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I posted five quick (and I do mean quick) thoughts before running down to the field following UNT’s 43-6 win over SMU today at Fouts Field. Now that I’ve filed my stories for both papers, I’m back with some more detailed thoughts and notes. Quite honestly, I pretty shocked with the way it went. I picked UNT to win, but I thought it was a game that could go either way and would be decided in the last couple of minutes. I never thought that UNT would blow out SMU like that. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/09/follow-up-notes-quotes-thoughts.html/

http://www.kntu.com/2014/09/06/6496/

DENTON — North Texas celebrated the renewal of its series with SMU by delivering a humiliating loss to the cross-town rival. The Mean Green dominated SMU in every phase of a 43-6 victory before 22,398 at Apogee Stadium. While North Texas showed dramatic improvement from its opening loss to Texas, the Mustangs looked as mystified by the game of football as they did in week one’s 45-0 loss to Baylor. If not for Kolney Cassel’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Nate Halverson on the final play, SMU would be lamenting consecutive shutouts. Still, the thorough defeat left the Mustangs with their first 0-2 start since 2006. That year they opened with losses to Texas Tech and North Texas, the last time they played in Denton. “All losses are tough, but this was very frustrating,” SMU coach June Jones said. “But you’ve got to take ownership. Coaches have got to do better, I’ve got to do better, and somehow we’ve got to find a way. It’s not going to go away. We’ve got to keep fighting.” read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20140906-smu-s-deer-in-headlights-look-in-loss-to-north-texas-has-coach-frustrated-a.d.-not-talking.ece?hootPostID=1f4389657fab33f7e15eb2e11a501cf2

SMU opened with a 45-0 loss to Baylor. North Texas rolled out a 38-7 loss to Texas. Given that the neighboring schools combined for only 161 yards, maybe Saturdays game is better suited for a Safeway parking lot, a site former UNT coach Matt Simon once suggested. Twenty years after Simon tried to rekindle the rivalry with his anytime, anywhere challenge, the Safeway series resumes at 11 a.m. Saturday at Apogee Stadium in Denton. Attention shoppers: SMU leads the series, 28-4-1. The teams are playing for the first time since 2007 and for only the third time in Denton. This marks the first of a 10-game scheduling agreement announced last year. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20140905-unt-eager-for-football-rivalry-with-smu-but-something-s-missing---more-wins-vs.-mustangs.ece

"Tomorrow’s game against SMU will be the first home game with beer sales for the Mean Green, and fans are already preparing for incredible feats of intoxicated hooliganism."

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We are lucky today to welcome in Adam Grosbard of Pony Pride to talk about Saturday’s UNT-SMU game. One can check out Adam’s coverage of SMU at his website. Here’s what he had to say about tomorrow’s game: What does SMU’s quarterback situation look like heading into this weekend’s game? There is as little clarity surrounding SMU’s quarterback situation going into this game as there was last week. Neal Burcham will still start but June Jones has already said that Matt Davis will get chances as well. Jones’s general pattern last week was switching the quarterbacks every two series but occasionally switched in the middle of series. While neither Burcham nor Davis said the handling of the situation is affecting their confidence, but I find it hard to believe that it is not taking its toll. Neither quarterback looked great out there against Baylor but a lot of that had to do with the performance of SMU’s offensive line. It seemed like as soon as an SMU quarterback received the snap he was faced with two-to-three Baylor pass rushers. If the offensive line cannot do a better job against UNT then there will be no improvement in SMU’s offense this week. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/09/qa-with-adam-grosbard-of-pony-pride.html/

I know it is an early game, but I am interested as to what everyone is planning tailgating wise? Also how many will be taking the train?

