DENTON -- Jeffery Wilson learned quickly when he arrived at North Texas about the how highly the school's athletic department in general, and particularly its football program, values academics.
"The coaches tell us that if you don't get the grades, there is no way you can come out here and perform on Saturday," UNT's star running back said. "They have us go to study hall and extra tutoring. They make us sit in front of the class and talk to our professors. It shows that academics are important."
That approach could pay dividends in a few weeks when teams with the best scores on the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate report get first priority for bowl berths among teams that finish 5-7.