Phil Bennett aint the Problem

[Stallion]

actually don't those numbers include at least 3 TDs scored by special teams and the defensive which shouldn't be credited to an offensive coordinator.

[ponyboy]

Couple of replies to all this. First, you don't play offensive linemen young. You just don't. Second, it's true he's apparently not going to have a good recruiting class this year, although last time I checked they don't sign until February. He has done very well -- exceeded expectations given our recent history, won/loss record, and inferior conference affiliations -- before this year.

OL is the issue.

[Mustang_Matt]

Well, I was asking about the A&M game since you brought it up. What about my second question? Why did they not tackle pretty much the whole game @ A&M?

Why were there were some missed and slipped tackles? I don't know. Admittedly, we had to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball to win that game. We didn't. Thus 66-8.

[jtstang]

Why were there were some missed and slipped tackles? I don't know. Admittedly, we had to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball to win that game. We didn't. Thus 66-8.

No, you're missing the point. We had to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball TO STAY WITHIN 30 POINTS!!! The lack of talent was glaring in that game.

[EastStang]

And A&M has had a top 10 recruiting class virtually every year. Those players that aren't currently incarcerated were on the field. One of the factors was 2 deep talent which we lack. We have not had a top 10 class since pre-DP. I agree that our best recruiting classes do not match A&M's did any of you expect that it would.

[BrianTinBigD]

He has done very well -- exceeded expectations given our recent history, won/loss record, and inferior conference affiliations -- before this year.

Let's go to the Rivals rankings:
2005 - 81st - Behind such powers as ULaLa and Middle Tennessee St. but ahead of Rice and NTSU.-6th Best class in CUSA
2004 - 76th - Better than Northwestern and Baylor -2nd Best Class in the WAC
2003 - 62nd - Better than Memphis, TCU, Houston - Best Class in the WAC
2002 - 70th - 3rd best class in the WAC

There is a steady drop off. However, teams that do a lessor job of recruiting consistently beat us. Why? Because we get out coached. Phil is the problem. No doubt about it. Quit defending this guy because he is a good person. I want somebody that makes the most of what he has and finds a way to win. What I don't want to see is a team that is not as talented as we like Rice or Navy beat us.

[ponyboy]

I don't see how you can deduce a dropoff from that list. We're holding steady and outperforming expectations -- at least my expectations -- given our recent history and conference affiliation.

Our problem is simply this: Offensive Line. Not QB. Not RB. Not receivers. Not Defense. Offensive Line. They've been killing us. You cannot pin that on Bennett especially given the fact that an offensive lineman takes a redshirt year and two more to deserve to touch the two deep. With a half decent o-line we beat Baylor and Marshall and sit at 3-2 instead of 1-4.

[BrianTinBigD]

I still believe that the trend is downward and we ain't winning any more games, my sunshine.

[Pony-Up]

When he took this job, Bennett believed that an SMU education along with its tradition, location, facilities and resources would be more than enough to consistently attract top recruits. He has found out otherwise.
What reasonable coach who's concerned about his future would want this job?