Sportschatpalace offers free UNT Idaho pick

Harry · August 26, 2013

The Idaho Vandals look for the upset of North Texas in the season opener.

The Idaho Vandals and North Texas Mean Green open the season at Apogee Stadium.

The Vandals return seven players on offense and three on defense so logic dictates the team will probably rely on the more experienced group to carry the load. That could be true but Idaho averaged only 315 yards and less than 16 points which were near the bottom of the college ranks. The offense wasn't completely helpless in the air at around 225 yards but experience under center is the question with freshman Chad Chalich the likely starter who obviously is an unknown. Chalich does have an experienced receiving corps to throw to with three of the top four pass catchers back, while second leading rusher James Baker (95-395) also returns. The Vandals need points because the defense allowed over 42 on 473 yards and is inexperienced so improvement of any kind is the key on this unit.

Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/cfb-picks/2013/08/31/north-texas-mean-green-vs.-idaho-vandals-free-pick#28ifXRvVCHKMfYvy.99

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 26, 2013

The Idaho Vandals look for the upset of North Texas in the season opener.
The Idaho Vandals and North Texas Mean Green open the season at Apogee Stadium.
The Vandals return seven players on offense and three on defense so logic dictates the team will probably rely on the more experienced group to carry the load. That could be true but Idaho averaged only 315 yards and less than 16 points which were near the bottom of the college ranks. The offense wasn't completely helpless in the air at around 225 yards but experience under center is the question with freshman Chad Chalich the likely starter who obviously is an unknown. Chalich does have an experienced receiving corps to throw to with three of the top four pass catchers back, while second leading rusher James Baker (95-395) also returns. The Vandals need points because the defense allowed over 42 on 473 yards and is inexperienced so improvement of any kind is the key on this unit.
Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/cfb-picks/2013/08/31/north-texas-mean-green-vs.-idaho-vandals-free-pick#28ifXRvVCHKMfYvy.99

we should be able to score at the very least, 30 points on Idaho based on their defensive number. with Petrino jr not understanding how to run the ball, there is no way they should be able to score more than 20 on our defense, so we SHOULD have a victory saturday.

KRAM1 · August 26, 2013

Are not all these predictions based on last years's teams? Seems much has changed for both teams in recent months. Wonder how valid this stuff is? Idaho has a new coach, a revamped D and O line with several JuCos, etc., etc. And, UNT has made some significant changes as well.

Going to be interesting come Saturday.....expect to witness a Mean Green Victory!

Mean Green 93-98 · August 26, 2013

The Mean Green have a huge statistical and experience advantage here but in the scope of things they weren't world beaters and laying a couple of scores against any body seems ridiculous. I am for now but feel kind of dumb doing it

That's why I don't see us winning by 17+.

Just win.

BigVandalFan · August 26, 2013

Just a quick point of clarification: Neither the D- or O-line are really revamped.

The D will have one new full-time starter in Texas Native Quinton Bradley at Rush End. He's a 6' 3" 250lb Soph and we have very high expectations for him (Papers have quoted coaches calling Bradley as having NFL potential). The other End is Max Forde, a Jr in the 6' 4" 250lb range. The interior spots will be filled by rotation, starting with 6' 4" 300lb senior Quayshawne Buckley (started last year, great motor but mentally mistake prone), Vince Keener, a 6' 4" 260 converted DE at the 3 technique, and Soph Ryan Edwards at nose.

The other loss to the D-line was 6' 6" 285 lb junior Jesse Davis, who's moved over to start at strong tackle for the offense. He's long and has a great motor. Though Davis will probably suffer from some growing pains throughout the season, his athleticism will allow for the stretch play and the pseudo-run plays via the pass. The other newcomer is Sr. Nick Von Rotz playing at the strong guard spot, and I know nothing about him other than he's 6' 5" 290.

The rest of the OL -- weak tackle, guard and Center -- are previous starters from last season. I look forward to seeing how the two Sophs at the tackle and guard spot have developed, and getting a better feel for how Petrino uses our very good junior center.

I like our D-line and I look forward to seeing how the OL holds up against your team. The real question marks will be:

- Can the Frosh QB play ball? Freshmen will be freshmen after all.

- Who in the back seven will be leaders for us? All three LBs are JC transfers. The outside backers are undersized but have good feet. Look for Sam Marc Millan. I think our corners will be lead by Soph Solomon Dixon (5' 9", 170lb, Honolulu). The other CB will be transfer Delancy Parham (5' 11", 180lb). One safety is a concern as our starting free is banged up and might not play. Depth behind him is very weak.

If we have any chance of winning, Our Defense will have to figure out how to slow down your power run game behind your right guard, though it will also be interesting to see how you move forward without your all conference center. Chancellor and the #22 running back are great players. On offense, my very uneducated guess is that we'll see a zone read-option base, along with more outside zone plays than we've done recently, specially when utilizing true freshmen Richard Montgomery (he can't be over 5' 6", but the dude has pretty good speed).

"Idaho has a new coach, a revamped D and O line with several JuCos, etc., etc. And, UNT has made some significant changes as well."

Edited August 26, 2013 by BigVandalFan