Prediction for La Tech
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:50 pmThis is a tough game to get a handle on.
La Tech tends to play down to their competition, making them a difficult team to figure out. They played well against Fresno, but they really struggled against Louisiana Laf. and then didn't really dominate Nevada in the opener. This is their first conference away game, and they play a lot better at home then they do on the road.
Offensively, they want to run the ball, and have a quietly efficient passing game. However, the QBs DO turn the ball over. Moats is a big guy that SMU will struggle to contain. He WILL have a 200 yard rushing game, and is big enough to drive the smaller LBs of SMU backwards. SMU will have a very difficult time containing him.
SMU's best shot of defending LT is by run blitzing. This way if LT passes, the QB has to rush throws and the QBs will make some bad decisions. The LT WR core is not that great and SMU should be able to handle them just fine.
That said, SMU hasn't blitzed much since the opening game. The D line should perform better than they did against Boise (because they don't have to be as concerned about a pass rush) or Rice (because there is no option to worry about). But the LB support will still struggle to contain Moats. But, SMU's secondary I believe has a shot to have a very strong game and force turnovers. Also, LT will probably become a little one diminsional in the red zone and can be stopped for field goals.
Defensively, LT has struggled against both the run and the pass at times this year. They played a spread offense against lou-laf and gave up a ton of passing yards. The teams that ran the ball best against LT did so out of power formations - Auburn, Tenn, Fresno. SMU doesn't run that kind of offense. The secondary has given up a lot of yardage and is not considered to be very good.
So, in summary, I expect SMU to give up a lot of yards running. This will eat the clock up and keep the score down. Offensively, expect SMU to come out and try to establish a passing game. This will loosen up LT and allow SMU to run the ball later in the game. If SMU can establish the pass early, they can stay in this game. Otherwise, if SMU struggles early, LT and Moats will wear the SMU D down early and it could be a long day.
I am going to go with an upset here. I think that SMU can hold LT to field goals, and I believe that our secondary will force two interceptions. And I do believe that the SMU passing game, which has improved in the Boise and Rice games, will really take a step forward in this home game.
SMU 27, LT 23
La Tech tends to play down to their competition, making them a difficult team to figure out. They played well against Fresno, but they really struggled against Louisiana Laf. and then didn't really dominate Nevada in the opener. This is their first conference away game, and they play a lot better at home then they do on the road.
Offensively, they want to run the ball, and have a quietly efficient passing game. However, the QBs DO turn the ball over. Moats is a big guy that SMU will struggle to contain. He WILL have a 200 yard rushing game, and is big enough to drive the smaller LBs of SMU backwards. SMU will have a very difficult time containing him.
SMU's best shot of defending LT is by run blitzing. This way if LT passes, the QB has to rush throws and the QBs will make some bad decisions. The LT WR core is not that great and SMU should be able to handle them just fine.
That said, SMU hasn't blitzed much since the opening game. The D line should perform better than they did against Boise (because they don't have to be as concerned about a pass rush) or Rice (because there is no option to worry about). But the LB support will still struggle to contain Moats. But, SMU's secondary I believe has a shot to have a very strong game and force turnovers. Also, LT will probably become a little one diminsional in the red zone and can be stopped for field goals.
Defensively, LT has struggled against both the run and the pass at times this year. They played a spread offense against lou-laf and gave up a ton of passing yards. The teams that ran the ball best against LT did so out of power formations - Auburn, Tenn, Fresno. SMU doesn't run that kind of offense. The secondary has given up a lot of yardage and is not considered to be very good.
So, in summary, I expect SMU to give up a lot of yards running. This will eat the clock up and keep the score down. Offensively, expect SMU to come out and try to establish a passing game. This will loosen up LT and allow SMU to run the ball later in the game. If SMU can establish the pass early, they can stay in this game. Otherwise, if SMU struggles early, LT and Moats will wear the SMU D down early and it could be a long day.
I am going to go with an upset here. I think that SMU can hold LT to field goals, and I believe that our secondary will force two interceptions. And I do believe that the SMU passing game, which has improved in the Boise and Rice games, will really take a step forward in this home game.
SMU 27, LT 23