College Football News Preview of SMU-Arkansas State
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:57 amAt least they think we can cover the spread,
Arkansas State (1-1) at SMU (1-2) 8 pm EST Saturday, Sept. 23
Why to watch: Arkansas State gets its final tune up for before it begins the defense of its Sun Belt title against FIU, and this will be a big chance to show its league that it's going to be back and dangerous. SMU put a halt to the slide that started its season with a 45-14 win over Sam Houston State after getting shocked 24-6 by North Texas. This is supposed to be one of the dark-horses in the Conference USA race, but it has hardly played like it so far. If the Mustang offense can use this game to sharpen up, it has a good shot at Tulane next week, but it has to be much, much better to deal with UTEP down the line. A loss to a second Sun Belt team would be disastrous.
Why Arkansas State might win: If North Texas can close down the SMU offense, then Arkansas State should be a brick wall. The Indians and their excellent back seven had trouble with the Oklahoma State offensive balance last week, but SMU doesn't have the sort of offense that can mix things up. Without RB DeMyron Martin, who's out for another few weeks with a broken foot, it's all about QB Justin Willis and his all-around talents. If he's on the mark and able to move the ball down the field consistently, SMU shouldn't have many problems, but if he plays like the new starter the he is, ASU will be alive all game long.
Why SMU might win: SMU's biggest weakness so far has been pass defense, and Arkansas State doesn't throw. In fact, the Indians have the nation's third worst passing game averaging a mere 87.5 yards per game. ASU might be 1-1, but it's only scored 21 points and is having big problems on the lines. The offensive line can run block, but it's not great in pass protection. The defensive line has been good against the run, but it's not doing anything to get into the backfield. In other words, SMU should be able to operate without too much harassment. Whether or not the offense can execute is another story.
Who to watch: Willis is the key to the SMU season, and he might be the X factor in the Conference USA race when all is said and done. He has the talent and he has the arm, and now he has the game that showed just a little of what he might become. Super-accurate so far completing 78% of his passes, he finally got the offense moving against Sam Houston State with 248 yards and five touchdown passes, to go along with a touchdown run. If he can build on that game and come up with another great performance against the Indians, SMU will hit the Conference USA ground running.
What will happen: SMU will be able to throw the ball effectively, Arkansas State won't. The Indians are too one-dimensional to pull off the upset.
CFN Prediction: SMU 23 ... Arkansas State 14... Line: SMU -6.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip
Arkansas State (1-1) at SMU (1-2) 8 pm EST Saturday, Sept. 23
Why to watch: Arkansas State gets its final tune up for before it begins the defense of its Sun Belt title against FIU, and this will be a big chance to show its league that it's going to be back and dangerous. SMU put a halt to the slide that started its season with a 45-14 win over Sam Houston State after getting shocked 24-6 by North Texas. This is supposed to be one of the dark-horses in the Conference USA race, but it has hardly played like it so far. If the Mustang offense can use this game to sharpen up, it has a good shot at Tulane next week, but it has to be much, much better to deal with UTEP down the line. A loss to a second Sun Belt team would be disastrous.
Why Arkansas State might win: If North Texas can close down the SMU offense, then Arkansas State should be a brick wall. The Indians and their excellent back seven had trouble with the Oklahoma State offensive balance last week, but SMU doesn't have the sort of offense that can mix things up. Without RB DeMyron Martin, who's out for another few weeks with a broken foot, it's all about QB Justin Willis and his all-around talents. If he's on the mark and able to move the ball down the field consistently, SMU shouldn't have many problems, but if he plays like the new starter the he is, ASU will be alive all game long.
Why SMU might win: SMU's biggest weakness so far has been pass defense, and Arkansas State doesn't throw. In fact, the Indians have the nation's third worst passing game averaging a mere 87.5 yards per game. ASU might be 1-1, but it's only scored 21 points and is having big problems on the lines. The offensive line can run block, but it's not great in pass protection. The defensive line has been good against the run, but it's not doing anything to get into the backfield. In other words, SMU should be able to operate without too much harassment. Whether or not the offense can execute is another story.
Who to watch: Willis is the key to the SMU season, and he might be the X factor in the Conference USA race when all is said and done. He has the talent and he has the arm, and now he has the game that showed just a little of what he might become. Super-accurate so far completing 78% of his passes, he finally got the offense moving against Sam Houston State with 248 yards and five touchdown passes, to go along with a touchdown run. If he can build on that game and come up with another great performance against the Indians, SMU will hit the Conference USA ground running.
What will happen: SMU will be able to throw the ball effectively, Arkansas State won't. The Indians are too one-dimensional to pull off the upset.
CFN Prediction: SMU 23 ... Arkansas State 14... Line: SMU -6.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip