Key to winning at Tulane

[RGV Pony]

As with all games when a home team is riding an emotional high, SMU needs to not get caught up in the emotion and allow itself to play into the home team's hands. Survive the first quarter, and Tulane will play like Tulane. They will be world beaters for a quarter, and if they've got big mo and the crowd afterward, the Green Wave may sustain it.

Look at LSU vs. Tenn. last year-first game in Baton Rouge after Katrina. Tennessee was getting trounced at first; came back and won.

Ask Justin Willis how long Denton Ryan hung with SL Carroll in the first nat'l TV game.

Anyone who saw L'ville-K State on Saturday. Opening kickoff taken by L'ville at their own 6 or so; crowd gets into it, K-State players flying around. A 99 yard drive later, the crowd shuts up.

Weather the storm, so to speak, Ponies, and we'll be okay.

[KnuckleStang]

Yes, Tulane will be sky high for this one back in the Dome, but all I can say is this: if Bennett & Co. cannot get this team mentally ready to kick some serious ace on Saturday, they might as well not come back to Dallas afterward. What an embarrassment last year. Inexcusable.

[PonyFan]

I don't think getting ready will be an issue. But this game could be one of those in which an absolutely perfect performance is required. With all the karma and emotion on Tulane's side .... have you ever seen one of those basketball games where everything the other team throws up there goes in, even when it bounces off the ref's head and then off the shot clock above the backboard? That's what I'm afraid of next week.

[codered28]

im not afraid at all...dont underestimate the desire of the SMU players and staff have to getting to a bowl. Were clicking better than ever. Bring the popcorn boys next saturdays gunna be a show.

[mustangfan01]

Don't forget -- if there is anybody on the planet who remembers last years game vs Tulane at home, it's the players and coaches.

[FW]

As with all games when a home team is riding an emotional high, SMU needs to not get caught up in the emotion and allow itself to play into the home team's hands. Survive the first quarter, and Tulane will play like Tulane

Just curious what that means?

[mustangfan01]

We believe you guys will be giant slayers at the beginning of the game Saturday because of the atmosphere and emotion. If we control the ball and do what we have been doing, we will quiet the fans and take all of the intangible factors out of the game and it will be just the Tulane players on the field.

My take on that comment at least..

[FW]

Thanks, I understand that but, it looked more like "survive the first quarter emotion and Tulane will play like cr@p the rest of the game".

[Mustangs35SMU]

Thanks, I understand that but, it looked more like "survive the first quarter emotion and Tulane will play like cr@p the rest of the game".

IMO I think he was trying to say that the momentum from playing the first game in the Super Dome will wear off after the first quarter...especially if we control the ball like we did against Arkansas State...as we had the ball for over 10:00 in the first quarter of play with ASU having barely 4:00 to use.

[FW]

Ok, just pointing out that Tulane has more than just emotion. We moved the ball at will against what is actually a pretty good Mississippi State defense and despite the score we had more yards against LSU than any other team they played this year.

[jtstang]

We moved the ball at will against what is actually a pretty good Mississippi State defense ...

Yeah, well apparently will can't stop the run and anyway he doesn't play for SMU...

[KnuckleStang]

I think he was trying to say what you just said FW. Tulane is a crappy team, and losing to them last year was mortifying. They whipped us and then promptly went 2-9 or something like that. I personally believe that yes, if we get past the emotion in the first quarter, and continue to play well, Tulane WILL play like crap the rest of the game, because Tulane is indeed a crappy team.

[FW]

Tulane is a crappy team? Ok, we'll see.

[RGV Pony]

To reiterate, rephrase and digress: SMU can't allow itself to get caught up in the moment of all the emotion. Tulane will be sky-high from the outset. If SMU plays into that, you'll see mental breakdowns like personal fouls, jumping offsides, dropping passes etc. That would feed the emotion of the moment and perpetuate things. SMU needs to stick to its fundamentals, play the way the did the first series vs. Ark State and let the emotion take care of itself.

Perhaps this would be more easy to relate to: know how PB and JWill keep talking about the "speed of the game?" And remember how PB said the game 'slowed down' for JWill, mostly because JWill let it? Well, play into the emotion of that first quarter when Tulane is playing like worldbeaters, and the game will speed right back up for him.

Oh, and to Tulane fan FW: none of what I've said is meant as a slight to Tulane. Ya'll whipped our Pony backsides last year. In fact, what's the Green Wave's record right now? Insert that record into the following statement: "Right now, Tulane is probably the most dangerous [record goes here] team in the country playing its first home game in the Superdome post-Katrina."

[FW]

1-2 after 3 road games at Houston, Miss State and LSU.