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SMU sizes up Baylor's strides
By John Werner Tribune-Herald staff writer
Wednesday, August 31, 2005

DALLAS – No one would call Baylor's 10-7 win over SMU two years ago at Floyd Casey Stadium a classic football game.

Mustangs coach Phil Bennett was in his second year at the helm, while Baylor coach Guy Morriss was only in his third game. Both programs were young and struggling to find an identity.

But Bennett believes both teams will bring much more talent and experience to the field in a rematch Saturday night at 7 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

“Guy and I inherited the same type of situation,” said Bennett at his Tuesday press conference. “So I'm anxious to see the improvement between the two teams Saturday night. This is a rivalry that I think is very natural for SMU since we're both former Southwest Conference members. I think we'll see a high-capacity house and a spirited game.”

The 2003 game was the first between Baylor and SMU since the final year of the SWC in 1995. Though they've rarely played each other recently, the coaches of the two schools often compete for the same recruits and many of the players know each other.

The Mustangs' schedule looks like an old SWC schedule with games against Baylor, TCU, Texas A&M, Rice and Houston this season. SMU is moving from the Western Athletic Conference to Conference USA this season and will play Rice and Houston in West Division league games.

“It's part of our plan to play games in this area,” Bennett said. “The parents of these kids can see nine games this season without having to travel too far.”

After going 0-12 two years ago, the Mustangs improved to 3-8 last season. While Bennett doesn't consider Baylor a must-win game, it would jump-start the season for the Mustangs.

“This is a big game, but no first game is a must-win,” Bennett said. “Would it help our program and our university to win this game? Yes.”

Last year, the Mustangs fielded the youngest team in America. But they've got a veteran look this year with 22 returning players who started six or more games.

“We're more mature and athletic on both sides of the ball than we've been in the last three years and we've got two senior quarterbacks,” Bennett said. “Both displayed last year that they can be winning Division I quarterbacks. Their experience will help us tremendously.”

Bennett said he will wait until Thursday to decide whether Tony Eckert or Jerad Romo will start at quarterback, but both are expected to play.

“If one of the quarterbacks get into a good rhythm and is playing well, we'll probably stick with him,” Bennett said.

Bennett said he probably won't play any true freshmen except former Killeen star Columbus Givens, who has impressed the SMU coaches at wide receiver and is listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind junior Reynaldo Pellerin.

“Columbus gives us something to be excited about,” Bennett said. “He's extremely fast. If you watch him practice, you can tell he didn't spend much time in the house playing video games. He was out there playing catch and running and doing all those things. We're going to find ways to get him into the game and utilize him.”

Kinda surprised he said it was not a must win.....sure he has his reasons.

if your job was on the line would you like to call it a "must-win"? The job of 4th year coaches at SMU is to preach patience and point out how little talent his predecessor left them so guys like PonyBoy and GRGB will still kiss their [deleted].

If you win during the rest of the year, no one game is a Must Win. We all know that we need a win and that not many games would be classified as easy, however no one game is a must win...all games are Must Wins should be everyone's answer. By the way, Coach Bennett's contract is long enough that unless the complete season is flushed, he is in no danger. Let's focus more on whether SMU can get the offense going, which is a major concern for me after watching the scrimmage. We had little to no passing game. What do others think?

Stallion wrote:if your job was on the line would you like to call it a "must-win"? The job of 4th year coaches at SMU is to preach patience and point out how little talent his predecessor them so guys like PonyBoy and GRGB will still kiss their [deleted].

The man has no talent as you have pointed out no fewer than 10,000 times. And as you have pointed out, next year is the that we should really judge Bennett. And of course, as you have pointed out, we should not fire hime because it isn't his fault as none of the SMU faithful should expect more under the current "model." Therefore, what difference does it make whether they kiss his @ss or not?

if SMU goes 0-6 which they are predicted to do by the pundits come back and tell everybody on this board that Bennett's not in any danger with a 6-36 lifetime record. That record tells a story all by itself.

if SMU goes 0-6 which they are predicted to do by the pundits come back and tell everybody on this board that Bennett's not in any danger with a 6-36 lifetime record. PonySnob might have a point. Don't you think your stretching the Mike Cavan angle JUST a tad. Cavan won 6 games in his first year. At some point Bennett's got to win one to help the program take a step up. Look at the schedule-Baylor and I guess now Tulane are are best opportunities to avoid 0-6 and 6-36.

/\ Nice double post.

Seriously, the whole statement about the first game not being a must-win is a mistake. This game is a must-win for SMU if they have any chance of winning a OOC game this season. A win over Baylor sets the tone for the rest of the season. A loss does as well - or at least can.

It's a shame that Texas has its home opener this week or I'd be in Dallas hoping for an embarrasing loss for Baylor.

Every game is a must win in college football. That's whay you watch.

I understand why coach B would say it, and it has nothing to do with people on Pony fans... it has to do with his team.

But C'MON! This game is THE game... until next week.

So Blog,

Yes or No....do you think this is a Must Win Game?

Me, I think this is Bennett's most important game of his SMU career.

I would like anyone who doesn't think this is a Must Win Game to post why.

You haven't said it is a must win. You only said that it was the most important game in his career.

So which do you think it is or do you think it is both?

I don't think this is a must win. But this is a must "good show". This season, Bennett's guys are in their Junior/Senior season. They have the experience to do well. They are no longer a "JV" team, as Bennett likes to say.

If, as the season rolls on, and the it is obvious that the team isn't competitive, Bennett is in a lot of trouble.

If the team is very compettitive athletically, but just has some bad bounces and finishes 3-8, I don't know that he is in trouble unless it comes down to really poor coaching decisions.

So, no, it isn't a "must win". But we have to have a good showing. This is the year where progress has to really show through. If we lose because we are awful, like the 10-7 game, that is bad news. if we lose but play really well, I think it is disappointing, but as long as there is progress this year it is no big deal.

/\ Hmm, that sounds like someone that has resolved to a losing season. Let's hope the team feels differently.

The only reason i think it is a must win because if we lose to them, then TCU, and then get stomped by aTm no fans will show up for any other games. Think if we beat baylor we have a better shot at TCU.....but who knows, can't wait to find out in person!

Treadway,

I think its both. If we lose to Baylor, odds are we again go 0-fer in OOC games and if that is the case, IMO impact to recruiting is irreversible. Sure we can then go undefeated and win the conference but let's talk realism here.

WE CANNOT HAVE A REPEAT OF LAST YEARS' RECRUITING CLASS.

Bennett's strong point use to be his recruitng, if that is no longer the case, he becomes expendable....hopefully on a package plan with Copeland.

My biggest hope, of course, is that we Beat Baylor!!!!