Former Washington State offensive coordinator Eric Morris takes over as the new North Texas head coach. Can we expect a more pass-heavy approach from the Mean Green?
Aug 31, 2023·edited Aug 31, 2023Liked by Rob Hwang, Christopher Helling
Thank you, once again, Chris, for your laser clear analysis. You seem to be able to make sense out of many of the nuances that would be, otherwise, lost on me. And thank you for that shimmer of optimism about our defense; a much needed booster in dark times.
BTW- does "Mean Green" refer to the artificial turf? Asking for a friend.
Truly, this year and next are either the true beginning or the end of the WIlcox era.
I lived for a couple years in nearby Allen, TX (my grandmother was born Virginia Vermel Allen...). NO. Mean Green originated in the '60's when THE Mean Joe Greene played there. It is debatable exactly how the team name started and may not have been for him... He was primarily a Shot Putter on the track team! Check it out at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Texas_Mean_Green
Welp, some folks mention that in addition to the ambient heat and humidity, the artificial turf will raise the temps for the field by an extra 10-20 degrees. You jarred my memory about the Mean Joe Green connection.
My grandmother was raised in Amarillo, Texas; I appreciate your story.
This may sound crazy, but I'd give everyone a bottle or two of Pedialyte the night before the game to help with cramping; if you wait until game day it may be too late......
We are going to have to do to them what they likely are going to do to us.
The first thing we're going to have to do is take away the quarterback's legs. Make this QB beat us through the air. This will be difficult because if they sre in four and five Wide receiver sets,.the defense will be spread out.
It's actually very simple. The defensive front must maintain. gap control. The line backers must force him to the middle of the field and not let him run down the sidelines. The free safety must also spy him if he is not in coverages. Make him a passing QB.
Pretty impressive skill players. I suppose it will come down to who executes better in an up tempo offense. As mentioned above Wilcox D's have done pretty well against Air Raid offenses.
The caveat might be which defense gets gassed in the second half. Go Bears!
Why we agreed to go to this small bit dangerous school in the Texas summer heat is beyond me, and during the day! Nothing really to gain if we win and a loss could send us into a death spiral.
Let’s just be like Alabama and schedule cupcakes at home (with a lesser payout that an Alabama would give, of course).
At least we wouldn’t lose a game due to the weather.
This has been griped about in the comments of every article that mentions this game. We were in a pinch and needed an opponent to fill our '19 season. UNT agreed but used our situation as leverage to get us to agree to a home-and-home. It's not a big deal, let's just curb-stomp them and go home. If this is another one-score game we're in for another season of anxiety and disappointment.
We need to dominate in this game and in every game this year, that is our best marketing strategy for future conference alignment. And while I'm at it, all freshmen get free tickets to Cal home games...drop mic.
Now onto the game itself. This Earle needs to be demoted to peasant by the end of the 1st quarter. Unfortunately, for Cal, this is the type of QB that causes Cal fits. That said, I feel we have the talent and depth in the front seven to provide this Earle with the proper flogging.
The moment I see this in the draft editor is the moment I knew we are REALLY back to football.
Thank you, once again, Chris, for your laser clear analysis. You seem to be able to make sense out of many of the nuances that would be, otherwise, lost on me. And thank you for that shimmer of optimism about our defense; a much needed booster in dark times.
BTW- does "Mean Green" refer to the artificial turf? Asking for a friend.
Truly, this year and next are either the true beginning or the end of the WIlcox era.
I lived for a couple years in nearby Allen, TX (my grandmother was born Virginia Vermel Allen...). NO. Mean Green originated in the '60's when THE Mean Joe Greene played there. It is debatable exactly how the team name started and may not have been for him... He was primarily a Shot Putter on the track team! Check it out at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Texas_Mean_Green
Welp, some folks mention that in addition to the ambient heat and humidity, the artificial turf will raise the temps for the field by an extra 10-20 degrees. You jarred my memory about the Mean Joe Green connection.
My grandmother was raised in Amarillo, Texas; I appreciate your story.
Thank you for your ever comprehensive analysis...I always look forward to these!
Thanks for the analysis, I really like these, and it's great to read about football instead of conference politics.
One note, the score in 2019 was 23-17, not 33-17.
That was a typo, thanks for the catch. Bowlesman too.
well it would have been 33 if we hadn't turtled the offense
This may sound crazy, but I'd give everyone a bottle or two of Pedialyte the night before the game to help with cramping; if you wait until game day it may be too late......
They should be doing that tonight, or yesterday. Get the body extra hydrated and loaded up days in advance lol
I’m just guessing that has been ongoing since the Davis practices, but the track record of our S&C might suggest otherwise.
We are going to have to do to them what they likely are going to do to us.
The first thing we're going to have to do is take away the quarterback's legs. Make this QB beat us through the air. This will be difficult because if they sre in four and five Wide receiver sets,.the defense will be spread out.
It's actually very simple. The defensive front must maintain. gap control. The line backers must force him to the middle of the field and not let him run down the sidelines. The free safety must also spy him if he is not in coverages. Make him a passing QB.
Pretty impressive skill players. I suppose it will come down to who executes better in an up tempo offense. As mentioned above Wilcox D's have done pretty well against Air Raid offenses.
The caveat might be which defense gets gassed in the second half. Go Bears!
Why we agreed to go to this small bit dangerous school in the Texas summer heat is beyond me, and during the day! Nothing really to gain if we win and a loss could send us into a death spiral.
Let’s just be like Alabama and schedule cupcakes at home (with a lesser payout that an Alabama would give, of course).
At least we wouldn’t lose a game due to the weather.
This has been griped about in the comments of every article that mentions this game. We were in a pinch and needed an opponent to fill our '19 season. UNT agreed but used our situation as leverage to get us to agree to a home-and-home. It's not a big deal, let's just curb-stomp them and go home. If this is another one-score game we're in for another season of anxiety and disappointment.
We've played UC Davis or Presbyterian at home. Those games were boring.
Sorry, was thinking of the Alabama before they scheduled Texas - good for you.
Just replace “Alabama” with “Michigan” in the above section.
Great to have Chris back this fall, given this may be the last year we share Cal football together.
Go Bears!!
We need to dominate in this game and in every game this year, that is our best marketing strategy for future conference alignment. And while I'm at it, all freshmen get free tickets to Cal home games...drop mic.
Now onto the game itself. This Earle needs to be demoted to peasant by the end of the 1st quarter. Unfortunately, for Cal, this is the type of QB that causes Cal fits. That said, I feel we have the talent and depth in the front seven to provide this Earle with the proper flogging.
As far as our offense, no idea...
"Just win, Baby."
Based on these highlights, I expect the Bears to lose 104-0.
Half time. UCDavis 31 at Texas A&M Commerce, Tx. 3.
Sac State 31at Nichols State 10, 4th qtr. Thibodaux LA
Idaho 28 at Lamar 0 half time. Beaumont, Tx.
So, if CAL's o-line can open some holes for Ott on Saturday, how many times is he going to the house? ;-)
Now I'm encouraged.
GO!
BEARS!
Any word on our new Nike uniforms?
Remember when we almost recruited Chandler Rogers to be our QB?
Ouch.
https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/2023-pac-12-picks-wk1
FWIW, they picked North Texas to beat the spread, not (necessarily) win the game.
I was legitimately angry when I read this. Jeff is so over Cal, lol
Let’s hope he’s shocked with the rest of us
Saw that. The jury is still out on the QB position, until we see actual game play.