Florida Atlantic at North Texas
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: DATCU Stadium, Denton
Records: UNT 5-2, 3-0 American Conference; FAU 5-2, 2-1 American Conference
Last matchup: UNT 41, FAU 37 (2024)
TV: ESPN
What’s at stake?
North Texas is in the thick of the race for the American Conference title as the halfway point of league play arrives.
The Mean Green (3-0) are one of two teams in the American remaining without a loss in conference play. UTSA is the other and is atop the standings at 4-0.
UNT coach Neal Brown talked this week about the importance of the Mean Green controlling their destiny. A win over FAU would keep UNT in that position.
The Mean Green also have a chance to sell the program in front of a national television audience in a midweek game on ESPN. A win over FAU would make UNT bowl eligible.
The Owls are also in the conference title race at 2-1 and can become bowl eligible with a win over the Mean Green. FAU will face UTSA later in the season and has a potential path to a spot in the conference title game if the Owls win out.
North Texas wide receiver Josiah Martin and the Mean Green will host Florida Atlantic on Thursday night.
When UNT has the ball
UNT has been terrific all season offensively and leads the American in scoring by nearly a touchdown per game. The Mean Green are putting up 43.1 points with FAU sitting second at 37.3.
The combination of quarterback Tayven Jackson and running back Jahiem White has led the way for the Mean Green. Jackson is averaging 310.4 passing yards per game, while White is rushing for 123.0.
FAU has struggled defensively while allowing 34.0 points, although the Owls’ average is somewhat misleading due to giving up 66 points to national power Florida in their opener.
When Florida Atlantic has the ball
UNT’s defense has come up big at times, including in a 50-10 win over Charlotte earlier this month.
The Mean Green also held Navy to a field goal on the Midshipmen’s first two possessions last week, helping UNT jump out to a 14-3 lead.
Linebacker Zakye Barker leads UNT with 57 tackles. The Mean Green will have cornerback Chase Canada available for the second straight week. Canada played for the first time since UNT’s season-opening loss to Indiana last week against Navy.
Canada’s return comes at a perfect time with UNT set to face an FAU team that has one of the best passing attacks in the American.
Prediction
UNT is in a bit of a tough spot. The Mean Green beat Navy in physical game on the road and made the trip to the East Coast and back ahead of a short week.
These are the kinds of challenges good teams meet. It has become apparent over the last few weeks that UNT falls into that category.
FAU will make plays in the passing game. The Owls are too good not to, but UNT will win comfortably.
Score: UNT 45, FAU 35
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