Sports Network Preview

[perunapower]

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 21st, 3:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (43,000) -- Greenville, North Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: SMU 3-0, East Carolina 2-2. Away Record: SMU 1-3, East Carolina 0-2. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, East Carolina 0-0. Conference Record: SMU 2-1, East Carolina 1-2. Series Record: East Carolina leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: For just the second time ever, the SMU Mustangs and East Carolina Pirates will meet on the gridiron, as the two are set for a Conference-USA clash in Greenville. SMU is coming off a 31-21 win over Marshall, the team's fourth win in the last five games. Following Saturday's contest, SMU will play three straight at home, where the Mustangs are 3-0 on the season. ECU was not so lucky its last time out, dropping a 31-10 decision to Tulsa. The Pirates enter this game all alone in fourth place in the conference's East Division. Saturday's game will be the last of a lengthy five- game homestand for ECU. These two teams met for the first time last October, with ECU earning a 24-17 win.

SMU coach Phil Bennett has seen his team's offense really hit it's stride in recent weeks. Over the last five games the Mustangs are averaging a potent 37.6 ppg. Not surprisingly, SMU has won most of those contests rather convincingly. Last week against Marshall, redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Willis came into his own. Willis had been on the bench following the loss to UTEP, but the youngster came off the pine to complete 20-of-23 touchdown passes and throw four touchdowns. A confident, poised Willis spells bad news for opposing defenses which means the ECU coaching staff must scheme well to get pressure on Willis.

In addition to the offense, the SMU defense does several things very well. For one, it leads the conference and ranks 16th nationally in run defense, giving up a mere 86 ypg on the ground. The Mustangs also lead the conference in sacks and tackles for loss. Defensive back Devin Lowery is the reigning Conference USA Player of the Week following his performance against Marshall. Lowery was all over the field in that game, finishing with a remarkable three interceptions. Lowery, it should be noted, is playing in his first season as a defensive back after switching from wide receiver in the spring.

The ECU offense was stuck in neutral against Tulsa, as the Pirates came away with only 241 total yards and 10 points. Quarterback James Pinkney could not find many open windows in Tulsa's secondary, as the Pirates' signal-caller finished with a modest 92 yards passing on 13 completions. Coach Skip Holtz will have to get back to the drawing board with Pinkney in order to get his quarterback's confidence back to where it had been all season. Pinkney is averaging a much more respectable 227 passing yards per game. Brandon Fractious (249 yards, one touchdown) and Chris Johnson (201 yards, three TDs) share time in the backfield.

When the ECU defense gets burned, it is usually against the run. Currently, the team checks in all the way down at 110th in the nation in run defense, as opponents are averaging 193 ypg on the ground. Tulsa took full advantage last week, rushing for 234 yards en route to an easy win. Because Tulsa was able to control the line of scrimmage and prolong drives, the Pirates found themselves in a 15:00-minute disadvantage in time of possession. Such a trend has plagued the Pirates all season and coach Holtz must make the necessary adjustments to fix the problem and allow his defense some much needed rest.

SMU seems to play much better at home, so this road game presents a challenge for the Mustangs. That said, the Mustangs will want to get their running game going early against this porous defense in order to take some pressure off Willis.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 27, East Carolina 17

[smu diamond m]

Unlike last week, not a bad write up. If dmart is playing, he will destroy their dline. If not, Mapps Dorsey and Fitz should easily pick up the slack. Not to mention Willis' pretty damn good passing game as of late...

[J.T.supporta]

I sure hope you are right. They were able to hold Steve "Heisman Hopeful" Slaton to his first sub 100 yard game of the year. (80) Yards on 24 carries.

That might mean nothing but Steve Slaton is a beast on the ground.

I see Willis having another banner day thru the air and Mapps having another huge game.

[Big10Ponyfan]

Just keep in mind their team looks a little different now then it did against West Virginia because of their injuries, and they were jacked up to play them.

That said they will be gunning for us because of homecoming and they want to rebound after getting smoked by Tulsa. I would think this environment will be probably be tougher than El Paso, even if it's not sold out. This could be THE signature win of the year if we get it.

I feel like this is an out-of-body experience with all of these web services picking us. Talk is cheap. Let's do it on the field.