Southern Methodist @ North Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2015 ) North Texas 13, Southern Methodist 31

SMU will get a new look from an old rival when it opens the season at North Texas on Saturday. The experienced Mustangs have most of their offensive weapons returning, while the Mean Green feature plenty of new faces.

Senior quarterback Matt Davis (3,024 total yards, 26 total touchdowns last year) is joined by SMU's top two running backs and top receiver from a year ago. Former North Carolina assistant coach Seth Littrell has far less experience in his first year with the Mean Green. Senior transfer Alec Morris will make his first start after being the third-string quarterback at Alabama the past two seasons. The Mustangs lead the series 29-5-1 and have won nine of the last 12, but those three losses were at North Texas.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, American Sports Network. LINE: SMU -9.5

ABOUT SMU (2015: 2-10): Davis threw for 2,263 yards and 16 TDs and rushed for a team-high 761 yards and 10 scores. Xavier Jones (63shing yards, 27 catches for 214 yards) set the school's freshman record with 10 rushing TDs last year while Courtland Sutton set another freshman school record in receiving yards (862) and tied the freshman mark for touchdown catches (nine). Redshirt freshman receiver Myron Gailliard emerged during camp as another exciting option, coach Chad Morris told the media Tuesday.

ABOUT NORTH TEXAS (2015: 1-11): Morris, who appeared in seven games and attempted one pass during his time with Alabama, is working under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who was a record-setting quarterback at Texas Tech. Running back Jeffrey Wilson (830 yards, one TD) returns to the backfield while senior Kenny Buyers moved from cornerback to receiver during the offseason. A defense that allowed 502.6 yards and 41.2 points returns safeties Kishawn McClain (77 solo tackles) and James Gray, who combined for 214 total tackles last year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU had to reshuffle its offensive line after losing returning LT Chad Pursley (knee) late in fall camp.

2. Davis is the only returning quarterback in the country to lead his team in rushing in each of the last two seasons.

3. The Mustangs improved their offensive rankings - 269 yards of total offense (ranked 124th) to 382.8 (76th) and 11.1 points (125th) to 27.8 (73) - during Morris' first season.

PREDICTION: SMU 40, North Texas 24