PonyFans.com practice report: (8/13/14)

[ideal]

...

[ideal]

"Arkansas is scrimmaging a lot. Most good teams do up until about 2 weeks before the first game."
Arkansas not a good team.

[ghost]

I wouldn't consider Arkansas a good team at this point based on their record. However, with the coach they have and the style of play they are trying to transition to it will probably be good in the long run. funny how the Arkansas fans got spoiled with winning swc championships with the old boring coach running the wishbone all the time but with the high profile offenses and players they don't even get close in the sec. Now they are reverting back to the physical, run first style again.

[jwnear]

No teams scrimmage in the fall, this time is used to hone plays and skills and start prepping for game 1[/quote]

Actually quite a few teams scrimmage about halfway through camp. Gives a gauge of what your two deep should probably be as well as to get away from the monotony of practice.

Most teams start game prep for the opponent around 10 days out once two deep is settled.

[PonyPride]

SMU goes live almost every day in practice. Not a full, score-being-kept scrimmage, but they are going full-speed for a few segments just about every day. It's competitive (the defensive players who are waiting their turn are incredibly loud and excited, etc.), and while they don't tackle to the ground - much - they are hitting harder than many PonyFans seem to realize … see the flaring tempers a few days ago. No, it's not the same as a game, but the notion that the practices are somehow contact-free is inaccurate.

[PonySnob]

SMU goes live almost every day in practice. Not a full, score-being-kept scrimmage, but they are going full-speed for a few segments just about every day. It's competitive (the defensive players who are waiting their turn are incredibly loud and excited, etc.), and while they don't tackle to the ground - much - they are hitting harder than many PonyFans seem to realize … see the flaring tempers a few days ago. No, it's not the same as a game, but the notion that the practices are somehow contact-free is inaccurate.

Why does the team, particularly the defense always look a step or two slow the first couple of games? It always appears that they aren't use to the speed of an actual game.

[Grant Carter]

SMU goes live almost every day in practice. Not a full, score-being-kept scrimmage, but they are going full-speed for a few segments just about every day. It's competitive (the defensive players who are waiting their turn are incredibly loud and excited, etc.), and while they don't tackle to the ground - much - they are hitting harder than many PonyFans seem to realize … see the flaring tempers a few days ago. No, it's not the same as a game, but the notion that the practices are somehow contact-free is inaccurate.

Why does the team, particularly the defense always look a step or two slow the first couple of games? It always appears that they aren't use to the speed of an actual game.

I always assumed it was mostly due to their speed relative to their opponents' speed.

[mrydel]

I can run down anyone at my age with enough room to project the proper angle. Sure we may not be as athletic, but if we are at proper game speed going in, it can make the difference in a 3 yard gain and a 10 yard gain.