North Texas Mean Green

Neal Brown took over a program that led the FBS in yards and points last season, but he inherited a team with zero returning starters on offense after Eric Morris and several key players left for Oklahoma State. Brown brought in 70 new players, including 53 transfers, and installed a run-first scheme. The early returns are promising: North Texas is 4-2 and has scored 44 or more points in four of its last five games. The offense now features a balanced attack with quarterback Tayven Jackson and running back Jahiem White, who have emerged as one of the most productive duos in the country.

Jackson, a transfer from UCF, has thrown for 1,519 yards and 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions, completing 68.5 percent of his passes. He set a career high with four touchdown passes in the overtime win at Tulsa, then broke it with five against Charlotte. White, a transfer from West Virginia, has rushed for 582 yards and eight touchdowns while adding two receiving scores. He ran for 219 yards at Tulsa and 133 yards with four touchdowns against Houston Christian. The duo ranks among the nation's best: Jackson is fifth in passing yards and White is ninth in rushing yards, making North Texas the only FBS team with a top-10 passer and rusher.

First-year coordinator Matt Powledge has built a defense that hunts the ball. The Mean Green forced five fumbles and recorded four sacks and an interception in a 44-6 rout of UNLV, and they added a pick-six against Houston Christian. However, the run defense that ranked 130th nationally last season (215.7 yards per game) still has holes. Texas State rushed for 337 yards in a 49-35 loss, and Tulsa put up 44 points. The pass defense, which was a strength last year, has been solid but not dominant. The unit has yet to face a balanced offense like Navy's, which will test its discipline.

Kicker Dominic De Freitas, a transfer from Appalachian State, has been reliable, making 8 of 10 field goals and all 20 extra points. The return game lost its top returners from last season, but the coverage units have been solid. Punter Sawyer Evans has helped flip field position, and the Mean Green have won the turnover battle in four of six games. In a close conference race, special teams could be the difference.

North Texas has already faced defending national champion Indiana on the road and played Texas State and Tulsa away from home. The remaining schedule includes a trip to Navy, a home game against USF, and a road finale at Memphis. The Mean Green are 2-0 in American Conference play for the first time since 2018 and control their destiny in the AAC race. With a veteran quarterback and a dynamic running back, they have the firepower to compete for a conference title, but the defense must tighten up against the run to avoid shootouts. The next test at Navy will show whether this team is a true contender or still a year away.