Sun Belt Preview

MeanGreen61 · July 15, 2008

4-T) NORTH TEXAS - The Mean Green has the potential to be the surprise team in the league if freshman QB Riley Dodge is everything he's made out to be.

Offense - A year ago this time, Dodge orally committed to Texas, but decided to follow his dad, Todd Dodge, who took over as head coach at North Texas last season. There is a chance he could redshirt coming off shoulder surgery, but even if he does, Giovanni Vizza is capable of leading the team after a solid 124.2 QB rating his last four starts. Four starters return to the O-line and even though the unit allowed 39 sacks, only 10 came in the final five games. Casey Fitzgerald returns as the school's single season reception and yardage leader, but watch out for two underclassmen - Even Fentriss and Sam Roberson - to make huge strides.

Defense - It's difficult to imagine North Texas improving on its last place FBS finish in scoring defense (45.1 ppg), especially with its top five tacklers departing. However, Dodge brought in Gary DeLoach as his new defensive coordinator. DeLoach was the team's DC earlier in the decade, and his unit finished third in the nation in scoring "D" back in 2002. It might take some time, but this defense can only improve.

Outlook - North Texas played much better than its 2-10 (1-6) record would indicate. The Mean Green beat ULM by 10, led FAU by seven after three quarters, and was up on Arkansas State by 10 points with four minutes left in the game before losing by four. They will finish at 3-4 in league play, and should be bet hard early in the season. NT is 0-7 ATS off a SU win the last three years.

SUN BELT PREVIEW

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform...aspx?id=4164977

VideoEagle · July 15, 2008

I guess the so-called previews are written based on other previews verse actual research.

Quoner · July 15, 2008

Defense - It's difficult to imagine North Texas improving on its last place FBS finish in scoring defense (45.1 ppg), especially with its top five tacklers departing. However, Dodge brought in Gary DeLoach as his new defensive coordinator. DeLoach was the team's DC earlier in the decade, and his unit finished third in the nation in scoring "D" back in 2002. It might take some time, but this defense can only improve.

So its hard to imagine us improving, but we can only improve on D?

Awesome.