Big Hill To Climb On Hilltop

[Stallion]

UNIVERSITY PARK – If you're an SMU fan looking for some kind of historical perspective after Monday's 49-9 loss to Texas Tech, at least the action didn't continue after the game ended.

Phil Bennett didn't demand an explanation from Mike Leach like he did the last time the Raiders played at Gerald Ford Stadium.

And before that fracas ensued, the Mustangs had lost by a mere two touchdowns.

Civility continues to be on the rise between these two old rivals. But as improvements go, it appears to be all that's on the upswing for SMU at the moment.

Forecasts called for the Mustangs to be Conference USA contenders. One publication even indicated this could be the Hilltop's best team since 1984.

But who else believes in the Mustangs? SMU fans? Where were they for the opener to such a promising season?

Colleges

Blog: Colleges

Texas Tech 49, SMU 9

Harrell hassles SMU

Sherrington: SMU's climb

Crabtree shines in debut

Photos: Tech-SMU

Notebook | Summary

Schedules: Tech | SMU

More: Tech | SMU
Officials projected a sell-out, which certainly seemed reasonable. The game came up 6,000 short. And if it hadn't been for Tech fans, the stadium would have been three-quarters empty.

Maybe the rainy forecast kept them home. Maybe they were still at the lake.

Maybe they're just not convinced.

Bottom line: SMU needs to beat a team that its fans know and maybe loathe to make them believe.

Hey, Justin Willis: Was this a statement game for SMU?

"Could have been," Willis said. "Could have been a big statement game."

The Mustangs didn't necessarily need to beat Tech. Bennett is now 0-for-11 against Big 12 teams, so the results weren't exactly shocking.

But unless Tech continues to pile up points and stuff opponents, this appears to have been an opportunity missed, and badly.

The Raiders have four new starters in the offensive line and returned only five starters on defense.

Everything about Tech going into this season had '08 written all over it.

But tell that to Graham Harrell after he completed 44 of 59 passes for 419 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

You could almost hear Harrell checking off receivers as he stood in the pocket, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, encircled by his massive young line.

Not once was he sacked. Only occasionally was he pressured. He didn't remember taking a single hit.

"I thought we did a good job," Harrell said, "but we can do a lot better."

Harrell was terrific, and he was lucky, too. He has a little Tony Romo in him. Always trying to make a play when the odds aren't especially in his favor.

Twice he floated balls that had all the zip of helium-filled balloons.

"One of those throws looked like a punt," Bennett said.

And what happens on those two passes? A pair of first downs.

Meanwhile, Willis couldn't take advantage of a Tech defense that hasn't been good even when it's been experienced.

Besides completing just 15 of 33 passes for 138 yards, he was picked off twice. Someone also needs to pull him over and tell him he's the franchise. Stick the ball in DeMyron Martin's stomach. At 6-2, 230 pounds, he's better suited for the job description.

As it was, Martin only carried eight times for 37 yards, which isn't nearly enough action.

Bennett said Martin would have run it more had the game remained close. But that's the problem when you play Tech. You have to outscore them, and you have to control the clock. If you can't run, your chances aren't so hot at either.

Not against a team that throws at will like Tech does. Bennett should know that by now. These guys wake up throwing. That's why Leach went for it three straight times in the closing seconds the last time they played at Ford Stadium. He isn't trying to run up the score. Any opportunity to put the ball in play is simply a lab experiment with him.

Unfortunately for SMU, the first test is over, and we have an idea of who the Mustangs really are.

Can they still be C-USA contenders? Absolutely. But they have a long way to go from here.

Good news: Up this week is a North Texas team that, in the words of SMU linebacker Wilton McCray, probably is looking at this as a statement game of its own.

"We're fixing to play a team that just got stoned like we did," Bennett said. "Probably worse."

Nice to know at least one of the locals won't get pounded this week.

[Stallion]

Big 12 v. SMU 11-0
Big 12 v. TCU 1-9

Now what's the difference between the two programs?

[mavsrage311]

Big 12 v. SMU 11-0
Big 12 v. TCU 1-9

Now what's the difference between the two programs?

I don't know but then how the @!#% did we beat TCU a couple years ago? Thats what I want to know. I applaud all our faithful that'll make the game in Fort Worth this year, I think the Froggies will be out for blood after our last game against them

[SWC2010]

Big 12 v. SMU 11-0
Big 12 v. TCU 1-9

Now what's the difference between the two programs?

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Interesting stat, I must agree.