No more punting if 4th and less than 8

[SMUstang07]

Might as well always go for it with the defense we have. Thoughts?

[CalallenStang]

There's a high school team in Arkansas that doesn't punt.

[SMU_Alumni11]

Yes! There is really no point in giving good field position for the defense because they will just blow it anyways, and give our offense a guarantee 4 downs would make more sense.

[SMUer]

Teams take that mentality against us...

[sbsmith]

Sure, if we're around the 50.

[Rebel10]

This loss was not all on the defense.

[SMU_Alumni11]

This loss was not all on the defense.

I agree with that. All teams for SMU sucked. However, the defense hasn't improve and is not going to improve. Giving the offense another down might make a difference. It's sad that I'm convinced this should be the game plan, but seeing this defense makes me want to write a letter to Chad Morris to tell him to take in any walk ons and see how they do.

[vielsiehorsepower]

I agree with this but there needs to be more success with the intermediate yardage game. Too many 3rd and longs..nothing wrong with a couple of dump off passes for 3-4 yard gains here and there. 3rd and 3 is much less daunting than the 3rd and 8+ we've been seeing a lot of. Running the football is not the only way to pick up a couple of yards.

[Rebel10]

The offense was shut out in the second half and gave up 8 sacks in the game. If we would have gone for it on every 4th that was less than 8 yards they might have scored 60 on us.

[vielsiehorsepower]

The offense was shut out in the second half and gave up 8 sacks in thec game. If we would have gone for it on every 4th that was less than 8 yards they might have scored 60 on us.

Screen passes would have worked miracles the past two weeks...

[SMU_Alumni11]

The offense was shut out in the second half and gave up 8 sacks in the game. If we would have gone for it on every 4th that was less than 8 yards they might have scored 60 on us.

Maybe but 60 or even 70 wouldn't really make this worst for us however the upside we might have tried the long ball a couple of times and got lucky. I know in all reality you shouldn't go for it but I'm just so sick of the defense. I rather us make an agreement that we dont play defense but they have to flip a coin: heads get 7 and tails get 3 points.

[numero_uno]

Matt also made a LOT of costly mistakes. I like the guy, but, I'm not totally sold on him being the starter all the time. In the 3 post games were we lost, he said he was going to fix the mistakes, HCCM has said his mistake is holding on to the ball too long. Well, fix the friggin' mistake! Dump the ball, save the yardage. I say they give Colbert a shot for some plays, but keep Matt in for run options.

[No Quarter]

There's a high school team in Arkansas that doesn't punt.

Pulaski Academy beat HP 40 - 13 earlier this year on the Scots home field and I'm sure some on this board were there and can comment on the game. The score makes me think that HP was overmatched like SMU will be most of this year.

[PlanoStang]

Actually last week against JMU I was thinking we should try another disguised onside kick

They wouldn't have been expecting it, and I was having flashbacks of the last years USF game.

[Charleston Pony]

sure, let's put our defense in a position where they are always having to defend a short field. I vote no - let's not get stupid and compound our problems. Blowout losses are demoralizing to everyone involved