Houston Game Thoughts

[JasonB]

Well, that was a bummer. I'll go offense to defense.

- I know a lot of flack will be given to Sonny and the staff for kicking it deep to Houston. However, in their defense, the ball was caught in the endzone, and it had plenty of air. We just failed to execute on coverage (lots of holds, though). Also, when Houston kicked a squib to us, we returned it to their 35. Also, we haven't had coverage issues all season. Also, if we hadn't called timeout before the field goal, there still would have been 10 seconds on the clock, and the kickoff still would have happened. Also, you kick the tying field goal instead of going for it because our red zone offense the entire game was better than theirs. The timeout was weird, but outside of that, I don't fault the staff for the calls that were made. At the end of the day, you can't kick that ball straight down the middle, and you have to rely on your coverage teams to make a play. That is player execution.
- Mordeci was pretty good. There were times he got happy feet with the pressure (80's term), and it caused him to miss Grant wide open in the redzone. But outside of that he was pretty darn good, especially with the snap issues.
- Houston bet that we couldn't hold the line long enough to get deep and pressed the receivers. It worked more effectively than other defensive approaches. I'll point out, however, that last two years when we saw a really good defense (Tulsa, Cincy), they were able to hold our offense in check. The offense is good enough to score upper 30s against a really good defense, even when their team is eating clock and limiting possessions. Not bad.
- Ali was our best run blocker and overall blocker before he got hurt. Morris came in and was by far our lowest performing run blocker. That was a big loss in the game.
- Hickman had a really, really bad game. Any time you see a center struggle with snaps like that, it is because they know they are facing a really good line and are struggling to get up in blocking position quick enough. Second game in a row that he has had a really difficult matchup and struggled with it. He is young and will grow, but he is struggling. Three of our linemen really struggled against a good Houston DL - Morris in run, Howerton, and Hickman. Scoring mid 30s when you lose the battle at the line that much is really actually impressive.
- Against Tulane, we knew we would struggle against their DT, so we rolled TM out of the pocket often, especially early in the game. I'm surprised we did not see that again this week.
- There is no way that Bentley didn't completely reaggravate his high ankle sprain on the ong run that got called back. That sucks.
- Props to the Houston game plan. They didn't worry about running, they came in knowing that they had to throw the ball and be aggressive against our secondary and did just that.
- Our defensive game plan, honestly, played right into it. We dropped 8 and rushed 3 a LOT. It allowed Tune to just wait until his receivers either opened deep or came back to the ball to get separation. I'm really surprised we didn't blitz more frequently, even though Tune's numbers are excellent against the blitz. IMHO, we should have varied the approach more often.
- The 4 down linemen nickel was really worked for us this year, but we couldn't get enough pressure off the edge in this game and Tune tore it up. Coxe and Wiley started to show up later in the game, but they were held in check for large stretches.
- I know that the team came out flat overall, especially defensively. But sometimes when your staff roles out a conservative game plan, you wonder if they were preaching fear and concern all week. The kids looked like they were on the back foot the entire game.
- The Houston OL has been good all year, and our DL showed how good they are. Strength of the defense all season long. The backups struggled a little, and we saw the least rotation that we have seen this season. Levelston and Williams was good, and Chatman was exceptional. If he isn't first team all AAC at DL, it is a travesty.
- First time this season ISM and Moore outsnapped Delano and Hailey. Reflective of our need to get better pass coverage out there and the less aggressive approach.
- Our corners really struggled. I'm not sure if Houston threw a lot of new routes on us or just hid their tells, but we looked like we weren't anticipating any cuts at all. Not breaking on the ball, not shifting hips. Lots of really rounded routes.
- As bad as corner was, safety was worse. Denbow had a really poor game, misreading angles. NWO was clearly injured and we need him back healthy. Lots of players in the wrong position and reacting slow.
- I love the fact that the team fought back and all of that. But the disappointing thing about this game is it feels like the first game this season where we just didn't look prepared, especially on defense. We didn't rollout offensively, we didn't have Epton in case Bentley got hurt, we weren't anticipating pass patterns, we were misreading routes at safety. It was just really, really sloppy. I don't know if that is a result of a bye week followed by a long week, or if the staff or the players were distracted by rumors. But hopefully that turns around quickly and the team doesn't fall apart like the last couple of seasons.

[SMU_Alum11]

Thanks Jason as always. This and Sonny's post interview really help put things into perspective. Sadly, I know for me, it feels like when a tough game like this goes south that the panic button gets hit because of the "door closing" on the 1% chance we get into the P5.

The double edge sword I see is: do we offer sonny bog extension? It would quell the rumors but what if we always get the late October collapse? I like Sonny and want him to stay but just curious what the boardroom is thinking.

[EastStang]

#41 was incredible on that play where he leaped the blocker. He deserves a shout out.

[BUS]

And with all that is said above..... SMU would have overcome Houston if they did not come out STONE COLD.

Good teams come out hot and finish hotter.

[JasonB]

Hell yes we should give Sony a massive extension for as long as we can.

Coming into this year, we all expected the defense to take a step forward, and it has. What I mentioned in my preview is that we needed and elite DE and elite CB to become elite.

