Houston Strategy

[ponynotsoexpress2007]

Wondering what every one thought about this. Against Houston should we play more ball control football or air it out? My fear is it will get into a scoring fest and they will win. If we use the clock and keep our defense fresh we might have a better chance. Yet we still need to keep our identity on offense. Just a thought.

Ponies - Bowl Bound

[Mustang98]

You bring up an excellent point. If we can dominate time of possession, then we can play a controlled type of offense without having to air it out. That means scoring first and then keeping the our defense off the field. If Cougar High scores first and then again with no response, then we will be forced to air it out.

Basically we need to score first and keep the ball out of Houston's hands.

[Nacho]

We are not a power running team. We are a spread team. No way we can control the clock like a Texas A&M. I say play to win and outscore 'em.

[FloridaMustang]

We are not a power running team. We are a spread team. No way we can control the clock like a Texas A&M. I say play to win and outscore 'em.

Exactly. It will be a shootout, but we must stop their running game, period.

[Mustang98]

I am not trying to be difficult, but we haven't been involved in a legitimate shootout this year. Yeah we ran up 40+ points against Sam Houston State and Arkansas State and then stormed back against a weak Tulane team, but are we prepared to try and keep pace in a scoring fest? Maybe we are, but those types of games are a little dangerous if you ask me. Just ask Oklahoma State. They got more than what they bargained for when they lit it up in Houston.

[Nacho]

If we play ball control we are going to lose by about 50-21. I can't stand to see another 2 yard pass or a run on 3rd down that gets stuffed. If we play with them we may still lose but at least we will have a chance. Kolb is going to light us up either way so we may as well give ourselves a shot. I agree that this is pretty much a no-win situation for us but I hate to see another TT outcome. Play to win Phil.

[Mustang98]

Point taken. Nice delivery and a logical point as well.

[FloridaMustang]

If we play ball control we are going to lose by about 50-21. I can't stand to see another 2 yard pass or a run on 3rd down that gets stuffed. If we play with them we may still lose but at least we will have a chance. Kolb is going to light us up either way so we may as well give ourselves a shot. I agree that this is pretty much a no-win situation for us but I hate to see another TT outcome. Play to win Phil.

And they're not going to expect us to play aggressive. This would be the game to really surprise an opponent by airing it out. We can run against Houston.. so we'll be able to stay balanced and use play action. I'm going to be impressed if Phil actually gambles on this one. We HAVE to win and I think he knows it. The kids have the confidence.. but we need to put up POINTS to keep that D fired up against a team that is GOING to score on us.

[Mustang98]

I like it. You are right. They think we are going to come out with a dress on and play nice. I think you got it. Just take it to them and let the defense feed off the energy. Besides we'll be playing at Ford. Is it just me or do you notice that our fans are a little more fired up when we take on a former SWC team?

[tristatecoog]

If the SMU RBs have a strong game, watch out. Houston's lost some starters to injury on both lines. The SMU DL against UH's OL will be a key matchup. With enough time, I believe Kolb will be able to do very well. UAB seemed to do rather well on some drives but then fell short in the red zone. Another key....stop the Coogs from getting into to the end zone.

SMU's first TD against UAB was awesome. Willis can really turn it on. I believe he's #3 in C-USA for passing efficiency.

[perunapower]

If the SMU RBs have a strong game, watch out. Houston's lost some starters to injury on both lines. The SMU DL against UH's OL will be a key matchup. With enough time, I believe Kolb will be able to do very well. UAB seemed to do rather well on some drives but then fell short in the red zone. Another key....stop the Coogs from getting into to the end zone.

SMU's first TD against UAB was awesome. Willis can really turn it on. I believe he's #3 in C-USA for passing efficiency.

Let's not forget that Coog High is going to be rather beat up after playing Tulsa this weekend.

[Mustang98]

I am coming up to Dallas from Houston for the game and I am thankful win or lose we don't have to listen to that silly Cougar growl everytime UofH gets a first down. The siren used to be bad enough in the run and shoot days (95-21), but that growl got really annoying last year at Roberston. It was all the sweeter that we won last year in the last few seconds.

[BrianTinBigD]

If the D-Line dominates Houston like it did last year then we win. This game was the Haywood coming out party in my opinion. He was everywhere on the field and in Kolb's face all night long.

[Stallion]

SMU really can't get in a shootout-SMU is averaging 297 yards Total Offense against Division 1A teams and 291 yards Total Offense against the CUSA. We will need about 3 Turnovers and take advantage to win the game. We've done a good job on picking up some special and defensive teams points this year-it would help to have some more against UH. Against Division 1A schools SMU is averaging 20.2 offensive points per game. Take out Sun Belt ASU and we are averaging 16.9 offensive points a game. In CUSA we are averaging 21.4 offensive points per game.

[ponyfan84]

Its going to come down to who can make the bigger plays. Final score will probably be 38-31 or something like that, probably go back and forth, but its whoever can make that game breaking play to put it away will win.

I think the strategy all comes down to who gets it first/who scores first. Either way, that D better be ready for a potent offense with a great, experienced QB who won't be afraid to air it out.