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SOUTHERN METHODIST

INSIDE SLANT
The Phil Bennett era hasn't been pleasant so far. The Mustangs are 3-21 in his two seasons, including an 0-12 mark last year. The Mustangs lost four games by a touchdown or less in 2003. That gives Bennett some reason for hope this year.

The team's biggest challenge has been finding a capable quarterback. The Mustangs averaged 11 points per game last year and switched to true freshman quarterback Chris Phillips midway through the season. Phillips likely will start this year under new offensive coordinator Rusty Burns.

The defense is loaded with athleticism. The unit has been overworked, and it's difficult to attack when you know your offense can't cover a mistake, Bennett says.

The schedule-makers didn't do him much of a favor. The Mustangs face Texas Tech, TCU, Oklahoma State and Boise State — all bowl teams — in the first 29 days.

NOTES, QUOTES

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAME: vs. San Jose State, Sept. 25 — This might be the Mustangs' best chance for a win all year. If they lose, 0-11 is a possibility.

THE MUSTANGS WILL GO 5-6 IF: QB Chris Phillips turns into one of the WAC's better quarterbacks. This team must score in bunches if it wants to compete.

THE MUSTANGS WILL GO 0-11 IF: The offense sputters. The schedule just doesn't provide much room for error.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "When I took this job, I looked at the job toughness and this would be the No. 1 tough job in America at the time. Nobody was pleased with last year; I have to take responsibility for that. I'm excited about this year. I don't go into anything afraid." — Head coach Phil Bennett

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Chris Phillips — It's no secret that quarterback play has derailed this team since Phil Bennett arrived. Phillips must change that for this team to go anywhere.

BREAKOUT STAR: RB Foy Munlin — The tailback transfer from Texas Tech will be counted on heavily. Keylon Kincade carried the ball 317 times last year. Munlin is a power back who excelled in the spring.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: CB Charles Akinyemi — The Air Force transfer could see competition for the starting job at cornerback during camp. If he keeps the job, he'll face major pressure in the pass-happy WAC.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Offense — QB Chris Phillips, TB Foy Munlin, WR Devin Lowery, WR Bobby Chase, WR Jay'Mond Cleveland, TE Derek Swofford, LT Darrin Johnson, LG Grant Eidson, C Brad Kieschnick, RG Martin Guidry, RT Chris Urbanus

Defense — DE Melvin Williams, DT Allan Adami, NG Desmond Jones, DE Justin Rogers, LB D.D. Lee, LB Rico Harris, LB Don Ieremia-Stansbury, CB Rolando Humphrey, CB Charles Akinyemi, FS Alvin Nnabuife, SS Jamey Harper

HEAD COACH: Phil Bennett, 3rd year, 3-21

INJURY IMPACT: Sophomore Reggie Carrington, expected to start at middle linebacker, will miss the entire season with a torn pectoral muscle

I like the WR set. D.D. Lee and Stansbury at linebacker will be good against the run, but slow against the pass. Hopefully Muse can win a position at linebacker.

On the OL, Eidson vs. Peveto, hopefully Peveto steps up and wins that from a size perspective. Hargis should be at RG over Guidry.

Beautiful quote from Third Year SMU Head Coach----This has gone from Bennett's "Dream Job" to the "The No. 1 Tough Job in America". Jeez! That pretty well says it all! I hope Bennett doesn't get Cavanitis Depression Syndrome as well which often strikes in the third year of an SMU head coaches' tenure.

Stallion wrote:Beautiful quote from Third Year SMU Head Coach----This has gone from Bennett's "Dream Job" to the "The No. 1 Tough Job in America". Jeez! That pretty well says it all! I hope Bennett doesn't get Cavanitis Depression Syndrome as well which often strikes in the third year of an SMU head coaches' tenure.

Of coure, Michael Moore, you forget to mention that on day one of taking his 'Dream Job' that he also understood, and stated such, that this was a difficult situation because of the recruiting restrictions that were JUST alleviated when he took the job.

Foy Mulin is the key to the season. He will keep the pressure off the qb. If Foy goes down we go 0-11 again. If he is healthy we beat TT. Nacho. Out. Feliz Los Mustangs y'all.

No one player is the difference is 5 wins vs 0. If this team is to compete, the speed we recruited over the past 2 years will have to assert itself defensively. Offensively, we don't look like much but if there is to be a driver, it will be Phillips. He will have to be very accurate and very quick plus continue to show running ability so others can't just lay back their ears and rush. I'm not optimistic about this year but with a more open scheme maybe the offense can at least score on enough to win a few. A very critical year for Bennett. Another really poor year and the buy in will be gone and recruiting will fall off with more de-commits. We need an upset early so badly. Pray for a monsoon for the opener.

What makes you think we will do better in the rain than Tech?

Rain and sloppy conditions are great equalizers.

Dont pay any attention to Nacho, he was always a rotten kid.

Foy Munlin should have a great year, but even if he were to get hurt, there's no way this team goes winless again. Argue all day about the talent level, etc., but there's also some luck involved (ball bouncing the right/wrong way, ref makes bad call, sun rises on the wrong side of the horizon -- whatever), and it seemed like bad luck found the Ponies last year with unfortunate regularity. There's something to be said for the idea that you make your own luck -- to a degree, that's true. But I refuse to believe that many things like that can happen to the same team two years in a row.

Plus, this team will be better: bigger and faster with more experience. 2004 will produce improved results (wins) and greater optimism for the future at season's end.