by Harry0569 » Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:16 am
Tulsa (3-2) at SMU (3-2) Oct. 9, 8:00 ET
Here’s The Deal … Of the handful of serious contenders for West Division supremacy, one is going to drift back in the pecking order following this game. SMU is off to a solid start for June Jones, winning when it was supposed to and only losing games to heavily-favored Texas Tech and TCU. Last weekend’s 42-31 win over Rice was more one-sided than the final score indicated; the Mustangs held a 42-17 cushion before the Owls scored a pair of meaningless touchdowns. Tulsa is coming off a comfortable win as well, pummeling Memphis, 48-7. The Golden Hurricane has done well to bounce back from a last-second loss on the opening weekend, and see this trip as a chance to officially put last season’s disappointing collapse in the rear view mirror.
Why Tulsa Might Win: Long the calling card in these parts, the balanced offense is once again leading the way for the Hurricane. No lower than second in the league in rushing or passing, it’s No. 8 nationally in total offense at 507 yards a game. G.J. Kinne is getting much better protection than last season, which is giving him time to get the ball in the hands of receivers Damaris Johnson, Charles Clay, Ricky Johnson, Trae Johnson, and Jameel Owens. The ground game is getting contributions from a multitude of different directions. The Mustang defense is more opportunistic than stingy, and will give up a lot of ground.
Why SMU Might Win: Tulsa was nasty on defense last weekend. That was Memphis. This is SMU. Big difference in talent level. The Mustangs are coming off their best effort of the year, getting 371 yards and three touchdown passes from Kyle Padron. Top receivers Aldrick Robinson and Cole Beasley were unstoppable, catching 14 of the sophomore’s passes. The attack is also getting unexpected balance and between-the-tackles pop from Zach Line, who’s No. 2 in the league with 92 rushing yards a game. Tom Mason’s defense will bend, but it’ll also make a lot of plays, led by LB Ja’Gared Davis, who has 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.
What To Watch Out For: Line did not start last week’s game and only carried 11 times because of an illness. Back at full-strength, expect to see a lot more of No. 48 on Saturday night. A north-south battering ram with the ball in his hands, he provides an interesting change of pace for the Mustangs, softening a Hurricane D that’s not especially rugged on the interior of the line.
What Will Happen: As advertised, this shakes out as a classic shootout between two programs that know how to get up and down the field in a hurry. Padron and Kinne will take center stage, but don’t discount the importance of the aggressive defenses or the power backs, Line and Tulsa’s Alex Singleton. Playing in Dallas, Padron and his skill players will be just a shade better than Kinne & Co., turning another three-touchdown effort into a pivotal win.
CFN Prediction: SMU 38 … Tulsa 30 … Line: SMU -6.5
Must See Rating: Britney on Glee -5 … Life As We Know It - 1 … 2
"smupony94: Harry, you have been promoted to purveyor of official status capabilities."