Go Ponies! Don't Lose by too much!

[AustinPerson]

Can't remember the last time I had so little confidence in smu football. I'm already cringing.

[Rebel10]

Dude you should be expecting a good game by our offense. Rice put up 31 and Sam Houston St put up 28 against the Aggies. No reason to cringe. I wouldn't think we would lose by anymore than Sam Houston State unless we are not as good as the hard core June Jones supporters say we are. Surely SMU is better than a D1AA team from Texas. This also could be a trap game for the Aggies that SMU could take advantage of.

[Mustangsabu]

I want to see us home out skills and be ready for the Toads next week. I want to see is put up 28 points or more and I'd like us to beat the spread. I'd cherish the day forever if we won.

[Rebel10]

Agree Mustangsabu, no less than 28 points should be one of the team goals against an Aggie defense ranked 112th in country.

[ponyinNC]

i'm prepared for an epic beatdown unfortunately.

honestly, all i want is no injuries and to see our offense move the ball and score a few TDs.

Evans is going to go for 200 yards and 3 TDs against us!

[Rebel10]

If the Aggie defense ranked 112th in the country holds our offense to less than what Sam Houston St did then we have more problems than we think. Sumlin could also call off the dogs if they go up early by a lot. But I think we can score 4 touchdowns on them.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

First, I found this statement interesting:

"Can't remember the last time I had so little confidence in smu football. I'm already cringing."

Personally, I can remember plenty of times when I've had far less confidence in SMU football than today. It's one thing to get beaten decisively on the road at A&M. There are a lot of SEC and Big-12 schools that have experienced that. It's quite another to be beaten decisively at home by San Jose State and have TCU hang 62 on you at home in the same year (see 2000 season). Plus I've seen beatdowns at the hands of Tech, OSU, NC State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Boise State, Arkansas, and many, many others. I don't expect to win this one, or probably even come close. But I've got more confidence that we at least have a chance to put up a decent fight than in some of the games I've witnessed in the past.

That being said, I will set no expectations for this game. . .none. To set expectations like a minimum of 28 points or gaining more yards than Rice is setting yourself up for disappointment, which on PF usually translates quickly into irrational rage against June Jones, Rick Hart, R. Gerald Turner, the SMU Board of Trustees, the George Bush Library, the NCAA, and/or President Obama.

Look, its a road game against the number 10 ranked team in the country, the reigning Heisman winner who is the most remarkable football player I've seen since maybe Barry Sanders, one of, if not the most, hostile road environment in college football, and a program that across the board hugely outstrips SMU in both talent, resources, conference affiliation, and just about every other measure. I want the Ponies to do well, to score points, to give Johnny F a tough game. But I'll save my expectations for other games.

And just to save the haters from having to say it, I realize that I embrace mediocrity, am a "June to the death" supporter, and have no understanding of what realistic expectations for SMU footbal should be. I totally get that.

[Rebel10]

The Aggies sucky defense will get shredded by the Run and Raid imo. Are the hard core June supporters trying to promote a blowout to lower expectations beyond reason. Not talking about you 1983. Our offense has been doing well.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I actually have been favorably impressed with our offense so far. Not perfect by any stretch and there is still lots of work to be done, but they look far, far better than they did at this point last season IMHO. I've been particularly impressed with Gilbert. I just don't think this is the game to set litmus tests.

[Rebel10]

If the Aggie defense were top 25 I would agree. But whether we win or lose I think we will do well against the 112th ranked defense imo.

[ponyinNC]

I could see some scripted GG runs for big gains.

KC could impress. P. Line should be able to pick up blocks and rumble for some yards.

Can our reveivers get open? I'd like to see that. I'm not sure at this point,

Can our secondary defend Evans and Manziel?? I think you have to take one of them away - either spy on Manziel or shift coverage to Evans.

I'd give TAMU the run all day. Slows clock, keeps Manziel from making big plays. Honestly, I'd dare them to run and keep running.

[SMU89]

Any concern re field condition w rain?

[East Coast Mustang]

I could see some scripted GG runs for big gains.

KC could impress. P. Line should be able to pick up blocks and rumble for some yards.

Can our reveivers get open? I'd like to see that. I'm not sure at this point,

Can our secondary defend Evans and Manziel?? I think you have to take one of them away - either spy on Manziel or shift coverage to Evans.

I'd give TAMU the run all day. Slows clock, keeps Manziel from making big plays. Honestly, I'd dare them to run and keep running.

I would blanket Evans in coverage, kind of like what the Giants did to Dez Bryant week 1. Make someone else in their WR corps beat us. Also, Hope and pray that our front 4 can keep Manziel in check

[Pony4Life]

Personally, I expect A&M to try to blow up the scoreboard. After losing to Bama, they're going to want to remind the voters that they're great, and they'll try to run it up as much as they can. I can't stand the idea of us losing, but if we do, the margin doesn't matter. A loss is a loss, and I hate them all.

I actually look at this almost as an exhibition game. Media and Vegas both think we'll get blown out, and if we do, we do. I want to see our team come back healthy, and to play well. If we play well enough to make it close, A&M could fall in the polls again, but after tomorrow night, I don't care about them anymore, anyway. But a good showing in AggieVille could give us tons of confidence heading to Fort Worth.

[AustinPerson]

Somebody said that they've been impressed by our offense so far. How's that? SMU has had maybe one passing touchdown in two games? Isn't the run and shoot supposed to have more than that?

Let's see if SMU puts up as many points as Rice and Sam Houston State.