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Stephen F Austin: W 63-10 (1-0) They were a very bad FCS team last year and they won't be much better this year. SMU's revamped offense gets whatever they want and gets a convincing win that give BLM some momentum and confidence going into UAB.

@ UAB: W 41-31 (2-0) All they have is a decent QB and Legion Field gives them very little home field advantage. They will be able to score pretty good on SMU's defense, but SMU has more guns in their arsenal to out shoot UAB.

@ Washington State: W 63-49 (3-0) Mustang fans rejoice as they get a BCS win on the road (if Wazzu counts). They are in total shambles and their passing defense is atrocious. Robinson & Sanders go crazy and score at will against them.

@ TCU: L 38-10 (3-1) SMU finally gets to a good team and TCU's defense will cause big problems for BLM and company. TCU will be pretty good this year and SMU isn't quite there yet, but it's a rivalry game so who knows what will happen.

East Carolina: L 56-38 (3-2) ECU was good last year and this terrible 5 game streak continues. SMU will be able to score some on ECU, but I think ECU wins comfortably. BLM will throw a few INT's as ECU puts it away after halftime.

Navy: L 31-24 (3-3) Navy won't be the same ole' Navy, but they will still be decent. Their defense will be tough and their option always causes problems.

@ Houston: L 73-38 (3-4) Worst game of the year for SMU as morale is down and UH is the best team in the C-USA. SMU will be able to score on their defense, but has no chance of stopping the UH offense.

@ Tulsa: L 60-45 (3-5) The last of the 5 game stretch puts SMU away pretty easily, but SMU can keep the score close as Tulsa won't be as good as last year.

Rice: W 45-31 (4-5) SMU gets a win for homecoming and the alumni rejoice for progress. Rice isn't going to be near as good as last year, but they have a pretty decent coach and are able to keep it close. This win gives SMU some momentum and confidence.

UTEP: L 31-28 (4-6) UTEP has a pretty good squad and should be #3 in the CUSA West. SMU is able to play them well, but this loss really hurts in a close game.

@ Marshall: L 30-21 (4-7) SMU has a better squad than Marshall on a neutral surface, but it will be cold on 11/21/09 and Marshall uses that to their advantage. SMU has some problems moving the ball with the weather and Marshall grinds it out.

Tulane: W 35-24 (5-7) Tulane has a pretty good run game, but SMU has a better squad and takes 4th in the CUSA West and comes very very close to Bowl Contention. The fans are sick because they were so close to a bowl, but are thrilled with the progress of the team in year 2, with a great shot at bowl contention coming in 2010-2011. any comments? Criticism?

some of the losses wont be that bad

Thanks for taking the time out. No one runs up 70 points on our great new improved defense.

Baylor sucks.

Too early to predict. Everything is in limbo. Completely different defense in every way.

as we saw against Rice last year-sometimes that's a big problem. The exact same thing could be said about last years defense which had about 2 kids starting at the same position they started the 2007 season at. We are still shuffling players all around the field, installing new defenses, inserting new guys here, moving old guys there ; and many of those kids didn't even practice their new position in the spring. Until that settles down its going to be hard for the defense to improve much even with better personnel

I like first three games play out, Titan, but after that.... well, let's just say I should have stopped reading.

But all things considered.... as an SMU fan now used to the "non-positive positive", if you will, I look at this season as being a 3-9 year.... but with he second year of JJ, I have no clue how it will turn out, which is really part of the excitement I have for this season.

However, if the first part of your prediction holds, there is going to be some fun on the hilltop this year, just hope the last 9 don't follow your script. Actually if we win the first three, I think we can go at least .333 down the stretch.

Again though, my gut tells me 3-9, JJ intimated in the press conference that his season outlook is that we win at least 6 - when he said something along the lines of he'll be very disappointed if we don't go to a bowl game this year, which of course means at least 6... and I hope that means he's thinking 9, so we can come right in the middle of my gut (which has been punched several times) and his experience and belief in what he does and what the team can do.

couch 'em wrote:Too early to predict. Everything is in limbo. Completely different defense in every way.

I think you're on the mark. Most Baylor fans are also predicting the Bears to go bowling. I wouldn't put much stock in a Baylor prediction...too delusional.

PurplFrawg wrote:

couch 'em wrote:Too early to predict. Everything is in limbo. Completely different defense in every way.

I think you're on the mark. Most Baylor fans are also predicting the Bears to go bowling. I wouldn't put much stock in a Baylor prediction...too delusional.

So you think we beat TCU?

Interesting, but if SMU starts out 3-0, SMU won't finish 2-7 in the last 9 with 5 at home.

I think this belongs on the basketball board.

i think about 5-7 is right on. some of those scores are some hot sports opinions, but 5-7 should be about right for this team.

This is not the same team as we saw in 2008. We are greatly improved from an experience standpoint and will be even better in the future. However, we are thin in certain areas and need certain guys to stay healthy. Reminds me of the SMU team the year before they won the SWC in 1966. They lost several close games that year but won the close ones the next year with Levias making the big plays. I hope our guys are confidant that they can win now. Confidence breeds success. Anybody remember where UT was predicted to finish last year....or Utah....or Alabama.....or OleMiss.

Dooby wrote:Interesting, but if SMU starts out 3-0, SMU won't finish 2-7 in the last 9 with 5 at home.

Remind me again how many we played at home last year?

I'm just glad we can all get together on the Vard and watch some football, and you don't care if I didn't go to school there!