There really isn't any question that last year's Mean Green squad was one of the most pleasant surprises in C-USA football. But a lot of the more prolific players have graduated from the offensive producers last year, and whether or not North Texas can find productive replacements quickly enough to duplicate last year's fine season will be one of the big questions of the early season in the West.

North Texas @ Texas is a quality opener and you could possibly be catching Texas at the right time, although everything will have to go right for you to pull it out. Texas has a new coach, a new system, and several question marks on both sides of the ball. So a strong outing by the Mean Green could have them hanging in to the fourth quarter. If they can do that, stranger things have happened.

Let's be honest, though, it's going to be tough for any team to go into Austin and win on opening day. The Longhorns are going to be hungry and I doubt that they look past North Texas given last year's strong defense and overall quality play. I'd love to see a win here...it would be a real statement for both North Texas and C-USA. But it's going to be tough and take all that North Texas has to give, along with a few breaks.

Another game that I think doesn't get decided until mid 3rd quarter.

UNT has a good chance to win. They are on the upswing at the right time!

Coach Strong will not be embarrassed in his first game. UNT will be close until the half. Then coach Strong will have his first chance to light a fire under some a$$es at the half. Then Texas will either show up, or blow up. 34-13 Texas.

Texas has a long history of struggling against lesser non-conference opponents. They usually win, but by often much closer scores than they should. UNT has a chance to keep this competitive for a while, but in the end, Texas will win at least 17.

If I were a gambler, this is a game I would stay away from. There is no way that UNT should be able to go into Memorial Stadium on opening day and come out with a win, but this year it seems within reason for the Eagles to do exactly that. I don't think they can win it, but they just might, and I wish them well.