from CFN 2008 C-USA Team Lookaheads
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:58 amSMU
Why to get excited: June Jones, June Jones, June Jones. Get ready for high-octane fun and excitement as the Jones passing attack will help put the Mustangs on the map. Best of all, many of the pieces are already in place with QB Justin Willis accurate and talented, and most of the starting receivers coming back off a not-that-bad passing attack. Thomas Morstead should once again be one of the nation's best punters. The defense might have stunk, but it was very young up front.
Why to be grouchy: The defense has a long, long way to go. It was a mega-disappointment that got worse as the year went on, and the D will need time to be more productive against all the high-powered Conference USA offenses. Three starters are gone off the offensive line meaning the transition into a higher-octane passing attack could take a little while to come together. The pass protection wasn't there last year and Willis survived ... but barely.
The number one thing to work on is: Willis. He doesn't have a big-time arm, but he can be accurate and he's a good runner. The faster he gets it, and the faster he handles what Jones will throw at him, the faster SMU will be productive. The secondary could use a big boost in production after struggling against everyone from start to finish. The program might have been in a transition late in the year, but Jones still has to deal with a D that allowed 147 points over its final three games.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Zack Sledge
Biggest defensive loss: LB Wilton McCray
Best returning offensive player: QB Justin Willis, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LB Will Bonilla, Sr.
Why to get excited: June Jones, June Jones, June Jones. Get ready for high-octane fun and excitement as the Jones passing attack will help put the Mustangs on the map. Best of all, many of the pieces are already in place with QB Justin Willis accurate and talented, and most of the starting receivers coming back off a not-that-bad passing attack. Thomas Morstead should once again be one of the nation's best punters. The defense might have stunk, but it was very young up front.
Why to be grouchy: The defense has a long, long way to go. It was a mega-disappointment that got worse as the year went on, and the D will need time to be more productive against all the high-powered Conference USA offenses. Three starters are gone off the offensive line meaning the transition into a higher-octane passing attack could take a little while to come together. The pass protection wasn't there last year and Willis survived ... but barely.
The number one thing to work on is: Willis. He doesn't have a big-time arm, but he can be accurate and he's a good runner. The faster he gets it, and the faster he handles what Jones will throw at him, the faster SMU will be productive. The secondary could use a big boost in production after struggling against everyone from start to finish. The program might have been in a transition late in the year, but Jones still has to deal with a D that allowed 147 points over its final three games.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Zack Sledge
Biggest defensive loss: LB Wilton McCray
Best returning offensive player: QB Justin Willis, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LB Will Bonilla, Sr.
