PonyFans.com

Statistics are interesting for the overview they provide. Coaches must work on match-ups and technique and execution in addition to the overview but let me provide some of that overview for UTEP.

Working against UTEP's defense...
SMU's offense in terms of yards per play is #112 (of 117) in rushing and #115 in passing. Rather dismal. But, in UTEP SMU will be facing their weakest opponent so far in terms of yards allowed per passing play. UTEP is #97 in that category while 3 of our 4 previous opponents are well above average in that category. Therefore, it is time to get the passing game going vs. UTEP. This may suggest getting Bartel and freshman receivers involved. Are these players ready to step it up? While UTEP is weak against the rush (#82 in YPP) SMU has faced weaker run defenses and not done well.

In addition, depending on how you want to figure it, SMU is giving up about 14 yards per punt exchange vs. UTEP (based on net punting and average PR,) so we do not want this to be a punting duel. We need to score touchdowns or at least field goals. This again suggests getting the passing game going.

Working against UTEP's offense...
Again in YPP UTEP is #82 in rushing and #111 in passing. It may surprise some to know that SMU is now #45 in pass defense based on YPP but #71 in rush defense. We should be able to shut down UTEP's passing game and bring pressure to bear on their fair running game or the QB to force errant throws. There seems to be room for creativity and I look forward to see how the defense is used.

BTW are these stats of interest to anyone else?

Absolutely!

What strikes me is that in five games, only one UTEP receiver (the TE) has double-digit receptions? Either the other UTEP QBs are terrible, or they just don't throw the damn thing much.

The must spread is around.

In five games UTEP has 73 completions in 160 attempts. So they are attempting 32 passes a game.

According to the PonyFans.com preview of UTEP, it says Cruz (UTEP's QB this weekend) has thrown 1 TD and 6 INTs. And he started 4 games this year.

Think we can leave our corners in solo coverage and stack the line of scrimmage to stop Jackson? It's gonna be a big day for the Mustang D!

We need pressure on the QB to force bad passes. I am very interested to see what the defensive coaches bring.

We definitely need to get the passing game on track.

Originally posted by The Hammer:
We definitely need to get the passing game on track.

Amen to that.

Originally posted by The PonyGrad:
We need pressure on the QB to force bad passes. I am very interested to see what the defensive coaches bring.

The story from the El Paso Times that's linked on the home page quotes Bennett as saying we "aren't a blitz team" and that we blitzed once or twice against Nevada. Is that because of a lack of faith in the blitzers to get there in time, or because of a lack of faith in the cover guys to make the plays if the QB is able to get the ball away?

Either way, if our front four can generate some pressure -- and they have so far -- there's no need to blitz until the coaches are more comfortable with the players' ability to do it.