UTEP at North Texas: Game Preview

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North Texas boasts the most talented group of linebackers and defensive backs in the C-USA and maybe the whole State of Texas. That group has been the responsible for giving the Mean Green a plus-9 turnover margin.

Middle Linebacker Zachary Orr leads the team in tackles and has recorded twelve tackles in a game twice this season. Marcus Trice is the best safety in the C-USA, he is third on the team in tackles, leads the team with four interceptions and has also blocked two kicks.

The Mean Green defense is on a streak of four straight games of holding opponents to under 20 points, and with Miners only scoring 14 points the past two weeks, that could very well be the story of the game with a true freshman starting in his first game at quarterback against a top defense.

Wade and Orr are not the only productive players on the Green Curtain. Lairamie Lee is a hard hitting safety that plays both the strong and free giving North Texas one the best safety combos in the conference with him and Trice.

Will Wright plays outside linebacker on the left side and has two picks, and has good size at 6'2 230. Derek Akunne plays the opposite side at linebacker and is second on the team in tackles can really bang heads in there, like Orr he has two games of twelve tackles as well.

You can't forget about that quick and active defensive line for North Texas. While the Miners offensive line has faced bigger lineups, they will not face a more deep, experienced, and talent group.

Aaron Bellazin leads the group in sacks at the defensive end spot, and could get an NFL look after the draft. Richard Abbe is a monster at D-tackle, he goes 6'4 320. While his stats will not jump out at you, the injury problems for the Miners offensive front at guard will be exposed.

Read more: http://www.minerrush.com/2013/11/8/5077936/utep-at-north-texas-game-preview