North Texas at UTSA
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
Records: UNT 7-2, 5-0 American; UTSA 7-2, 4-1 American
Last game: UNT 52, Rice 23; Florida Atlantic 60, UTSA 29
Last matchup: UNT 55, UTSA 17 (2025)
TV: ESPNU
What’s at stake?
North Texas is all alone atop the American Conference standings at 5-0 and in control of its fate in terms of grabbing a spot in the conference title game.
UTSA and Memphis sit just a game behind at 4-1. There is still a lot to be determined during the last few weeks of the season, starting Thursday night when Memphis plays at South Florida.
UNT coach Neal Brown pointed to the bottom line not too long ago as the Mean Green prepared for a stretch that will determine how the American race plays out.
UNT has control of the league race as long as it keeps on winning. The chances are slim, but there could be a path into the College Football Playoff for UNT if the Mean Green win out and everything falls their way.
UTSA is also very much in the race for a berth in the title game, despite suffering a tough loss at Florida Atlantic last week. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor left little doubt about how disappointed he was in the performance of his team and his staff while also shouldering blame.
Beating UNT would allow UTSA to bounce back in impressive fashion and move into a tie with the Mean Green atop the standings.
When UNT has the ball
There hasn’t been a more productive team in the country offensively than UNT, which leads the nation in total offense at 534.7 yards per game behind the combination of quarterback Tayven Jackson and running back Jahiem White.
Jackson ranks third nationally with 2,880 passing yards, while White sits third with 1,186 rushing yards.
Wide receiver Justin Stevenson is also in the top 10 nationally. He enters the weekend at No. 10 in receiving yards with 898.
UNT will look to build on its success so far this season against a UTSA defense that is allowing 29.8 points per game and is coming off a tough outing against the Owls.
Darion White leads UTSA with 59 tackles.
When UTSA has the ball
UNT played one of its better games defensively in its win over Rice, holding the Owls to 17 points before they scored a late touchdown.
Linebacker Zakye Barker is enjoying a terrific season. The SMU transfer has piled up 72 tackles and has been one of the bright spots for a defense that is allowing 30.9 points per game.
UNT has come through defensively several times this season. The Mean Green made a stop on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime to preserve a win over Tulsa.
UTSA will present a challenge for the Mean Green. The Roadrunners average 33.0 points per game and feature an experienced quarterback in Owen McCown. The senior has thrown for 2,016 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions this season.
Prediction
This just seems to be UNT’s year. Everything has broken its way, thanks to a terrific transfer recruiting class and a great coaching job by Brown in his first season with the Mean Green.
UNT hasn’t won in the Alamodome since 2018 and lost four straight games in the series before cruising to a 55-17 win last season.
The Mean Green are on a roll, and UTSA is dealing with a host of injuries. Key linebacker Brandon Tucker Jr. didn’t play last week.
UNT will finally end the curse of the Alamodome, where it is 1-6.
Prediction: UNT 42, UTSA 27
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