CFN Fearless Prediction: TAMU 38 SMU 20

[Harry0569]

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1096752.html

SMU (0-0) at Texas A&M (0-0) Sept. 4, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Here’s The Deal … After making plenty of headlines recently for its flirtation with the SEC, Texas A&M is hoping to turn even more heads with its on-field product. The Aggies will begin 2011 with its most talented squad in over a decade. With starters and all-star contenders littered throughout the depth chart, they’re preseason ranked for a change, and poised to contend for Big 12 supremacy. Mike Sherman’s team is relevant on a national level, and for more reasons than just its impact on the realignment landscape. Three is all the time June Jones has needed to revive the SMU program, guiding the school to back-to-back bowl games. Still, there was a feeling around the Hilltop that the Mustangs somewhat regressed by going 7-7 and losing the Armed Forces Bowl to Army a year ago. With a quality recruiting class set to join forces with a swath of returning starters, the program believes it can compete for—and win—a Conference USA crown in Jones’ fourth try.

Why SMU Might Win: The Mustangs will present an offensive challenge to an Aggie D smarting from the loss of two of last year’s best players, linebackers Von Miller and Michael Hodges. More complex than a traditional run-and-shoot attack, SMU now has the balance to keep the opposition guessing. Of course, it can move the ball through the air, with seasoned Kyle Padron hooking up with receivers Cole Beasley and Darius Johnson, among others. However, the Mustangs are also capable of grinding out yards behind 2010 league-leading rusher Zach Line. It’s the diversity of this attack that can be so doggone frustrating for defensive coordinators.

Why Texas A&M Might Win: While SMU can be feisty on defense, it can also be rather flexible. And that’s going to become a major issue in the opener. The Aggies are stacked offensively, brimming with next-level players at almost every position. A&M features sparkplug QB Ryan Tannehill, 1,000-yard rusher Cyrus Gray, 1,000-yard receiver Jeff Fuller and a talented line about to grow up on the fly. Oh, and Gray’s backup, Christine Michael, was actually last season’s starter before being felled with a broken leg. This unit has every bit as much horsepower as the two more heralded Big 12 offenses from the state of Oklahoma. If the Mustangs fail to stiffen on third downs and in the red zone, the outcome of this one could be decided by halftime.

What To Watch Out For: If there’s worry in College Station, it centers on the void left by the graduation of Miller, a force from his hybrid joker position. While duplicating his production is doubtful, the Aggies are hopeful they can mine another versatile athlete capable of defending the run and rushing the passer with equal tenacity. There are going to be options for the staff. Sophomore Damontre Moore is the frontrunner, with a tremendous future, but he’s being pressed by junior Caleb Russell. If August is any indication, the competition is liable to spill over to Sunday night.

What Will Happen: Distractions? Not on this evening. Texas A&M is fired up to start matching the preseason hype, and the Kyle Field faithful will make sure it remains that way for all four quarters. Although SMU is a nice team, with a very high ceiling in Conference USA, it’ll struggle to suppress the star-studded Aggies offense. Both of these former Southwest Conference rivals will display balance, but Tannehill, Gray and Fuller will be more effective at turning long drives into six points.

CFN Prediction: Texas A&M 38 … SMU 20
- Click For Latest Line From ATS: Texas A&M -16 O/U: 55.5

[NomAnor]

SMU-60 Texas A&M 21

[RyanSMU98]

Stakes just got higher with us publicly lobbying for Big XII membership, and we ALWAYS come to play against the Aggies. I'm flipping CFN's prediction: SMU 38, aTm 20. But every damned Mustang that steps into Kyle Field better come to play. If we hit 'em hard & fast, this becomes one fun ball game to watch.

[Mitch McConnell]

CFN score is pretty accurate. However, I think it's going to be something like A&M 45-17.

[PonyKai]

and we ALWAYS come to play against the Aggies.

I guessed they missed that memo in 2005.

[Stallion]

Yeah I'm thinking about:
Texas A&M 37
SMU 21

[friarwolf]

As we face with Houston every year, A&M will come in confident that they will whip our [deleted]. That is too powerful mojo for us this year.........37 - 24 Ags.........

[Mitch McConnell]

There better be a good sustained push up front because I can see Tannehill picking on Acker throughout the game. My guess is Crawford gets Fuller.

[35straight]

42-31 A&M

Good showing, we jet the offense rolling, but the aggies just have too much juice. Oh, and Hunt blocks a FG.

[RGV Pony]

Aggy 41 SMU 21. We miss two FGs and go for it on 4th down another time when we couldve kicked one and dont get it.

[NickSMU17]

We cover...

[RE Tycoon]

This assertion is dead on:

If the Mustangs fail to stiffen on third downs and in the red zone, the outcome of this one could be decided by halftime.

Maybe it's stating the obvious, but if we prevent long drives and can get them off the field, we have a chance. Regardless if we win or lose, I'm predicting a high scoring affair. If we can get to 35, I think we win.

[JasonB]

I think we cover.

Our offense is going to be much better than last year, and the defense will continue its upwards progression.

Our defense is good enough to slow them down, and our offense is good enough to keep the ball (and the clock moving).

A&M is a better team than TT. But I think we are a much better team than when we played TT last. I think it ends up being lower scoring and closer than folks predict.

And, yes, I am saying there is a chance.

A&M 27 SMU 20

[The PonyGrad]

We will need to score in the 30's to have a chance.

[ponyboy]

To beat a top 10 team at home is a tall order -- this would be the greatest Mustang win since 1980 in Austin. I don't expect to win, but relish the opportunity to be there in person should it happen. Cannot wait for kickoff.