When it comes to football, there has been nothing better for North Texas in terms of public interest than playing Texas rivals. That made Wednesday’s release of UNT’s 2013 schedule all the more intriguing.
UNT already knew it would play three in-state opponents during its first season in Conference USA and had announced that it would play all three at Apogee Stadium.
The Mean Green will host Rice (Nov. 2), UTEP (Nov. 9) and Texas-San Antonio (Nov. 23), as well as Middle Tennessee and two nonconference opponents.
“We are very excited to be playing a schedule that includes so many regional rivalries,” UNT coach Dan McCarney said in a statement. “With three Texas teams coming to Denton and four more games that are easily drivable, our fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the Mean Green in its first season of Conference USA.”
UNT will open the season at home against Idaho on Aug. 31, marking the first time the Mean Green has opened at home since a 2001 loss to TCU.
UNT also will host Ball State and former Sun Belt Conference rival MTSU on Sept. 14 and Oct. 12, respectively. UNT left the Sun Belt after 12 years following last season.
Seven of the top 10 crowds for on-campus games in UNT history were for games against Texas schools.
The Mean Green will play regional rivals Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Tulsa and Southern Miss on the road.
UNT 2013 SCHEDULE
Date | Opponent |
Aug. 31 | Idaho |
Sep 7 | at Ohio |
Sep 14 | Ball State |
Sep 21 | at Georgia |
Oct 5 | at Tulane* |
Oct 12 | Middle Tennessee* |
Oct 19 | at Louisiana Tech* |
Oct 26 | at Southern Miss* |
Nov 2 | Rice* |
Nov 9 | UTEP* |
Nov 23 | Texas-San Antonio* |
Nov 30 | at Tulsa* |
* — Conference USA game
