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I am not saying we should 100% win like some others but good grief if West Coast Johnny is correct then that is not the best situation for Tech to be in for sure.

West Coast Johnny wrote:Tech has a new head coach, new OC, new DC, lost 6.5 starters on offense, lost 5 starters on defense, no Brewer, game is in Dallas, no Michael Starts, no Delvin Simmons, first game of the season. I'm putting $200 on SMU to cover plus $200 on the under.

Edited to reflect WCJ's updated numbers.

One can't know for sure, but this may be our best opportunity to win agianst a Big 8, er, 12, er 10, or whatever it is now team.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute....

No offense to WCJ, but he's not all that right.

They return five starters on offense:
RB Kenny Williams
WR Eric Ward
WR Jace Amaro
RG Beau Carpenter
LT Le'Raven Clark

They lose Amaro for the first half of our game, but they are loaded at WR - 6 4 stars and a five star make up that rank. The RB is okay. The question is on the line, and how the new QB will adjust to the new scheme, at least for their first game.

They RETURN 7 starters on defense:
DE Kerry Hyder
NT Dennell Wesley
BAN Branden Jackson
MLB Sam Eguavoen
WLB Will Smith
RAID Terrance Bullitt
CB Bruce Jones

The problem with this D - going in - is that the strength last year was their secondary, who they all lose. The front seven got run all over last year, so they may be good this year, might not.

They also return both specialists and have an okay return game.

But look: they should have, for the most part, a little more talent on a position-by-position basis. We should have more talent starting for us at QB and RB, possibly a better secondary, and LB's that might be similar.

Again, as I've said, we should match up well with them, especially in the first game. But Tech is not starting from scratch as WCJ is saying, much as I appreciate the shout out.

Simmons transferred. Amaro is the WR that can't play in first half. Both teams are replacing half their team-Tech is just doing it with highly recruited players. I agree its our best shot to beat a Big 12 team in awhile that's why the line should only be 7 or 7 1/2 if Brewer plays and maybe 4 if he can't

Roger. Edited.

leopold wrote:
They return five starters on offense:
RB Kenny Williams
WR Eric Ward
WR Jace Amaro
RG Beau Carpenter
LT Le'Raven Clark

It doesn't seem that June Jones typically pursues players that are wanted by BCS caliber teams (whether it's because he only likes his style of player, doesn't think he can compete for the best or he's just lazy - I don't know the answer).

He did, however, really like and pursue four players who are now on the Tech roster and doing very well. They are Kenny Williams, Beau Carpenter, Le'Raven Clark and Jakeem Grant (non starter but an explosive WR). All are very talented players. I believe they all lost interest in us when Tech offered.

SMU recruited the Morales twin OLM very hard too

I don't know if this is up-to-date-it says June 2013 and I believe Tech lost 2 DLM since then but Phil Steele has SMU as one of the most inexperienced teams in the country. SMU fans seem to really be ignoring our inexperience. Tech was No. 64 (needs to be adjusted down) and SMU was a whopping No. 116 out of 125 teams
http://philsteele.com/Blogs/2013/JUN13/DBJune14.html

It's up to date. I'm sitting here with PS's magazine - it's what I based those starters on - and were 112 in the country coming into the season.

Funny, though. TT is 113, and that's before they lost Simmons.

I will say his formula hits SMU pretty hard for the graduation of Line. He probably had about 95% of our rushing yards from RBs-I believe Shead will step in without a dropoff-but still he has no College game experience

One more reason to beat TTU this year. We beat them and it may help us when we are competing for the same recruits.

Stallion wrote:SMU recruited the Morales twin OLM very hard too

I don't know if this is up-to-date-it says June 2013 and I believe Tech lost 2 DLM since then but Phil Steele has SMU as one of the most inexperienced teams in the country. SMU fans seem to really be ignoring our inexperience. Tech was No. 64 (needs to be adjusted down) and SMU was a whopping No. 116 out of 125 teams
http://philsteele.com/Blogs/2013/JUN13/DBJune14.html

Seems like we've been "inexperienced" for more than 20 years.........

Stallion wrote:I will say his formula hits SMU pretty hard for the graduation of Line. He probably had about 95% of our rushing yards from RBs-I believe Shead will step in without a dropoff-but still he has no College game experience

Shead got time on the field with UT.

I thought Shead did have game experience at Texas...?? Not much, but some.

And I bet UT's spring game attendance is bigger than anything we will see this year except for maybe Kyle Field.

Bout to say, doesn't being a JC AA count for any experience?

Sorry guys, I never intended my post to be cited. Just counted the losses through graduation & injury, transfer, etc.

It looks like Tech lost 6 starters on offense (plus Amaro) call it 6.5.
Tech lost 5 starters on defense.

Sentiment still the same - SMU covers (if not wins outright) and the under.