College Preview: North Texas Mean Green vs. UTEP Miners

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The North Texas Mean Green and UTEP Miners are set to face off in a rescheduled game. The game was originally scheduled in El Paso, but will be played in Denton on Friday. Here's what you need to know about the Conference USA matchup.

Records: North Texas (3-5, 2-4), UTEP (3-4, 0-3)
When: 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11
Where: Apogee Stadium in Denton
How to Watch: ESPN3
Odds: North Texas 5.5, O/U 62.5

North Texas-UTEP Preview

UTEP will try to pick up its fourth win and finish with a .500 record for the first time since 2014, but a motivated and talented North Texas squad stands in the way at Apogee Stadium on Saturday.

The Miners have multiple wins in a season for the first time in the Dana Dimel era despite losing six games so far due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Running back Deion Hankins has emerged as the centerpiece of the offense with 493 yards and seven touchdowns in just six games. 

On the other side, North Texas has seemingly rotated encouraging and embarrassing performances. Beating Rice is a feather in their cap, but giving up 91 combined points between UTSA and Louisiana Tech in huge losses won't cut it for this proud program. 

The last time these two teams played, North Texas put tgoether a dominant 52-26 win at Apogee Stadium behind a 38-14 first half lead. Mason Fine threw for 332 yards and seven touchdowns, with Jaelon Darden and Deonte Simpson combining for five touchdowns. 

However, UTEP has grown dramatically since then, especially with Gavin Hardison now starting under center. The battle between Hardison and North Texas QB Jason Bean could be the difference between victory and defeat on Friday night. 

Click here for Texas Football staff picks

Players to Watch

North Texas: Wide receiver Jaelon Darden is simply one of the best players in Texas, regardless of position. He leads the nation with 15 touchdowns and can set the program record for career receiving yards on Friday.

UTEP: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing has three 100-yard performances this year and has accumulated at least 49 receiving yards in every game this season despite a run-first offense. 

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