Know the Enemy 2023: Are the Mean Green Really that Mean?

A dear friend answers our questions

We asked our friends over at the Mean Green Show to answer some questions about North Texas football for us. Sanoe Valente graciously answered the call to be our go-to expert for the upcoming matchup.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some answers were edited slightly for clarity. Any additional input provided will be clearly denoted with “WFC:” at the start.

Check out Piotr Le and TD_24 doing a preview with Sanoe on the show earlier this week:

Do you have a sense that the team’s two-deep is solidified or are there any positions still up in the air?

SV: I believe there are some positions still up in the air. 

At running back, I am not sure who will start or be 2nd at this position on Saturday. North Texas has about 4 RBs that have started for them in the past 2 seasons: Oscar Adaway, Ikaika Ragsdale, Ayo Adeyi, and Isaiah Johnson

Lineback is another position group with some unknowns. North Texas loses their top two linebackers from the ‘22 season, Larry Nixon and KD Davis. Davis was thought to be a late-round draft pick hopeful as he ended his record-breaking career for the Mean Green, but he was unfortunately injured in the bowl game against Boise State. Nixon transferred to Auburn. There has been some injury speculation in the LB room as well. I think Kevin Wood & Jordan Brown will be the two names to watch closest. 

How different is this year's scheme as opposed to that of last year's?

SV: As Coach Morris enters his first year leading the Mean Green, he’s a guy who wants to air it out. However, Morris inherited a team that has had tremendous success in the run game. There have been talks of hoping to see the ground-and-pound game for Cal in hopes of pairing up with the extreme elements to wear the Bears down by the 4th quarter.

Which player on offense should Cal fans know about?

SV: QB Stone Earle. He won the QB battle in surprising fashion after Morris brought in the former ULM starter Chandler Rogers. Stone is unproven for the Mean Green, but the buzz is strong for him. 

How would you evaluate the quarterback battle?

SV: Surprising outcome.

Which player on defense should Cal fans know about?

SV: DE Mazin Richards. Richards’ first year with the Mean Green was last year after being an All-American at Eastern New Mexico. He earned All-CUSA accolades and could be a late-round draft pick if he can have another successful campaign this season. 

There seem to be a lot of new faces on the defense, what do you constitute as a success for the defense with all of this turnover?

SV: The defense will be a mystery as Matt Caponi is bringing in his 3-3-5 setup. I’m concerned with Cal QB Jackson’s athletic ability that 6 men in the box may not be enough to contain the elusive QB.

Who’s one under-the-radar or X-factor player who could swing this game for you?

SV: WR Kaylon Horton. Horton came out of the transfer portal from Tarleton State. Last year he flipped the field multiple times on special teams and is the fastest player for the Mean Green. He has the ability to break free any time he touches the football.

What does North Texas need to do to win the game?

SV: Control the football. Offensively, North Texas cannot have multiple 3-and-out drives. They will need to move the chains and keep their defense as fresh as possible. Defensively, they cannot let Jackson kill them with his legs. If Jackson picks up first downs on 3rd and 7 yards or longer with his legs, that will likely deflate the Mean Green’s defensive efforts. 

What does Cal need to do to win the game?

SV: Cal needs to test the Mean Green’s defense with Jackson’s legs. I think if Jackson has a few successful runs early it will open up passing lanes and prove to be too much for North Texas. Defensively, if Cal plays sound defense I believe it will be tough for Stone and Company to find success being that this will be Game 1 in this new regime. Although Morris is an Air Raid guy, I think stopping North Texas’ running game early would pay off big for the Golden Bears.

How do you see the game going?

SV: I think Cal will get out to the faster start and will prove to be too much for the Mean Green to overcome.

Cal 34 North Texas 24

What are the steps North Texas needs to take to get to the next level as a G5 powerhouse?

SV: A win against Cal to start the Morris era would be huge. However, I believe building a consistent expectation of an 8-10 win season would be phenomenal for helping North Texas reach its potential in the G5 ranks. Also, better showings in post-season play. North Texas has gone bowling almost yearly under former HC Seth Littrell, but they have not won a bowl game since 2013, not to mention the absence of Conference Championships.

If you were to take Cal fans on a tour of Denton, what would be your top spots?

SV: East Side & Rooster’s Roadhouse

WFC: They seem to have this food challenge at Rooster’s Roadhouse with at least 20 sliders. I have also found YouTube videos of a different slider food challenge with ghost peppers and other chilies. Alternatively, they have a double cheeseburger sandwiched between two grilled cheeses. All of that is to say the motto on their website is “Red Neck, White Trash, Blue Collar”, and the vibes seem immaculate. So please check it out and report back.

One cool thing most people don't know about North Texas football is __.

SV: The hit song, “Hotel California” by the Eagles was written at a dorm at North Texas.

We don't condone violence at W4C, but we like this question just as an opportunity for folks to air it out. Whom do you most want to punch in the face?

SV: My younger self