2014 Schedule Preview: North Texas Mean Green

Jan 1, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; North Texas Mean Green wide receiver Darnell Smith (80) catches a touchdown pass in front of UNLV Rebels defensive back Kenneth Penny (17) during the second half at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The Mean Green defeated the Rebels 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver

North Texas doesn’t seem particularly deep at wide receiver. The Mean Green lost its top two receivers from last year. Carlos Harris takes over as the go-to guy. Harris hauled in 47 passes last season. He stands at just 5-foot-8, eliminating any jump ball opportunities that sometimes bail out inexperienced quarterbacks. Sophomore Darvin Kidsy offers a little more height at 6-foot. He had 16 grabs last season. Tight end Drew Miller is short by tight-end standards, but he was still fourth on the team in receptions with 17. Did Texas tight ends even get targeted 17 times last year?

A veteran Texas secondary should take advantage of the inexperience at quarterback and lack of height at the wide receiver position. If Texas can stop the run – a big if at this point – and force mostly third and longs, the Longhorns should have no trouble with North Texas’ offense.