PonyFans.com

Lets all talk about something else. And we can revisit this when we find out if Willis is going or not going to play. For now I would rather concentrate on our ability as a team to finish out the rest of the season. What about Rogers and Muse? Those guys have been automatic off the edge and a large part of our defensive success until now. How will the defense react to them being gone. True we do need a QB to score touchdowns, but we also need a defense to stop them. Our offense only scored 14 points last game. We will need to score more than that if we want to continue to make a run at the Conf. Championship. So please lets discuss the team we have right now. It doesnt mean that we cant support Willis, but he is not a factor right now and Slater is. This has started out to good a season to just start b****ing and complaining already. I know that in some of my previous post I have been guilty of doing the same thing, I was wrong. By doing that I did nothing but take away from the talent of the other players. This is a team(not Texas '05), we just need to support the team we have now.

Damn right, 35straight!

I, for one, want to know how we'll beat Marshall this weekend. Their record stinks (what are they, 1-4?), but they've played a killer schedule (Tennessee, West Virginia, etc.) I was told a few things things about Marshall (by someone who knows more about them than I do):

1. They're a hell of a lot better than their record
2. Their offensive line is absolutely enormous
3. Don't count out Cory Muse or Justin Rogers - there's a chance one (or maybe even both, but don't hold your breath) might be back
4. "They might be the best team we've faced this year"

It's Tuesday, and I'm ready to see my Ponies win this Saturday. We need absolutely everyone to be at the game Saturday -- not just on the Boulevard, but AT THE GAME, from start to finish.

Go Mustangs!

This is 14 points in our last half. Hopefully that is more positive. And we only allowed 7 points in our last half.

Best wishes on our injured players but also remember that the backups came in a played well. We have more depth than in years past.

Absolutely -- Coach Bennett was very smart to "flood the field" (in the laughers over Sam Houston and Arkansas State) with reserves. Handy and Therien, in particular, played pretty well in El Paso.

I have heard similar things, stud RB, that WR who smoked us last year looks even better. the QB is dangerous, not overpowering, but solid. this will be a tougher game than the record suggests, especially if Muse or Rogers are not able to suit up.

Absolutely -- their QB can really fly. From what I hear, he actually prefers to run. I don't know or care what information was used to set the line in Vegas, this is going to be a VERY tough game.

Go Ponies!

Marshall has the #27 rushing attach with almost 5 yards per. They have a very good return guy who is #15 in punt returns and #1 in CUSA.

Marshall's problem and where we need to have success is against their defense. They are #100 vs. the run giving 5.23 yards per. The pass D is not much better at #99 and pass eff D #85.

Other than the initial stats mentioned MArshall is below average except for sacks allowed at #54, not unusual for a running team.

We need to pressure them on all fronts.

Of course, without Willis Marshall will stack the line and force Slater to beat them. Slater will need to step up to the challenge and the Coaches will need to find ways to take the pressure off him.

If Willis is not able to play, you are correct, I would stack the line as well!!! Sounds like it will come down to SMU's offense moving the ball against a suspect defense or not. If SMU's D can rise to the challenge against a pretty statistically good O, then I like our chances at home!!!

Vegas pulls numbers out of the air to reach these spreads!

I think Roger and Muse is the bigger question mark than even Willis. Once Slater got settled, he did okay on Saturday. If Willis is out, Slater has a week with the first team and the UTEP game. Against a running team like Marshall, our D line and backers will need to play the game of their lives. Last year they did. But Rogers was a big part of keeping us in that game. Let's hope they heal and we can win without them, so they can be ready to face a fired up ECU team that beat UVa.