DFW college football teams look to bounce back from losses

by Todd E. Jones of College Football Top Ten

The Mean Green defense hasn't been very "mean" as they have given up an average of 54.75 points per game.

After going zero for three last week, the local DFW college football teams will be looking to bounce back. The Southern Methodist University Mustangs will travel to Orlando, FL to play the University of Central Florida Golden Knights who won the Conference USA Championship last year. The TCU Horned Frogs will return to Fort Worth to play Mountain West Conference foe San Diego State University, and the University of North Texas will host the Florida International University Golden Panthers in a Sun Belt Conference game.

UNT

Florida International's spread offense had been inept all year, but the Panthers put up 35 points in last week's win over Toledo. Coming into their game with Toledo the Panthers were averaging 6.3 points per game. After giving up 40 and 42 points in their first two games, FIU has held the past two opponents to 17 and 16 points respectively. FIU seems to be showing signs of improvement which is bad for UNT, the only team the Panthers beat last year. While UNT may be seeking a little bit of retribution for their loss to FIU last year, they haven't shown any signs of improvement in the 2008 season going 0-4. The Mean Green defense hasn't been very "mean" as they have given up an average of 54.75 points per game. The offense, which seem to be coming together at the end of 2007, may be more of a disappointment as it has only averaged 13.75 points per game. This is UNT's first conference game of the year. The game starts at 6:00 p.m. in Denton at Fouts Field.

SMU

After winning the Conference USA Championship in 2007, the University of Central Florida has struggled to find its footing in 2008. The Knights thumped the lower division South Carolina State in their first game, and took tenth ranked South Florida to overtime in their second game. However, long trips to Boston to play Boston College and El Paso to play UTEP took its toll, and UCF were routed by UTEP. SMU has to travel to Orlando where UCF will be rested and glad to be home. The Mustangs rallied at Tulane last Thursday showing some signs of possible improvement. Can the Mustangs get the win on such a long trip? The game starts at 2:30 p.m. in Orlando.

TCU

The Frogs will hope to improve the mistakes that took them out of the game against Oklahoma. San Diego State, a Mountain West Conference opponent, will challenge the TCU passing defense giving them an opportunity to correct mistakes made against the Sooners. Quarterback Ryan Lindley was name Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his effort against Idaho when passed for 433 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Aztecs. SDSU averages 302.75 passing yards per game which is 10th in the country. The Aztecs do more passing as they only average 65.50 yards rushing per game. Thei Aztec defense has struggled this year giving up 413 total yards per game which is 99th in the country. The TCU game starts at 5:00 p.m. in Fort Worth at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

TV and Radio

As always you can catch each team's game on the radio. The Mustangs game will be broadcast live on The Ticket. Pony fans can also catch the game on CBS College Sports. Fans wanting to listen to the UNT football game can catch the action on the Mean Green Sports Network including The Word FM and KNTU. TCU fans can catch the Horned Frogs on the TCU/ISP Network featuring ESPN Radio 103.3 FM. In addition, the Frogs' game against San Diego State will be televised live on the Mountain West Network.