I spoke with NT Daily Sports Editor Brady Keane to get the inside take on how the Mean Green will perform this weekend against the Mustangs.
1) What did you see in UNT's week 1 match up that you liked/surprised you?
I was most surprised by the improvement quarterback Mason Fine showed from the end of last season to the opener this year. Granted, Lamar isn’t the most talented of opponents and there is still a long way to go, but Fine’s ability to toss precision down-the-field passes to receivers (most notably Quinetin Jackson, Michael Lawrence and Jalen Guyton) gives the offense a dimension it was lacking last year.
2) What does UNT really need to improve this week to get ready for SMU?
North Texas has to prevent long, down-the-field plays by the SMU offense, or it’s going to be in trouble. Courtland Sutton may very well be the best receiver in the country, and he had four catches for 162 yards and three touchdowns against the Mean Green last season. Sutton will get his touches, but if North Texas can work on keeping the big plays to a minimum and forcing the SMU offense to earn every yard, it’ll be in much better shape.
3) Biggest offensive threats for UNT?
Obviously, Jeffrey Wilson is the biggest threat offensively as he is coming off a monster showing in the opening win over Lamar (176 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries). But North Texas also has a pair of freshman running backs, Nic Smith and Evan Johnson, who combined to rush for 199 yards and a score. In the passing game, Fine looked to Guyton, Lawrence and Guyton down the field while utilizing the big-bodied Kelvin Smith as a safety net in the short game.
4) Keys of the game?
I think one of the biggest keys this week is going to be whether or not the Mean Green are able to come out of the gate fast. The team is 5-0 when leading at the half under coach Seth Littrell, so holding a lead going into the break could be the key to taking home a big win Saturday.
5) Prediction
I’m picking North Texas to win this game, because if you take away a few ridiculous long plays last season, add in some stability at quarterback and the Mean Green probably beat SMU. These are two remarkably similar teams, but I think North Texas takes it 35-31.
Follow Brady Keane on Twitter for his takes from Ford Stadium on Saturday.
