Can't Fault the Team

[SMUstang]

For 3 quarters the defense looked great. But while Marshall was freely substituting entire defensive rosters, we kept the same tired bodies in the game. I said to myself then, watch out for the fourth quarter.

Our offense needs to find some first and second down plays that will yield first downs. We can't continue to go three and out and keep the defense on the field the whole game.

One other suggestion. I don't know what is going on in practice but I would suggest that the second string defense practice some against the first string offense and vica versa. Maybe that would help us develop some depth.

Also, I'm not one of the sunshines on this board, but I say lets keep Bennett at least one more year. By changing coaches now, we could be missing the next Bill Snyder or Frank Beamer.

[Charleston Pony]

SMU has a handful of talented players and we have been in that situation for 15 years now. The problem is that we don't have enough of them to compete for 60 minutes at this level. Rogers and Muse are a pretty good tandem at the DE position and with Ieremia-Stansbury, we had a decent rotation (just lacking one more quality guy to go the necessary 2 deep). The problem is that we have major drop-offs between the #1 guy and his backup at most positions...and when you start talking about quality practices...by the time we get to the scout teams, there is no way to simulate the game speed the 1st teamers are going to compete against week in and week out. The problem with pitting our #1 units against each other in practice is that would likely result in more injuries and even less depth than we have now. We just have to hope more of Bennett's recruits prove capable of competing at this level and will stick around 4-5 years to wait their turn to play. When guys like Boren and Cleveland bail out, I'm left wondering whether it was a talent issue, a desire issue, character issue or whether there is a much bigger issue.

I'm trying to be patient and will be the 1st to admit I felt this team could be much improved and do well to find 3 wins this year. That's about what I'm seeing so far...but I've also said next year is the make or break year in Bennett's tenure at SMU. I just hope the talent we have sticks it out and holds true to their commitment to turning this train wreck of a program around.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I guarantee you SMU will win our C-USA division in the next two seasons.
There is just too much talent there.

It's just a shame they have such incompetent coaching.

[SMUstang]

When guys like Boren and Cleveland bail out, I'm left wondering whether it was a talent issue, a desire issue, character issue or whether there is a much bigger issue.

Not living in the Dallas area any more and not reading the DMN regularly, it is hard for me to keep up with things like players leaving the team. I would like to know what the reason was these guys left. They were two of Bennett's first recruits. One problem the team had with Cavan was quality players leaving. I am watching Josh McKown play for the Arizona Cardinals right now. He couldn't stay at SMU because of Cavan's style of play not fitting his talents. I hope that Bennett doesn't have this same problem.

[Mustangs35SMU]

I guarantee you SMU will win our C-USA division in the next two seasons.

Lets pray you're right.

[Stallion]

I guarantee you he doesn't know the first thing about what he is talking about-we ain't even close-in fact next year we will take a step back defensively.

[Charleston Pony]

No question the defensive coaches are going to have a big challenge next year. Losing Humphrey, Nnabufie, D.D. Lee, Harper and Stansbury means we will actually miss our senior class for the 1st time in nearly a decade. I'm not as pessimistic as you, Stallion, because Sturdivant returns along with Jones and a stable of potential corners (Blackmon, Lindley, Haynes, LaCori Johnson, etc...). Let's not forget about a guy we were pretty high on...Enerson Settle, whi is listed as a DB. I'm hopefful Carrington can fill D.D. Lee's shoes and our DL should actually be improved with continued maturity of some of the younger guys. There is no question that the LB positions will be thin. That may be the key. I'm hoping Powell and Alexander surprise in spring ball. And let's not forget the possibility that someone like Bryce Hudman muscles up and becomes the next Alvin Nnabufie. Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but at least the early schedule will be softer as these guys learn the ropes.

[Stallion]

you are overly optomistic-defense takes a step backwards.

[WorldStang]

Stallion is right.. no LBs to speak of next year.. and our depth a DLine stinks.

[Nacho]

We currently have 15 LBs on the team 4 of whom are seniors. Only Carrrington and McCray are upperclassmen. 9 Fr LBs. Some of those freshmen better turn out to be players or we are in even deeper trouble, as hard as that is to believe, than now.

[SoCal_Pony]

This is a defense that is allowing 430 yards and 30 points a game. Only Rice has a worst defense in C-USA. I do not see an improvement next year, but I will take it a step farther.

Given our current talent level, we will not see real improvement until we get entirely new players at well over half the positions on this team. I don’t think PB is up to that task; look at the players he has brought in this year and last.

He and Copeland need to go….Copeland first.

[PK]

Given our current talent level, we will not see real improvement until we get entirely new players at well over half the positions on this team. I don’t think PB is up to that task; look at the players he has brought in this year and last.

Given the last 15 years and the resulting reputation for SMU football, exactly who IS going to be able to do that.

[SoCal_Pony]

Actually PK,

I think a lot of coaches could turn this thing around…including possibly Bennett, Cavan and Rossley…if they had the right model to begin with.

This is nothing personal against PB. He has a real knack for recruiting. Problem is the model. That is why I so strongly support Copeland exiting first. Otherwise we are left with the same predicament. New Coach…Rah Rah…then after 2 years of failure and lost recruiting momentum everyone on this board starts shooting arrows at him and saying HE IS THE PROBLEM.

And for the record PK...it is 16 years, not 15.

[Nacho]

Currently we have 19 defensive linemen--5 DTs and 14 DEs.

Of the DTs--4 fr, 1 soph

of the DEs--5 fr, 1 soph, 1 jr, 1 senior

So we only lose one senior from the DL. 10 fr become sophomores. Stansbury, the senior DE, is out for the year. I don't know if we can get a medical red-shirt on him or not.

Things don't look quite as glum on the DL compared to the LBs.

[SoCal_Pony]

Currently we have 19 defensive linemen--5 DTs and 14 DEs.

Of the DTs--4 fr, 1 soph

of the DEs--5 fr, 1 soph, 1 jr, 1 senior

So we only lose one senior from the DL. 10 fr become sophomores. Stansbury, the senior DE, is out for the year. I don't know if we can get a medical red-shirt on him or not.

Things don't look quite as glum on the DL compared to the LBs.

Nacho, surprise surprise...we are YOUNG

Can you put specific names behind those numbers as to who exactly is going to not just replace what we got, but actually improve the situation?