"We know UNT likes to run the ball so what we've been doing in practicing today is getting off blocks and reading our keys and making plays when it comes to run," Yenga said. "Coach (Tom) Mason is telling us to play physical, practice physical. We can't let them beat us off the ball." Last week Stephon Sanders told PonyPride that he thought this year's SMU linebackers were the deepest he had seen while on the Hilltop. Yenga agreed with that sentiment. Read more: https://smu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1677081

2. Greer connection- SMU has had trouble landing quarterbacks from its own backyard. But did you know Greer was almost a Mustang? Here is what he had to say about SMU during the recruiting process: “SMU is a great school, and they run the exact same offense we run at Arlington. I’d fit in well at SMU. Coach (June) Jones and Coach (Dan) Morrison have a great resume when it comes to teaching quarterbacks. SMU has an up and coming program.” After landing Neal Burcham, SMU decided not to offer Greer. 5. Rivalry- SMU’s big rival is obviously TCU. But North Texas apparently considers SMU its biggest rival. In case you missed it, you should really check out George Dunham’s epic rant on the subject. But the fact of the matter is SMU has dominated the all-time series, 28-4-1. To be considered a rivalry game, both sides must be competitive. The “Safeway Bowl” has been anything but. EJ Holland is the Associate Editor at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. You can follow him on Twitter @EJSports4.

Over the course of his college career, North Texas tackle Antonio Johnson has faced a host of elite teams and defensive linemen. Johnson not to mention fellow seniors Cyril Lemon and Mason YBarbo have taken on LSU, Georgia and Kansas State, to name a few, and held their own most of the time. That is what made the way UNTs game against Texas on Saturday unfolded so hard for the Mean Green to swallow. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/sports-headlines/20140902-unt-offensive-linemen-aim-for-better-performance.ece

On the quarterbacks’ performance: “It was difficult for the quarterbacks. We didn’t have time to even take three steps and get a read. That’s tough to evaluate. I would think two quarterbacks will play (on Saturday vs. North Texas). On the importance of a good start against UNT: “It’s just important to finish the game and win, that’s what’s important.” Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/smus-june-jones-on-the-brazos-blowout-fog-of-war-and-using-2-qbs-vs-unt.html/

The UNT game is not the barometer; this program stinks by B1GPonyFan » Tue Sep 02, 2014 10:05 am If the fate of a regime in its 7th year is determining that the North Texas game (I really don't care what kind of team UNT has -- those clowns can all play guitars with Edie "I'm punching you out Paul Simon" Brickel for all I care) will decide how this season is going to go.... ...then you need to ask yourselves -- and more importantly the program and athletic department has to ask itself -- why SMU needs to look at this game in this capacity. In theory, the Baylor game should have been a means to determine where SMU was in the grand scheme of college football. That's not the trajectory of where you should be in year 7. If they lose in Denton, I'd do what Pat Haden did to Lane Kiffin after USC lost at Arizona State or what Texas did to DC Manny Diaz after the BYU debacle. If they lose to UNT, I would fire June and tell him we'll deal with your settlement later -- or in court. Hell, they could fire him for breech of contract for causing...what's the lawyer term...pain and emotional distress....and just move on. I've never been so embarrassed in all my life than watching that uncompetitive bullsh!t on Sunday. WTF was that? BTW, I don't want Mex to come on this thread and bash the AD or RGT. For once, keep the focus on what the coaching staff is doing -- or is not doing. Read more: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73693&sid=7cd1a39916852589cafee6451adc6e98

Re: SMU UNT Prediction Thread by SMU 86 » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:13 pm As bad as SMU played UNT played worse. I just don't see SMU losing to UNT. "We will play man to man and we will pick you up at the airport." - Larry Brown http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73653&sid=76b5e98914ae9db8de10edcfc8325298

Re: Mean Green by Rebel10 » Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:30 pm East Coast Mustang wrote:I cant see the game b/c I have DirecTV...how bad does UNT look? Their offense looks real bad. read more: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73602&sid=c93eba4644cb2140104cd1833b911a54

http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4899bc708d1c7e4829ec3ac2f&id=2efe721b48

