NTDaily season preview and predictions

[GMGEagles]

Round table: North Texas football preview and predictions

Editor’s Note: The North Texas Daily sports staff has weighed in on the upcoming North Texas football season. Here is our first round table discussion of the year.

Our staff: Reece Waddell (RW), Clay Massey (CM), Matt Brune (MB), Courtney Anderson (CA), Austin Jackson (AJ), Tyler Lucius (TL)

Q1: Can Seth Littrell experience success in his first year?

RW: Well, I suppose it depends on how we’re defining success. In my opinion, after sitting through every agonizing game of the 2015 season, success is simply improving on last year’s train wreck — which shouldn’t be difficult.  That said, I’m inclined to say yes, Littrell will experience success in his first year. He will win a few games, and should do enough to keep students and fans engaged.

CM: If we’re defining success as having a better record than last year, then yes, absolutely. Littrell will put this team in position to make a bowl game with the pieces he has brought in and with his coaching philosophy.

MB: I’m sure that everyone and their mothers have heard about Littrell’s “Let it Fly” slogan for the team this year. And yes, he does have a spread quarterback in a spread offense which will mean 40+ passes a game. However, the other end of the passing connection, the receivers, are largely unknown and most likely not great.  That, along with a shaky offensive live will put constant pressure on an equally shaky defense. So to answer your question, Littrell probably won’t have success.

CA: I think it depends on what your definition of success is for this first-time head coach, especially since he’s coming in during the first year of a rebuilding period. Do I think North Texas will be conference champions and go to a bowl game like in 2013? Absolutely not. Do I think the Mean Green will win more than one game and not get blown out on homecoming 66-7? Yes.

AJ: Success is a relative concept and with the parade of tragic and historic new lows in the rear-view mirror, a season that’s just a smidge better than historically bad will put Littrell’s year-one campaign in the successful column. That said, Littrell could go 0-12 this year and still be a success.

I think the true mark of a successful inaugural season won’t be evidenced in wins and losses this year but by creating a culture and system that pays dividends down the road. After all,  Bill Snyder led Kansas State to a McCarney-sequel 1-11 record his first year.

TL: The Mean Green are returning from a one-win season and will hit the gridiron with a vengeance. Seth Littrell and the crew plan to make the student body actually care about North Texas football again, since they can’t do much worse than their 1-11 mark last year. The team will also feature a new-look spread offense that should add excitement, and hopefully points, to the scoreboard.

Q2: What will be the team’s biggest strength?

RW: Without question the secondary is the group that possesses the most talent. Ashton Preston, KiShawn McClain, Nate Brooks and others will man the back end of an otherwise shaky defense. If the front seven are able to get after the quarterback, look out. This unit could surprise some people.

 

Here's the link to the full write up: http://ntdaily.com/round-table-north-texas-football-preview-and-predictions/

[Christopher Walker]

FYI, it's bad form to post an entire article on here. First paragraph then link to the full thing.

Edit: don't know why anyone's going back and forth on down-up voting me on this one; Harry could face penalties for such if I understand it correctly.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Christopher Walker