North Texas Fans are chalking up thisweekend's game against Western Kentucky as a win. Afterall, inrecent history, the Hilltoppers are about the only team North Texasseems to be able to beat. They might be in for a surprise when thegame is over.

Last year, half way through the season,WKU fired their head coach, replacing him with a former WKUquarterback Willie Taggart. The result was Taggart was able to go outand recruit his players for this season. Almost half his players, tenof them, were on the field last week where WKU recorded a big winover the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. So far this season he hasplayed 13 true freshman.

It has been a wake-up call for theupper classmen. They are finding themselves losing playing time andrelegated to back-up roles. Reports from WKU is the practices aremore lively then ever because the new players know they will getplaying time and the upperclassmen are fighting to keep their jobs.

As a result of the changes inpersonnel, Interim North Texas Head Coach Mike Canales and his staffhave had their hands full trying to figure out what to expect fromthe Hilltoppers.

When WKU offense is on the field watchout for grayshirt freshman Willie McNeal who is second on the team inreceiving yards and 19^th in the country in all purposeyards. “Mr. Kentucky” running back true freshman Antonio Andrewshas worked himself into the backup junior running back Bobby Rainey.He not only can run the ball but he also has thrown the ball for atouchdown. Freshman Tight End Demetrius Coley scored his firsttouchdown last week. Needless to say when you get that muchproduction out of true freshmen your team is going to get better.Taggert looks to put the best players on the team on the field inspite of their experience.

WKU has not just improved on theoffense but the defense has elevated their play because of truefreshmen. Both corners are true freshman, Tyree Robinson and AriusWright have started four straight games. Indiana visited theHilltoppers recording 366 passing yards since they were inserted inthe starting line-up they have limited opponents to just 157.3passing yards a game. Xavius Boyd is a true freshman who has fourtotal starts at the linebacker slot.

For the first time in a long time WKUknows they can win games and they believe they now believe they canknock off North Texas. When you throw in a Homecoming Game theemotions will be on the side of WKU.

This game is ideal game for the NorthTexas running attack. Even with WKU improving each game on defenseand the demolition of ULL last week, they still give up 5.1 yards percarry. Since the North Texas running game is the best in the Sun Beltit looks like an opportunity to build on their stats.

WKU has cleaned up its act when itcomes to the passing defense and will give the North Texas passingattack a lot of problems. Since Canales is committed to the same typeof offense as former head coach Todd Dodge, look for him to continueto try to pass the ball. This could be a problem. While the NorthTexas offensive line is good at the running game, they do not seem tobe able to stop the defense on passing plays. This could be adisaster for any of the North Texas quarterbacks where they may findthemselves on their backs or running for their lives. Could be areciepe for another injury. However, if the offensive line holds,North Texas will be throwing the ball into a secondary that allows65% of passes against them to be completed.

The North Texas defensive line will betrying to stop the leading Sun Belt rusher in Bobby Rainey who isaveraging over 119 yards a game. They have play well enough in pastgames to control the running games of opponents. They will not stophim, but should be able to hinder him. However, throw in the newfreshman running back and things could get out of hand. HC Taggartknows running backs, how to coach them and what offense will allowthem to live up to their potential. Before taking over WKU he wasthe running back coach at Stanford and coached Heisman runner up TobyGerhart.

The problem for the North Texas defensewill be the renewed passing game of WKU. They have picked up the pacein this department and have two wide outs and a tight end they canuse as weapons. Defensive Coordinator Gary DeLoach will have to usesome well timed blitzes to disrupt the passing attack.

While things point to a North Texasvictory the intangibles point to WKU. They are on a high beating ULL,their team is playing together, they believe in the coaches and thegame plan they are putting on the field, they believe they will beatNorth Texas, it is Homecoming and North Texas is regrouping with anew head coach.