MUTS take on the Mean Green D

MeanGreen61 · September 9, 2005

September 9, 2005

Taking a look at the UNT defense

Cody Gibson

GoMiddle.com Staff Writer

North Texas and their run of four straight division titles has started with their solid play on defense. Coach Darrel Dickey has a simple philosophy run the ball and play good defense, an old school mentality that seems to work for his team. However, this group returns only three starters which is a cause for concern, but North Texas always seems to be an elite defense in the Sun Belt.

Defensive Line

North Texas has no returning starters from last season's crew and this group seems to have a lot of holes with the huge dearth of inexperience. Chris Miller and Issac Thomas are the two players that figure to rotate in at nose tackle. Miller and Thomas both saw time last season, and are strong run stuffing players who will try and plug the gaps for the linebackers to roam from. Sky Pruitt and Montey Stevenson will fill in at the other tackle position and both are adept at stopping the run as well. As for the defensive end, Eli Hutchinson and Jeremiah Chapman are the two starters at the defensive end position, after a huge battle for the spots in camp. Both are play makers, who saw a lot of game action last season. It will be interesting to see how this line matches up against the Blue Raiders. This game will be the litmus test for the defensive line and Middle Tennessee should prove to be a big challenge with their experience up front on the offensive line.

Linebacker

One thing Coach Darrel Dickey can count on is having a solid group of linebackers this season. This experienced group is headed by sophomore Derek Mendoza. He made more of an impact as a coverage linebacker, leading the team with five pass breakups. Travis Thompson will back him up and

should be the first LB off the bench on Saturday. Thompson tallied 95 tackles last year in junior college. Another sophomore, Brandon Monroe tallied 11 tackles at outside linebacker and will return this season to man the outside. Last year's other starter Shawn Early injured his knee and this prematurely ended his season. Instead, Phillip Graves will be penciled

in as the starter. Middle Tennessee will have its hands full, but this group doesn't compare with the talent they faced last season. Middle Tennessee should be more than ready for the Mean Green line backing corps.

Defensive Backs

Few corners in the Sun Belt can match T.J. Covington's size (6-2) and North Texas is banking on him having an exceptional year. His leadership will be the key in helping North Texas defend the pass and improve on a lowly pass defense lass season. If there is one weakness in the North Texas armor

during their run of titles it has been the pass defense. Converted receiver Ja'Mel Branch switches to defense this season and has little experience playing the position. However, Dickey believes that he is a good enough athlete and football player to make the transition. Deavin Cox also should figure to be on the field quite a bit as the third corner and spelling

Branch at times. Aaron Weathers and Roderick Cotton will inherit the starting safety jobs, both of whom saw a lot of action last season and should be ready to step in. Middle Tennessee should test this group early and often. Their success against the secondary will be a huge determining factor in who wins this game.

Special Teams

Nick Bazaldua will pull double duty this season, as place kicker and punter.

Bazaldua is an all-Sun Belt selection who has a powerful and accurate leg. He punted in high school and was a fine punter, North Texas shouldn't miss too much here. Johnny Quinn will be handling the kickoff duties for the Mean Green. Quinn averaged a solid 8.5 yards a return and had an 85 yard

touchdown. As for kickoffs, Patrick Cobbs and Zach Muzzy will be assigned to kickoff returns. Both are explosive runners who should be a home run threat on returns.

Overall, the North Texas defense is vulnerable at all positions, especially

on the defensive line. The secondary also has a number of holes. And this begs the question, is this finally the year? Ll of the pieces are in place. Tomorrow we will look at the specific match-ups and examine how Middle Tennessee will beat North Texas.

MeanGreen61 · September 9, 2005

Linebacker
Middle Tennessee will have its hands full, but this group doesn't compare with the talent they faced last season. Middle Tennessee should be more than ready for the Mean Green line backing corps.
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Doesn't compare to last year's LB talent ???

PlummMeanGreen · September 9, 2005

Doesn't compare to last year's LB talent ???

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Exactly, MG61, where have they missed that this is the same Mean Green linebacking crew (with 1 more year of valuable experience) PLUS Travis Thompson?!!?!?

I hope MT's football scouting crew are seeing the same things as the GoMiddle.com folks are.

Also, why did the GoMiddle.com writer forget to add to our MG defensive repertoire a JUCO transfer that one college football pre-season magazine has as their SBC Newcomer of the Year, ie, one Willie Ransom, one of our defensvie ends?

LET'S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL, MUTS!

GMG!

Edited September 9, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen