Sun Belt Predictions

[MeanGreen61]

Sun Belt Game of the Week

Florida Atlantic (2-1) at North Texas (0-2)

Why to Watch: Is it possible for two teams to crank out 1,000 yards of passing offense? After years of no Sun Belt passing production whatsoever, there are suddenly some high-octane options to make things extremely interesting. When last we saw North Texas, it was losing to SMU, but put up 601 yards and three touchdowns in the process. Last week, Florida Atlantic blew past Minnesota with Rusty Smith throwing for 463 yards and five touchdowns. Having already beaten Middle Tennessee, the Owls can be 2-0 in Sun Belt play and establish itself as one of the true favorites to go to the New Orleans Bowl. If nothing else, this will be very, very entertaining.

Why Florida Atlantic Might Win: Oh sure, the North Texas offense has suddenly found something it can build around with the passing game, the defense has been horrific. Getting the doors blown off by Oklahoma is one thing, but giving up 534 yards and 45 points to SMU is another. The Owls should be able to move the ball however it wants to, and Smith should be able to pick the number of passing yards he wants to put on the board. UNT generates no pressure to throw him off. FAU, currently second in the nation in turnover margin, helped by 13 takeaways will also win the turnover battle. The UNT defense doesn't force mistakes.

Why North Texas Might Win: It's not like the Florida Atlantic secondary is stopping anyone. Minnesota roared back to make last week interesting with 355 passing yards. Oklahoma State achieved a near-perfect offensive balance against the Owls, and came up with several big pass plays. The FAU secondary isn't getting any help from the pass rush, and as the games wear on, they're making more mistakes. North Texas might be more effective bombing away in the second half.

Who to Watch: Someone had to catch Daniel Meager's 601 passing yards against SMU. Senior Brandon Jackson finished second on the team last year with 17 catches for 188 yards and a touchdown. So far this year, he caught 17 passes for 217 yards and a score, but he's the number two target right now behind junior walk-on Casey Fitzgerald, who's taken the season by storm. He made seven grabs for 126 yards and a score against Oklahoma, and then tore up SMU for 18 catches for 327 yards and two scores.

What Will Happen: This will be fun. The rest Mean Green will put up a ton of yards with plenty of big plays, but the FAU defense will come up with just enough key stops, and the passing game will do just enough to keep up the pace.

CFN Prediction: Florida Atlantic 41 ... North Texas 31

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS PREDICTIONS

http://cfn.scout.com/2/651729.html

[chrisfisher]

Appears we are underdogs by most predictions... I'm sure Coach Dodge will use this to his advantage....

[untbowler]

what is the over under on 100 combined pass attempts and the game time lasting 4:30.

[MeanGreenBuzz]

Anyone else notice if you click the link the Line on the game is Kansas by 30.5... bastard CFN guys...

[MGW]

Sun Belt Game of the Week

CFN Prediction: Florida Atlantic 41 ... North Texas 31

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS PREDICTIONS

http://cfn.scout.com/2/651729.html

I've got a sneaking suspicion our defense is going to live up to the Mean Green genesis.

UNT 34

FAU 24

[MeanGreenBuzz]

I've got a sneaking suspicion our defense is going to live up to the Mean Green genesis.

UNT 34

FAU 24

Might as well get the predictions started it is Thursday after all. I am going to have to go with neither teams D shows up but UNT fans do to the tune of 26,324 to watch TD and the spread out shoot Howie. But the real story will be J-Mo coming back to rush for 150 yards and 2 TDs while Mosely has 75 yards and 1 TD. Meager will throw for around 450 yards and 4 TDs in a slow day but keep the mistakes to a minimum only throwing 1 INT. Final score UNT 55 FAU 52. The freshman kicker, Moreland, seals it with his 2nd field goal of the day this one from 40 yards out with less than a minute to go.