Excerpts from Orangebloods Article

LongJim · July 17, 2006

Can't print it all, but here are some excerpts:

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After winning four consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles from 2001 – 2004, the North Texas Mean Green suffered through a 2-9 campaign in 2005, finishing in last place in the conference standings with a 2-5 record. But with the margin of all five conference losses totaling just 21 points, 2006 brings new hope to the Mean Green with the return of a few talented players and the expectations of a resurgence to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. After losing just nine lettermen from the 2005 squad, North Texas returns 50 letterwinners to the team this Fall including a balanced mix of 22 on offense and 26 on defense.

(Jamario) Thomas will have the luxury of running behind a offensive line that returns four of five starters from 2005 plus tight end Robert Harmon. However, the team's success in 2006 may ultimately be determined by how much their quarterback play improves from last season. In a situation that should sound all too familiar to Longhorn fans, the 2005 Mean Green team entered the season lacking a signal caller that had ever taken a snap in a college game.

While (DRC's Brett) Vito believes the Mean Green linebackers will be the defense's strength in 2006, he has concerns about play along the defensive line saying, "UNT was terrible against the run last season, giving up 221 yards a game. The Mean Green's line will have to be better for UNT to have a chance at a winning season. UNT doesn't have many experienced defensive lineman. Losing a key guy or two would be tough for the Mean Green to overcome."

Things are much less settled in the defensive backfield where UNT will be forced to replace both starting cornerbacks from last season, Ja'Mel Branch and T.J. Covington. Senior Tyrone Carter and sophomore Dominique Green are the leading candidates at corner, but both players are facing competition from a solid group of redshirt freshmen.

Perhaps the biggest loss on for the Mean Green comes on the special teams unit where Nick Bazaldua, North Texas' all-time leading scorer, departed after a four-year stint.

While Vito picked Thomas as his team MVP, he understands what a difficult matchup the Longhorns pose in the season opener, "Opening at Texas will be tough for UNT. Jamario will need a big game if UNT is to stay in it."

Fans should expect for the Longhorns to make a point to dominate the line of scrimmage in this game, while breaking in Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead under center.