2014 Schedule Preview: North Texas Mean Green

Nov 23, 2013; Denton, TX, USA; North Texas Mean Green linebacker Will Wright (11) sacks UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Eric Soza (8) during the game at Apogee Stadium. The Roadrunners defeated the Mean Green 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

The Mean Green will need to replace Zach Orr and Will Wright at linebacker. The duo combined for more than 200 tackles in 2013. Senior Derek Akunne anchors the linebacking corp. He was an honorable mention all-conference player last season and finished with 90 tackles. Junior Jamal Marshall should step in to one of the open slots. Marshall is a former high school track star, so he can use his speed to fill any gaps created by the offensive line. Texas will want to make sure and get a hat on him. Fred Scott lacks the size of a prototypical linebacker. At 5-foot-11, he could struggle with shedding blocks.

Texas will want to establish the run early against North Texas. Although the front seven is a bit undersized, many of the Mean Green players saw significant playing time. This group won’t be star-struck from playing under the lights at DKR.

Strong and Vance Bedford will have a pretty good idea of where the team sits after playing North Texas. This will be a good test for the new-look Longhorns.