2013-14 Football Previews – (C-USA) – Mean Green
North Texas will make the jump from the Sun Belt up to Conference USA this year. A couple years ago this team was one of the worst in the nation, but Dan McCarney is doing a nice job putting the pieces of the puzzle back together slowly. Can North Texas continue to grow in a more difficult conference in 2013?
Conference USA 2013 College Football Previews: North Texas Mean Green (Team Link)
Head Coach: Dan McCarney
2012 Record: 4-8
North Texas Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: +2,000 (Part of Field)
North Texas Gambling Odds to win Conference USA West Division: +1,500
North Texas Gambling Odds to win Conference USA: +2,000
Since 2005, North Texas has run off eight straight losing seasons. The Mean Green have gotten better in the last two years, but they can’t seem to get over the hump. Eight starters return on each side of the ball, which gives North Texas a much more veteran team this season.
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s College Picks in 2013!
Let’s take a look at the Mean Green.
Team Strengths:
Zach Orr and Derek Akunne lead a very good group of linebackers for the Mean Green. North Texas has both veteran leaders and very talented players in this group. The majority of the conference is weak when it comes to linebackers, but this is a major area of strength for North Texas. Orr had 108 tackles last year, and he’ll probably top that this season. Akunne is a vocal leader who is part of the heart and soul of this team.
The secondary gave up fewer touchdowns than any other team in the Sun Belt last year, and they should be even better this season. Zach Whitfield is turning into one of the best young corners in the country. The safeties are very solid, and this team will be tough to throw against.
Coach McCarney likes to run the football, and North Texas will have its top two rushers from last season back in 2013. Brandin Byrd is the senior who will be the starter and get most of the carries, but keep an eye on up and coming sophomore Antoinne Jimmerson who is going to be a very special player before his eligibility is gone. The Mean Green should be able to run the ball against most teams in this conference. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
North Texas has gotten questionable quarterback play for several years in a row. Derek Thompson will get pushed for playing time by Brock Berglund, but I’m not sure either of those guys are the answer. The Mean Green have the potential to be a very good offense if they could find some semblance of a passing game, but since they can’t their opponent just loads up the box to try to stop the running game.
While the secondary has lots of talent, North Texas is short on talent on the defensive front. The Mean Green have struggled in a big way against teams with a strong offensive line, and I expect to see the same again this year. There are no run stuffers in the middle of the defensive line. Look for opponents to take advantage of this weakness.
2013-2014 North Texas Football Prediction: 6-6
I respect McCarney as a coach and I think he’ll help this team improve as the years go by. This year’s team should certainly be better than last, and they get a favorable Conference USA schedule in their first year in the league. The Mean Green have much more talent on defense than most teams in the conference, but the quarterback position will likely hold them back. Look for a record near .500.
2013 Mean Green Schedule
8/31/13 7:00 PM ET IDAHO
9/7/13 7:00 PM ET @OHIO
9/14/13 4:00 PM ET BALST
9/21/13 TBD @GEO
10/5/13 3:30 PM ET @TULNE
10/12/13 TBD MTENN
10/19/13 4:00 PM ET @LTECH
10/26/13 7:00 PM ET @SOMIS
10/31/13 7:30 PM ET RICE
11/9/13 3:30 PM ET UTEP
11/23/13 3:30 PM ET TXSA
11/30/13 TBD @TULSA
