Arkansas Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018

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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Thaddeous Thompson #11 celebrates running back Willy Ivery #29 of the North Texas Mean Green touchdown against the Rice Owls in the first half at Rice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

North Texas was one of the most surprising teams in the Group of Five last season as they finished the regular season 9-3 with a C-USA West title, but lost to Florida Atlantic in the conference championship. The Mean Green also went on to lose the New Orleans Bowl against Troy and finished 9-5.

In the process, however, they did find their quarterback of the future in sophomore Mason Fine. He passed for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. He does turn the ball over too much, though, and that will hurt him on the road in Week 3.

Arkansas will struggle to slow him down early on as he will be depending on his top-three receivers which all return from 2017, but he will start to slow down as the run game will go nowhere. The offense will depend too much on Fine and he will end up throwing a couple of crucial interceptions which will lead to touchdowns.

Cole Kelley will have his first sub-250 yard game of the season, but Devwah Whaley and Chase Hayden will each finish with over 100 yards rushing against a poor run defense.

Final Score: North Texas 24, Arkansas 35 (3-0)

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