North Texas vs. UNLV
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Cotton Bowl Stadium (Dallas, TX)
North Texas Season Review
The Mean Green had a productive season under third-year coach Dan McCarney. It was the team’s first year in Conference USA. The Mean Green left their losing ways in the Sun Belt Conference and jumped from 4-8 in 2012 to 8-4 in 2013. It was a fantastic turnaround in a season that saw North Texas win some big games against 10-win Ball State and Conference USA champion Rice.
The Mean Green’s defense ranked 22nd in the country in sacks with 34 and 17th in interceptions with 17 on the season. Their defense was ninth in the country allowing just an average of 18.1 points per game. This team is about defense and it was a big key to helping them win six of their last seven games, allowing an average of just 12.6 points per game during that span.
The team battled for a while against the Georgia Bulldogs but ultimately lost 45-21, in what would be their biggest loss of the year. North Texas’ three other losses were for a combined 17 points, all being one possession games.
UNLV Season Review
For three consecutive seasons the Runnin Rebels’ struggled through two-win seasons under head coach Bobby Hauck, and speculation about Hauck’s job security started to grow.
But any talk of a new coach has disappeared as Hauck has helped coach this team back to relevance again with a seven-win season. The Rebels’ season has been filled with inconsistency however, two straight losses to begin the season, followed by four straight wins, a loss, a win, two losses and two wins.
But through the roller coaster ride of the 2013 season, the Rebels managed to win seven games and make it to a bowl game for the first time since 2000. On offense, the Rebels rely on running back Tim Cornett who has 252 carries fro 1,251 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the year.
They can also trust in their quarterback, Caleb Herring, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns to just four interceptions on the year. The Rebels will be tested defensively though, ranking 93rd in the country allowing an average of 31.5 points per game
Game Matchups
Tim Cornett vs. North Texas Run Defense
If the Runnin Rebels’ want to beat North Texas to kick off 2014, they need to run the ball early and often. It won’t be easy, the Mean Green’s defense ranked 18th in the country allowing just 125.1 yards per game, and really have done a good job this season taking away the running game.
This game will come down to Cornett vs. North Texas and how much success he has early, will be key for the second half. If he can pick up chunks of yards early and start to wear down the defense early, it will open up big plays in the second half for the Rebels’ passing attack.
But if North Texas can neutralize Cornett early in the game and shut down the run, it will put the pressure on the Rebels’ passing game to try and play catch up.
Brelan Chancellor vs. UNLV Defense & Special Teams
While North Texas’ is known for their defense, one player that stands out on offense is wide receiver Brelan Chancellor. His role on offense skyrocketed this past year with his big play ability becoming a focal point of the offense.
Chancellor led the team in receiving yards with 718 and four touchdowns while adding a career-high 47 receptions. He makes his presence felt both on offense and on special teams, earning Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year honors and being named to the Conference USA All-Conference First Team as a kickoff returner and punt returner.
How the Rebels’ handle Chancellor will be key in this game with their defensive schemes and special teams. Do they kick it away from him and completely rule out the chance of a big return or do they take risks and kick it to him. If you give him just a little bit of open space, he will burn you for the big play.
Game Prediction: North Texas 24 UNLV 17
Draft Impact
This game won’t feature much in terms of future NFL starters and will be hard to find many names from either side being drafted in May. Chancellor will certainly be a name to keep an eye on as his skills as a return man should get him at least a shot in training camp with an NFL team.
This will be a great battle to watch between two college teams that surpassed all expectations this year, but it just won’t feature much future NFL-talent.