Defenses enter SMU-TCU 'Skillet' clash-DMN
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:23 pmFront Page in DMN with color pictures today:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... -prove.ece
Defenses enter SMU-TCU 'Skillet' clash with something to prove
EDDIE SEFKO
Staff writer
[email protected]
Published: 27 September 2011 08:49 PM
Related
SMU's top receiver, Cole Beasley, likely out vs. TCU
FORT WORTH — Some reputations come hard and are even harder to lose.
That’s why, offensively, nothing much seems to change for SMU or TCU. Quarterbacks come and go. Runners and receivers shuffle in and out. But the numbers still pile up in often-staggering proportions.
Then there’s defense, where each school’s credentials have been established over years, TCU’s excellent and SMU’s ever-hopeful. Yet to say their identities are to be determined for this season would be an understatement.
As they prepare to meet in Saturday’s annual Battle for the Iron Skillet, the Mustangs and Horned Frogs are in different situations defensively. The Frogs are trying to rebuild what has been a terrific defense for years. The Mustangs, after feasting on small fish, are trying to reach a point where their defense can stop potent offenses.
This year, both teams are in proving mode.
“It’s kind of like the stock market,†TCU coach Gary Patterson said Tuesday. “Anybody can make money when the stock market is good. Go out and find the guy who has a great plan when the stock market is not good and he won’t lose you as much money.â€
The TCU defense isn’t what it has been. That’s both good and bad. It’s not like the dominant units the Frogs have had for years. Elite pass rushers have moved on to the NFL, and because of injuries to a couple key individuals, the depth isn’t what it used to be. That’s bad.
But the Frogs are no longer the porous group that got humiliated at Baylor in the season opener. They’ve made huge strides. That’s good.
“They’ve been getting better,†quarterback Casey Pachall said. “And I think they’re going to do nothing but get better throughout the rest of the season. It’s going to help a lot, because as we go down the road, there may be a few teams where we may not be able to throw 50 or 60 on the board, and we’re going to need some help from them.â€
That’s how confident both offenses will be Saturday. But getting a few stops will make all the difference.
The SMU defense is in no position to feel superior in any way to the Frogs’. Even though the defense has not given up a point in the last nine quarters and the Mustangs rank ninth in the country in total defense at 257.3 yards per game, their level of competition since the opening debacle at Texas A&M has been suspect at best.
Last Saturday, Memphis looked like it would have trouble scoring in 11-on-zero drills.
But the Mustangs feel they have more playmakers on defense now. They have stuffed everybody, although they haven’t had many takeaways. Opponents are just 14-of-53 on third-down conversions (26 percent).
“We’ve gotten better each game,†coach June Jones said. “We’ve just got to keep that up.â€
The Mustangs must prove they have the depth to withstand injuries and that they can handle faster, more athletic offenses like TCU’s. Jones said TCU’s defense is a unit his team could aspire to.
“This is the best defense that we’ll play this season,†he said. “Their front four, even though they’re new bodies, they just clone them. They get them in there and they all look the same. They do a great job.â€
The Mustangs have, too, so far, even with safety Chris Banjo missing the Memphis game.
Whether or not either defense can get a handle on the opposing offense, one thing that won’t be missing in the rivalry game is emotion.
“You can’t really lie,†SMU running back Zach Line said. “This is a big game for us. Crosstown rival. Everybody knows TCU. This would put us on the map. I’m not going to treat it any bigger. But it is. Everybody knows it.â€
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... -prove.ece
Defenses enter SMU-TCU 'Skillet' clash with something to prove
EDDIE SEFKO
Staff writer
[email protected]
Published: 27 September 2011 08:49 PM
Related
SMU's top receiver, Cole Beasley, likely out vs. TCU
FORT WORTH — Some reputations come hard and are even harder to lose.
That’s why, offensively, nothing much seems to change for SMU or TCU. Quarterbacks come and go. Runners and receivers shuffle in and out. But the numbers still pile up in often-staggering proportions.
Then there’s defense, where each school’s credentials have been established over years, TCU’s excellent and SMU’s ever-hopeful. Yet to say their identities are to be determined for this season would be an understatement.
As they prepare to meet in Saturday’s annual Battle for the Iron Skillet, the Mustangs and Horned Frogs are in different situations defensively. The Frogs are trying to rebuild what has been a terrific defense for years. The Mustangs, after feasting on small fish, are trying to reach a point where their defense can stop potent offenses.
This year, both teams are in proving mode.
“It’s kind of like the stock market,†TCU coach Gary Patterson said Tuesday. “Anybody can make money when the stock market is good. Go out and find the guy who has a great plan when the stock market is not good and he won’t lose you as much money.â€
The TCU defense isn’t what it has been. That’s both good and bad. It’s not like the dominant units the Frogs have had for years. Elite pass rushers have moved on to the NFL, and because of injuries to a couple key individuals, the depth isn’t what it used to be. That’s bad.
But the Frogs are no longer the porous group that got humiliated at Baylor in the season opener. They’ve made huge strides. That’s good.
“They’ve been getting better,†quarterback Casey Pachall said. “And I think they’re going to do nothing but get better throughout the rest of the season. It’s going to help a lot, because as we go down the road, there may be a few teams where we may not be able to throw 50 or 60 on the board, and we’re going to need some help from them.â€
That’s how confident both offenses will be Saturday. But getting a few stops will make all the difference.
The SMU defense is in no position to feel superior in any way to the Frogs’. Even though the defense has not given up a point in the last nine quarters and the Mustangs rank ninth in the country in total defense at 257.3 yards per game, their level of competition since the opening debacle at Texas A&M has been suspect at best.
Last Saturday, Memphis looked like it would have trouble scoring in 11-on-zero drills.
But the Mustangs feel they have more playmakers on defense now. They have stuffed everybody, although they haven’t had many takeaways. Opponents are just 14-of-53 on third-down conversions (26 percent).
“We’ve gotten better each game,†coach June Jones said. “We’ve just got to keep that up.â€
The Mustangs must prove they have the depth to withstand injuries and that they can handle faster, more athletic offenses like TCU’s. Jones said TCU’s defense is a unit his team could aspire to.
“This is the best defense that we’ll play this season,†he said. “Their front four, even though they’re new bodies, they just clone them. They get them in there and they all look the same. They do a great job.â€
The Mustangs have, too, so far, even with safety Chris Banjo missing the Memphis game.
Whether or not either defense can get a handle on the opposing offense, one thing that won’t be missing in the rivalry game is emotion.
“You can’t really lie,†SMU running back Zach Line said. “This is a big game for us. Crosstown rival. Everybody knows TCU. This would put us on the map. I’m not going to treat it any bigger. But it is. Everybody knows it.â€
