Yeah but what about this in the Austin American Statesman??? Should UT be ticked?
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/archive/2007_colfoot_preview/0822col_smucap.html
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Team preview: SMU
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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
SMU Mustangs
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Phil Bennett has enough talent to reach first bowl game since 1984.
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HOME FIELD: GERALD J. FORD STADIUM, DALLAS (32,000, A-TURF PREMIER)
SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000, A-Turf Premier), Dallas
Last season: 6-6 (4-4 in C-USA)
Coach: Phil Bennett (17-41 in five seasons at SMU)
School record vs. Mack: 0-0
FLASHBACK:
10 SEASONS AGO
Coach: Mike Cavan (Fired in 2001 after five seasons)
Record: 5-7 (4-4 in WAC)
Notable: Cavan, who had three seasons left on his five-year contract, received a two-year extension and a salary increase. He was a hot prospect, having led the Mustangs to a 6-5 record in 1997. That still is their only winning season in the post-NCAA death penalty era that began when the program was restored in 1989.
Last season: 6-6 (4-4 in Conference USA)
Coach: Phil Bennett (17-41 in five seasons at SMU)
Series against UT: Texas leads 47-22-4
School record vs. Mack: 0-0
Last meeting with UT: Texas won 42-20 in 1994.
LOOKING AHEAD
How weird is this? SMU, once seemingly bound for extinction, has some of the best young talent in Conference USA. QB Justin Willis and WR Emmanuel Sanders were both freshman all-Americans last season. With players like that, perhaps SMU will continue its progress. The Mustangs, winless in 2003, finished 6-6 last season, their first non-losing record since 1997. The Mustangs were in position for a winning season in 2006, and perhaps their first bowl game since 1984, but they lost at Rice 31-27 on the final day.
OFFENSE
Nine starters return for the Mustangs. Willis passed for 2,047 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns last season. He was intercepted just six times. He also ranked second on the team in rushing with 354 yards. His top receiver was Sanders, who caught 46 passes, turning nine of them into touchdowns. Sanders is coming off knee surgery, but he made six catches in the spring game. Sanders is regarded as one of the top receivers in the conference. Willis has a huge target in 6-5, 255-pound TE Vincent Chase, a junior who has been a blocker until now. The running game is in the hands of junior DeMyron Martin, who led the team with 394 yards rushing last season while missing five games with a foot injury. Martin gained 854 yards as a freshman. The Mustangs have depth at the position as well.
DEFENSE
End Cory Muse will anchor a defense that features four returning full-time starters and others who have playing experience. But Reggie Carrington, a sixth-year linebacker who led SMU in tackles last season, has left the team. The Mustangs ranked fifth in Conference USA in total defense last season, first against the run. Muse is a senior who earned second-team all-conference recognition last season despite missing two games with a knee injury that restricted him in several other games. He made seven sacks. Carrington will be missed. He made 80 tackles from his middle linebacker post. He made four sacks as well. Mustangs also lost a potential starter in safety Rock Dennis to a season-ending shoulder injury. Two experienced cornerbacks return — Bryan McCann and Jonathan Lindley. McCann was a member of the league's all-freshman team last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Mustangs will receive a boost from the return of kick returner Jessie Henderson, a freshman all-American in 2005. He led Conference USA with a 27.6-yard average in 2005. Junior Thomas Morstead handles kickoffs and punts. Last season he led the league with a 43.8-yard punting average while converting 13 of 18 field goal attempts, making one from 50 yards.
FLASHBACK: 10 SEASONS AGO
Coach: Mike Cavan (Fired in 2001 after five seasons)
Record: 5-7 (4-4 in WAC)
Notable: Cavan, who had three seasons left on his five-year contract, received a two-year extension and a salary increase. He was a hot prospect, having led the Mustangs to a 6-5 record in 1997. That still is their only winning season in the post-NCAA death penalty era that began when the program was restored in 1989.
— Mark Rosner