College Gridiron 365
College Football Countdown: No. 117 North Texas
by Iliana Limón

Coach: Dan McCarney (0-0, first season)

2010 record: 3-9 (3-5 in Sun Belt, tied for sixth)

Look back: Head coach Todd Dodge, who was plucked from one of the most successful high school programs in Texas with the hope he could bring his magic to North Texas, was fired in October after his team posted a 1-6 record to start the 2010 season. Dodge posted a 6-37 record in four seasons, never really finding his footing at the program that last won a Sun Belt title in 2004. Offensive coordinator Mike Canales took over as interim coach and relied on talented running back Lamar Dunbar to help the team claim two more wins. McCarney, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant on the Florida Gators staff, ultimately was hired to take over the long suffering Mean Green program. McCarney kept Canales, a long-time friend, as a member of his new staff.

Offensive starters lost/returning: 6/6

Defensive starters lost/returning: 6/6

Key losses: OL Victor Gill, OL Esteban Santiago, LB Craig Robinson

Top returnees: RB Lamar Dunbar, DB Royce Hill, DE Brandon Akpunku, WR Darius Carey

Strengths: Dunbar has the potential to be one of the best running backs in North Texas history and a superstar in the Sun Belt next season. He rushed for 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns on 274 carries during the 2010 season. Dunbar was ranked sixth nationally with 129.4 rushing yards per game. While he lost a pair of talented offensive linemen who poked holes for him, North Texas faces a lot of weak defenses in 2011.

Weaknesses: McCarney is massively overhauling the North Texas program. It usually takes at least one season to effectively implement his spread offense, which relies on an athletic quarterback capable of making quick decisions under pressure. McCarney wants his team to be tougher and more physical on both sides of the ball. He also is waiting for his top players to step up as leaders.

Outlook: North Texas is opening a new stadium this season. Mean Green Stadium is one of the most ambitious projects in school history and there will naturally be pressure for McCarney and his staff to win early. With so many changes, the lack of a clear starting quarterback and a tough schedule, it will probably take McCarney more than one year to post a winning season.

2011 Schedule
Sept. 1 At FIU
Sept. 10 Houston
Sept. 17 At Alabama
Sept. 24 Indiana
Oct. 1 At Tulsa
Oct. 8 FAU
Oct. 15 At Louisiana-Lafayette
Oct. 22 Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 29 At Arkansas State
Nov. 12 At Troy
Nov. 19 Western Kentucky
Dec. 3 Middle Tennessee

Memphis is no. 118:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_...mphis.html

0-12

(05-01-2011 05:27 PM)Hemi Man Wrote:  0-12

Western Kentucky has yet to beat North Texas. Just saying.

(05-01-2011 05:27 PM)Hemi Man Wrote:  0-12

That's ridiculous. Even under Dodge, North Texas didn't produce a 0-12 season. I hope the Troy coaching staff shares your views and prepares accordingly.

Oh, I forgot, you believe Willie Taggart is going to miracle WKU into contention.

(05-04-2011 06:04 AM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(05-01-2011 05:27 PM)Hemi Man Wrote:  0-12

That's ridiculous. Even under Dodge, North Texas didn't produce a 0-12 season. I hope the Troy coaching staff shares your views and prepares accordingly.

Oh, I forgot, you believe Willie Taggart is going to miracle WKU into contention.

Don't be hard on him...critical thinking skills aren't taught at Troy.

(05-04-2011 06:04 AM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(05-01-2011 05:27 PM)Hemi Man Wrote:  0-12

That's ridiculous. Even under Dodge, North Texas didn't produce a 0-12 season. I hope the Troy coaching staff shares your views and prepares accordingly.

Oh, I forgot, you believe Willie Taggart is going to miracle WKU into contention.

Sept. 1 At FIU
Sept. 10 Houston
Sept. 17 At Alabama
Sept. 24 Indiana
Oct. 1 At Tulsa
Oct. 8 FAU
Oct. 15 At Louisiana-Lafayette
Oct. 22 Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 29 At Arkansas State
Nov. 12 At Troy
Nov. 19 Western Kentucky
Dec. 3 Middle Tennessee

This schedule does you absolutely no favors. If FIU is as good as predicted I don't see the Mean Green winning and if you don't beat FIU, you're not beating Houston or Alabama. Indiana and Tulsa are both within reach, but I definitely would not be surprised to see the Mean Green still looking for their first win when FAU comes to town.

FAU has some tough sledding out of the gate as well, if they can't beat the Cajuns they'll likely be 0-4 heading to Denton. That game October 8th could easily be 0-5 UNT vs 0-4 FAU.

(05-04-2011 12:11 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(05-04-2011 06:04 AM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(05-01-2011 05:27 PM)Hemi Man Wrote:  0-12

That's ridiculous. Even under Dodge, North Texas didn't produce a 0-12 season. I hope the Troy coaching staff shares your views and prepares accordingly.

Oh, I forgot, you believe Willie Taggart is going to miracle WKU into contention.

Sept. 1 At FIU
Sept. 10 Houston
Sept. 17 At Alabama
Sept. 24 Indiana
Oct. 1 At Tulsa
Oct. 8 FAU
Oct. 15 At Louisiana-Lafayette
Oct. 22 Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 29 At Arkansas State
Nov. 12 At Troy
Nov. 19 Western Kentucky
Dec. 3 Middle Tennessee

This schedule does you absolutely no favors. If FIU is as good as predicted I don't see the Mean Green winning and if you don't beat FIU, you're not beating Houston or Alabama. Indiana and Tulsa are both within reach, but I definitely would not be surprised to see the Mean Green still looking for their first win when FAU comes to town.

FAU has some tough sledding out of the gate as well, if they can't beat the Cajuns they'll likely be 0-4 heading to Denton. That game October 8th could easily be 0-5 UNT vs 0-4 FAU.

Well, at least we can be comforted in knowing we will probably whip the Muts.