A&M preview

[The PonyGrad]

Based on the stats it will be A&M's strong running attack, especially the QB, vs. what has been only a statistically fair run defense by SMU. And, SMU's Fair offense vs. A&M's fair defense.

We need to get some passing going against their #82 pass efficiency D otherwise we may lose a scoring contest.

But, if we can contain the A&M QB then it may not be a scoring contest and then ball control and running becomes more key.

A&M has the #10 rushing attack on the strength of the 100 yard game of the QB McNeil. McNeil had two 100 yard games last season and rushed for a total of 718 net yards. Courtney Lewis had 742 yards last season and added 78 against Clemson.

A&M has the #1 rushing attack in terms of yards per play with a 7.52 average. This was on the strength of McNeil's 11.1 yards per carry average. Again, we must contain the QB.

[JasonB]

A&M's offense is pass first and run second. That works in SMU's favor. They like to spread things out, establish a pass, and then run. That helps us out with our safties that play linebacker.

The way SMU keeps this game close is if 1) our offense keeps our defense off the field, 2) A&M fails to try and establish a power running game and 3) we eliminate our special teams mistakes.

At some point in the game, I expect A&M to move to a power game, and they will eventually wear us down. I believe we will have a hard time moving the ball against them, even with our Massey/Martin combo.

My prediction: our defense keeps it close, but eventually wears down because our offense doesn't consistantly move the ball. SMU 7 A&M 31, but it is 17-7 midway through the third quarter.

[AgFan]

A&M want to be balanced on offense. Last year we had the 23rd best passing offense in the nation (rushing was 44th) so we can certainly throw the ball. Against Clemson, McNeal was not great throwing the ball and then when he was our WRs were not great at catching the ball. The passing game didn't look good at all. I am pretty confident it will look better but you never know.

Our defense was not great against Clemson but the stepped it up in the redzone and Clemson didn't score an offensive TD all night.

I think the Ags loss to Clemson hurts the Ponies chances because the Ags are going to be unhappy about the way they looked in game 1 and they will likely take it out on the Ponies.

[The PonyGrad]

Certainly A&M has all the emotion factors. A two week break to think about the loss and time to gear up for SMU, though I suspect the focus was on themselves last week and SMU this week.

SMU has the bounce and confidence from the win but also the distraction of celebrating the big win.