North Texas @ Southern Methodist preview
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2014 ) Southern Methodist 6, North Texas 43
First-year SMU coach Chad Morris doesn't need to harp on the positives from a Week 1 loss to Baylor as his Mustangs prepare to host North Texas on Saturday. Last year's embarrassing loss to the Mean Green - a near shutout that led to former coach June Jones resignation days later - is plenty of motivation.
North Texas rushed for 245 yards, forced five turnovers and didn't allow a score until the game's final play in a 43-6 win last year. "I am sure (our players) remember it," Morris said during Monday's American Athletic teleconference. "They have talked about it. It was tough to watch. These guys know they got embarrassed." The Mustangs' new-look offense kept them close to Baylor for three quarters as three newcomers led SMU in receiving. North Texas opens its season with senior Andrew McNulty returning at quarterback after he started the final six games last year.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: SMU -3
ABOUT NORTH TEXAS (2014: 4-8): McNulty (1,295 yards, six touchdowns last year) beat out Josh Greer and transfer DaMarcus Smith for the job. The Mean Green, which led the nation last year in red-zone scoring at 94.3 percent, also return leading receiver Carlos Harris (70 catches, 863 yards, three TDs) and leading rusher Antoinne Jimmerson (589 yards, five TDs). Kenny Buyers (two INTs) returns to lead a North Texas defense that allowed 369.4 yards and forced 22 turnovers and 33 sacks.
ABOUT SMU (0-1): Matt Davis threw for 166 yards and two scores and ran for 115 yards as the Mustangs' offense moved away from Jones' run-and-shoot attack. Freshmen Xavier Jones (four catches, 38 yards) and Xavier Castille (three catches, 11 yards) and redshirt freshman Courtland Sutton (three catches, 82 yards, two TDs) led the Mustangs in receiving and Jones added a rushing score in the 56-21 loss to Baylor. The Mustangs' coaches are preaching better tackling after SMU gave up 723 yards - including 300 on the ground - in the opener.
EXTRA POINTS
1. SMU leads the series 28-5-1 and have won eight straight at home by an average of 19.6 points.
2. SMU wants to add depth to the offensive line to keep players fresh, but the loss of starting left guard Daniel McCarty (knee) will make that more difficult.
3. The Mean Green are 12-2 under fifth-year coach Dan McCarney when rushing for at least 200 yards.
PREDICTION: SMU 31, North Texas 21