How to watch North Texas vs. Texas: Preview, TV schedule, odds, more
Will the Charlie Strong era begin with a win against a strong Group of Five opponent?
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sport
In most years, a season-opening matchup between Texas and North Texas would appear as a pretty straight-forward Longhorns blowout win. But 2014 is not most years.
The odds may reflect “most years” -- Texas is a very heavy favorite -- but after a very good 2013 campaign, the Mean Green are thinking upset. Dan McCartney has orchestrated a total rebuilding effort in Denton, leading North Texas to their first bowl game since 2004 and their first bowl win (36-14 over UNLV) since 2002. The former Iowa State head coach has built this team around a strong offensive line and an excellent defense, and they should be a threat in Conference USA once again this season.
Texas certainly has the talent to play North Texas out of the park, but the transition to Charlie Strong might not be so smooth at first. The Longhorns have plenty of questions on both sides of the ball and have seen significant attrition during the course of the offseason, leaving their status as a potential Big 12 contender firmly up in the air.
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How to witness
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network.
Online streaming: WatchESPN.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Texas is ranked No. 24 in the Coaches Poll, and is unranked in the AP Poll. North Texas is unranked in both polls. This is the first game of the season for either team. Texas holds a 9-0 all-time lead in the series between the two teams, which last played in 2006.
Vegas: Texas is favored by 25.5 points, with the line moving slightly in North Texas’s favor after a 26.5-point opening. The over/under has remained constant at 52.
Weather forecast: Low 80s with scattered thunderstorms.
Three names to know
Desmond Jackson, DT, Texas. The senior recently expressed a desire for the Longhorns' defense to shed the "soft" label, and he'll have an opportunity to do his part on a defensive line that has to replace elite talent Jackson Jeffcoat.
David Ash, QB, Texas. Reports have been promising out of camp for the Longhorns' quarterback, who is expected to split time against the Mean Green with blue-chip sophomore Tyrone Swoopes. Strong has been very high on Ash, and a good season from him would go a long way towards Big 12 success for Texas this season.
Darius Terrell, WR, North Texas. A former four-star prospect who originally landed at Texas, Terrell transferred to North Texas and will get a shot to beat his old team. He only caught seven passes last season but sported impressive catch rate and yards per target numbers. With the Mean Green's top two receivers gone, Terrell is one of a number of players looking to fill that void in the passing game.
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Two things at stake
This is Strong’s first game as Texas’s head coach, and an easy victory over a quality opponent the Longhorns should beat would give a very positive first impression.
North Texas took a big leap last season, but they lose enough quality players that a step back looks likely. How far of a step back? We should find out Saturday.
Further reading
For coverage of Texas, head to Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival. For more on North Texas and the rest of C-USA, check out Underdog Dynasty.
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