UNT vs LSU

You couldn't tell by the score, but North Texas played well Saturday night. Our offense moved the ball fairly well considering the circumstances, and our defense played smart. (We even recorded an interception!) So how did we get whacked? Well that's easy: They were too talented. Those guys were just bigger, stronger and faster. But we already knew they would be, right? Yes. But although we can't magically give our d-backs sub 4.2 speed or our qb's and rb's Olympic level athleticism, we can start to get out of our own way. Being disadvantaged talent-wise, it does us no favors to give the ball to the other guys without so much as a fight. Giving up blown-coverage scores to a team that has guys that can take three-yard dump-offs for 50 yard tds isn't exactly the best strategy.

So is there such a thing as a good 41-3 loss? Yes. Saturday was one example. UNT played well. They had guys in the right position to either score or defend. That is half the battle. Those hours of practice? That is what they are for. Sometimes, though, as with LSU, that doesn't matter much. For example: I could be in perfect defensive position against Kobe Bryant, and wouldn't be able to do more than watch as he leaped over me and posterized me. Strategy can only take you so far.

So, be that as it may, moral victories are worth their weight in gold, which is to say: not much. This is especially true in this football-savvy region of Texas, itself a proud connoisseur of pigskin. UNT has two other FBS schools to compete with when it comes to the hearts, minds and talent of the Metroplex. And lets not forget virtually the entire Big 12-South (which should be called the Big12-Texas, given the number of teams -4 of 6- and recruits -like, all- that hail from the Lone Star State). Lastly, but certainly not least-ly, we have the Dallas Cowboys. So with three legit National Title contenders and one Super Bowl favorite nearby, its not surprising that moral victories by schools that don't win much to begin with dont make too much noise around these parts. So what should we do with NT's performence Saturday night in the bayou? We take it for what it is: a sign of improvement. Let's hope we get another this next game.