by parading him around all the time like Santa Anna's wooden leg. If the athletic department wanted to involve Joe in marketing UNT football, it should be in a way that honors his legacy and stature. He should not be presented like some used car salesman trying to sell our football program. I think an appropriate course might be to inquire about him recording a series of audio narratives for UNT football. These could be merged with relevant video and highlights for the development of promotional commercials. If we had a professional marketing firm develop this series of 30 second dialogs promoting the Mean Green, we could market a commercial for a year or so, and be able to continue this marketing campaign with other Joe Greene promotionals for 10 to 20 years. I think something along those lines could be impactful.

It's better than being in the hole.