Thoughts on the game

by **JasonB** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:28 pm

- That was the Anthony Rhone that we saw in the Spring two years ago. That is a big deal if he plays well every week. Kyron Mitchell also looked great. If 17/33/13 can continue to improve as the season goes on, the linebacker play may be decent by the time we get to conference.

- Too bad Sutton got banged up. Hopefully he is fine next week. Offense wasn't as effective once he slowed down.

- The defensive line is pretty good. Especially at DT.

- Secondary is also legit. I think this is at least an average defense in conference this season.

- HIcks showed the inaccuracy from practice. That said, what I love about what he did is that SMU didn't go backwards. Outside of the picks, not a lot of negative plays. I hate two QB systems, but even if Matt is healthy, I kind of want to see Hicks all season. His accuracy and red zone production will get better with more game time. Getting into the red zone 5 times against Baylor isn't bad.

- With the offensive line, the center and guard play was pretty good, which bodes really well for running the ball consistently in conference.

- Freeman is going to be a beast. West isn't explosive like Jones. A Jones/Freeman combo is really good.

- Depending on injuries, of course, I actually think we go 4-4 in conference and make a bowl game. Defensive line, secondary, and playmakers (especially Sutton) are good enough to carry us to a .500 record. This is a really, really good team 10 win team in 2017. Badejo and Gary are going to be incredible with a year in the weight room and nutrition program.

by **RepublicanPNY** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:33 pm

What makes you want to see more of Hicks based on what you've seen in practice and today?

He is one dimensional, with a weak arm and no accuracy.

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:38 pm

"Outside of the picks" :lol:

by **Treadway21** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:40 pm

The red zone picks. He held up after taking a beating but we ain't good enough to win with field goals and empty red zone possessions.

by **Rebel10** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:43 pm

I know you are still in that June Jones just wait until we get into conference paly mentality but if you have not noticed a few of the teams we play have beaten some P5 teams. It may not be a as easy as you think. I think if Hicks improves his accuracy we can do well. If not it will be tough because the offensive line did not play that well against a Baylor defensive that will get scored on a lot this year. Hicks got beat up pretty good as the announcers were saying. Overall I like what I see in this team though. Beat Liberty.

by **leopold** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:07 pm

Davis is a necessity at this point.

Defense is further along than we thought.

The questions at the kicking game were well founded.

There isn't a team left on the schedule we can't beat if Davis is healthy or if Hicks can grow.

by **mrydel** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:10 pm

So I guess all the fire Van Malone crew will give him one more week?

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:13 pm

mrydel wrote:So I guess all the fire Van Malone crew will give him one more week?

I think that was just footballdad who wanted to run Malone so badly last year

by **Treadway21** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:13 pm

Ha. So true. The Randy Galloway Over reaction Sunday. Same about us winning only 2 games after the NTSU win.

Get ready for a seesaw season of over reactions.

We may not win a bunch but we got talent.

by **PonyKris89** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:16 pm

I liked what we saw from secondary, they can cover, tackle, and generally make plays and they did most of that
without a whole lot of defensive line pressure... not to say the defensive line was bad, as they were not bad.

Hicks moved us pretty well between the 20's (actually the 10's) but that was nothing short of a disaster in the red zone with
2 fg and fumble in first half and 2 int in the second half.

Hicks played with poise early, then it all came crashing on him after some self induced errors, the hits also took their toll.
That is no surprise for a freshman qb making first start. He will either learn from his mistakes or he won't. I believe he
learns. But no doubt in my mind, the game is winnable with a healthy Matt Davis playing.

SMU RBs and WRs are really impressive.

We are far more athletic that we have been in over a generation, and this coaching staff can flat out coach.

I am encouraged.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:27 pm

I was impressed by Freeman. We are going to be deep at RB and a strong running game is a big part of Chad Morris' offense as it will ultimately set up big plays and gadget plays.

by **PonyFan32** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:49 pm

I saw a lot to be encouraged about looking forward to the rest of this season outside of the final score. Unfortunately my expectations will be tempered somewhat from here on out by the news that Davis' injury is pretty serious. We will be seeing a lot more of Hicks this year. I think he has potential to be serviceable by conference play. I just worry that he hasn't seemed to get his accuracy up though I did see some drops.

by **soccermom** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:50 pm

Actually after watching most of the game today, I wouldn't mind if Hicks continues. He made mistakes but I, too, think he learns. Since we are re-building, I wouldn't mind seeing this freshman getting lots of playing time and seeing how,and if,
he improves.

by **Digetydog** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:51 pm

The good news: the defense will be AAC average(ish) with the team speed in the secondary - well, frankly shocking.

Speed: Twice, late in the game, two young DB's (KJ and Onu?) put on bursts to run down BU players and make tackles. Both those ho-hum plays go for big yardage the last two years. Although there were some freshman mistakes, the future of our secondary looks bright. Next year, the defense might even be stout.

Youth: In the second half, I was surprised how heavily Malone relied upon, backup players like Badejo and Gary. Watching Gary get pancaked was a bummer. When I watched Gary in practice this summer, he looked good, but undersized. Hopefully, AAC OL won't cause him the same issues.

OL: I need to watch the film, but the run blocking was vastly improved. Briggs is ok at RT, but dropped off when Wilds took over the RT spot. Pass blocking sucked.

The bad news: Hicks needs to improve for the offense to work. If he doesn't play better against Liberty, the offense will regress despite better talent everywhere. If he doesn't improve, option city with Colbert is coming.

by **peruna81** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:57 pm

-O-Line is still an issue...need to get BUS to find some big nasties for us next year...

-Davis got beat up week 1...Hicks is beat up now...his passes were more errant as the beating commenced...

-Defense will keep us in some games, but special teams could cost us some too...

-RBs were a significant bright spot...

-Still have to learn to finish plays, and games. Baylor was ripe for the picking.

QB will be a rotation system this year, depending on who took the last beating...on to Liberty, and hopefully some guys can get healthy