re: Schedule - Game by Game

[GoRedGoBlue]

<A HREF="http://www.collegefootballnews.com/wac/SMU.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.collegefootballnews.com/wac/SMU.htm</A>

/30 at Texas Tech (3-5, 5-7) - Offense: Tech won't be quite as potent without star quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, but everyone else returns to what should be an explosive offense. With all four starting receivers returning and two great running backs working behind a decent line, it'll all be up to quarterback B.J. Symons to run the show. He should do just fine. Defense: Even with all the experienced talent and playmakers, the Texas Tech defense was worse last year than it was in 2001. Expect an even bigger drop-off this year with a terrifyingly inexperienced front seven. The secondary has a great pair of safeties, but the group isn't going to have problems against top passing teams.

9/13 at Baylor (0-8, 2-10) - Offense: The hope is for more overall explosion with Guy Morriss and offensive coordinator Brent Pease installing a more open passing attack. The Bears have enough decent receivers to make this interesting, but it'll take a little while For a team that scored 11 points or less in seven games, they have to do whatever's possible to put points up on the board. With an experienced group of skill players returning, that should be possible. Defense: Baylor's defense couldn't stop anyone last season allowing 41.3 points and 405.2 yards per game. This year, seven starters return to a group that should be more athletic, but not all that experienced with no developed depth and some injury concerns at a few key spots. The tackles are starting from scratch, but they need to shine to take the pressure off the small and average linebacking corps. Morriss compares his defense to Mississippi State's aggressive style.

9/20 Oklahoma State (3-5, 7-5) - Offense: If the tackles can come through and be dependable, there might not be any way to stop this offense. Quarterback Jose Fields will once again put up some huge numbers throwing to the Woods brothers, while an extremely talented stable of backs tear up defenses on the ground. Defense: The defense wasn't all that strong last year, and that was with a ton of returning experience. It's never a good thing when you're counting on several true freshmen to play big roles. The run defense should be fine, but the pass defense could have problems breaking in new corners and with few pass rushing threats to put the pressure on.

9/27 at Nevada (4-4, 5-7) - Offense: Seven starters return to an offense that averaged 27.6 points and 434.2 yards per game. The problem? Two of the main cogs, quarterback Zack Threadgill and receiver Nate Burleson are gone, but the line returns strong and deep to pave the way for a great corps of running backs. Defense: Technically, ten starters return, but it might as well be 11 with Ronnie Hardiman expected to be a full-time starter again at Rover. This was, and continues to be, a young defense still trying to get some production. With all the returning experience and all the returning depth, there's no reason the D should give up 31 points and 420 yards per game again.

10/4 UTEP (1-7, 3-10) - Offense: The offense was hammered by injuries last season, but the pieces are potentially there to put up some points this year. Finally. There are four options at quarterback, but one has to emerge from the pack and become a star. The receivers are young, but relatively talented. The line could be strong. Defense: This was one of the worst defenses in America last year, but the potential is there for a huge improvement. The front six are deep and athletic, but not all that big. The secondary is soft and needs a pass rush to help take the pressure off.

10/11 at San Jose State (5-3, 6-6) - Offense: The offense should be one of the most explosive in America with a veteran quarterback throwing to an experienced receiving corps behind a big, strong line. The running game isn't used all that much, but the talent is there to move the ball on the ground. Defense: The Spartan defense improved. It only gave up 493 yards per game rather than the 501 it gave up in 2002. This is the ultimate boom-or-bust defense finishing fourth in the nation in takeaways and third in interceptions. With the offense always moving the ball, it's a shame the defense can't come close to stopping anyone allowing 300.5 yards per game and 32 touchdowns through the air and 193 yards per game and 25 scores on the ground. A ton of experience returns to hopefully make things better under new defensive coordinator Chris Wilkerson.

10/18 Boise State (6-2, 9-4) - Offense: The backfield should be outstanding with quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie and running back David Mikell, but there are huge problems everywhere else. The top four pass catchers are gone as are the stars on the offensive line. Defense: The defense is extremely small for a top 25 caliber team, but it's very effective. The corners and outside linebackers should be excellent. The line doesn't have any real stars, but it gets the job done. Even with eight returning starters, it's asking a lot of the defense to repeat the performance of last year without Quintin Mikell and Chauncy Ako.

10/25 at Tulsa (0-8, 2-10) - Offense: The offense was never potent last year, but the potential is there for some big things to happen. With eight starters, there might be a ton of improvement in every phase. The running game needs a second back to help out Eric Richardson. The receivers could surprise and have a big season. If James Killian has a huge year replacing Tyler Gooch, the offense should be fine. Defense: This was one of the worst defenses in America last season, but all hope isn't lost with several options at every position. While there's great depth everywhere, there aren't many top starters. The switch to the 3-3-5 alignment will need time to work.

