OFFICIAL GAME 1 THREAD: SMU vs. NTSU

[JasonB]

Offensive line played better in the second half. Don't hold blocks well or strong enough on the delayed run. Much better with the quick handoff. Defensive line played better and better as second half went on. Linebackers can't cover so had to blitz a lot. Dl play is good enough that we will be able to play smaller young linebackers who can move.

Disappointed that they did not review the Davis pick. The whole team talks trash to him at practice so you know he is gonna be really good.

[PonySnob]

for those of us at home, someone ballpark attendance tonight, please

Hard to tell. The upper deck V thing in the endzone is basically empty. The side facing the cameras is populated but not very dense, maybe 50% full. Jimbo Productions Inc. doesn't have enough cameras to show the pressbox side, but it sounds more full. Maybe 20K?

Believe they announced 28K


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[PonySnob]

Least we know Courtland is amazing.

#courtlandtonfl2017


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[smupony94]

Channel 8 just called him Coleman Sutland

[Stallion]

I was very encouraged by this game. We played about 18 true/redshirt freshman on the road and looked very confident. They came ready to play-which is the first time I've seen that in Denton. Never let NTSU back into the game which is great considering our youth. 572 yards Total Offense and Defense held NTSU to 394 with about 100+ coming in prevent defense when the backup Fine came into the game, Offensive Line was inconsistent-2 great runs and a bunch of 1-2 yard gains. Baylor is going to be tough. This was a good performance by SMU-but I will say that Courtland Sutton was worth about 21 points tonite. Take him out and that game is a jump ball-haha

[ponyte]

I'm not completely convinced the O Line was as weak as we all seem to think. There were times Davis had time to throw but ran. That is either he didn't go through his reads fast enough or the receivers were not getting open. The video quality I had didn't allow one to see coverage and routes well so its hard to judge. However, over the last few years we have had issues with receivers getting open.

I'm not saying the O line is were it wants or needs to be, just on passing there are 3 areas that have to work well, blocking, throwing and catching. I would like to see Davis throw quick routes more to loosen up Ds rather than scramble. And maybe some over the middle routes to open up the corners. I think Ds will concentrate on our wideouts knowing we don't force their middle coverage to work too hard.

[mrydel]

I was very unimpressed with the OL. Too many times you saw their backs to the line immediately after the snap. Missing the initial hit they were the definition of an Ole' block. Need some real shoring up if we are going to win some more games.

[White Helmet]

Are you questioning ponyte on blocking? Doesn't he have a story about that?

[mrydel]

Are you questioning ponyte on blocking? Doesn't he have a story about that?

I thought of that when I said it but since he was mainly listening on the radio and when possible seeing a poor stream I thought I would challenge him. He deserted me anyway and left me without a travel partner so I think I can now dispute his knowledge regardless of his experience. It is my right.

[ponyte]

I didn't say the O line was wonderful, or that they were excellent in pass blocking. I didn't see where every time Davis took off was because of insufficient time. It takes more to complete a pass than blocking. Same is true with the running game. And ordinary back can make a great O line look ordinary. A great back can make an ordinary O line look great. I wish we had the talent and offensive scheme to do more quick passes and over the middle passes to take some pressure off both the O line and QB. There is a reason we don't throw quick or over the middle and one wonders what those reasons are.

I have no doubt w will learn much more about the O line next week. And It may not be a pretty lesson.

[mrydel]

We just need to survive next week with no physical or confidence injuries.

[ebrooks11]

Braeden west needs to be moved behind Freeman. I have never been that impressed with him. He seems to go down very easy. TWHS.

[ftworthmustang]

Davis was being Davis. Hicks looked much more comfortable in the pocket passing than Davis. I was not impressed with the OL. There was no push on runs. Runs were for 1 or 2 yards, with an occasional 40+ yard run. Pass protection seemed OK.

[Stallion]

I agree with both Ponyte and mrydel-I think-Davis definitely needs to become better at delivering the ball quickly and based on the initially designed routes-there was no flow the passing game. Courtland really has bailed him out his whole career although scrambling is definitely an asset that Davis adds to the Offense. I perceived Ponyte focusing mostly on pass blocking

Mrydel is definitely right that SMU's Offensive Line was mediocre and inconsistent in run blocking. Baylor will dominate this Offensive Line

Braeden West may need to find a new position that doesn't require touching this ball. I'm not sure I've seen a player fumble so often early in his career. Should he have been redshirted this year? Sorry but I'm guessing he is not physically strong enough to hold onto the ball because most of the time it is wrestled away from him. West lost playing time last year due to fumbling(remember UH?)-I doubt SMU coaches put up with it much more. Ke'mon Freeman may have just moved past West on depth chart.

Finally Ben Hicks showed great velocity on his throws-but he seems to have a tendency to overthrow his receiver that could result in a lot of interceptions. Frustrating because I do think he has a strong arm if he could get some better accuracy. Anyway I thought Hicks took 2 steps forward from his spring game performance

[mrydel]

Hicks showed a marathon forward from the spring game. But he seems to lose his grip on the ball at times and it sails on him.