North Texas vs. Utah State in New Mexico Bowl: Kickoff time, TV, line, 5 things, prediction

North Texas is looking to do something that’s only been done twice before since it started playing football 103 years ago: win 10 games.

The Mean Green went 10-2 in 1947 and 10-1 in 1977 (one win happened when No. 16 Mississippi State had to forfeit for using players who were later deemed ineligible).

“We have an opportunity to set our legacy,” North Texas coach Seth Littrell said. “Only two times in the history of our program have we won 10 games in our 103-year history. I know our players are very excited about that opportunity and being able to accomplish that goal.”

To do so, North Texas will have to overcome another 40-plus year drought by beating a ranked team. Utah State is ranked No. 23 in the coaches poll and North Texas hasn’t beat a ranked team since 1974.

Here’s all you need to know about North Texas-Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl:

The details

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

TV: ESPN (Mark Neely, John Congemi, Quint Kessenich)

Radio: KHYI 95.3 FM, KNTU 88.1 FM, KGAF 1580 (Dave Barnett, Hank Dickenson, Zac Babb)

The line: Utah State by 7 1/2 (over/under 68)

5 things to know

1. Coaching matters

Seth Littrell is staying at North Texas. He removed himself from consideration for the Kansas State job, and feels he has a good thing going in Denton.

Utah State’s Matt Wells, though, opted to bolt for a Power Five job. Wells will take over for Texas Tech, looking to take that program to the next level that Kliff Kingbury struggled to do.

Utah State will be led by interim coach Frank Maile, the co-defensive coordinator, in the bowl game. Gary Andersen, Utah State’s coach from 2009-12, has already been hired to replace Wells next season.

2. Aggies O

Utah State has one of the best offenses in the country, averaging 47.2 points a game (third in the nation). School records have already been set with 72 touchdowns and 566 points scored this season.

It’s the reason Texas Tech poached Wells. North Texas will have its hands full trying to slow down quarterback Jordan Love (3,208 yards passing) and running backs Darwin Thompson and Gerold Bright.

3. Mean Green O

Behind junior quarterback Mason Fine, North Texas’ offense has been almost as potent as Utah State’s. In other words, expect plenty of touchdowns.

North Texas is averaging 36.4 points a game, which would break the 1951 record of 36.2. The Mean Green is also averaging 472.8 yards total offense a game, which would break the 2017 record of 454.7.

Fine has been the star, ranking sixth in the country with 3,734 yards passing.

4. Local tie

Utah State gave Tipa Galeai a chance to extend his playing career. The Euless Trinity product started his college career at TCU, but an assault charge led to his dismissal from the team.

Galeai is making the most of his second opportunity. He ranks fifth with 58 tackles and has 8 1/2 sacks on the season.

5. This and that

Utah State leads the all-time series 4-3. North Texas won the last meeting between the programs, 31-23, in 2004 in Logan, Utah. … This is North Texas’ first trip to the New Mexico Bowl. Utah State has played in it once before, defeating UTEP 21-6 in 2014. … Player gifts for the bowl game, per Sports Business Journal: a gift suite; Oakley Jupiter Squared sunglasses; Oakley 5 Speed backpack; Bluetooth speaker; water bottle; beanie; Montgomery pen; Pacific Headwear trucker’s cap.

Prediction

North Texas saw its coach stay. Utah State saw its coach depart. In the end, it won’t change the outcome. Utah State simply has too much firepower for North Texas. Utah State 38, North Texas 31.