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NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN (Extended Preview)
By Daniel Freer | July 12, 2008
In 2006, the North Texas Mean Green hired successful HS football coach Todd Dodge to resurrect its once Sun Belt dominating program. Installing his Dodge Ball passing game (which had won four Texas Class 6A State Titles at Southlake Carroll HS), Dodge changed the direction of the offense, which was a run-oriented offense under former coach Darryl Dickey
The 2007 season saw some glimmers of greatness with Dodge Ball, with one 600+ yard passing game, and another game with 8 TD passes thrown. However, there were games that the offense did not show up (three games under 200 yards passing). Look for more production and consistency this season with the arrival of QB Riley Dodge, the coach’s son.
MEDIA LINKS:
ESPN.com North Texas
SI.com North Texas
LOCAL LINKS:
MeanGreenSports.com
FANTASY COLLEGE BLITZ BREAKDOWN:
The key to the entire 2008 season lies with a player that has not thrown a college pass. QB Riley Dodge originally committed to Texas, but de-committed when his father took the North Texas job. The younger Dodge is familiar with the Dodge Ball offense, and probably ran it since his pre-school days. QB Dodge was the Texas Class 6A Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007, and lost only 2 games as a HS QB (one was to 2007 HS National Champ Miami, FL, NorthwesternHS). Although sophomore Giovanni Vizza had some nice games in 2007 (he threw the 8 TDs vs Navy), he does not have the familiarity or the pedigree that QB Dodge has. Definitely, if your league has a deep enough draft, take Dodge with one pick, and handcuff him with Vizza. The third QB in the mix, Daniel Meager, started early in 2007 but was eventually beat-out by Vizza.
The WR position was the big recipient of the improved passing game, and no one WR improved as greatly as Casey Fitzgerald did last season. C-Fitz led the Mean Green with 111 catches, 1323 yards, and 12 TDs…and will be one of the top fantasy WRs in college football this season. Another WR to keep an eye on is Sam Dibrell, who started the last 4 games as a true-frosh last season…and should benefit from an improved passing game. Other WRs to watch are Brock Stickler, Evan Walker, Breece Johnson, Roderick Johnson, B.J. Lewis, and true freshmen Kenny Barrett, Desmond Brigham. Fitzgerald and Dibrell are sure draft-day picks, and keep your eye on the other mentioned WRs for free-agent/supplemental time.
Although rushing games are not productive in passing offenses, UNT does have a good RB in Micah Mosley returning. As a backup last season Mosley had 461 yards rushing and 6 total TDs, and also returns kicks. Depending on how well Cam Montgomery returns from knee surgery, Mosley should be the main RB for the Mean Green in 2008, and a late draft-day consideration.
The Offensive Line returns four starters, including All-SBC C Kelvin Drake. With a year of experience in the Dodge Ball offense, the O-Line should be improved…and will not give up the 40 sacks like they did last season.
On Special Teams, there could be a battle at PK between sophomore Thomas Moreland and JUCO import Jeremy Knott. UNT should improve on the 34 XPs and 8 FGs scored last year, and whoever wins the PK job at UNT is a worthy PK pick…as UNT should improve on its 25 points per game scored in 2007.
With this offense, you will not be considering the North Texas defense for drafting. However, do watch to see how well they perform, especially if they improve on their run defense, which was one of the worst in the nation in 2007. An improved rush defense will mean more snaps for the UNT offense.
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW:
No team in college football should see as much offensive improvement from 2007 (OK maybe except for Notre Dame) than North Texas. With the younger Dodge most likely assuming the starting QB job, the Mean Green will not only have a blue-chip signal-caller, but a QB with much experience in the Dodge Ball offense. The UNT schedule is a little more friendly to the offense this season, with the only defense capable of stopping them is LSU in Week Three. It is possible that UNT may not improve much on their won-loss record in 2008, but their offense will make them more competitive…and their offense will be much friendlier to all fantasy owners in 2008.
Topics: College Football, Daniel Freer, Preview, Sunbelt |
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