Sun Belt Conference preview

MeanGreen61 · July 5, 2005

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/sun_bel...elt_Preview.htm

AAAGGGHHHHH North Texas 7-4, 7-0 in conference

1. North Texas (7-4 overall, 7-0 in Sun Belt) – Offense: With the return of 2003 NCAA rushing champion Patrick Cobbs joining 2004 champion Jamario Thomas, North Texas will be have one of the nation's leading rushing attacks as long as the offensive line comes through. Three starters need to be replaced upfront hurt most by the loss of center Andy Brewster, but there are some good pieces to build around. WR Johnny Quinn is a top deep threat leading a veteran receiving corps, so now it's up to 6-4, 254-pound QB Joey Byerly to come through as a consistent passer.

Defense: The once killer North Texas defense hit a major slide trying to overcome youth and ineffectiveness. Last year's weakness, linebacker, is now the biggest strength with five good players to work with. The entire line has to be replaced and star safeties Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton are gone. Making matters worse for a defense that allowed 414 yards and almost 30 points per game is the lack of a true number two corner as well an overall depth issue. The ends should be able to get into the backfield.

Edited July 5, 2005 by MeanGreen61

good_ken · July 5, 2005

I noticed that they predicted we wouldn't take any of our conference games. My feeling is that's not a shot on the talent on our team as much as it the safe bet, based on history. <_

MeanGreen61 · July 5, 2005

Well we may not look great on paper when it comes to recruiting, but looks like we've got 7 of the top 30 players in the conference. MTSU that usually tops the conference in recruiing has only 2.

Top 30 Sun Belt Players

1. RB Patrick Cobbs, Sr., North Texas

Cobbs hurt his knee early and was never quite right last season after leading the nation in rushing in 2003 averaging 157.2 yards per game. He took a redshirt year and returns back and as good as new to provide a powerful, quick back who can also be a workhorse. He's an average blocker, but he won't be used as a fullback for Jamario Thomas. However, expect him to be used in several spots as an H-back, a receiver, or wherever else the offense can use him.

2. RB Jamario Thomas, Soph., North Texas

There's no real number one rusher on the Mean Green with Patrick Cobbs 1 and Thomas 1A. Any concerns about the loss of Cobbs for last year quickly went away as the 5-11, 195-pound Thomas became the nation's leading rusher averaging 189.9 yards per game (but it was more like 200.1 yards per game considering he ran twice in the season opener against Texas) setting the NCAA record for the most 200 yards games for a freshman with five. He wasn't just great against Sun Belt teams, he ran for 247 yards and two touchdowns against Colorado. Despite missing almost all of three games, Thomas still ran for 1,801 yards with 17 touchdowns. He's lightning quick and a durable workhorse.

3. LB Bernard Davis, Sr., Troy

4. P Joel Stelly, Sr., UL Monroe

5. QB Steven Jyles, Sr., UL Monroe

6. DE Brandon Guillory, Sr., UL Monroe

7. CB Johnny Faulk, Sr., Troy

8. LB Leverne Johnson, Sr., Troy

9. OG Dylan Lineberry, Jr., North Texas

10. QB Clint Marks, Jr., MTSU

11. WR Drouzon Quillen, Jr., UL Monroe

12. P Thomas Olmsted, Sr., Troy

13. QB Jerry Babb, Jr., UL Lafayette

14. RB Antonio Warren, Sr., Arkansas State

15. WR Johnny Quinn, Jr., North Texas

16. FS Sherrod Martin, Soph., Troy

17. WR Bill Sampy, Sr., UL Lafayette

18. LB Shomari Earls, Sr., Florida Atlantic

19. DE Larry Brown, Sr., Troy

20. LB Marcel Horne, Jr., MTSU

21. DE Kenny Mainor, RFr., Troy

22. LB Tyler Norman, Sr., UL Lafayette

23. SS Tyrell Johnson, Soph., Arkansas State

24. LB Brandon Monroe, Soph., North Texas

25. LB Derek Mendoza, Soph., North Texas

26. CB T.J. Covington, Sr., North Texas

27. CB Nick Turnbull, Sr., FIU

28. FS Khayyam Burns, Soph., Arkansas State

29. TE Samuel Smith, Jr., FIU

30. TE Joey Trappey, Sr., UL Monroe

MeanGreenBuzz · July 5, 2005

I don't blame them for the 4 OOC losses, its our track record so why should it change now? I will say that I expect us to win the away LaTech game and the Tulsa game at home, but unless DD and RF have a near death experience and decide to start passing early we don't have a chance in hell against KSU and LSU. Also I think we will lose 1 conference road game this year. We will end up 9-3 after winning the NO Bowl against U of H.

Also, its obvious they didn't watch the spring game or talk to anyone who did by how they ranked our defensive units. I think our secondary is stronger than our D-Line.

mad dog · July 5, 2005

Some more interesting things from that post.

*Joey Byerly was rated the 5th best QB in the Sun Belt. (and rated as the #1 breakout player)

*NT/LSU was ranked #5 in the "non-conference games that Sun Belt opponents had better take very, very seriously."

*J-Mo and P.C. could combine to rush for 2,500 yards per top 5 "fearless predictions."

MeanGreenBuzz · July 5, 2005

Just looking through the preview I noticed that FAU was predicted to win 0 games this year while FIU was predicted to win 3. I don't believe this will be the case by any stretch of the imagination. I expect FAU to win 3 or 4 while FIU may win 1 or 2. FAU also may have another suprise season and go 6-5.

Also, I noticed that ULM had 3 of the top 5 pro pospects this year... good thing we get them at home.

mad dog · July 5, 2005

Also, I noticed that ULM had 3 of the top 5 pro pospects this year... good thing we get them at home.

...And they were all on the team last year. And that was a 28 point game when our second string went in with 5 minutes left in the game.

MeanGreenBuzz · July 5, 2005

...And they were all on the team last year. And that was a 28 point game when our second string went in with 5 minutes left in the game.

True, but this year we are minus Hall's leadership, most of the O and D-Lines and the better part of the secondary, not to mention possibly the 2nd best punter in NT history. How much did we beat MTSU by last year and now we play them on the road...

All I am saying is don't underestimate teams we beat last year with their star players because we are without a few of ours.