Previewing UNT's Non-Conference Football Schedule

With college football season just one month away, the North Texas Mean Green are looking to improve upon a disappointing first year in the American Athletic Conference. TCU transfer Chandler Morris and senior DB Ridge Texada will need to have big years for the Mean Green if they want to compete at a high level, beginning with a trip to Mobile, Alabama in the opener.

8/31 @ South Alabama

The Jaguars are no slouches, as they open as a 7-point betting favorite against North Texas. South Alabama lost starting QB Carter Bradley, leading receiver Caullin Lacy and 1,000 yard rusher La’Damian Webb but return 2 key pass-catchers DJ Thomas-Jones and Jamaal Pritchett. This could be anyone’s game, but I expect South Alabama to come out on top.

9/7 vs Stephen F. Austin

This is the most winnable non-conference game for UNT this year. Stephen F. Austin is coming off a 3-8 record in 2023, and brings a 6-game losing streak into 2024. The Lumberjacks brought in 11 Power Four transfers, but will they mesh by the time September 7 rolls around?

9/14 @ Texas Tech

Part of a home-and-home that brings the Red Raiders to Denton in 2027, Texas Tech should win with relative ease. Tech has a high-powered offense, including incoming freshman Micah Hudson, that should get past the nation’s worst statistical defense easily. The Red Raiders’ defense has more than enough talent to, at the very least, get one or two key stops to defeat the Mean Green.

9/21 vs Wyoming

What could be another difficult game for UNT, Wyoming went a respectable 9-4 in 2023 with a victory in the Arizona Bowl. Head coach Craig Bohl announced his retirement following the victory and the Cowboys hired former DC Jay Sawvel to replace Bohl. Wyoming returns several key pieces offensively, including four offensive line starters and star RB Harrison Waylee. Look for the Cowboys to exploit UNT’s weak run defense.