They're mean, they're green, and they're ready for the AAC — North Texas' football team is pumped about what is to come in 2023. Many exciting new things are happening at the football-crazy Texas school going into the 2023 season, and we are going to talk about them all.
Mean Green Team Standouts
UTA is all about teams, so it makes sense that their standouts for the 2023 season would be a group and not just one individual. The Mean Green have one of the strongest running-back rooms in the AAC.
Injuries plagued these guys last year, but it's a new year, and so with time to heal and to train, the "Fantastic Four" will be ready to wow us once more. The Fantastic Four are, of course, referencing running backs: Ayo Adeyi, Ikaika Ragsdale, Oscar Adaway, and Isaiah Johnson.
RB Ayo Adeyi (#39) had the most rushing yards (807) and YPC (7.2) in 2022 (Photo Courtesy of University of North Texas Athletics).
Are any 2022 North Texas coaches still here?
Probably not. Eric Morris is coming to the Lone Star State from the Pac 12's Washington State, where he was the offensive coordinator. Morris isn't exactly new to the head coaching gig. He has several years of head coaching under his belt, with a record of 24-18. He turned a moribund FCS program, Incarnate Word, into a playoff team.
If you were looking for a familiar face on the coaching staff in 2023, don't look too hard. Everyone has been replaced. The University of North Texas athletic department was not interested in entering the AAC with the coaching staff that got them second place in the C-USA but with a record of 7-7 overall and 6-2 in the conference.
New Head Coach Eric Morris is welcomed to UNT with his sons Nicholas and George (Photo courtesy of University of North Texas Athletics).
Toughest Team to Tackle?
The toughest opposition could come from their reunited conference rivals, SMU, on Nov. 10th. It could also come from Tulane. They will be on Yulman Stadium turf on Oct. 21, giving the AAC 2022 division winners a home advantage. That's not the position you want to be in with the Green Wave.
North Texas 2023 Predictions
With so many new things for the Mean Green, a projected record is hard to make. They did well in the conference, but now it's a small fish, big pond situation. We think a 5-7 overall record with a 3-5 conference record would be a reasonable guesstimate for UNT.
The beginning of the season could be relatively smooth. They are facing off against familiar faces from C-USA two weeks in a row. The end of the season could also be in its favor. But between Oct. 21 and Nov. 10, it will be pushed to its limits each — and every week.
Former QB Austin Aune (#2) is leaving the University of North Texas for NFL free agency (Photo Courtesy of University of North Texas Athletics).
Losing now-NFL free agent Austin Aune this year, along with the team learning a whole new system on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, coupled with the addition to the new conference and coaching staff is leaving the Mean Green with many new learning and growing opportunities that could be tough.
There are a lot of questions ahead, but what do we know heading into the 2023 season? The spirit of Mean Joe Greene will always be there, guiding the team.
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