2017
North Texas
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule
North Texas improved its win total by Four last year and even made it to a bowl, although ended up with a 5-8 record. For the second season under head coach Seth Littrell and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, the logical place to turn for this team is six-plus wins and making a bowl Game without a losing record. The Mean Green have a couple playmakers back on offense, but with only 10 starters returning in total, could have trouble getting that sixth win.
Quarterback Mason Fine had some moments last year, but ultimately didn’t do much as a freshman, tossing just six touchdowns in nine full Games played. With expected improvement, Fine could be set for a much better season with do-it-all running back Jeffery Wilson helping out. Wilson ran for 936 yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding 29 catches in the receiving Game. Wide receiver is a bit of a question, but Jalen Guyton is expected to come in and make a difference with the rest of the options young and inexperienced. Three starters back on the offensive line could go a long way for Fine and company improving on last year’s 24.8 points per Game.
It’s a similar situation on the defensive side with some playmakers back, but only Four starters return in total. The Mean Green allowed 32.6 points per Game so there’s plenty of room for improvement and the secondary is set to be one of the better groups in the conference. Safety Kishawn McClain led the team in tackles and is joined by experienced Nate Brooks and Ashton Preston. The front six is more of a question with a lot of new faces in the starting lineup, even though a lot of them saw playing time last season for a group that gave up 240 rushing yards per Game.
North Texas faces a similar situation in non-Conference with two losses likely due to trips to SMU (lost by 13 at home to SMU last year) and Iowa. Road Games at Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech aren’t great in Conference USA play, but UNT’s Schedule is much nicer with FAU and Old Dominion the matchups out of the East division. The Mean Green may need some upsets in addition to beating teams like UAB and UTEP at home. To reach six wins, the best chances for road wins will be at FAU and Rice (beat Owls in 2OT last year).
North Texas has long +3400 at 5Dimes Sportsbook to win the conference, which places them just behind Rice in the standings, mainly because the Mean Green have to travel there. If Fine can make some improvement in his sophomore season to go with an already solid Wilson at running back, this team has the ability to reach five or six wins if all goes well. However, their over/under says differently with that number at 4.5 at 5Dimes.
2017 North Texas Mean Green Football Schedule
Sept. 2 vs. LAmar
Sept. 9 at SMU
Sept. 16 at Iowa
Sept. 23 vs. UAB
Sept. 30 at Southern Miss
Oct. 14 vs. UTSA
Oct. 21 at Florida Atlantic
Oct. 28 vs. Old Dominion
Nov. 4 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 11 vs. UTEP
Nov. 18 vs. Army
Nov. 25 at Rice