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There are some real problems, but I see some positives (as always)

We gave up 466 yards last night. 32 yards better than the average last year, and 79 yards better than we did against Rice last year. We were away, and it was the first game of the season.

Also, the score was ugly, but 2 interceptions returned for TD or to the one yard line, and a fumble return to the 8. That is basically 21 points that the D could do little about. That would have put the score at 27-36. BLM's last interception was when SMU was on the Rice 36 yard line, and was moving the ball well on a drive that started on their 23. Had we scored some point then it would have been closer.

We also had a couple of near-picks.

The sack count was 2-2. Good job O-line.

I'm not saying we should have won the game, but I'm just putting perspective on it.

Rice could have easily gone over that average. They coasted in the 4th.

Quite frankly if Rice had wanted to run up the score and Clement hadn't re-injured his thumb-remember those reports he injured it during fall practice-Rice could have run up at the very least 70 points and 650 yards total offense. They really tapped the breaks by going to the inside running game. That being said I have little doubt the Defense will get better as the season progresses. You've got 11 new guys who have never played together and this was the first "tackle Football" they have played in 9 months. It showed.

I agree, those are good points. I do thing that something that is not being talked about is the shock factor of watching the game last night. The kids mush have been rattled, at times they looked scared on the sideline, in disbelief.

I think we will get better, but I am not convinced that this was a "wake-up-call" to those kids who just thought that they would be much better instantly. We did not look strong enough to cause Rice problems, and third downs killed us....again. Seeing Clement break out a 29 yard dash on 3rd and 17 really broke my heart.

It was one of the worst defensive performances in the last 10 years. As usual, we allow the opposing QB to look like a heisman trophy candidate.

PonySnob wrote:It was one of the worst defensive performances in the last 10 years. As usual, we allow the opposing QB to look like a heisman trophy candidate.

Just wait til Tech and Graham Harrell. He might be a frontrunner after he plays us