DMN Preview: Arkansas State v SMU
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:07 amFrom Saturday's Dallas Morning News:
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
Arkansas State (1-1) at SMU (1-2)
Line: SMU by 6
What's on the line
SMU – It can even its record entering a two-game road trip and C-USA play.
ASU –A win on the road in its first away game of the season.
Who's hot
SMU – Redshirt freshman QB Justin Willis was 18-of-19 for 248 yards and five TD passes last week.
ASU –LB Josh Williams and S Tyrell Johnson lead the team with 17 and 14 tackles.
Who's not
SMU – Running back corps. DeMyron Martin (ankle) and Fred Turner (strained abdominal muscles), to injury and Johnnie Fitzgerald (high ankle sprain) is questionable.
ASU – The offense averages 10.5 ppg.
Stat that tells the story
ASU's victory over Army was its first over a non-conference I-A opponent since 2002.
Key matchup
SMU's run defense vs. ASU's two-back system: ASU uses its physical front line to establish the running game. SMU is giving up an average of 124 yards rushing.
SMU wins if ...
The offensive line provides Willis time to feel comfortable in the pocket. ASU has five interceptions in two games and allows only 131 ypg passing.
ASU wins if ...
It can establish the rushing game. SMU is giving up an average of 374.7 yards per game.
Predicted score
SMU 24, ASU 10
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
Arkansas State (1-1) at SMU (1-2)
Line: SMU by 6
What's on the line
SMU – It can even its record entering a two-game road trip and C-USA play.
ASU –A win on the road in its first away game of the season.
Who's hot
SMU – Redshirt freshman QB Justin Willis was 18-of-19 for 248 yards and five TD passes last week.
ASU –LB Josh Williams and S Tyrell Johnson lead the team with 17 and 14 tackles.
Who's not
SMU – Running back corps. DeMyron Martin (ankle) and Fred Turner (strained abdominal muscles), to injury and Johnnie Fitzgerald (high ankle sprain) is questionable.
ASU – The offense averages 10.5 ppg.
Stat that tells the story
ASU's victory over Army was its first over a non-conference I-A opponent since 2002.
Key matchup
SMU's run defense vs. ASU's two-back system: ASU uses its physical front line to establish the running game. SMU is giving up an average of 124 yards rushing.
SMU wins if ...
The offensive line provides Willis time to feel comfortable in the pocket. ASU has five interceptions in two games and allows only 131 ypg passing.
ASU wins if ...
It can establish the rushing game. SMU is giving up an average of 374.7 yards per game.
Predicted score
SMU 24, ASU 10