Look at the cowboys. Outside of Diggs, they have a bunch of average corners and an average secondary. With him, they have one of the best secondaries in the league. Because the guy who had to matchup against the best WR and is a number 2 corner gets burned every week. But put him against a 2 and you find out that he is actually decent. Put your guy who struggled against number 2 against number 3 and he is suddenly decent as well. We have a true frosh at one corner, and another frosh who has very limited experience at corner as the other corner. Crossley is good in short routes, but doesn't have top end speed. Armani is not a top corner. If McMorris or Rogers took the next step, then what looks like an average secondary gets good really quick. But it hasn't happened yet, so the corner room looks average.

Same at DE. Gregory makes the Cowboys much better. It forces the ball out quick. We need that guy. Wiley, Coxe and Paul are not elite difference makers. They are solid, but when you can't pressure with a down 4 against a decent OL like Houston, your corners are going to suffer a little.

Because of the DL, we are a much better defense than what we were. But to go from top 75 to top 25, we need those elite guys at DE and Corner. Sonny has gotten a ton of credit for transfers, but I actually think that those guys are on campus because of his recruiting. Rogers and McMorris both have a chance to be elite. NWO and Massey have the chance to be elite at safety. Paul, Samuel, Jones, and even E Smith have a shot of being elite on DE. It sucks that it hasn't happened yet with any of those guys, but they all flash the potential to become those guys.

The turn to dominance is going to be slower at those positions (and the OL) because players at those spots need an opportunity to grow a bit. And it might not happen right away next year because there is going to be so much turnover on both sides of the line. But the potential for this defense and the OL in two years is absurd.

[SMU_Alum11]

I sure hope you're right. Maybe we are still in a viable position to get to a better conference plus getting signed up will bring stability in a crucial time. I just hope we can get to wins this season.

[soccermom]

Clayton is the youngest son of one of my sorority sister & good friend. My family & I said all week that he is capable of throwing the long ball, when given time, and pick our secondary apart. He was pretty much able to do that last night. However, I will say I never saw the 2nd pass interference call against us which lead to their last offensive TD. Interested if it was truly PI.

[Charleston Pony]

Yes, Hickman really struggled as did Mordecai after taking a knee that called Bentley's long run back. It was an adventure all night and definitely threw off timing at times

[redpony]

I always like Jason B's analysis. IMO we just came out scared and intimidated and I blame most of that on the coaches and preparation. That sort of set the tone for most of the game. We need some players who want to play smash-mouth fball and refuse to get beaten. Until then we will struggle- especially toward the end of the season.

[jkflamebo]

My last post on this website was in 2014. I have constantly lurked on/off for over 15 years. I couldn't be happier that we remain in the top 25 with games to look forward to. Beats the years being huge double digit underdogs and getting thrashed by third tier programs.

Frustrating to watch us lose a big game like this as it easily could have went our way. Big games are not supposed to be easy. Similarly to Memphis a couple years ago it would be nice if we had a kicker on lock to kick a touchback EVERY time.

Being in the AAC is a wet blanket but it's where we are. Control what we can control and keep winning. Good things will come if we keep it together and continue the momentum. Fingers crossed hard Sonny stays to help SMU program reach it's potential post DP.

[DallasMustang11]

I am just so sick and tired of the October/November collapse that has come every year under Sonny! I hope we keep him but I am increasingly worried that this is our ceiling with him at the helm. Once again we are no longer in the drivers seat for a conference championship just hoping Houston loses some games moving forward. If I were a P5 conference I wouldn’t take us either with this.

[Charleston Pony]

I am just so sick and tired of the October/November collapse that has come every year under Sonny! I hope we keep him but I am increasingly worried that this is our ceiling with him at the helm. Once again we are no longer in the drivers seat for a conference championship just hoping Houston loses some games moving forward. If I were a P5 conference I wouldn’t take us either with this.

Technically we do control our own destiny. Winning out could result in a 3 way tie and I'm not sure how that would be resolved but at least gives us a shot at the AAC Championship game

[PerunaPunch]

I am just so sick and tired of the October/November collapse that has come every year under Sonny! I hope we keep him but I am increasingly worried that this is our ceiling with him at the helm. Once again we are no longer in the drivers seat for a conference championship just hoping Houston loses some games moving forward. If I were a P5 conference I wouldn’t take us either with this.

I don’t think you can hang that on Sonny. Two years ago, we became a different offense after losing Robinson in the Houston game. Pretty much the same last year … Robinson got hurt, Gray was dinged up, and then we could no longer stretch the field.

This team should be more legit down the stretch because we have more depth. As Sonny continues to stockpile a higher quality recruit, this will continue to improve. Hart needs to do his job.

[Charleston Pony]

Key to November will be how the OL holds up and whether Bentley will be a significant contributor. Turns our Sonny did a great job bringing Siggers in for this year and next year Bentley and Epton should be a nice duo

[Smumba2009]

I am just so sick and tired of the October/November collapse that has come every year under Sonny! I hope we keep him but I am increasingly worried that this is our ceiling with him at the helm. Once again we are no longer in the drivers seat for a conference championship just hoping Houston loses some games moving forward. If I were a P5 conference I wouldn’t take us either with this.

Technically we do control our own destiny. Winning out could result in a 3 way tie and I'm not sure how that would be resolved but at least gives us a shot at the AAC Championship game

Fairly certain if we win out and Houston wins out we would face Houston in championship game as we would have beaten Cincinnati which would sort the tie.