North Texas missed a bowl game for just the second time in eight seasons in head coach Eric Morris's inaugural year. It was as if the Mean Green took a two-part test and forgot there was a second part - leading the American Athletic Conference with 495 yards per game while finishing dead last in the nation in total defense. If North Texas can improve to 100th in the nation, it will be bowl bound. The year begins with what should be two wins against South Alabama and Stephen F. Austin before a soft-ish conference ramp-up with Tulsa and Florida Atlantic.

North Texas Mean Green

2023 Record: 5–7
2024 Record Prediction: 7–5

Biggest Game – at UTSA on Nov. 15

UTSA broke a 10-year winless streak in Denton last season, so now it's up to North Texas to return the favor in San Antonio. As college football morphs into an increasingly national sport, these two programs have developed a new and exciting regional rivalry. This year's bout should have major bowl implications for North Texas, considering it's the third-to-last game on the schedule. A regional battle with postseason implications, what else can we ask for? 

Trap Game – at Florida Atlantic on Oct. 12

This has all the fixings for a trap game - UNT coming off a bye week, a game of the year scenario the next week against Memphis and a trip to Boca Raton, Florida. Tom Herman's FAU debut ended in a disappointing 4–8, but the Owls underwent a platoon change similar to North Texas's. They're an unknown team heading into 2024, and Herman has only endured one losing season in seven years coaching both Houston and Texas. 

Potential Upset – at Memphis on Oct. 19

North Texas's 5–7 season was disappointing on the surface and gut-wrenching once three one-score losses to UTSA, Memphis and Tulane are taken into account. None were more heartbreaking than the Memphis game, where the Mean Green overcame a 21-point deficit with 47 seconds left, only to surrender a game-winning touchdown. The Tigers are an early favorite in the AAC with quarterback Seth Henigan returning. UNT could generate positive momentum stealing a win on the road before a daunting three-week stretch against Tulane, Army and at UTSA. 

Full Schedule

Aug. 31 at South Alabama
Sept. 7 vs Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 14 at Texas Tech
Sept. 21 vs Wyoming
Sept. 28 vs Tulsa
Oct. 12 at Florida Atlantic
Oct. 19 at Memphis
Oct. 26 vs Tulane
Nov. 9 vs. Army
Nov. 15 at UTSA
Nov. 23 vs East Carolina
Nov. 30 at Temple