SMU ranked #10 in AAC by CFN

[leopold]

ASU will be the prime example of the team we have to outscore. The lose their entire offensive line (although they've signed 5 JC O-linemen) but return most of their skill positions. Hopefully, we should control both lines of scrimmage and match up well when we have the ball. The question is can our defensive backs stand up to their apparently tree-tall WR's.
Again, we should have the better team. We were able to beat the teams last year we should have; hopefully we hold serve and get past them.

[mrydel]

I think they would argue the "we should have the better team" part of your statement.

[AusTxPony]

Yes, ArkState is the make or break game it seems. Win that one and I think we have a good shot at Cincinnati and home against UCF as well. Dave Campbell picking Tulsa to win the West. Looking at his offense grades, we rate better than Houston. Let's hope so.

[SoCal_Pony]

Who's the QB is my question about scoring in bunches.

That's the Million Dollar Question, no doubt.

[mtrout]

Just tell me not Hicks and I'm happy.

[gostangs]

If its hicks i think thats great. No idea why he gets a bad rap here. Could be more mobile in the pocket of course - but he was a true freshman thrown to the wolves with no line, and after the big 12 part of the schedule he did pretty well. I personally think peavy gets it out of talent and a better fit for the Morris offense - but i think it takes half a season.

I am more worried about the D. No idea how that serive can say those linebackers are all potential all conference - i saw none of that last year. You don't fold on Navy like that with good linebackers. That is the postion to watch - better LB's equals a much stronger year.

And for the record - i know Arkansas state is good p but i think we will throttle them. I am more concerned about Tulsa and away at UC.

[PonySnob]

If its hicks i think thats great. No idea why he gets a bad rap here. Could be more mobile in the pocket of course - but he was a true freshman thrown to the wolves with no line, and after the big 12 part of the schedule he did pretty well.

Certainly not having an O-line doesn't help but Hicks did enroll for the Spring 2015 semester so he started learning the offense at the same time as the rest of the team. Before he took a snap in a college game, he had been through two spring camps and two summer camps plus practiced for a whole season in 2015.


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[smusic 00]

...In an offense designed for Matt Davis to start in. Just saying.

[mrydel]

Peavy is built in that mode and I think the other transfer is also although I have never seen him play. Hicks may be useable if they will now allow him to run. He had the reins on him due to no depth. I am excited to see our QB play this year.

[Stallion]

We're going to be fine at QB whoever starts-we have plenty of weapons so the QB just needs to drive the bus.

[Charleston Pony]

QB just needs to protect the ball. Can't be throwing wounded ducks and pick 6's. I agree we should have a much improved offense with an improved OL and plenty of competition at the skill positions.

[SoCal_Pony]

If we want to score in bunches, which OTP was alluding to, he needs to be more than a bus driver, he needs to take advantage of our dynamic receivers.

Rewatched the Coog game this weekend. SMU was fortunate not to be intercepted multiple times.

[leopold]

Uh yeah, we're getting lost in the details.

Point is there will be mismatches. The American Conference as a whole shouldn't have the DB's to stay with Sutton, Proche, and Quinn and individually we don't even play the two teams who many believe have the best DB's in conference. Mid- to low level American Conference DB's guarding All-American caliber receivers should be a no-brainer. Our QB play simply needs to make good reads and decisions and deliver an accurate ball; everything else is icing on the cake. Don't even get me started on the RB's.

I'm optimistic, but for a reason. Again - if anybody sees this as 'kool-aid' they aren't paying attention to what we are putting on the field this year vs. who we are playing.

[footballdad]

1/3 offense, 1/3 defense, 1/3 special teams. SMU has 1/3

[Pony Up]

Hicks might not be Don Meredith or Ramon Flanigan or whoever your favorite QB is, but he improved a ton over the course of last year. I assume that continues. How far, nobody knows, but there's no reason to assume he loses the job. I hope Peavey and Gillins make it a hell of a race, though.