CFN PREVIEW
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:28 amSMU (3-2) at UTEP (2-2) 9 PM EST Saturday October 7th
Why to watch: UTEP, Tulsa and Houston are the favorites to win Conference USA’s Western division and SMU would like to toss its sombrero into the ring with a win in El Paso Saturday night. The Mustangs have rebounded extremely well from an 0-2 start, winning three straight and locating a relatively impressive passing game in the process. Beating Tulane in last week’s return of college football to the Superdome was another sign the program is maturing and headed in the right direction. UTEP is suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia, nearly knocking off Texas Tech, while coming just as close to losing to New Mexico State a week ago. The Miners have been maddeningly inconsistent in 2006, something that needs to be addressed if they’re to remain a division favorite.
Why SMU might win: SMU blew up UTEP ten months ago in Dallas, so forget about there being any intimidation factor. The Mustangs know they belong in this game. QB Justin Willis has grown exponentially over the last month, igniting a moribund offense with 13 touchdowns over the last three games. The Miners, which have the lowest-rated pass defense in college football, will not be able to stifle the freshman’s progression.
Why UTEP might win: The Miners’ pitch-and-catch combo of Jordan Palmer to Johnnie Lee Higgins must’ve been salivating as they watched the film of the SMU corners trying to cover Tulane’s receivers last Saturday. The Mustangs got toasted by Lester Ricard for 398 yards and three touchdowns, failing to intercept any of his 50 passes. Palmer, who’s coming off a 414-yard effort of his own, is going to have a field day against the SMU defensive backs.
Who to watch: The Mustangs’ best chance to control UTEP’s prolific passing game is to get pressure up front with future NFL players, Adrian Haywood and Justin Rogers. The inside-outside D-line duo with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks is very capable of pressuring Palmer into the type of misfires that tip the scales in SMU’s favor.
What will happen: UTEP is too flaky these days to blow anyone out, let alone an SMU squad that’s confident and playing well. However, after feasting on the likes of Sam Houston State and Arkansas State, it’s asking too much of Willis to go into the Sun Bowl and upset a program playing with a sense of desperation.
CFN Prediction: UTEP 34 ... SMU 28 ... Line: UTEP -10
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Rachael Ray) ... 2.5
Why to watch: UTEP, Tulsa and Houston are the favorites to win Conference USA’s Western division and SMU would like to toss its sombrero into the ring with a win in El Paso Saturday night. The Mustangs have rebounded extremely well from an 0-2 start, winning three straight and locating a relatively impressive passing game in the process. Beating Tulane in last week’s return of college football to the Superdome was another sign the program is maturing and headed in the right direction. UTEP is suffering from a severe case of schizophrenia, nearly knocking off Texas Tech, while coming just as close to losing to New Mexico State a week ago. The Miners have been maddeningly inconsistent in 2006, something that needs to be addressed if they’re to remain a division favorite.
Why SMU might win: SMU blew up UTEP ten months ago in Dallas, so forget about there being any intimidation factor. The Mustangs know they belong in this game. QB Justin Willis has grown exponentially over the last month, igniting a moribund offense with 13 touchdowns over the last three games. The Miners, which have the lowest-rated pass defense in college football, will not be able to stifle the freshman’s progression.
Why UTEP might win: The Miners’ pitch-and-catch combo of Jordan Palmer to Johnnie Lee Higgins must’ve been salivating as they watched the film of the SMU corners trying to cover Tulane’s receivers last Saturday. The Mustangs got toasted by Lester Ricard for 398 yards and three touchdowns, failing to intercept any of his 50 passes. Palmer, who’s coming off a 414-yard effort of his own, is going to have a field day against the SMU defensive backs.
Who to watch: The Mustangs’ best chance to control UTEP’s prolific passing game is to get pressure up front with future NFL players, Adrian Haywood and Justin Rogers. The inside-outside D-line duo with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks is very capable of pressuring Palmer into the type of misfires that tip the scales in SMU’s favor.
What will happen: UTEP is too flaky these days to blow anyone out, let alone an SMU squad that’s confident and playing well. However, after feasting on the likes of Sam Houston State and Arkansas State, it’s asking too much of Willis to go into the Sun Bowl and upset a program playing with a sense of desperation.
CFN Prediction: UTEP 34 ... SMU 28 ... Line: UTEP -10
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Rachael Ray) ... 2.5