Texas – North Texas Game Preview
Texas game preview of key positional matchups versus North Texas
Texas plays host to the North Texas Mean Green tonight. The Longhorns usher in a new coaching staff and philosophy on the Forty Acres. North Texas comes in fresh off a nine-win season in 2013. The Mean Green are replacing some key players, including its starting quarterback and running back.
This Texas game preview takes a look at who has the advantage in key positions.
Quarterback
David Ash returns to the field for the first time since the Kansas State game last September. Ash’s injury history is well-documented, and fans will watch to see if he gets up after every hit. Even so, this is the guy Charlie Strong is hitching his wagon to. Ash has the best grasp of the offense among the quarterbacks, so staying healthy will be a top priority. He needs to manage the game and not try to win it himself.
All eyes will be on David Ash to see if he can bounce back from an injury-shortened 2013 season. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
North Texas has settled on JUCO transfer Josh Greer. Greer beat out Andrew McNulty for the starting job. This may be temporary, however, considering McNulty has been in the program longer and Greer didn’t exactly light it up in the junior college ranks. Don’t be surprised to see both signal callers get time on the field.
Advantage: Texas
Running back
Malcolm Brown earned praise from the coaching staff for his work ethic and hard running in the spring. Brown is going to be the workhorse back for Texas. Considering Strong wants to pound the ball versus North Texas, expect to hear No. 28 name called often. Johnathan Gray returns to the field following an Achilles injury last October. He is close to 100 percent. The coaching staff will bring Gray along slowly. There is no need to rush him back.
Reggie Pegram and Antoinne Jimmerson will try to replace 1,000 yard rusher Brandin Byrd. Both Pegram and Jimmerson are built solid, and low to the ground. North Texas’ best chance at hanging with the Longhorns is to establish the run game and eat up the clock. This could be a tall order tonight.
Advantage: Texas
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Wide Receiver
Jaxon Shipley has made a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury. He should see action tonight. Marcus Johnson and John Harris will see plenty of snaps. After that, things get dicey as the backups all lack experience. Jacorey Warrick was a redshirt last season, and Ty Templin is a walk-on. Armanti Freeman and Lorenzo Joe are true freshman. These players have talent, but no game experience. This will be a good game for the coaches to see what they have in the younger players.
The Mean Green also have receiver issues. The top two receivers from last year have graduated, leaving the team thin on experience. Carlos Harris is the leading returning receiver with 47 catches. Darvin Kidsy will have a chance to step in to a starting role after hauling in 16 passes in 2013. North Texas will throw to the tight end. With new quarterbacks taking over, Drew Miller could have a productive day.
Advantage: Texas
Defensive Line
Texas has some pretty good players along the line. Cedric Reed, Malcolm Brown and Desmond Jackson all return to give Texas stability in the trenches. Reed will replace Jackson Jeffcoat as Texas’ best pass rusher. The Longhorns will need Shiro Davis or Caleb Bluiett to become a force on the other side of the line. This group sets the tone for the Texas defense.
While Texas has experience along the line, North Texas must replace four starters. Not only that, but the Mean Green don’t have much size as a unit. This could play into Texas’ hands as the Longhorns try to establish the run. This defensive line will go against an inexperienced Texas offensive line. If North Texas hopes to win this game, the front four will need to dominate the line of scrimmage and shut down the run game. This doesn’t seem likely.
Advantage: Texas
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Linebacker
Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond return from an injury-plagued 2013 campaign. They are joined by Peter Jinkens and Dalton Santos. If Hicks can stay on the field and produce like the coaching staff thinks he can, this linebacking corp can be one of the best in the conference.
Derek Acunne was an All-Conference performer last season. He will need to play like one today. North Texas must replace its other two linebackers. Jamal Marshall and Fred Scott should see plenty of action. Neither are built like your prototypical linebacker, and could have trouble against the bigger Texas lineman. If Texas can establish the run, this group will have a busy day.
Advantage: Texas
Secondary
We know what to expect from Quandre Diggs and Duke Thomas. These guys will be locked on Mean Green receivers, freeing up the safeties to help in run support. Freshman Jason Hall is expected to get the start tonight at strong safety. Walk-on Dylan Haines will also see time on the field. Mykkele Thompson will shore up the other safety spot. This is a good game for Hall and Haines to make their debuts. North Texas may struggle to stretch the field, so Hall and Haines should not have to worry about getting beat deep.
Quandre Diggs returns to help shore up the Texas secondary. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
If there is one unit that can compete with the athletes Texas puts on the field, it is the Mean Green secondary. Kenny Buyers and Lairamie Lee are All-Conference defenders with plenty of game experience. This unit won’t be over matched by Texas’ receivers. This is another reason why Texas should establish the run and grind out a victory.
Advantage: Texas, but barely
Texas should easily win this game. Don’t expect the team to sleepwalk through the first half like it did versus New Mexico State in last year’s opener. The coaching staff will have these guys ready to play hard for sixty minutes.