SMU is out to prove that last year was simply a bump in the road and not a sign of things to come. In 2013, the Mustangs stumbled out of the gates, finished with a 5-7 record and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2008, when June Jones finished 1-11 in his first year with the program. SMU still has plenty of question marks including who will be the starting quarterback in the opener at Baylor, but Jones, who is 36-41 in six years on the Hilltop is optimistic about his team, which has some young talent and five starters returning on both sides of the ball. read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20140821-college-football-preview-smu-football-tries-to-get-back-on-track.ece

North Texas vs SMU (Sept. 6, noon EST) While the North Texas season opener in Austin provides a bit more intrigue for the casual fan (Charlie Strong's first game in Austin, Labor Day weekend, freshmen girls on 6th street) this regional rivalry has far greater implications for the Mean Green. Unlike Texas, SMU is a direct recruiting rival for UNT, and a loss to the Mustangs might stifle some offseason momentum built by Dan McCarney and the coaching staff. This game also kicks off a ten-year series between the schools. Read more: http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/8/20/6045737/seven-must-watch-out-of-conference-games-in-conference-usa

UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU finally has depth on defense, having stocked the program with faster and more athletic prospects. The Mustangs can only hope their young players develop as quickly as they run. Deadline for realizing potential is Aug. 31, when SMU opens against reigning Big 12 champion Baylor. The Mustangs, prone to injuries and big plays last year, are confident their numbers equal strength. “All in all, the young guys have done a good job of coming together, hustling and playing hard,” coach June Jones said. “But they are going to have to grow up in a hurry.” With SMU’s offense in transition from the departure of quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the need for help from the defense is dire. Sophomore quarterback Neal Burcham may develop into a top-ranked passer. But it’s a tad unrealistic to think he’s going to win a shootout over one of the nation’s most prolific offenses. Or against their other nonconference opponents, North Texas, Texas A&M and TCU. The Mustangs ranked 114th nationally in pass defense (271.8 ypg) and 100th in points allowed (33.3) last season. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/smu-mustangs/20140817-smu-football-preview-mustangs-finally-have-defensive-depth-but-youth-means-ponies-need-to-grow-up-quick.ece

Five things to watch with SMU this season: BOUNCING BACK: June Jones has never had consecutive losing seasons as a head coach, and bounced back nicely from each of the three sub-.500 records in his 15 years. After a 1-11 debut at SMU in 2008, the Mustangs were 8-5 in 2009. He had six-win improvements after his losing seasons at Hawaii - from 3-9 in 2000 to 9-3, and then from 5-7 in 2005 to 11-3. CLOSE, BUT ... : SMU had 50 drives inside the 20 last season, and scored touchdowns on only 27 of them. Add in 12 field goals and the Mustangs ranked 97th out of 123 FBS teams last year in red-zone scoring at 78 percent. They lost three games by four points or less. LONE STAR REUNIONS: All four of SMU's nonconference games are against Texas teams, three of them old Southwest Conference rivals. The Mustangs open Aug. 31 at Big 12 champion Baylor's new campus stadium, then go to North Texas on Sept. 6. After an off week, they have home games against Texas A&M and TCU before the American Athletic Conference opener Oct. 4 at East Carolina. Read more: http://campusinsiders.com/news/smu-ready-to-throw-again-after-losing-season

3. Non-conference slate- SMU has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. With the season right around the corner, you can bet this will be a hot topic at media days. SMU opens the year at Baylor in brand new McLane Stadium, hosts TCU and Texas A&M and hits the road for what should be a dandy of a game against North Texas, which is coming off a sensational 2013 season. The Mustangs could easily be 0-4 heading into conference play, making a bowl game appearance nearly impossible. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/three-smu-media-day-storylines-to-follow-what-will-june-jones-say-next-qb-controversy-brewing.html/

