Another North Texas/Sun Belt Preview

MeanGreen61 · August 12, 2006

5. North Texas Mean Green

PiRate: 82 National Ranking: 112 HFA: 3

After thoroughly dominating the league the first four years of its existence, North Texas fell all the way into a tie for last in 2005. The Mean Green return the most starters and the highest percentage of lettermen in the conference. Can an extra year of experience vault them back to the top? It’s possible, but not probable. UNT will definitely jump up a few notches in the standings, but the days of them including the New Orleans Bowl on their printed schedule are over for now.

The season wasn’t as bad as the record last year. The Mean Green lost all five conference games by a touchdown or less. They should be at least a touchdown better this season, so you could argue that the boys from Denton will run the table in the SBC if the other teams stagnate.

North Texas had problems completing passes last year, finishing with just 48.6% completions. They averaged a paltry 5.1 yards per attempt and 129 yards passing per game. Sophomores Daniel Meager and Matt Phillips may only slightly improve on those marks, but whoever is under center will spend a good part of each Saturday giving the ball to the star tailback and getting out of his way.

How often can a team in this league lose a back that rushed for 1,154 yards at a five yard per carry clip and consider themselves better off the next year? North Texas can stake that claim. After losing Patrick Cobbs, Jamario Thomas reclaims the starting job after overcoming an injurious 2005 season. In 2004, Thomas led the nation with 1,801 yards and 17 touchdowns. Thomas can explode through a hole and into the clear quickly.

The entire starting trio of receivers returns this year as well as the three backups. Joel Nwigwe has deep threat potential and should help keep opposing defensive backs honest.

The experienced offensive line should keep Thomas among the nation’s rushing leaders. Three players, center Chad Rose, guard Dylan Lineberry, and tackle Josh Alexander could vie for all-SBC honors.

Defensively, UNT should improve on the 31.5 points per game allowed in 2005. Safety Aaron Weathers recorded 113 tackles and intercepted three passes last year. He’s one of the top three safeties in the league.

The real strength of the defense will be the linebackers. Brandon Monroe, Maurice Holman, and rover Phillip Graves will make it much harder for running backs to get into the clear and should help the Mean Green chop off 25 or more yards off the 221 per game they surrendered last year.

Up front, end Jeremiah Chapman and tackle Sky Pruitt have the potential to make all-SBC.

North Texas has the hardest schedule of the five contenders. They face the other four contenders on enemy ground. Add to that non-conference games at Texas, Tulsa, and Akron, and you can just as easily pick UNT to finish with nine losses once again as they have of regaining the crown. My personal guess is UNT will at least double their wins from last year, and all of them should come in conference play. With a few breaks, they could find themselves playing for a trip

FULL SUN BELT REVIEW

http://vanderbilt.scout.com/2/556174.html