North Texas (2-2) at Tulane (3-2)

[Harry]

FACTS & STATS: Site: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (72,003) -- New Orleans, Louisiana. Television: Fox College Sports. Home Record: North Texas 2-0, Tulane 1-1. Away Record: North Texas 0-2, Tulane 2-1. Neutral Record: North Texas 0-0, Tulane 0-0. Conference Record: North Texas 0-0, Tulane 1-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/02/4524198/north-texas-2-2-at-tulane-3-2.html#storylink=cpy

GAME NOTES: In its first ever league game as a member of Conference USA, the North Texas Mean Green will head to New Orleans for a contest with the Tulane Green Wave at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Mean Green had a bye this past weekend, after going toe to toe with SEC power Georgia. Against the nationally ranked Bulldogs, the Mean Green hung tough, with the game tied at 21-21 midway through the third quarter. However, North Texas allowed Georgia to score 24 unanswered points to finish the game and take the win. North Texas has split its first four games.

As for Tulane, it rebounded from an embarrassing road loss to Syracuse (52-17) with an impressive 31-14 road win over ULM this past weekend. Orleans Darkwa was the star in the contest as he picked up 118 yards and a touchdown. At 3-2, Tulane is above .500 through five games for the first time since 2003.

This marks the first matchup between these two teams.

Even though it has yet to play a down in C-USA action, North Texas has been holding its own in comparison to the rest of the league on the offensive side of the ball. The Mean Green rank fourth in the conference in total offense (410 ypg) and are tied for fifth in points per game (29.0).

The Mean Green are a team that relies more on the passing game than the run. Derek Thompson heads up the aerial assault and has been doing so efficiently. He has thrown for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, completing an impressive 67.6 percent of his pass attempts.

Darnell Smith and Brelan Chancellor complement each other well as the top receiving duo for the Mean Green. Smith is the consistent possession receiver with a team-high 28 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Chancellor is the big-play threat with 268 yards and two scores on 17 receptions. His 15.8 yards per reception average is nearly six yards better than Smith's. Carlos Harris (17 receptions, 186 yards, TD) is also a key piece of the aerial assault.

When the Mean Green do run the ball, Brandin Byrd (46 carries, 186 yards, two TDs) and Reggie Pegram (36 carries, 143 yards, two TDs) are the two top options, though neither is averaging more than 50 yards per game.

Even though North Texas has a positive scoring differential on the season (+2.8), it still hasn't been an overly effective defensive team. The Mean Green are allowing teams to pick up 488.2 yards per game but have been fortunate in the red zone, allowing touchdowns on just 53 percent of the time.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/02/4524198/north-texas-2-2-at-tulane-3-2.html

[DeepGreen]

"The Mean Green are a team that relies more on the passing game than the run."

It would be nice if we could compliment the passing game with an effective counterpunch of Byrd, Pegram, and Jimmersen racking up some yards against the Green Wave.

[JesseMartin]

I think it's safe to assume that our running game will be a bit more effective than it was against Georgia. And our "terrible yards allowed per game" might have a little bit to do with having played Ball, Ohio, and UGA. We can probably agree that that average will drop significantly over the course of the season.

[UNT90]

I think it's safe to assume that our running game will be a bit more effective than it was against Georgia. And our "terrible yards allowed per game" might have a little bit to do with having played Ball, Ohio, and UGA. We can probably agree that that average will drop significantly over the course of the season.

We shall see. Idaho does give me hope. Saturday will tell us a whole lot about this team.

[greenit]

Tulane has a solid DLine according to reports.

[meangreendork]

I think it's safe to assume that our running game will be a bit more effective than it was against Georgia. And our "terrible yards allowed per game" might have a little bit to do with having played Ball, Ohio, and UGA. We can probably agree that that average will drop significantly over the course of the season.

When you play the #9 team in the nation that sports a Heisman-quality RB and you play another team with one of the best QBs in the nation, they're gonna put some yards on you.

[BillySee58]

When you play the #9 team in the nation that sports a Heisman-quality RB and you play another team with one of the best QBs in the nation, they're gonna put some yards on you.

Not to mention Murray was in basically the whole game. It wasn't like they pulled him one drive after halftime because the game was in hand. He was throwing all game and often.

[greenminer]

We can probably agree that that average will drop significantly over the course of the season.

It would drop significantly if we stopped allowing a 95+ yard pass play.