Thoughts on the Clemson game

[JasonB]

This isn't going to be long, but...

- I mentioned before the game that moving 11 inside had the chance to be disruptive, and it was, especially in the first half. We either had to take him 1v1 and he beat us, or we would double and then they would blitz a LB behind and it beat us. In the second half, we fixed the blocking, but the big adjustment was leaking Smith in the middle of the field to punish them for blitzing too much and dropping too deep. It was good that we made an adjustment, but it wasn't great that it took us so long to get there.

- More drops tonight than we had in total all season. Some of that is on the weather and Jennings... those gloves help when the weather is warm and you are trying to catch a rocket. When it is cold, it is really tough to catch a short pass thrown too hard. But some of it also was this being the biggest stage these guys have been on all season. Rodrick and Brashard don't drop those balls in any other game this season.

- I was surprised how much Byrd struggled with 3 especially in the beginning of the game. I thought he would be the type of physical player that Byrd would match up well with, but he was a step slow. Cleaned it up a lot in the second half. But I do think Byrd is a starting guard for us next season and we will go portalling for another tackle. He is doing his best out there and really should be commended for it. But his NFL position is guard, and I bet that is where he plays next season.

- I thought that clearly the attitude going into the game was "let's not mess this up" rather than "let's go out and win". They were trying to play to not get left out of the CFP rather than trying to win a championship. The offensive playcalling was conservative, the defensive playcalling was odd. Everything was off. The players were nervous. The nice thing is that all of that goes away if we get into the CFP. We will play a lot cleaner if we get in, because there is really nothing to lose.

- Defensively, I thought we were really overaggressive early in the game. We didn't let our defensive line get in a groove the first half - we just kept blitzing them and playing the safeties too tight. I think it was a mistake. 7 was really banged up and Clemson clearly wasn't going to be able to run the ball. We should have backed off, played pass defense, and let our front 4 stop the run. Too much zero coverage, which hurt us on the long TD pass because our safeties weren't as deep as they normally are to help on that play. In the second half, we let the guys up front do their thing and let our backers run to the ball and we were much, much better. I think the horrible field position issues early in the game got Symons to switch things up a little bit early instead of playing standard and seeing what Clemson was going to try and do on offense.

- BTW, if you haven't seen it, they did have offensive linemen downfield on the first TD. That is part of the reason Crossley reacts to go to the QB is because it can't be a pass. And that wasn't roughing the passer. And that was offensive PI on the pick play. That crap happens in road games against big teams. Everyone should be online reminding the committee that it was effectively a road game.

I'll close things up with this... that was an awesome college football game. Things like that are going to happen - it isn't going your way. And for 95% of the teams out there, when that happens, you crumble and you get killed. But not SMU. These guys kept fighting. Jennings kept his head up and kept fighting. That was an absolutely amazing performance. It was an away game - the crown was mostly Clemson, the stadium had Clemson colors at times. It was an away game against a massive program that is top 15 in the country. We lost turnovers 2-0. Lost penalties where they had none. We had a million drops. Clemson effectively played a perfect game on the evening. And it still took a last minute field goal to beat us. SMU has one hell of a football team, and anyone who actually watched that game knows that we should be in the playoffs. Even the media think it would be a travesty if we are left out. When they go through the list tomorrow, I bet that they keep Texas and Penn State in front of Notre Dame. If they do, that will be the first sign that we are in. If they drop Texas and Penn State behind Notre Dame, then they are going to use it to make a statement that teams can drop even if they lose the conference championship against a good team, and that won't bode well for SMU. Regardless of what happens, I'm just awestruck by this team and their competitiveness, and I'll be there regardless of where we play in bowl season to celebrate their greatness. That said, I am convinced that SMU is going to remain part of the playoffs. I'll see you in South Bend, Happy Valley, or Austin in two weeks.

[peruna81]

That said, I am convinced that SMU is going to remain part of the playoffs. I'll see you in South Bend, Happy Valley, or Austin in two weeks.
JasonB


From your mouth to the committee's ear. Thanks again for your evaluations.

[Charleston Pony]

We did not play well...period. Too many drops and Kevin looked like a 1st year QB early with the fumble and INT. Proud of the guys for fighting until the end but wish we had gone for two after getting to 31-30. I have to disagree on SMU getting in. Not at Alabama's expense. Their bad losses will be forgiven because they are the bigger brand, SMU just needs to keep winning year after year and get back to the Pony Express era reputation before we are going to catch a break. ESPN wants the teams that will bring the largest audiences and that's not SMU right now.

