Some numbers of interest

[Dement-ed]

I've been looking over the SMU football stats, and a few numbers caught my eye:

* SMU has converted 2 of 5 extra points this year. There are 100 high school soccer players in Dallas alone who can hit extra points, and who can make at least short field goals. That's inexcusable.

* SMU has moved the ball better than I thought. We're getting outscored 131-43 through 4 games, but opponents have a much smaller edge in first downs: 79-68.

* The Mustangs have outrushed their opponents this year by 1 yard: 685 to 684. Of course, that means that opponents are vastly more successful through the air:1,033 yards to 535 for SMU (bringing the total offense edge for opponents to 1,717 to 1,220).

* Not all areas of the special teams have struggled like the kicking game. For instance, SMU has averaged 19.0 yards per return on 18 punt returns, while opponents have averaged 5.0 yards per return on 24 punt returns.

* SMU has the advantage in time of possession: The Ponies are holding the ball for an average of 31:17 per game, while opponents have held the ball for 28:43.

* Opponents are almost as ineffective on field goals as SMU is: the Ponies are 1 for 2 this year, while opponents are 4 for 7 (57 percent).

* The Ponies are 26 of 66 (39 percent) on third downs, which is OK, if not great. Opponents, on the other hand, have converted30 of 63 (48 percent). That can not continue! The defense is talented, but we give up way too many big plays.

* Offensively, we seem to take the middle of the game off. In the second and third quarters, SMU has been outscored 66-7, including 49-0 in the second quarter alone.

* And of course the killer: SMU has given up 17 touchdowns this year. We've scored 6. Ouch.

[This message has been edited by Dement-ed (edited 09-25-2002).]

[WildHorse]

How about two more?

SMU opponents have fumbled four times, and the Ponies have recovered only one of them. SMU has fumbled five times, and has lost all five.

SMU has intercepted three passes this year - and have 1 yard in returns.