Confident SMU Seeks Revenge

[Chuck Norris]

Don't really care if this has been posted...

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/10/confident-smu-seeks-revenge-again-this-t-1.html

-Kate

UNIVERSITY PARK-Two weeks have passed since SMU upset then-No. 20 TCU for the program's biggest nonconference win under June Jones and the Mustangs' fourth-straight victory. With defending Conference USA champion Central Florida in town Saturday, it's time to move forward, SMU hopes, bringing its mojo with it.

"We're pretty much over the TCU game, but we've been on a high," running back Zach Line said. "We've got a swagger about us right now."

The Mustangs (4-1, 2-0 C-USA) are coming off a bye week that allowed time for most injuries to key players to heal and extra study of the Knights, who are playing at Ford Stadium for the first time since 2007 as they come out of C-USA's East Division. UCF has won seven straight against West Division opponents, including defeating SMU in the C-USA title game last season, 17-7.

UCF imposed its defensive will against SMU then, with Jones noting this week that the Mustangs were just 5-of-14 on third down in that loss. They also had the ball for just two minutes of the first quarter, allowing the Knights to take control. UCF has outscored opponents 41-6 in first quarters this season.

"George [O'Leary] is an old-time football guy," Jones said of the Knights' coach. "They want to win possession and keep the ball away from us. We need to make some plays and stop them and get them off the field."

UCF's defense appears stingy again, ranking among the top 10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in all major categories and not allowing a single touchdown pass.

But the Knights are just 3-2 (1-0 C-USA), and SMU's burgeoning Run and Shoot could be one of the best offenses they've faced. And SMU has a defense, too - which ranks second to UCF in C-USA.

"We've turned the corner to where there's no game that's too big for us," said SMU defensive coordinator Tom Mason.

SMU quarterback J.J. McDermott said he respects UCF's pass defense. It ranks No. 1 in the FBS, led by cornerback Josh Robinson. But the Mustangs, averaging 326.8 yards per game passing, will still get their chances.

"They'll give us some stuff underneath, a lot of times it's a bend-but-don't-break kind of deal," said McDermott, who was dealing with sore ribs and a cold entering the game. "Eventually they'll give us a look. Everybody does at some point in a game."

SMU also has Line, who leads C-USA in rushing (122.6 ypg) yards per game and scoring (13.2 ppg), based on his 11 rushing TDs this season.

UCF is led by quarterback Jeff Godfrey, a dual-threat junior who averages 213.8 yards of total offense per game.

Both UCF and SMU are reportedly under consideration for Big East expansion hopes. But Saturday's game, at least, qualifies a showdown between two of the best C-USA has to offer.

SMU hopes to cash in on its homefield advantage. It's 11-3 in its last 14 home games, dating back to the start of the 2009 season, and 8-1 in its last nine C-USA home games.

"The coaches always preach you can't lose at home in the conference," Line said. "We don't want to lose in our own place."

[ponyscott]

We will NOT lose in our place..."NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, COMES INTO OUR HOUSE....... and pushes us around"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w8BfH1Q_zM

[ericdickerson4life]

Yep. At home and a week off in between games. Can't lose these type of games. Time to take the next step forward and beat a good UCF team and solidify ourselves as one of the best in CUSA. Not in our house!

[ponyte]

I hope that swagger doesn't manifest itself like the swagger of last year's Houston game.

[PonyKai]

This is where we get to see if the Run N Shoot has the slot guys we need to take it to another level...short routes underneath that break for long gains. Step it up, guys.