CFN prediction for NT vs MT

[pollock]

Sun Belt Game of the Week

Saturday, September 10

North Texas (0-0) at Middle Tennessee (0-1)

Why to watch: While Troy will have a lot to say about the matter, the North Texas - MTSU game will go a long way to deciding the Sun Belt title. North Texas had to wait a week to get on the field after its opening week game against LSU was postponed, and now it looks to push its impressive streak of Sun Belt wins to 26. MTSU has always wanted to be a player in the Sun Belt race, but never has been. This might be head coach Andy McCollum's best team yet, and he can get rid of a lot of the pressure with a win.

Why North Texas might win: This is a one-dimensional Blue Raider team that'll look to throw first, throw second, and think about running as a third option. It's not that MTSU doesn't want to run, it simply can't do it. It might not be fair to use last week's 26-7 loss to Alabama as a indicator, but the Blue Raiders were only able to manage 157 yards of total offense and had a hard time moving the ball by air or by land. If the UNT running game can get into high gear, it should keep the MTSU offense from getting into any sort of a rhythm.

Why MTSU might win: One of UNT's biggest weaknesses coming into the season is the secondary needing to break in some brand new safeties and in search of a shutdown cover-corner. With Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas, North Texas will look to grind it out with the ground game, but if MTSU plays like it did last week holding Alabama to 133 yards, that might be a problem.

Who to watch: So who's going to step up and make the big play for the MTSU offense this season now that WR Kerry Wright is gone? Cleannod Saintil caught five passes for 64 yards against Alabama last week, but no one was able to come up with a really big game-changing play to help out QB Clint Marks. North Texas knows it can run, but it has to keep defenses at least a little bit honest with the passing game. Redshirt freshman Daniel Meagher takes over by default after projected starter Joel Byerly had off-the-field issue. Meagher has good upside, but he's green and has a nasty first game to get used to D-I football.

What will happen: The streak will end. North Texas will get its yards on the ground, but the Blue Raider defense will do just enough to keep the Mean Green offense off the field. MTSU QB Clint Marks will have a big day with the new starting Mean Green front four having a hard time getting to him. North Texas usually takes a few weeks to get warmed up. This time, it'll be costly.

CFN Prediction: MTSU 24 ... North Texas 20 ... Line: MTSU -4