LSU UNT preview

outoftown · August 23, 2012

Don't know if somebody already posted this:

http://www.andtheval...exas-mean-green

Strength

UNT's defense looks to be returning a solid group, at least in the first two levels of the D. The DL returns 7 of their top 8 , but the loss is a big one in DE Brandon Akpunku, the Mean Green's leading sacker last season. Overall, this line held opponents to just 164 yds rushing a game and recorded 26 sacks. Against Alabama last season they gave up 347 yds, but still managed 4 sacks (a number that took LSU 2 games to equal). Their Linebacking corp returns 2 of 3 strong starters, especially Zachary Orr, last year's leader in tackles(74) and tackles for loss(5).
UNT's QB play was all over the place due to injuries last season, but they return their 3 leading receivers who all had 300 yds or more last season (which is more than LSU did last season). With hopefully more consistent QB play, UNT could be a serious passing threat in SBC play. UNT managed just 101 yds through the air at Alabama, but again, that was more than LSU managed in either game against the Tide.

Weakness

If Les Miles wants to make it appear as though it will be an air show year with Mettenberger, you could hardly ask for a softer target to premier against. 7 of the 8 DBs on their 2-deep last season are gone from a unit that gave up more than 200 yds passing in every game but 3 last season (a 563 yd torching by Houston the worst offender, even though that was to be expected last season). The already mentioned Orr is the only returning UNT player who had an INT last season. It's the kind of squishy air defense you'd always hope for when turning over a new passing game for the first time, and it could lead to some gaudy numbers (I hope anyway. Les could always just run one of six star RBs at UNT's line all night until they break)

Edited August 23, 2012 by outoftown