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This is the first of a two-part blog series looking at UNTs football schedule for 2013. A lot of people have weighed in since it was released. I waited a bit for people to let it sink in. Today, we look at the teams on UNTs slate, what they have coming back next year and the bottom line in terms of the importance of the game to UNTs prospects next season and other reasons why the game could be big for the program from recruiting rivalries, to fan interest. I will come back later with an overall look at what is realistic considering what UNT is facing. Aug. 31 Idaho 2012 record 1-11 Returning starters Nine offense, five defense About Idaho Idaho hired longtime assistant Paul Petrino, who was Arkansas offensive coordinator, in the off-season after a terrible finish in 2012. The Vandals have nine offensive and five defensive starters set to return, but kicked quarterback Dominique Blackman off the team in the middle of last season after he threw for 1,610 yards. Bottom line UNT paid to bring Texas Southern in for a nearly guaranteed win last year and is going the same route with Idaho next year. The Vandals should be down way down next season. UNT is rolling out throwback jerseys and making a big production out of its first opener at home since 2001. UNT has to win this one. Expect mass panic among the fandom if it doesnt. Sept. 7 at Ohio 2012 record 9-4 (Beat Louisiana-Monroe in the Independence Bowl) Returning starters Eight offense, four defense About Ohio The Bobcats beat Penn State in their opener and won their first seven games before stumbling down the stretch. Ohio lost four of five before righting the ship at beating Louisiana-Monroe in the Independence Bowl. Ohio has 12 starters returning and should be good again next year. Tyler Tettleton threw for 2,844 yards, Donte Foster caught 59 passes for 659 yards and Ben Blankenship rushed for 1,604. Bottom line This will be a really tough game for UNT on the road. Ohio has its key skill position players back on offense, not to mention the core of what should be a pretty good defense. Sept. 14 Ball State 2012 record 9-4 (Lost to UCF in the Beef OBradys Bowl) Returning starters Seven offense, eight defense About Ball State The Cardinals posted one of their best seasons in years, winning six straight games before falling to UCF in the Beef OBradys Bowl. Ball State has a trio of key offensive players returning in quarterback Keith Wenning, running back Jahwan Edwards and wide receiver Willie Snead. Wenning threw for 3,095 yards, Edwards rushed for 1,410 and Snead finished with 89 catches for 1,148 yards and nine touchdowns. Bottom line Ball State will present a pretty big challenge at home for UNT. The Cardinals should enter the season on a roll and have the core players from its offense returning. Like Ohio, a game against Ball State does not rank high on the list of potential wins. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/01/8462.html/