CFN Prediction TTU/SMU

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SMU (0-0) at Texas Tech (0-0) Sept. 5, 3:30 ET, ESPN
Here’s The Deal … You don’t get better by losing a coach with all of the charisma and ingenuity of Mike Leach. Or do you? Faced with the difficult task of replacing a popular architect, Texas Tech did about as well as it could, hiring Tommy Tuberville out of retirement. A success during stints with Ole Miss and Auburn, he inherits a team that has veteran talent on both sides of the ball and a chance to flirt with the Top 25 with a road upset along the way. While the Red Raiders will have different looks on offense and defense, another winning season and an 11th straight bowl game remain the absolute bare minimum in Lubbock. SMU is facing no such transition on the sidelines. In fact, the school would be happy to ink June Jones to a lifetime contract. In just two years, he already has the Mustangs relevant, capping an 8-5 season with their first bowl game in a quarter-century. Suddenly among the Conference USA elite, they can really seize momentum by shocking a Big 12 opponent.
Why SMU Might Win: With Jones calling the shots in Dallas, it’s all about the passing game these days. Two years into the run-and-shoot, the Mustangs are beginning to attract the right personnel to really make the system purr. In young Kyle Padron, the program believes it has the next prolific passer in Jones’ stable of hurlers. He was beginning to bloom toward the end of his first season on campus, torching Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl in an MVP performance. Led by Aldrick Robinson, he’ll be throwing to a group of shifty receivers who’ll create match up problems with the Red Raider defensive backs.
Why Texas Tech Might Win: While the SMU defense was opportunistic under Tom Mason, it wasn’t exactly stout a year ago. Even with the loss of four offensive linemen, the Red Raiders will be able to bully the smallish Mustangs, allowing a slightly more balanced offense to emerge. The passing game brings back veteran QB Taylor Potts and a slew of veteran receivers, including Alex Torres, Lyle Leong, Detron Lewis, and Tramain Swindall. Mix in the running of Baron Batch, and SMU won’t have the answers to slow down the Texas Tech offense.
What To Watch Out For: Few Red Raider players are more excited about the shift in offensive philosophy than Batch, who’s going to get more chances to shine as a traditional runner. He’ll still be used plenty as a receiver out of the backfield, but after averaging more than five yards a carry over two seasons, don’t be shocked if he explodes into an attractive NFL prospect with Tuberville around.
What Will Happen: Texas Tech gets its first opportunity to show the world that there is indeed life after Leach. Tubby’s team will be more physical, more balanced, and less predictable on both sides of the ball. Oh, and it’ll also keep winning more than it loses. The Red Raiders will yield yards to SMU, but make up for it with a potent new-look offense that the Mustangs won’t be able to stop.
CFN Prediction: Texas Tech 37 … SMU 21 … Line: Texas Tech -13.5
Must See Rating: Season Premiere: Keeping Up with the Kardashians 5 - Eat, Pray, Love 1 … 2.5
SMU (0-0) at Texas Tech (0-0) Sept. 5, 3:30 ET, ESPN
Here’s The Deal … You don’t get better by losing a coach with all of the charisma and ingenuity of Mike Leach. Or do you? Faced with the difficult task of replacing a popular architect, Texas Tech did about as well as it could, hiring Tommy Tuberville out of retirement. A success during stints with Ole Miss and Auburn, he inherits a team that has veteran talent on both sides of the ball and a chance to flirt with the Top 25 with a road upset along the way. While the Red Raiders will have different looks on offense and defense, another winning season and an 11th straight bowl game remain the absolute bare minimum in Lubbock. SMU is facing no such transition on the sidelines. In fact, the school would be happy to ink June Jones to a lifetime contract. In just two years, he already has the Mustangs relevant, capping an 8-5 season with their first bowl game in a quarter-century. Suddenly among the Conference USA elite, they can really seize momentum by shocking a Big 12 opponent.
Why SMU Might Win: With Jones calling the shots in Dallas, it’s all about the passing game these days. Two years into the run-and-shoot, the Mustangs are beginning to attract the right personnel to really make the system purr. In young Kyle Padron, the program believes it has the next prolific passer in Jones’ stable of hurlers. He was beginning to bloom toward the end of his first season on campus, torching Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl in an MVP performance. Led by Aldrick Robinson, he’ll be throwing to a group of shifty receivers who’ll create match up problems with the Red Raider defensive backs.
Why Texas Tech Might Win: While the SMU defense was opportunistic under Tom Mason, it wasn’t exactly stout a year ago. Even with the loss of four offensive linemen, the Red Raiders will be able to bully the smallish Mustangs, allowing a slightly more balanced offense to emerge. The passing game brings back veteran QB Taylor Potts and a slew of veteran receivers, including Alex Torres, Lyle Leong, Detron Lewis, and Tramain Swindall. Mix in the running of Baron Batch, and SMU won’t have the answers to slow down the Texas Tech offense.
What To Watch Out For: Few Red Raider players are more excited about the shift in offensive philosophy than Batch, who’s going to get more chances to shine as a traditional runner. He’ll still be used plenty as a receiver out of the backfield, but after averaging more than five yards a carry over two seasons, don’t be shocked if he explodes into an attractive NFL prospect with Tuberville around.
What Will Happen: Texas Tech gets its first opportunity to show the world that there is indeed life after Leach. Tubby’s team will be more physical, more balanced, and less predictable on both sides of the ball. Oh, and it’ll also keep winning more than it loses. The Red Raiders will yield yards to SMU, but make up for it with a potent new-look offense that the Mustangs won’t be able to stop.
CFN Prediction: Texas Tech 37 … SMU 21 … Line: Texas Tech -13.5
Must See Rating: Season Premiere: Keeping Up with the Kardashians 5 - Eat, Pray, Love 1 … 2.5