The Long Offseason: North Texas Mean Green

"How hard would you fight if you were looking not to go 0-12?" North Texas head coach Todd Dodge said of Florida International's effort in the final game of the 2007season against his Mean Green. The answer is apparently harder than you would if you were looking not to go 2-10.

Perhaps the best way to talk about the 2007 Mean Green season is to compare them to the mean. The North Texas offense, led by Sun Belt Freshman of the Year QB Giovanni Vizza, tied for 78th in points per game at 24.8, and the mean of the 120 teams was 28.2. It was the defense, however, that let the Mean Green down, allowing an average of 45.1 points per game. This was more than any team, and nearly 18 points more than the national average of 27.2. It seemed pretty simple. When allowing fewer than 30 points: 2-0. When allowing more 30, 0-10. Most of their losses seemed rather pedestrian, but there was the season opening 79-10 loss at Oklahoma and a 66-7 loss at Arkansas.

However, the most interesting game of the season was their absolutely amazing 74-62 loss home loss to Navy. North Texas led at the half 49-44, but could manage only 13 more in the second half. Total yardage: Navy, 680, North Texas 635. Navy converted 3 of 5 third downs. 31 first downs, but only 5 third downs. Navy's rushing attack was really quite amazing. Their 57 carries netted 572 yards, but the most amazing thing was their balance. Seven different Midshipmen had at least 6 carries at least 44 yards, and six of them scored at least one touchdown. Their leading rusher had only 131 yards, including a 64 yard TD. Vizza's game wasn't too shabby either, completing 40 of 50 passes for 478 yards and 8 TDs, plus he ran the ball 13 times for 98 yards.

Looking ahead, in the April Green-White scrimmage, the defense did start strong (according to www.meangreensports.com), "allowing just a field goal through the first 13 minutes of the scrimmage." They also returned a fumble for a touchdown. But, the offense seemed to have the upper hand, completing 68 percent of their passes for 391 yards and 5 touchdowns.

North Texas kicks off the 2008 season on August 30 at Kansas State. It the risk of lossing my objectivity, I'm hoping they loose. This is so that they can beat Tulsa on September 6. If Tulsa beats New Mexico two weeks later and New Mexico State losses at Nebraska and UTEP, this would set up a titanic battle that will combine the two Shame Masks on September 27.