In preparing for Saturday's opener, SMU searched through game films of the former teams of North Texas' new coaching staff.
The Mustangs basically took a long look in the mirror.
UNT followed a similar blueprint as SMU to rebuild, hiring Seth Littrell, a highly regarded offensive coordinator from an ACC team (North Carolina) as head coach.
A year ago, the Mustangs brought in former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris to lead the renovation. Their first of two victories came against North Texas, which went on to finish 1-11 and decide to start over.
"There are so many unknowns," Morris said.