Type of Offense: Spread. Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation. There is rare to no use of a fullback. Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL). Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.
Type of Defense: 4-3. Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run. MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game. A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play. Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top. Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge.
· Run/Pass %: 61/39
· Run/Pass Attempts: 489/316
· Points Per Game: 23.9
· Points Allowed Per Game: 29.7
Key Returning Players:
· Lance Dunbar, RB: The team begins and ends with the performance of Dunbar. The second leading rusher in the Sun Belt and top 10 nationally with 1,553 yards. He must have somewhere in that vicinity for North Texas to have a successful season.
· Darius Cary, WR: With the starter from last season leaving the team, Cary must step up and be a security blanket to whichever QB wins the job. He has the talent to be all Sun Belt.
· Brandon Akpunku, DE: The leading returning tackler from the DL. Clearly the most talented player on the DL for North Texas. Must become a dominant defensive presence this fall.
· Jeremy Phillips, LB: Leading returning tackler from last season’s squad. Must be the leader and make sure that defensive alignments are correct with the new faces on defense this fall.
· Ryan Dowling, DB: Leading returning tackler from the secondary. One of five players in the secondary with experience, he must be the one to lead the defensive backfield.
· Chaz Sampson: 2 start WR from Texas who has the size to get some playing time this fall. If he can pick up the offense quickly and run good routes, he could easily get 20+ catches this fall.
· Micah Thompson: 2 star DT from Oklahoma who is college sized and could be a run clogger in the middle. If he can get to about 315 with the 6-5 size, he may end up on the other side of the ball.
· Andrew Power: 3 star TE that went to JC after his time at South Carolina went south. Has the potential to bring an added dimension to the North Texas offense by being a tight end who can block but also flex out and play some WR
Overall Assessment: While last season was not anything to write home about, once the coaching change was made the team played much better football. On the offensive side, someone must step up and become the replacement quarterback. Lance Dunbar will get his carries and if he can get 1500-1600 yards in 2011 with a good passing game, North Texas could get 5 wins. The offensive line is inexperienced and will need time to gel together and become a weapon. Defensively, giving up 30 points a game will not be acceptable in 2011. No matter how many yards Dunbar gets, the scoring defense must be dramatically dropped. They have the players that could make an impact and know how to tackle; now it’s about making stops and forcing turnovers. The kicker and punter from last season are still there being one of the few areas that will not see some major makeover from 2010. There are a lot of players that will be getting playing time for the first time on a college level. They must make the transition fairly smoothly and become quality players this fall. Of the recruits, some can make a difference but many will need the time to get acclimated to the college game. Overall, this is a year of transition from one coaching staff to another. North Texas has the chance to be competitive but should not sneak up on anyone like they did in the second half of 2010.
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