DMN preview Tulsaat NT (nt favored 28-24)

[OldTimer]

Preview: Tulsa (0-2) at North Texas (1-0)

08:46 PM CDT on Friday, September 16, 2005

6 p.m., Fouts Field (KWRD-FM 100.7, KNTU-FM 88.1)

Line: North Texas by 4

WHAT'S ON THE LINE

UNT – The Mean Green can pick up a key nonconference win in its home opener and go 2-0.

TULSA – The Golden Hurricane is looking for its first win after a season-opening loss to Minnesota and a tough 31-15 defeat against Oklahoma.

WHO'S HOT

UNT – Running back Patrick Cobbs rushed for 103 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown against Middle Tennessee State last week in his return after sitting out the last 10 games of the 2004 season.

TULSA – Tight end Garrett Mills established career highs for a game with 13 receptions for 152 yards against Oklahoma last week.

WHO'S NOT

UNT – Running back Jamario Thomas is still working his way back from a hamstring injury and carried the ball only 10 times against Middle Tennessee State, rushing for 58 yards.

TULSA – Defensive back Jeff Thibodeaux posted six tackles against Minnesota but didn't have a tackle against Oklahoma last week.

STAT THAT TELLS THE STORY

North Texas is 1-5 against teams that were members of Conference USA at the time of the game.

KEY MATCHUP: UNT LINEBACKER PHILLIP GRAVES VS. TULSA TE GARRETT MILLS

In some of UNT's defensive sets, Graves will have the challenge of covering Mills, one of the top tight ends in college football.

NORTH TEXAS WINS IF: The Mean Green can slow Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith, who threw for 246 yards against Oklahoma. UNT gave up 195 passing yards to Middle Tennessee State quarterback Clint Marks last week.

TULSA WINS IF: The Golden Hurricane can shut down UNT running backs Jamario Thomas and Patrick Cobbs. UNT wants to use its running game to keep Tulsa's offense off the field.

PREDICTED SCORE: North Texas 28, Tulsa 24

Brett Vito

[BostonianEagle]

WHO'S NOT

UNT – Running back Jamario Thomas is still working his way back from a hamstring injury and carried the ball only 10 times against Middle Tennessee State, rushing for 58 yards.

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Last time I checked, an average of 5.8 yards a carry wasn't that bad. If anything, that's very good news considering he's still not 100%.

[Catbird]

TULSA – Defensive back Jeff Thibodeaux posted six tackles against Minnesota but didn't have a tackle against Oklahoma last week.

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If you don't play, you don't hit the stat sheet. Apparently, this writer didn't get a chance to watch the game.