8th US History teacher | Cheer coach | M. Ed. in Educational Policy, Org & Leadership | DEI specialization | Packers Shareholder. (opinions are my own)
If last year you ever wondered to yourself:
“I wonder how this exact North Texas team would stack up in the Big 12.”
Well, you’re about to find out.
Morris bringing the whole squad with him.
“Those Group of 5 teams suck and it’s a safety issue for them to take the field with the big boys”… until the transfer portal opens.
If North Texas brought back most of their team from this year, like how it used to be, they would’ve been major CFP contenders in 2026.
And not just through the autobid, but potentially as an at-large bid. They probably could’ve been similar to the Boise State teams back in the day (and even last year) that were ranked inside the Top 10 multiple seasons in a row.
It would’ve been awesome to see all these guys back next year when North Texas opens the season at Indiana, where they would’ve had the opportunity to earn a major résumé win, but the portal ripped them apart.
Jokes aside, I’m really grateful that the players all stuck it out and finished the season out together with a bowl win. Some of these guys risked significant money to support our university and give this win to our fanbase. I hope UNT means as much to you as it does to me.
No disrespect to Tulane, but I wish we would’ve seen this North Texas offense in the CFP. It would’ve been fun to see Mestemaker & Hawkins go up against the Ole Miss defense
As much as I hate to see G5 teams lose their talent to the P4 every season you can’t help but be happy for Drew Mestemaker.
0 star recruit in HS that played defense, walked on at UNT, balled out in last season bowl, wins QB1 job in mid August against Reese Poffenbarger (a battle many thought Poffenbarger would win, including myself)
Then proceeds to break the UNT single season passing TD record & passing yards record.
Leads NCAA this season in passing yards & passing TDs.
Leads UNT to first bowl win since 2014 and first AAC title game appearance.
No doubt left Denton better than he found it. 0 star recruit to one of the top QBs in the portal. Unreal story.
@DrewMestemaker Thank you!! You will always be a well loved and historic member of the Mean Green Family. Go continue to show the world just what the underdogs can really do! Even as a Mean Green Alum, I will be cheering you on wherever you go!
As the transfer announcements come rolling in, I am still so grateful for this team. The season they gave us & their dedication all the way through the bowl game are something really special. Thank you ALL of Team 110. Forever part of the Mean Green Family 💚🖤🦅 #GMG
Man I love North Texas. Glad we stayed in the AP Poll & CFP ranking & will be awesome to see a ranking number by our name in a bowl game. It’s been a dream season & hoping for one more dub. But some stuff about Friday (injuries, officiating etc) will gnaw at me for a while. #GMG
If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the season that we would be ranked in the AP, Coaches, and CFP polls and played for the conference championship, I’d take it all day long!!!!
@MeanGreenFB#GMG
"We still have a bowl game to play. We need to find a way to go win that game"
-- UNT coach Eric Morris
The Mean Green had a ton on the line in their game at Tulane in the American Conference title game, a championship, a CFP berth
It all slipped away
https://t.co/VvjmiGchnF