CFN Says We're Going to the 'Ship
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:02 pmGAME OF THE WEEK
SMU (6-5) at East Carolina (6-5) Nov. 26, 2:00 ET
Here’s The Deal … In an otherwise mediocre season for SMU, things seem to be falling place as the regular season comes to an end. After handling Marshall a week ago, 31-17, the Mustangs are bowl-eligible for a second straight season under June Jones and a win or a Tulsa loss from winning the West Division. It would be another positive stride for Jones, who’s been worth every dollar of his contract in Dallas. East Carolina’s hopes of joining SMU in the Conference USA title game disappeared with last week’s 62-38 loss at Rice. The Pirates have been entertaining for fans and viewers, but maddening for the coaching staff, which has been helpless as the team has slumped to three ugly losses in the last four games.
Why SMU Might Win: The East Carolina defense simply can’t stop anyone. Period. The nation’s lowest ranked unit, the Pirates have been gashed for an average of 58 points over the past four games, troubling news with the run-and-shoot coming to Greenville. No, the Mustangs have not been prolific this season, but that ought to change at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this Friday. They’ll rely on a balanced attack, getting rushing yards between the tackles from Zach Line and connections through the air from Kyle Padron to his bevy of talented receivers. Line will be a particular problem for a defense that just got done allowing 410 yards on the ground to Rice.
Why East Carolina Might Win: While the Pirate defense is atrocious, the offense will keep the team in most games. It ranks sixth nationally in passing and averages more than 38 points a game, riding the right arm of Dominique Davis and a wide-open aerial attack. Davis has chucked 34 touchdown passes, and no less than two in the last seven games, helping turn receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis into statistical stars. The pair has combined for 21 touchdown receptions and will be a handful for an SMU defense that has been spotty this fall. For balance, East Carolina can hand the ball to veteran Jon Williams, who’s gone for 276 yards over the last three games.
What To Watch Out For: If East Carolina is going to keep pace in a track meet, it needs for Davis to have time to throw. And if Davis is going to have time in the pocket, someone in purple will have to get a consistent hat on SMU LB Ja’Gared Davis. More of an end because of his propensity for coming [deleted] the blitz, the explosive sophomore has compiled team-highs with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
What Will Happen: As bad as the defense is playing, it’s impossible to feel confident about East Carolina against anyone these days. The Pirates will score, but when the opposition is unstoppable, the results become elementary. With the West Division crown sitting out there like a shiny carrot, SMU will methodically pick apart its host, running Line for 150 yards and getting a couple of short touchdown tosses from Padron. It’ll be close in the third quarter before the Mustangs pull away in the final 20 minutes.
CFN Prediction: SMU 42 … East Carolina 30 … Line: SMU -1
SMU (6-5) at East Carolina (6-5) Nov. 26, 2:00 ET
Here’s The Deal … In an otherwise mediocre season for SMU, things seem to be falling place as the regular season comes to an end. After handling Marshall a week ago, 31-17, the Mustangs are bowl-eligible for a second straight season under June Jones and a win or a Tulsa loss from winning the West Division. It would be another positive stride for Jones, who’s been worth every dollar of his contract in Dallas. East Carolina’s hopes of joining SMU in the Conference USA title game disappeared with last week’s 62-38 loss at Rice. The Pirates have been entertaining for fans and viewers, but maddening for the coaching staff, which has been helpless as the team has slumped to three ugly losses in the last four games.
Why SMU Might Win: The East Carolina defense simply can’t stop anyone. Period. The nation’s lowest ranked unit, the Pirates have been gashed for an average of 58 points over the past four games, troubling news with the run-and-shoot coming to Greenville. No, the Mustangs have not been prolific this season, but that ought to change at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this Friday. They’ll rely on a balanced attack, getting rushing yards between the tackles from Zach Line and connections through the air from Kyle Padron to his bevy of talented receivers. Line will be a particular problem for a defense that just got done allowing 410 yards on the ground to Rice.
Why East Carolina Might Win: While the Pirate defense is atrocious, the offense will keep the team in most games. It ranks sixth nationally in passing and averages more than 38 points a game, riding the right arm of Dominique Davis and a wide-open aerial attack. Davis has chucked 34 touchdown passes, and no less than two in the last seven games, helping turn receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis into statistical stars. The pair has combined for 21 touchdown receptions and will be a handful for an SMU defense that has been spotty this fall. For balance, East Carolina can hand the ball to veteran Jon Williams, who’s gone for 276 yards over the last three games.
What To Watch Out For: If East Carolina is going to keep pace in a track meet, it needs for Davis to have time to throw. And if Davis is going to have time in the pocket, someone in purple will have to get a consistent hat on SMU LB Ja’Gared Davis. More of an end because of his propensity for coming [deleted] the blitz, the explosive sophomore has compiled team-highs with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
What Will Happen: As bad as the defense is playing, it’s impossible to feel confident about East Carolina against anyone these days. The Pirates will score, but when the opposition is unstoppable, the results become elementary. With the West Division crown sitting out there like a shiny carrot, SMU will methodically pick apart its host, running Line for 150 yards and getting a couple of short touchdown tosses from Padron. It’ll be close in the third quarter before the Mustangs pull away in the final 20 minutes.
CFN Prediction: SMU 42 … East Carolina 30 … Line: SMU -1