What to watch for in the Tech game...

[JasonB]

I'll give Pony Fans three things to watch for in the Tech game. I am not worried about the defense over the course of the season - with the additional packages they can run, additional speed in the secondary and at linebacker, and the maturation of the defensive line, defense won't be a problem for the season as a whole. If the Pony offense can move the ball, the defense will be able to at least slow Tech down.

So my three keys are all on the offensive side of the ball.

1) Urbanus/Johnson vs. Duckett. Can our tackles handle his size, strength and speed? This is an important factor in the game. With quarterbacks playing their first game in a new system, they need time back there to read progressions and make good decisions. If they are running for their lives, SMU will turn the ball over and make mistakes with their youth on offense.

2) Running behind Urbanus/Guidry. I believe that the right side of the line is where SMU is going to be successful running the football this year. In the Spring game, that is where they tended to concentrate their running attack. Urbanus and Guidry are both powerful run blockers; can they provide the push we need to get Munlin moving? Establishing the run against Tech will be important, and being able to run to the right side of the line is important for this game because...

3) Look for QB rollout or option left after a fake handoff right. These two plays have the potential to be huge plays for the Mustangs this year. If we establish a running game on the right, look for the Ponies to take advantage of having a lefty QB by faking the handoff right and rolling Phillips out left in one back situations. With two backs, especially in the shotgun, look for the fake handoff right, and the sprint option to the left. I would love to see a shotgun formation with Munlin on the right and Dorsey on the left, fake to Munlin and sprint option left with speed to burn.

The offensive line is the single most important factor, not only for SMU trying to hang in this game, but also for SMU's chances the rest of the season. BK is a known entity and will be fine. DJ will improve from last year. Guidry was battling for the starting spot before Hargis went down, and has shown massive improvement from last year. But Urbanus and Peveto/Turner, and to some extent Guidry, are big unknowns. Little known recruits, who have supposedly done well in workouts and practice, but nobody has a clue of how they will perform in a game against a big-time opponent.

What To Watch For - the SMU offensive line.

[Hoop Fan]

I agree, the offensive line is the key issue with this program getting back to respectability. After watching the protection break down constantly in the Baylor game last year, I concluded that Phillips had to replace Bartel and said so on this board to much disagreement. It wasnt because Bartel was incapable of throwing the football, but that our Oline was not protecting him and through no fault of his own he was not able to scramble or improvise.

Maybe I'm all wrong, but my attitude going into this year is that the Oline play as a unit can only improve. New blood? good. New coaching? Fine. New offense to keep the defense off balance? even better.

[Techsan-81]

I would caution SMU fans not to expect too much from a new offense too soon. The first year Leach was at Tech, fans were none too happy. Having a spread offense with lots of throwing can result in a lot of very quick 3-and-outs early on, and that can be very frustrating. A new system takes time to become second nature to the QB, receivers, and backs.

On the plus side, once you have the offense in place, it sure makes you feel better about converting a 3rd and 8 or a 2nd and 15. Or sometimes, in Leach's case, even a 4th and 10.

[83RedRaider]

You are right about watching how you handle Duckett.

I'll echo what 81 said too. We had a lot of sputtering our 1st year in the spread. A lot of 3 & out, especially early in the game. But you have a legit system.

Don't get frustrated if it doesn't work right away. A lot of Red Raiders wanted Mike Leach gone when it didn't work great in the 1st 2 seasons. After year 3, everyone thinks he is a genius. So be patient.