So, do the 1-3 Poines have a chance?

[SMULLET]

SMU is a 27 point underdog. This will be another debacle.

[JasonB]

Come on guys, don't get too hyped up about this game. Fresno is a team that beats bad teams pretty easily. They dominated the line of scrimmage AT K-State on offense and defense. They had problems against the run vs. Ta Tech. Boise is a tough team, and obviously the UTEP loss wasn't a fluke because UTEP hammered La Tech this weekend and hung with Boise in their game earlier this year.

We don't have the power running game to be able to run against them for a lot of yardage (unless we line up with two tight ends and just run the ball, but I have been arguing for that all year). And thier pass D is pretty good. So it could be a long night for us on offense.

As for their offense, they have a good running game, which we know we struggle with (hopefully there is a change in LB this week). They struggle passing, but we don't exactly force a lot of turnovers, and that has been their main problem in that department.

This is an away game, and we are going to struggle stopping their running game.

Fresno 27, SMU 10

[Diehard Pony]

A Fresno blowout out just like TCU, San Jose and Rice, only we can't use Fresno and others as excuseses

[BRStang]

SMU absolutely has a chance of beating Fresno State, but it will take a level of confidence and enthusiasm from the team. I agree completely with EastStang...

However, it will ALSO take Bennett and the coaching staff (1) preparing and motivating the team to WIN and believe in themselves, (2) making the right personnel decisions and adjustments, and (3) calling the right plays.

I really believe (and hope) we should have the talent to beat a team like Fresno. But it's up to the coaching staff to utilize and motivate that talent to accomplish what they're capable of accomplishing. Don't get me wrong, the players need to step it up...but I don't want to hear after the game (if we lose) that "they just weren't prepared properly."

[PerunaPunch]

I think EastStang's analysis is closest to the fact of the matter. Having Munlin back and giving him a chance to finally get on track is a plus. Getting Avery Cleveland into the mix is also a plus IMHO.

The other positive is that we've historically played Fresno pretty tough - on the road and at home. So I think we have a shot at it, but I certainly wouldn't be willing to bet the farm.

[PK]

I think to some extent the players may be trying too hard. After each loss, their anxiety level goes up with the pressure to win a game. The QB is forcing passes into double coverage, the recievers are thinking about how they are going to run with the ball rather than focusing on catching the damn thing. The O-line is trying to get a jump on the defensive line, thus false starts. The LB's and DB's are over running the plays...everyone is trying too hard. They need to calm down and focus on what they are suppose to be doing and stop the stupid mistakes. That will go along way in helping to get a WIN!

[JasonB]

Are you guys kidding me? I love our players and they bust their butts as hard as they can. I also love the idea of Cleveland/Zach Hall getting involved at LB. But LB is by far our weakest position. Fresno has a strong offensive line for running the football, and it is going to really put a premeium on linebacker play. This does not match up well with us. We can do fine with the Tulsa's and Nevada's of the world, but this is a really tough matchup for us. It is very, very hard to win a game against running teams without a strong linebacker core. That is the major difference between those defenses we had under Cavan and the one today. Those defenses had some great linebackers. We have improved on the line and in the secondary, but our LBs are atrocious right now.

IF we had Carrington and DD Lee, this season would be a completely different storry. But we don't, and our lack of depth is getting exposed. Hopefully DD will come back, because next year, with DD, Carrington, Stansbury gets more experience, McCray puts on some weight, and maybe Hall and Cleveland finally adapt to the system. Then we have adequate depth and skill at LB. And then we can play with the Fresno St. and Rice's of the world. But this year, it ain't gonna happen.

[gostangs]

Look folks - we do not play well on the road right now - - our shots at wins this year are at home only. By the way - I do think Phil Bennett will do better next year when we do not lose our starting LB's and QB (for the third yr in a row). He has to wonder what he did to deserve this also.

Biggest disappointments have been the running game and the play calling - why we don't throw to the WAC's best TE I will never know - also Brown can catch out of the backfiled and we never try that either.

[EastStang]

Coach Burns "West Coast" style offense is a down the field offense which uses the tight end more as a blocker than a receiver. I suspect that's why the tight end isn't getting many touches. Its just the scheme Burns uses. If we can get the offense untracked, we might start scoring points in bunches.

[Really Fat Guy]

2005
9/10 vs TCU-Better Win
9/17 @ Texas A&M-Atleast Compete
9/24 vs Baylor-Better Win
TBA @ UAB-Atleast Compete
TBA @ Marshall-Better Win
TBA vs ECU-Better Win
TBA @ Houston-Better Win
TBA vs Tulane-Better Win
TBA vs UTEP-Atleast Compete
TBA vs Rice-Better Win
TBA @ Tulsa-Better Win

TEXAS A$M at least compete?! I don't know what you're smoking my friend, but I need to know who your dealer is 'cause holy geeze you must not be paying attention to what Coach Fran has done with the Ags this season. I saw them put the beat down on a very talented OSU team in Stillwater. When SMU meets A$M my only hope is that we don't have any fatalities. Also, don't think Coach Fran doesn't pay attention to this board and some of the nasty things that have been said about him over the years. He'll send his boys onto the field with orders to crush our Ponies. "Tell them this hit's for Stallion, tell them this hit's for PK, tell them this hit's for MM1965!" That's what he'll say to his Ags and with a team that devoted, they'll deliver for their Coach Fran!

[BUS]

So the next year in C-USA Fat Guy is predicting an 8 win season.

I hope you are right!!

[PK]

So the next year in C-USA Fat Guy is predicting an 8 win season.

I hope you are right!!

Actually it was Mustangs35SMU who is predicting the eight wins. Fat Boy is predicting A&M will kick our butts...which may be right, but we have managed to give tne Ags fits in the past. It will be interesting to see what actually happens.

[DiamondM75]

Eight wins next season?

I sure hope you are right, and if this happens, who do you think will be conference coach of the year? - PHIL BENNETT.

That sure will make for some interesting posts on this board.

[JasonB]

Next year, we have a more experienced d-line, get our LBs back, secondary will be verys trong. On offense, our O-line will be more mature, as will QB. TE will be very good with Chase and Kennedy. And our RB position will be a strength. This will, indeed, be a better team next year. As for the games themselves...

A&M is the one game on the schedule that is a loss for sure. UAB is building a decent program, I don't know how they will be. Marshall seems to have taken a step back the last two years, but still a road game. UTEP is a program on the rise. Price is doing a lot of things in recruiting that will make that team continue to be competitive. I think that there are 4 games that we "should" win - Rice, Tulsa, Tulane, ECU. I think the Baylor, UAB, Marshall, Houston, TCU, and UTEP games will all be competitive. Assuming we win half of those, that would be a 6 or 7 win season.

Next year, SMU will have a much more experienced team. I think that a 6 win season should be expected of Bennett. 5 wins if we lose a close game or two. Of course, I predicted 4 for this year, but that was before our LB injuries...

[PonySnob]

Until our offense can start scoring more than 13 pts per game, it is going to be hard to win on a regular basis.