Up until this year, we had lesser recruited players graduating and higher recruited players replacing them. This is the first year that isn't necessarily the case. QB - Replace GG with either Burcham or Davis. Either way, with the loss of the experience of Gilbert this is probably a downgrade, especially at the start of the season. RB - Pope, Line, Grecham, and Nlemchi is a pretty solid group. Should see improved performance, especially with how well Pope ran towards the end of the year. WR: My guess would be Thompson, Gaines on the outside and Joseph and Lancaster on the inside. We saw significant improvements from Holman and JJ in their senior year, and we could see that from DT and DJ this season. Gaines and Lancaster may have more upside than the players they replace, but historically young receivers don't consistently perform well in this offense, so you would have to consider this a downgrade. OL: Briggs, Myers, Lasecki, McCarty, Weeks. Briggs, Lasecki and Weeks should improve with more experience, the latter two significantly. LG will suffer compared to last year with inexperience, and McCarty's skill should be a break even with the experience of Hughes. As a whole we should see a better OL as well as better depth as the talented youth get a bit older. DL: The starters, Wood, Wright, and Barnes all return and should be better with experience. The backups, Minor, Nabushosi and Hollie should be much better with experience. Noth of the ends will push for starting spots and if they are good enough might push Barnes out to OLB, especially on passing downs to create a virtual 4 man front. This unit should be significantly better than last year, even though there are no changes in personnel. LB: Sanders, Nqosu, Tuiasosopo, Yenga. Yenga moves inside if the JUCO or Horton aren't ready and Seals shows everyone that he can play to his potential after a horrible last year. Ngosu was very good at Rice and probably an even swap for Rambo. Sanders played through an ankle injury and really bad turf toe last year, he should be significantly better. As for the other spots, Yenga ended the season as a starter and was solid. If Seals shows up and Yenga moves inside, the unit could actually be significantly better than last year with improvements at both OLB and the Pope spot. If Seals doesn't show up, Yenga isn't in his best position and the Pope replacement is a downgrade. The depth is rail thin after transfers and movement within the team. I would consider this group upgraded significantly if Seals shows up. If he doesn't, then the group is a downgrade or even to a group that underperformed last year. CB: Ho Richardson, JR Richardson, Montes. Time for the kids to step up and start playing. Lots of potential here and lots of depth. The young players behind the starters also looked really good in the spring. Ho Richardson and JR looked like they took a major step forward. Going into the Fall though, you would have to consider JR a step down from Acker and HR a step down from Parks since he couldn't pass him last year. Montes was a very solid nickel corner last year and should improve. Overall you have to consider the unit a downgrade but there is a lot of potential here. S: Four players in the mix: Greenbauer, Randolph, Justice, and Richardson. Randolph and Richardson have shown flashes and really looked good in the spring. Justice took a massive step forward in the spring. Getting Greenbauer back really helps out and should see the unit as a whole take a step forward from the way they played last season. K: Probably worse after the graduation of Hover. P: Could it get worse? Overall I think improvements at RB, OL, DL, and S can be expected. I think we can expect worse performance at QB, WR, CB, and LB. That is why I have us beating UNT, Memphis, Tulsa, USF, and UCONN to finish 5-7. That said, IF Seals plays to his potential the LB could be improved. IF the corners continue to look good, we could see a much better secondary and a pretty good defense. But the real key is at QB. If the QB is able to make the offense move consistently and the defense is solid, TCU, ECU, Cincy, UCF, and Houston are all winnable games and it could be a very good season. Of course, if the young corners get roasted against Baylor and lose confidence, we have any injuries at LB, and QB doesn't pan out, this could be an awful season. So I will keep things at 5-7 unless I see something really special in Fall practice. Read more: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73168&sid=a6e5e265589c9996a6196bc47e3e7d61

9/6 – at North Texas: WIN North Texas took a significant step forward under Dan McCarney with nine wins in 2013, but lose a ton of experience and production. The Mean Green won’t be a pushover, but SMU should be able to come away with the win. Read more: http://www.faniq.com/blog/SMU-Football-GameByGame-Predictions-for-the-Mustangs-2014-Season-Blog-76907