11/1 Fresno State (8-0 in conference, 9-4 overall) - Offense: The Bulldogs could have one of the most potent attacks in the nation with a sensational receiving corps, a workhorse back that could be a superstar and an up-and-coming quarterback. The line is decent, but not very deep. Defense: The defense had to overcome some major injuries last year that not only sapped several starters, but also many of the backups. The 2003 defense should be a little bit better if the secondary is developed. The linebacking corps will be great and should make a ton of tackles behind an average line.

11/8 at Louisiana Tech (4-4, 5-7) - Offense: All the pieces are there with a marquee quarterback, a way-too-deep receiving corps, and a nice prospect at running back. It could all fall apart if the young offensive line doesn't jell right away. Luke McCown has mobility, but he could get killed if the line isn't at least as strong as last season. Defense: The defense has a ton of returning experience everywhere but linebacker. The secondary had problems last season against everyone, but some of the problems stemmed from a front seven that had a hard time getting to the quarterback. There's no proven pass rusher and there's a desperate hope that a brand new linebacking corps can be better than last season's veteran crew. If the D can cut down on giving up the big play, it might not be that bad.

11/15 Rice (3-5, 4-8) - Offense: The offense sputtered a little too much last season and didn't control the clock like it should've. With a good line and more experienced quarterbacks, Rice should be able to run things more efficiently, and should be more dangerous in WAC play. Defense: The Rice defense doesn't do any one particular thing well. It was a strong D against the run last year, but now it needs to replace most of the front seven. The secondary might be a little bit better if the all the young players can come through.

11/29 TCU (7-1, 10-2) - Offense: The running game will be magnificent with two outstanding backs running behind a solid line. The passing game is a different story with several new face

[Mustangs35SMU]

How the heck is that site gonna predict us going 2-10 after every other magazine or site Ive seen has listed positive things about us

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Let That Pony Pride Ride!
Get Ready...Mustangs Never Die!!
GO LOBOS!! THE 66 YEAR WAIT IS OVER!!

[PonyTales]

Fear not, Mustangs35SMU -- they also seem to think Oklahoma State QB Josh Fields prefers the name "Jose" .... so I wouldn't chalk them up as slaves to accuracy.

[Stallion]

What magazine picked us to have a good season-I must have missed it.

[Mike Damone]

I was thinking the same thing.

[EP Pony Fan]

OK, I'll take a swing at this:

At Texas Tech: Explosive offense - they'll need to adjust to the new QB, but he's not as much of a dropoff as some people think. Great receivers. Suspect defense. Symons playing his first game as unquestioned starter leaves offense a little shaky, but they'll still get the win.
Tech 27, SMU 23

At Baylor: Bad offense. RBs are OK -- passing game is nearly nonexistent. Offensive line is huge but thin (in terms of depth, not girth). Defense is shaky, having lost several would-be starters to grades.
SMU 31, Baylor 16

Oklahoma State: Get out of the way.
OSU 41, SMU 23

At Nevada: Boosted by return of RB Chance Kretschmer. Three starting WRs, four starting OLs return. 10 defensive starters also back, including preseason WAC defensive player of the year Jorge Cordova.
Nevada 23, SMU 17

UTEP: Suspect offense. Suspect defense. Suspect special teams. Suspect coaching. Bad uniforms.
SMU 37, UTEP 13

At San Jose State: Great athletes. Amazingly inconsistent. JUCO transfer RB Tyson Thompson will put up big numbers. Defense will create a lot of takeaways, but also will allow big plays.
SMU 27, SJSU 24

Boise State: Loaded everywhere, even when they're not playing on that ugly blue turf.
Boise State 37, SMU 16

At Tulsa: Coming off banner 1-11 year. New coach (who can recruit). SMU has won seven straight, including three times at Tulsa. Streak will continue this year.
SMU 40, Tulsa 23

Fresno State: Will challenge Texas Tech and Oklahoma State as best team on SMU's schedule. WRs Bernard Berrian and Marque Davis are studs. RB Rodney Davis also is pretty strong. Defense has taken a hit with outgoing seniors, but still should be pretty good.
FSU 31, SMU 17

At Louisiana Tech: QB Luke McCown will bounce back from sub-par 2002 season, and has talented WRs to throw to. Defense isn't real fabulous. SMU gets the 'Dogs again.
SMU 27, LaTech 20

Rice: Home team always wins this game, and SMU has more speed on defense to chase that option offense around. RB corps depleted by graduation. QB Kyle Herm is decent runner but can be contained when hit early, often and hard.
SMU 23, Rice 13

TCU: Iron Skillet comes home, as Frogs are brought back to earth. Very good athletes. Loss of WRs Adrian Madise and LaTerence Dunbar hurts passing game, so defenses will load up to stop Lonta Hobbs. LaMarcus McDonald leaves gaping hole in center of Frog defense.
SMU 30, TCU 27 (in OT)