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The Mustangs have been a pleasant surprise offensively, especially the passing attack, which has dominated early in the season. This will likely be troublesome for Washington State, which has been dreadful against the pass all year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 38, Washington State 31
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... x?id=24430

indianmustang wrote:The Mustangs have been a pleasant surprise offensively, especially the passing attack, which has dominated early in the season. This will likely be troublesome for Washington State, which has been dreadful against the pass all year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 38, Washington State 31
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... x?id=24430

pleasant surprise? we're paying $2 million/year for an "offensive guru"...

expony18 wrote:

indianmustang wrote:The Mustangs have been a pleasant surprise offensively, especially the passing attack, which has dominated early in the season. This will likely be troublesome for Washington State, which has been dreadful against the pass all year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 38, Washington State 31
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... x?id=24430

pleasant surprise? we're paying $2 million/year for an "offensive guru"...

An offensive guru that does not yet have all the hosses he needs efficiently do what he needs to do.

expony18 wrote:

indianmustang wrote:The Mustangs have been a pleasant surprise offensively, especially the passing attack, which has dominated early in the season. This will likely be troublesome for Washington State, which has been dreadful against the pass all year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 38, Washington State 31
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... x?id=24430

pleasant surprise? we're paying $2 million/year for an "offensive guru"...

tsn did not have any expectations...pleasant surprises are wonderful.

I would take that score. 2 p.m. is an evening game?

SmooBoy wrote:I would take that score. 2 p.m. is an evening game?

Since the sun doesn't shine in Washington, how would they know the difference?

They must know nothing about our team. The pleasant surprises are defensive turnovers, special teams and rushing.

The offense IS averaging about twelve points per game more than last season. Of course this is a pretty small sample size, but still.

-CoS

that seemed like a fair and informed preview. I'm a bit worried about how this game starts out though. If we can't put up some quick points and force WSU to air it out, they could really slow the game down with their Running Backs. They'll want to come out and hand the ball off early and often. Since the RB's don't have any fumbles so far this season I'm guessing that won't be much of a factor in the game. So the defense is really going to have to step up early so that the Offense can put something on the board. If we can force them to start passing more than they are comfortable with, we can keep grease up the takeaway machine and get after it. Otherwise we could wind up on the wrong side of the turnover margin for the first time this season, and that's not going to work for us.

-CoS

Agree that our defense will get the first real test against the run this game. Sure Webb ran for UAB but, as we read in a different post, our D knew the UAB formations and their tendencies with those formations. So they knew when Webb had called run plays and knew that there wasn't any other running threat.

That will not be the case against WSU.

And if the O clicks and puts up points early, that will stress a WSU offense that doesn’t appear to handle stress well.

And if special teams contiune to produce, then both the WSU O and D will get into a high stress mentality and fold.

It comes down to more consistant execution in all phases of the game.

Cadillac wrote:that seemed like a fair and informed preview. I'm a bit worried about how this game starts out though. If we can't put up some quick points and force WSU to air it out, they could really slow the game down with their Running Backs. They'll want to come out and hand the ball off early and often. Since the RB's don't have any fumbles so far this season I'm guessing that won't be much of a factor in the game. So the defense is really going to have to step up early so that the Offense can put something on the board. If we can force them to start passing more than they are comfortable with, we can keep grease up the takeaway machine and get after it. Otherwise we could wind up on the wrong side of the turnover margin for the first time this season, and that's not going to work for us.

-CoS

That is about how I see it except that I would put the emphasis on not turning it over on offense. If the offense is efficient we win.