UNT Game Preview Presented by Discover Denton: Rice

It’s Homecoming week in Denton, and the North Texas Mean Green enter the celebration as one of the biggest surprises in college football. 

Just as some of us saw coming before the season, UNT sits tied for first in the American Conference behind the conference’s leading passer and rusher in quarterback Tayven Jackson and running back Jahiem White.(Yes, that was sarcasm on the preseason predictions. Neal Brown and this staff have blown past every expectation so far.)

Brown talked all offseason about a “reload,” and while it sounded like standard coach-speak at the time, the Mean Green have proven it was more than that. 

With an almost entirely new cast, North Texas is 6-2, already bowl-eligible, and squarely in the hunt for a second straight American Conference title. They host in-state rival Rice (1-7) this weekend looking to keep the momentum rolling.

Offensive Firepower

The Mean Green offense continues to rank near the top of the country in nearly every category for the second straight year. UNT is currently the second-highest scoring offense in the nation, trailing only Miami and sitting just ahead of Oklahoma State.The triplets leading the way:

This group has been the engine behind one of the most explosive offenses in the Group of 5.

The Defensive Challenge

Rice’s 1-7 record doesn’t tell the full story. The Owls have stayed competitive in several games, losing to Western Michigan by 7, UTSA by 2, and FAU by 2. Their triple-option attack, led by quarterbacks Jacurri Brown and Gael Ochoa, is averaging 271.5 rushing yards per game.

North Texas will need a much better effort against the run than they showed a few weeks ago against Navy, when they surrendered 363 yards on the ground. Slowing down Rice’s option will be the biggest key on defense.

Series History and What’s at Stake

North Texas leads the all-time series 8-5 and has won the last four meetings. A victory Saturday would make it five straight and set up what could be the Group of 5 game of the year the following week against UTSA.This Mean Green team has been exciting to watch and has already delivered more than almost anyone expected. 

Homecoming is the perfect time for Denton to show up and support a group that’s earned it.

Kickoff: Saturday in Denton

Prediction lean: North Texas’ offense should be too much for Rice, but the Mean Green can’t afford a letdown against the option.