2022 record: 7-7 (+1 win from 2021)  

Texas Power Poll ranking: 5 of 12  

THE GOOD 

North Texas reached its sixth bowl game in the last seven years and qualified for the Conference USA title in 2022. The emergence of quarterback Austin Aune and a big-play passing attack coupled with the always reliable run game fielded by the Mean Green led to the 28th-best scoring offense in the FBS ranks at 33.8 points per game. North Texas was 10th in the nation in plays 20 yards or more. The unit was third in the FBS with 47 plays of 30 yards or more, just two behind TCU. Aune threw for 33 touchdowns and averaged 15.2 yards a completion. 

The offensive line was a dominant unit, once again, anchored by All-Texas center Manase Mose. The Mean Green only allowed 11 sacks in 14 games. The .79 sacks allowed per game was fifth fewest of the 131 Division I squads. North Texas ranked 25th nationally with 199.86 rushing yards per game. The three-headed monster of Ayo Adeyi, Ikaika Ragsdale, and Oscar Adaway III each ran the ball at least 112 times for 583 yards. They combined for 16 rushing scores. 

THE BAD 

The Mean Green moved on from head coach Seth Littrell following the C-USA championship game loss to UTSA. The move was greeted by applause within the North Texas fan base and skepticism from outside of it. Littrell led the Mean Green to six bowl games in seven seasons at the helm. The program had only reached six since 1953. Take away bowl games and his squads finished .500 or better in four of his seven seasons. The program was only .500 or better four times this century prior to Littrell’s arrival. 

But an 0-6 record in bowl games and a 21-27 record since the start of 2019 was enough to want a fresh start as the Mean Green move into the American Athletic Conference. Littrell was 44-44 in his time at North Texas. The investment by the donors and administration combined with success down I-35 in San Antonio meant that average wasn’t going to cut it. North Texas was 0-2 last year against AAC competition and lost both of those games by double digits. 

THE UGLY 

The North Texas defense was atrocious in every important category. The Mean Green allowed 31.7 points per game, which was 110th out of 131 FBS teams. The rush defense checked in at 116th nationally. The pass defense was 110th. Opponents converted 45.83 percent of their third down attempts, which was 122nd worst in America. The -7 turnover margin, while not entirely the defense’s fault, was 114th in the land. 

TEAM GRADES

Quarterback: A-  
Running back: B+
Wide receiver/tight end: B+
Offensive line: A 
Defensive line: D+
Linebacker: C
Cornerback: C-
Safety: D+

BIGGEST OFFSEASON QUESTION

Is Eric Morris the secret ingredient to unlocking North Texas’ G5 potential? 

Not many programs at the G5 level possess more upside and potential than North Texas. The school is located 20 miles north of one of the best hotbeds of prep talent in the nation. The facilities are top notch, including the stadium and indoor facility. Average wasn’t good enough, and more is expected as bigger checks begin to flow in from the AAC move. North Texas wants to be seen with the Tulanes and UTSAs and SMUs of the G5 world, not other .500 programs reaching for bowl invites. The Mean Green want championships. Pulling that off in year one might be a reach, but the building blocks should be apparent given that the program fired its most successful coach since Hayden Fry. 

WAY TOO EARLY 2023 OUTLOOK 

A new quarterback must rise from the depth chart with Aune gone. The offense wasn’t the problem in 2022, however. The biggest concerns are on defense. The Mean Green can’t compete for conference championships until that unit at least becomes average. Right now, it is putrid. The non-conference schedule is manageable with Cal visiting Denton, America in Week 1. The rest of the non-conference schedule includes FIU, La Tech, and Abilene Christian. A 3-1 or even a 4-0 start isn’t out of the question. 

The AAC schedule isn’t officially released, but North Texas will host UTSA, Memphis, UAB, and Temple in 2023. The road games in the AAC are against SMU, Navy, Tulane, and Tulsa. The fan base won’t accept a result that doesn’t include a bowl bid. That’s a tough task for a new coach in a new conference with a new quarterback. And without a proven defense. The Mean Green might take a step back in 2023 to take a giant leap forward in 2024 and beyond.