leopold wrote:If the kid does that well again this year and we start out 5-1 I say we all shut up, accept that he's the starter, he deserves to be the starter, and that it's up to someone else to prove they're better.
My summary is: most people recognize that Ben has improved and has made many big plays; but has also made some absolutely terrible throws in big situations and has limited mobility.
Bottom line: Most people just wish we had a mobile quarterback who was more accurate...65% completion rate would be awesome. If SMU had a quarterback like that, this offense would probably be about 25% more productive...and that would be scary!!!
In the mean time, keep improving Ben and do your best to lead SMU to the promised land!
Most of you are right about Ben, but as he said himself, "My job is to get us into the end zone." So far, he is one of the best in the country doing that very thing. Check our NCAA stats. Opposition be damned, he is doing it. Hopefully he continues to do so against tougher competition. And until he doesn't, let it go.
Hicks has shown leadership qualities that are not found by looking at stats. He has the trust of the team and can move the ball down the field. None of the other qbs have been able to do so like Hicks. And, he is but a sophomore. He is much better than he was at the first part of the season last year. I hope he continues to improve. If so, great things could follow. SMU's problem does not seem to be on offense. One of SMU's greatest strengths last year was its defensive backs' play. SMU was all over receivers coming down field. However, so far this year db coverage has been one of our weaknesses. That is much more disturbing than the play of our qb, or any other offensive questions.
Watched the Highlights of ALL 5 games. Of course these were Hicks positive plays. He really looked impressive!! Don't misunderstand me, I have seen his bad throws also. One thing that stood out. He has 14 TDs & 3 Ints. But 2 Ints were at the end of TCU game when he forced a couple passes. Ball doesn't always go where it should but he makes really good decisions!
On average when he tosses the ball (Yds/A) it goes 7.77 yards. Even with a lot more attempts he has a half yard over Kyle Allen and almost a yard more than Postma, the UH QBs. That's also with about the same number of completions as Allen. He gets us to the end zone and yes could be better overall.
He's been coached to avoid turnovers first and foremost. Make the right play not the spectacular play. You'd see more visually impressive stuff if we took that shackle off of him, but I like the results.
ponyboy wrote:He's been coached to avoid turnovers first and foremost. Make the right play not the spectacular play. You'd see more visually impressive stuff if we took that shackle off of him, but I like the results.
I'm not sure you would see more "visually impressive" stuff. My guess is that you'd see more INT's and some badly missed targets. I do think he is being coached to his level and he gets it. That's not a bad thing. The question at this point is how he does with better competition in conference play.
Can't argue with what this SMU offense has accomplished scoring almost 50 points per game and winning the turnover battle. Hicks haters will argue he has missed a lot of open targets that could have added significantly to our offensive production and while that is true, you also have to give him credit for making good reads and several nice throws as well. I will admit I had serious reservations about Hicks last year, but I see improvement and have been most impressed by his TD to INT ratio this season. When I get down on Hicks, I remind myself this is a kid who is playing in what is still the 1st half of only his 2nd college season, so all in all we could do a lot worse for a starting QB. I just hope this coaching staff hangs with SMU and continues to recruit the kind of offensive talent that has contributed to Hicks success. Any QB is going to benefit from a strong running game and ours is much improved in the 3 years Chad & Co have been here.
ponyboy wrote:He's been coached to avoid turnovers first and foremost. Make the right play not the spectacular play. You'd see more visually impressive stuff if we took that shackle off of him, but I like the results.
Exactly. The throws he misses this year were picks last year. Now it’s less 50/50 balls and more 65% our guy catches it and 5% they do.
ponyboy wrote:He's been coached to avoid turnovers first and foremost. Make the right play not the spectacular play. You'd see more visually impressive stuff if we took that shackle off of him, but I like the results.
Exactly. The throws he misses this year were picks last year. Now it’s less 50/50 balls and more 65% our guy catches it and 5% they do.
