Official: SMU vs. Baylor Thread

[redpony]

was probably planning game strategy with Briles.

[Harry0569]

per ESPN: best bets

Baylor Bears (minus-33) vs. SMU Mustangs

Baylor breaks in its fancy new digs on the Brazos with a probable blowout of an SMU team that could go 0-12 this season. The Mustangs won't regain the momentum four straight bowl appearances provided, and we expect coach June Jones to part ways with the program he resurrected from a two-decade streak of post-death penalty futility. This year's bunch is thin in the secondary and unsettled on its offensive playmakers, a bad combination in both this matchup and the move up to the American Athletic Conference. Baylor is a legitimate top-10 team that sports the best defensive line of the Art Briles era, a scary addition to the scorched-earth offense.

The Bears will battle Kansas State and Oklahoma for the Big 12 title and national prominence. As for opening versus SMU as a big favorite in a sold-out new stadium, Briles said it best when he said that he "knows how fast looks when it's excited."

ATS pick: Baylor 63, SMU 24

[smoodtwice]

In case anyone is interested, we have a total of 19 predictions with an average prediction of 55-23. I was curious if we are more optimistic or pessimistic as a whole. So I did an average ... Because science.

So, according to the average prediction, looks like SMU is the bet with the spread.

[GiddyUp]

Thanks for the research Smood. Its based on past history and is also scientific.

[Harry0569]

In case anyone is interested, we have a total of 19 predictions with an average prediction of 55-23. I was curious if we are more optimistic or pessimistic as a whole. So I did an average ... Because science.

So, according to the average prediction, looks like SMU is the bet with the spread.

thank you sir.

That avg just so happens to be the EXACT spread. We are geniuses.

[PonyKai]

Wait, seriously? ESPN casually says we "could go 0-12 this year"? Are they high? Is this the same set of morons that decided that manufacturing a report on someone's showering habits in the NFL would be a good idea? Look, it won't be pretty Sunday. And we probably won't make a bowl. And we probably will have a new coach next year. But you're either high off your a*s or dumb enough to argue West Virginia is a bastion of academic achievement to think we're going 0-12 this year, F*cking moron.

[smumed]

I was really surprised and disappointed that they mentioned us as a possible 0-12 team. It always seems that every big game we have (Baylor, A&M, TCU, etc.) is incredibly important, not necessarily to win, but to at least have a strong performance (although a win every once and awhile wouldn't hurt). I feel like we are always competing against not only the other team, but also the media's perception of what kind of team/program we are (important for potential re-alignment/inclusion), as well as the perception our casual fan base has of our team/program (important in regards to baseline attendance). It makes big losses in these old SWC rivalry games sting that much more. I have been viewing this board for over a decade now, and I know you all are aware of what I'm talking about, and I'm not saying anything new. I just hope we can be competitive this Sunday, especially after comments by ESPN about us being a possible 0-12 team. It would be truly amazing to have some of that basketball magic fall to our football team.

[GiddyUp]

Who said that? Thats laughable

[Harry0569]

Who said that? Thats laughable

ESPN Gambling Expert Will Harris

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-foot ... e-football

[Harry0569]

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1437727.html
SMU (0-0) at Baylor (0-0) Aug. 31, 7:30, Fox Sports 1

Here's The Deal: Momentum is at a modern-day high in Waco. And Baylor is hungry for more after winning its first outright league title since 1980 last season. The Bears are aiming to prove 2013 was no fluke, especially since they’ll begin this year behind Oklahoma in the Big 12 court of public opinion. Baylor opens with SMU, a former rival from the old Southwest Conference days. The Mustangs have reached a plateau for seventh-year coach June Jones, capped by last season disappointing 5-7 debut in the American Athletic Conference.
Why SMU Might Win: It’s the Run N’ Shoot, a Jones-orchestrated production, so the passing game is always going to be dangerous. Neal Burcham won the quarterback derby, which entitles him to play catch with WR Der'rikk Thompson, Darius Joseph and the rest of an experienced receiving corps. SMU is also excited by the potential of RB Kevin Pope, a converted linebacker who’ll hit a revamped Baylor D with a healthy dose of balance.
Why Baylor Might Win: Art Briles’ relentless offense won’t skip a beat this fall. The Bears led the nation in 2013, and might be back on top again this season. QB Bryce Petty is healthy and back to pilot a fast-paced system that touts game-changing weapons, such as RB Shock Linwood and receivers Antwan Goodley, Levi Norwood and Corey Coleman. This is a rugged matchup for an SMU secondary replacing three starters.
Who To Watch Out For: The Baylor offense will hum. The defense, though, must regroup if the program is going to contend for the Big 12 title—and more. LB Bryce Hager is the Bears’ steady man in the middle. The hope is that DE Shawn Oakman can bring the spectacular on a routine basis. Oakman is the 6-9, 275-pound Penn State transfer, who’s expected to team up with Jamal Palmer to give the D a dynamic pass-rushing bookend.
What’s Going To Happen: Surging Baylor will have few problems with SMU, a program that has hit a wall in recent years. The Bears will do their usual thing on offense, racking up close to 600 total yards. It’s coordinator Phil Bennett’s defense that’ll belong under the microscope. If the D can confuse the Mustangs, it’ll be a positive early sign for the season ahead.
Prediction: Baylor 55 … SMU 21
Line: Baylor -33; O/U:73
Must Watch Factor: 5 Every. Simpsons. Ever. (Up until Part 1 of “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”) – 1 Every. Simpsons. Ever. (Everything after Part 2 of “Who Shot Mr. Burns?")… 2.5

[Krieg]

0-12 is ludicrous, but it if ESPN so I'm not surprised.

As for the Scout article, I have one issue. We averaged 619 yards per game last year IIRC, so getting close to 600 actually wouldn't be a good thing.

You would think if you were paid to write about a team you would research stats you want to use in your article as well as realize 0-12 is nearly impossible. This stuff drives me crazy. It's like they throw these things together in 10 minutes, which I guess they might.

[blackoutpony]

0-12 is ludicrous, but it if ESPN so I'm not surprised.

As for the Scout article, I have one issue. We averaged 619 yards per game last year IIRC, so getting close to 600 actually wouldn't be a good thing.

You would think if you were paid to write about a team you would research stats you want to use in your article as well as realize 0-12 is nearly impossible. This stuff drives me crazy. It's like they throw these things together in 10 minutes, which I guess they might.

TMZSPN. They don't report sports over there. All their articles are filled will typos and as well as stats the are flat out wrong or missing. I can't read that site anymore.

BREAKING NEWS - JOHNNY FOOTBALL BRUSHES TEETH WITH LEFT HAND
BREAKING NEWS - SOMEONE TWEETED SOMETHING THAT BOTHERED 4 PEOPLE SO ITS ON OUR FRONT PAGE
BREAKING NEWS - TIM TEBOW STILL NOT ON A FOOTBALL TEAM. EMPLOYED BY US.
BREAKING NEWS - MICHAEL SAM WEARS JOCK STRAP AND NOT COMPRESSION SHORTS. WHAT DOES LEBRON THINK? COMING UP AT 7 ET

[PonySnob]

Baylor game is similar to the year we played Arkansas in Little Rock while Cavan was the coach. Believe it was Houston Nutts first game as the Razorback coach.

[SMU21TCU10]

The more I think about it - 70-16

[WordUpBU]

BREAKING NEWS - MICHAEL SAM WEARS JOCK STRAP AND NOT COMPRESSION SHORTS. WHAT DOES LEBRON THINK? COMING UP AT 7 ET

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