W2W4 - OU

[JasonB]

As I've mentioned previously, my main focus this year is on winning conference, so while I hope to be cheering on a Mustangs victory in Oklahoma, what I am mostly going to be watching is how our team performs against the most talented team we will play this season.

- Heading into the game last week, we knew LT would run blitz, and they did. It is a really complex scheme to pick up, both because it is the first game of the season and because it isn't how we run our own defensive scheme. However, because we want to be a power rushing team, we ran the ball over and over again into that front, regardless of how many defensive players lined up in the box. The one play LT didn't overload the box is when LJ broke off the long run right before halftime. I don't think OU is going to run blitz, especially at the beginning of the game. We all believe the OL is a strength - can we run the ball effectively against their base defense? I want to see White and Osborne be good enough against the base defense that OU has to adjust, and I want to see if Hickman and Parr can hold their own.
- Some of our blocking schemes call for the H-Back or TE to take on a DL player, and an OL player goes to the second level to find a linebacker. We were horrible at both aspects last week of identifying the right players to block. Those are things that should improve with tape from week 1 to week 2 - they are execution problems, not ability problems. I want to see better performance there.
- The jet sweeps were not effective at all last week, against because TE and RB failed to identify the right players to block. That is something that we should be able to clean up.
- A lot was made of Maryland adding size over the offseason, but he had a rough blocking performance last weekend. I'm interested to see if they continue to line him and Matthews-Harris up tight to the OL, or if it is going to get to the point where we just split them out.
- Another problem we had was the clock of the H-Back and RB n the running game. We tried to hit the hole before it even had to develop. Players were too amped up for game on. I want to see if Rooster, specifically, has the patience to allow something to develop, and then hit the hole hard. If he struggles again, I bet we see Velton or Camar pretty quickly as the speed back in the rotation.
- Most of the plays last week were non-RPO. As OU moves out of the base defense and starts to play the run more, will Lashlee call the RPO and leave it up to Preston to determine where the numerical advantage is? Or will he stick with the power running game?
- Last week was pretty basic in terms of play calling; most of the passes had a pre-determined target. One of the strengths of Preston is the speed at which he can run through progressions. I think the offensive progression is power run, to RPO, to drop back. I'm interested to see if they just add a bit more RPO this week, or if they also add a bit more pure dropback to the rotation and give Preston the chance to make decisions when it isn't just third and long.
- That elite WR hasn't stepped up yet. Are the WR all good enough to win against a good secondary, so we don't need "that guy"? or is everyone covered downfield, so you have to find that receiver who will just go up and make a play. I think Smith and Maryland are the two guys who have the potential to be "that guy". We are going to need someone to emerge for us to compete at the highest level.
- The defensive we believe is elite and has depth. Can we hold OU under 200 yards rushing? 150? 100? If we hold OU to under 150 rushing, this defense is going to be crazy good in conference.
- Last week, we absolutely overpowered LT in the middle of the line. That isn't going to happen this weekend. On top of that, OU has an all-american at Left tackle. Can our bandit win on the edge? Can Roberts win on his side? For most of the season in the AAC, SMU is going to be able to generate pressure from its front 4. Being able to do that against OU would be a good sign of how effective we are going to be against TCU and the conference championship game. If SMU is not able to generate pressure, it means that we are going to have to blitz and take a little more risk in those games.
- We also played LT really tight on the corners, making sure that the DL had time to get to the QB. Are we going to challenge OU in that same way? Risk-reward, as we know. I think we will end up playing really aggressively in conference, and I would love to see us do that here.
- At Safety, there was one play early where NWO missed a tackle on a quick slant and it led to a big gain. McGill made a bad read on the long TD pass on the first score for LT. Massey showed significant improvement, and Moses has taken good angles and been reliable tackling since he showed up on campus. The athletes of OU are going to be a huge test for the safeties, and I am interested to see how they do.

Prediction: I do think we are going to be solid in run defense. I am concerned about being able to put consistent pressure on Gabriel, and he will punish us with time. I am also concerned about the DB rotation, and the second line of corners holding up. I'm going to predict at least one busted play by a safety that result in a long TD pass. Offensively, I'm concerned about Preston getting too amped up, and I need to see us fix the blocking issues in our running game before I believe it. IMHO, both teams come out a little slow and conservative in the first quarter before OU gets a big play in the passing game to get the first score. The SMU offense kind of starts and stops all day. Final score: OU 48 - SMU 17. I think SMU is going to blow Prairie View out and then will keep in close against TCU. But going on the road to OU is too much, too soon for a team trying to build a new identity with a young QB.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I'm surprised you are predicting us to get blown out.

[Arkpony]

That’s close to my prediction of 45-17. Without the running game we are easy pickings for OU.

[PNW_Stang]

I agree with that score. This OU team is going to be too much for us at this point. Wish we were playing a more middling P5 team this week and not one that will probably make it to the CFP.

At least we won’t look like Arky State or old SMU teams out there. I just don’t think the offense will be good enough yet.

[Topper]

Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports and other credentials says SMU will have the ball and a chance to win sometime during the last 5 minutes of the game. Still not betting the farm on anything, even with the points.

[Graceland Tar Heel]

Whatever happens against OU, I think the best thing for SMU this season is to win the AAC and earn a NY6 Bowl. That would be a very big step.

[ponyte]

Might be way off but the D last week is one of the most athletic we have had in a very long time. Not Alabama quality but certainly one of the best if not the best since the DP. I think they do better than allowing 40+ points.

Now the O on the other hand is just not there. These quality opponents in the OofC schedule will help sharpen the O which right now is at best inconsistent. And I agree win the AAC and get to a quality bowl.

I hate to say it but think its more a 35-14 game. I hope I am wrong about the OU scoring and our lackluster O.

[HailToPitt725]

Good luck to the Pony Express this afternoon. Time to shock the world and make the ACC proud!

[SMULaxer]

OU won the game at the line of scrimmage, not the skill positions. Insane amount of credit to the defense. Aggressive play calling and a miscue on special teams led to two of the four TDs.