[Pony_law2]

Letting in Alabama over us is short term thinking from ESPN’s stand point. If that happens, there is a strong incentive to get rid of championship games. These games are worth a lot of money to espn and Happen every year.

[highlander]

We did not play well...period. Too many drops and Kevin looked like a 1st year QB early with the fumble and INT. Proud of the guys for fighting until the end but wish we had gone for two after getting to 31-30. I have to disagree on SMU getting in. Not at Alabama's expense. Their bad losses will be forgiven because they are the bigger brand, SMU just needs to keep winning year after year and get back to the Pony Express era reputation before we are going to catch a break. ESPN wants the teams that will bring the largest audiences and that's not SMU right now.

How would going for 2 have change anything? We would have lost by 2 instead of 3.

[highlander]

- BTW, if you haven't seen it, they did have offensive linemen downfield on the first TD. That is part of the reason Crossley reacts to go to the QB is because it can't be a pass. And that wasn't roughing the passer. And that was offensive PI on the pick play. That crap happens in road games against big teams. Everyone should be online reminding the committee that it was effectively a road game.

I went back and watched the first Clemson TD and you’re absolutely right. I saw at least two linemen who were 3-4 yards downfield, and they were run blocking. That looked like a designed run. Game changing non-call.

[TigerTown]

Congrats to the SMU family on a great season and game last night.

Both teams battled and showed why they're the best 2 in the league this year.

Both teams also can play better and make some noise in the playoffs.

The games yesterday showed there are no dominant teams this year.

Let's do it again in Atlanta next month!

[ponyfan_84]

I am still shocked after that ending. Great fight to get back in it and I agree with the points above. The first few minutes doomed them.

What was crazy to me is Clemson seemed to get all the breaks. The "RTP" that clearly wasn't (would like an explanation for that), when Klubnik ran for about 2 yards, fumbled then ball went forward 10 yards and recovered for a Clemson first down, the OPI that was picked up...zero turnovers too? Felt like everything went their way and we had way more drops too.

They're a good team and probably best we played all year.

All of experts and pundits are predicting SMU in based on last night and have seen a lot of positive vibes overall for the program afterwards. Fingers crossed the committee feels the same way.

Clemson fans were nice and they were LOUD. Even with a large chunk of the upper bowl empty, it was still an amazing atmosphere and a true home game for them.

Hopefully this is one of those games where they weren't ready for the experience but will be so moving forward if they make the playoffs. Wonderful 2nd half adjustments to get back in it.

[ponyte]

First quarter turnovers and penalties killed us. These mistakes gave Clemson excellent short field advantage. One thing Clemson couldn’t do the entire game was sustain drives. Short field was their only consistent chance to score. Once we cleaned up mistakes and made adjustments Clemson couldn’t consistently move the ball

The end of this game brought back unpleasant feelings from a Dec night in San Diego in 1980. A very tough loss for this team. I would bet they are itching to redeem themselves.

[MV pony]

There was a big time pass interference missed call on the interception. Clemson defender fully wrapped up Brashard as he was about to get smoked. Was clearly the #1 read for KJ. It was egregious from the stands. Refs missed it. Even tv crew missed it. Play proceeded with KJ throwing a pick. Huge turn.

[soccermom]

Not one to blame refs, but they couldn’t have been worse. The happy hour was packed & met some nice fellow Mustangs. I was a bit perturbed that Clemson fans were there, but…
Game atmosphere was so much fun. I hope those of you watching could hear us yelling. I was a bit ticked, too, that I read where we were the home team but C was on the home side & band played to them. Also, on our first TD, no fireworks or flashing lights but C had it done every time and what us up w/scoreboad showing C plays, etc after we scored. Although a home game for C, stadium should have been more neutral or at least celebrated both teams. Loved that our fans were a mixture of my age, older &students. Glad I went and proud of our team.

[jkflamebo]

Took body blows early, horrible officiating, key dropped passes....but what a come back. Incredible fight.

So frustrating our last kick off doesn't go thru the end zone for a touchback. Nor do we call a timeout to try to ice the kicker at the end. A bit puzzling but what a season.

We should be IN, no debate. LFG.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

SMU was ranked ahead of Alabama going into this conference championship weekend. The committee can’t punish SMU for losing by a 55 yd FG in the last few seconds.

Our kicker has been solid all season but wow what missed opportunities. Forget the missed FG, just get it through the end zone. I thought he had an NFL leg but that’s not really true.

Anyways, if we do get in, I think there’s a path to be a final four team because we would likely be in the bracket with Boise State or Az state. I would love a game in Austin or in PA. Don’t want to be in South Bend in December. We need good weather to maximize our offense.

[JasonB]

See you in Happy Valley .