Goals for Offseason

[35straight]

What do the Mustangs need to do for next season in the offseason?

I'll Start:

1. Recruit big, bad ugly defensive linemen. This was our weakest point of the defense all year. Yes we want to score a lot of points, but we have got to slow them down up front. There wasn't a team all year that couldn't run on us. Defense has got to be the focal point this spring.

SCORING DEFENSE G TD XP 2XP DXP FG Saf Pts Avg
12.SMU................. 12 59 49 2 0 17 0 458 38.2

PASS DEFENSE G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds Avg TD Yds/G
8. SMU................. 12 340 218 8 64.1 3047 9.0 33 253.9

RUSHING DEFENSE G Rushes Yards Avg. TD Yds/G
12.SMU................. 12 548 2707 4.9 24 225.6

TOTAL DEFENSE G Rush Pass Plys Yards Avg TD Yds/G
12.SMU................. 12 2707 3047 888 5754 6.5 57 479.5

Numbers indicate conferenc ranking.

[Charleston Pony]

they don't even have to be ugly

Long live Louie Kelcher

[smu diamond m]

yes they do

[ponyfan84]

but we don't score a lot of points.

this offense, with the experience coming back, is going to carry this team next year and hopefully drop 40+ a game. it's designed too.

[jtstang]

What do the Mustangs need to do for next season in the offseason?

Blow it up?

[mathman]

If we don't get some immediate help for the DL, next year will be as bad as this one. And JT, this is for you. Before the season started, you were the one that kept on saying, over and over, that you were more concerned with the defense than the offense. Good call.

[ALEX LIFESON]

These guy's, as June has been pointing out lately, need to MOVE into the weight room! Just look at our db's for example, we look like midgets compared to our oppenents. There is nothing you can do about being short, but, we look like skinny kids out there. Got to build some glutes, legs, and fill out those jersey's a little bit, then mabey they won't get run over so often. It will take discipline with nutrition as well.

[expony18]

games are won and lost up front. we need players who can establish the line scrimmage... We need to be recruiting as many big guys as we can.

[jtstang]

If we don't get some immediate help for the DL, next year will be as bad as this one. And JT, this is for you. Before the season started, you were the one that kept on saying, over and over, that you were more concerned with the defense than the offense. Good call.

Unless something drastic happens in recruiting, and getting a stud Juco safety would be a good start, I'm probably going to be saying the same thing next year. But we need help everywhere on D.

[HB Pony Dad]

Besides the "D" needing a total overhaul to bring in some size, speed, and skill.

I'm curious if the Administration has given JJ a green light to recruit sub-SMU standard student athletes.

TCU has the 2nd rated "D" in the nation behind USC, what are they doing that we need to emulate?

We know that USC gets the best talent as they all want to play in the NFL, but TCU is just a step behind.

Inquiring minds want to know!

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I think its safe to say we need major improvements on both the O and D lines. We also need an upgrade at running back. For the most part, our running game stunk this year and our offense was pretty one dimensional.

[jimhagle]

A game changer at rb could really open up our offense. Granted there has to be holes to run through.

[OC Mustang]

Need to get better on both lines. Lineman require coaching. God makes the offensive and defensive backfield.

[SMU21TCU10]

I know we gave up a ton of yards. But other then the Rice game our D didn't really give up a ton of points to conference opponents. We held 6 conference opponents in the 30-40 range and only 1, Houston in the 40 range. Thats not bad in a conference with no D and all O. most of our opponents allowed a lot of points to Rice. And most allowed a lot more to UH and Tulsa. Anyway my point is if we generate an offense similar to JJ's at Hawaii we can outscore the other teams in most of our games. =) Was that a really sunshiner post?

[ReedFrawg]

I know we gave up a ton of yards. But other then the Rice game our D didn't really give up a ton of points to conference opponents. We held 6 conference opponents in the 30-40 range and only 1, Houston in the 40 range. Thats not bad in a conference with no D and all O. most of our opponents allowed a lot of points to Rice. And most allowed a lot more to UH and Tulsa. Anyway my point is if we generate an offense similar to JJ's at Hawaii we can outscore the other teams in most of our games. =) Was that a really sunshiner post?

Not sunshine. I agree that the D wasn't awful. The offense just shockingly underperformed IMO. Maybe my expectations were too high but, at least looking in from afar, the offense took a step back from 2007. Am I wrong here? If the offense produces then you aren't 1-11.