North Texas sits at 22nd overall with a 12–2 record and a rating of 13.8, but last week's 34–21 loss to Tulane stung. The Mean Green came in as the away team and couldn't generate enough offense when it mattered, falling short in a matchup that likely carries postseason implications. The defeat marks a rare stumble for a squad that had been rolling through much of the season. With the regular season winding down, North Texas faces a critical stretch where margin-of-error shrinks fast. How they respond in their remaining games will determine whether this loss becomes a speed bump or a sign of deeper cracks.