Mean Green will rely on powerful offense
North Texas coach Seth Littrell is doing remarkable work in Denton, and the Mean Green’s biggest battle in the future may be hanging onto him.
Littrell inherited a team that went 1-11 in 2015 and had enjoyed little success. He has since won 14 games, earning two bowl bids and earning a Conference USA division title.
With the majority of his starters returning, Littrell is preparing for what should be another successful season.
The Mean Green are No. 46 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Texas
9 North
Seth Littrell (14-13, entering third season; 14-13 overall)
9-5, 7-1 in Conference USA; tied for first in West Division
North Texas bounced back from two early losses at SMU and Iowa, winning eight of its next nine games. The Mean Green fell 41-17 to FAU in the Conference USA title game and 50-30 to Troy in the New Orleans Bowl, an awkward ending to a record-setting season. Wilson, OL TJ Henson, DB Kishawn McClain
QB Mason Fine, OL Jordan Murray, OL Elex Woodworth, OL Riley Mayfield, WR Jalen Guyton, WR Michael Lawrence, WR Rico Bussey Jr., TE Kelvin Smith, DL Roderick Young, LB Brandon Garner, DB Ashton Preston, DB Nate Brooks
North Texas quarterback Mason Fine and an inexperienced group of receivers put up elite numbers last season. The team ranked No. 21 nationally in passing offense (291.9 yards per game) and No. 19 in scoring offense (35.5 points per game).
Fine accounted for a remarkable 4,052 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Receivers Michael Lawrence, Rico Bussey Jr. and Jalen Guyton accounted for 2,271 yards and 20 touchdowns last season and could put up bigger numbers in 2018.
The offense is thriving under the direction of former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, whose scheme is inspired by former Red Raiders coach Mike Leach.
North Texas’ biggest strength on defense is in the secondary, with Ashton Preston and Nate Brooks returning to anchor the group.
The Mean Green’s defense made modest progress last season, but it still ranked No. 96 nationally after giving up 431.4 yards per game. While a group of seniors will lead the front seven, North Texas is vulnerable if the team runs into any injury problems.
North Texas returns most of its starters and is expected to earn another bowl bid. The defense will have to take a significant step forward and the offense will have to avoid turnovers in order for the Mean Green to make a run at a Conference USA title.