North Texas (0-0) at (3) LSU (0-0) Preview

[Harry]

The North Texas offense has the benefit of returning nine players with starting experience, including junior QB Derek Thompson who threw for 1,759 yards and 11 TDs last season despite completing just 57.7 percent of his pass attempts. Wide receivers Brelan Chancellor and Chris Bynes are back after combining for 74 catches, 899 yards and 8 TDs in 2011, although both will need to elevate their level of play considerably as the team tries to find a replacement for leading rusher Lance Dunbar (269 carries, 1,115 yards, 10 TDs).

Hoping to fit the bill will be a slew of skilled, if unproven runners, although the only ones with any experience whatsoever are junior Brandyn Bird (20 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD) and senior Jeremy Brown (5 carries, 23 yards).

The UNT defense allowed more than 30 points and 429 total yards per contest last season, so shoring things up at the point of attack is paramount to the team achieving better results this time around.

At first glance, the unit lacks playmakers. But all isn't lost as junior linemen Brandon McCoy (44 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Ryan Boutwell (28 tackles, 2.5 TFL) provide some stability, while last year's top tackler, junior LB Zachary Orr (74 stops, 7 TFL, 1 INT) highlights the middle of the field.

The secondary suffered widespread losses due to graduation, meaning all four starters will be brand new. McCarney did a solid job of convincing some talented defensive backs to come to Denton, and look for a guy like Oklahoma transfer Marcus Trice to make an immediate impact.

LSU put up more than 35 points per game in 2011, using a solid ground attack (202.6 ypg, 35 TDs) to do the bulk of the damage. Junior RB Michael Ford is back after rushing for 756 yards and 7 TDs last year, averaging 6.0 ypc in the process, and Spencer Ware (177 carries, 707 yards, 8 TDs), Alfred Blue (78 carries, 539 yards, 7 TDs) and Kenny Hilliard (62 carries, 336 yards, 8 TDs) can also expect to get plenty of work this season as well.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/08/29/2154097/north-texas-0-0-at-3-lsu-0-0-et.html#storylink=cpy