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The upcoming First Responder Bowl pits North Texas against Texas State on January 3, kicking off at 4 p.m. EST. North Texas holds a record of 6-6, while Texas State has a slightly better standing at 7-5. According to BetMGM, Texas State is favored by 8.5 points in this matchup.

A crucial aspect to watch will be the performance of each team’s defense and offense. North Texas has struggled defensively, ranking 127th in college football by allowing an average of 456.6 yards per game. Conversely, Texas State’s offense has thrived, sitting fifth overall in the nation by averaging 474.3 yards per game. On the flip side, North Texas’ offense ranks third nationally, accumulating 488.7 yards per game, whereas Texas State’s defense has been more solid, positioned 48th with 347.9 yards allowed per game.

In their last appearances, Texas State clinched a thrilling 45-38 victory over South Alabama. Quarterback Jordan McCloud showcased his skills, throwing for 248 yards with a completion rate of 75%, alongside a rushing touchdown. Ismail Mahdi contributed significantly, rushing for 147 yards and also scoring a touchdown. Joey Hobert was a key receiving target, amassing 80 yards and one touchdown on seven receptions.

North Texas also had a strong showing, defeating Temple 24-17. Chandler Morris put forth a notable performance, finishing with 180 passing yards, managing one touchdown without any interceptions. Makenzie McGill’s ground game was impressive as well, as he rushed for 155 yards and secured two touchdowns. DT Sheffield contributed to the passing game, recording a touchdown with 47 receiving yards on four catches.

Focusing on the standout players, Texas State’s quarterback, McCloud, has thrown for 2,915 yards this season, averaging 242.9 yards per game while completing 69.5% of his passes with an impressive 29 touchdowns, which ranks sixth in the nation. He has also showcased his versatility with seven rushing touchdowns. Mahdi has been a reliable option on the ground, whereas wide receiver Hobert has also been impactful with 668 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Meanwhile, North Texas’ Morris has racked up 3,774 passing yards, averaging 314.5 per game, with 31 touchdowns—ranking him fifth in the country in that category. His rushing ability adds a dynamic aspect to his game as well. Shane Porter has supported the running game effectively, and Sheffield has proved to be a reliable target with significant receiving numbers.

Some interesting statistics reveal that Texas State has a +12.8 point differential per game, while North Texas finds themselves on the negative side, being outscored by 0.5 points per game. Texas State has performed well in the air game, ranking 29th in passing offense, and their pass defense has been decent, ranking 39th overall. North Texas, however, has struggled with turnovers, ranking 102nd in the nation with a turnover margin of minus 6 after forcing 13 turnovers and committing 19 this season.
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