OFFICIAL GAME 6 THREAD: SMU vs. TULSA

[Charleston Pony]

West is good in a open field, but he goes down easily in an arm tackle. I don't understand coaches short yardage decisions.

We really need a power runner and REALLY miss X. Jones

[sadderbudweiser]

On a positive note: I think we just secured the all-time record for moral victories.

At some point you gotta stop counting.

[mrydel]

At some point everyone should go back and look at Ron Myers' first few years when he did a total rebuild. And he had a better base from which to start.

I have no love for, nor do I acknowledge moral victories. But I do know an outmanned squad when I see it and I know that I am observing a full rebuild.

I will admit that HCCM seems to be very on the conservative side at times. I think that is an effort to instill confidence. I would make some different calls at times but his record is far better than mine.

[mtrout]

West is good in a open field, but he goes down easily in an arm tackle. I don't understand coaches short yardage decisions.

We really need a power runner and REALLY miss X. Jones

Like prescott line?

[ponyte]

Special teams were the difference in the game.

We didn't turn the ball over. Hicks had a pretty good game. The D played very well with just a few bust on the run game. Give Tulsa credit for busting the run up the middle while spreading us out and eliminating secondary help on the run game.

Our O line didn't attack the D on the short yardage plays. Hercules couldn't make a first down run with an O line getting pushed into the backfield Watch the films and every time we tried a short yardage run our O line got pushed back. That is a beat up O line and young O line. Other than that, the O line did a great job. Hicks didn't get killed and had time to throw.

Special teams coach needs to make sure on kickoff coverage the contain men contain. I will say on one or tow kick returns, I saw one of our guys actually block someone. That's a little bit of progress.

The other adversity we had to deal with was poor field position. Especially in the first half. Tulsa didn't have to deal with poor field position. They penned us several times and got short fields and their special teams left them with short fields several times. We have got to break out of the 3 and out deep in our territory habit.

[Stallion]

SMU might have been without a power back-I'd like to hear about whether Carmouche was available. Freeman got hurt earlier in the game. Unfortunately, one of the biggest mistakes is I think Morris may have redshirted several players that could have helped us win more games this year including Aphonso Thomas, Brandon Benson, Spears, McLaurin (but admittedly we have better depth at DLine), and several Offensive Lineman. I think that's a mistake in total rebuild when the Coaching Staff is getting better recruits every year. I have no concerns that this staff could have found recruiting answers by 2021 when those kids would have been redshirt Seniors

[JasonB]

when you look at game stats, Tulsa just whipped us up and down the field, but penalties kept us in this game. Definitely an opportunity lost and a game that leaves everyone second guessing...woulda, coulda, shoulda...and I'm sure the coaching staff will feel that way when they review film. At least there was improvement from last week's debacle. Other than the end result, which I felt during the entire game was inevitable, this was a fun game to watch. Can't say that very often about this program.

Penalties and dropped INTs kept the game closer. Their mistakes made up for our mistakes for the most part.

[JasonB]

SMU might have been without a power back-I'd like to hear about whether Carmouche was available. Freeman got hurt earlier in the game. Unfortunately, one of the biggest mistakes is I think Morris may have redshirted several players that could have helped us win more games this year including Aphonso Thomas, Brandon Benson, Spears, McLaurin (but admittedly we have better depth at DLine), and several Offensive Lineman. I think that's a mistake in total rebuild when the Coaching Staff is getting better recruits every year. I have no concerns that this staff could have found recruiting answers by 2021 when those kids would have been redshirt Seniors

They would have played the OL if they were ready. They aren't redshirting those guys for the heck of it. K Smith moves well but he doesn't have any punch. A little bit better than WIlds right now in my opinion, and that isn't saying much. The other OL aren't really in the two deep yet. Tedora? is probably better than Fister, but he wouldn't beat out McCarty, Hyder, or Saenna.

If they would improve the team, they would play. They won't, so they aren't.

At LB, I hope to see some changes during the bye week, although Rhone was pretty feisty in the second half.

[Stallion]

So you just said that Smith and Todora might be better than 2 OLM we were playing when the game was on the line in the 4th Quarter last nite. Injuries at Offensive Line are going to happen. We are too thin right now. What are we going to do if the two injured Offensive Lineman hurt last nite can't play. Take a redshirt off in Week 8-9 or just keep playing with those kids who never should have gotten a scholarship in the first place? You can't expect us to improve with about 5 acceptable (but mediocre) healthy OLM. You say K.Smith doesn't have much punch -how much punch did you see from that group on 3rd down last nite? Both of those guys are likely going to start next year. Yeah its a little late now but we've been too thin at OLine all year and at least 2 of the freshman should have been given time by Week 2 or 3. We were hoping to get by with 7-8 decent (but well below average)Lineman this year-I seriously doubt that was realistic

Screw 2021-I have zero concerns this staff could have found replacements by 2021.

[JasonB]

I don't think it is a great idea to take the redshirt off in order to replace the backups. If they would start, it would be okay. They would have gotten in a couple plays last night, but then would sit most of the rest of the season behind Natour, Briggs, Saenna, Hyder, McCarty. Those 5 are playing for 4 positions. You need two more injures to get down to Smith and Todora if they skip past Fister and Wilds on the depth chart.

If Natour is season ending, then fine, you have to decide between Smith and Wilds. But I would need a season ending guard injury before I take the RS off Todora.