Replay Observations

[Stallion]

Just got thru watching the CSTV paying special attention to the passing game-counted off the time Willis had to deliver the ball

1) SMU offense is 75-80% effective when the ball is released in 3 seconds-which was the case during most of the first half
2) Willis rarely gets more than 3 seconds to make a play. 4 sacks, about 8 knockdowns and about 20 hurries-SMU's offensive line was just abused from the mid Third Q on. BTW some of those second string OLM that everybody thought would be great this year never entered the ballgame. Mmm. Lack of Depth even though SMU's linemen were spent.
3) Willis last nite could not step up into the pocket because it was quite clear that TCU used a containment technique where the DLM were told to retain their rushing lanes. On very few plays was it possible to step up because although the DEs did the most damage the DTs made a push up front.
4) Even on the replay its hard to tell about the WRs because they only show the WRs when the pass is released.
5) TCU did a great job containing Willis on pass plays lasting more than 3 seconds. Their Defensive ends showed great quickness and also Indicates good coverage-and TCU does have some great athletes in the defensive secondary.

The good news is we aren't playing anybody with the defensive talent TCU has. Outstanding physical talent on defensive with size, speed and quickness at every single position on the field. Recruiting matters

[ALEX LIFESON]

Kenard Burley was schooled all night.

[mavsrage311]

Kenard Burley was schooled all night.

Pretty much...

Tommy Blake gets all the cred, but Chase Ortiz is a pretty good football player

[Stallion]

it was Ortiz that made most of the plays. I thought I heard on the replay that Blake only played 15 snaps or so. Jerry Hughes made a couple of those plays from the other DE slot.

[regis]

After seeing it again, I still don't know why we didn't go for the field goal at the end of the first half. Those extra three points would have made a WORLD of difference in the fourth quarter.

Down 21-10, we could have kicked again when we got close with 8 mins to go to make it a one score game.

Instead, we were down two TDs which made us have to go for it on 4th down again.

(Of course, if Lowery catches that ball in the end zone we would have acheived the same effect.)

But I think you should take any points when you can get them, especially in the first half. Morestead is the best kicker in the league and the best we've had since I've been here. We should let him show us why.

[Stallion]

prediction for this week is that Jordan Johnson will become a much bigger part of the DE rotation. I bet he gets a significant opportunity this week. When you start adding pieces to the puzzle like Elizze at DT and Jordan Johnson at DE SMU will have an opportunity to match up physically and athletically on defense with more teams. Jordan made two straight outstanding plays I believe with about 10:00 to go in the 4th Q but I didn't notice him much on the field other than that one series. I believe he forced an option on the first play forcing the QB to cut upfield right into the DT-should have gotten an assisted tackle but didn't. On the very next play made a very impressive speed rush around the OT getting his hand on the flat footed QB and allowing another player to finish him off. Didn't get credited with a tackle on either play but he disrupted TCU's play both times. That's exactly what Ortiz, Hughes, Blake and the other TCU DEs were doing to SMU all night. We really need some more disruption from the other DE spot opposite Muse.

[George S. Patton]

After seeing it again, I still don't know why we didn't go for the field goal at the end of the first half. Those extra three points would have made a WORLD of difference in the fourth quarter.

Down 21-10, we could have kicked again when we got close with 8 mins to go to make it a one score game.

Instead, we were down two TDs which made us have to go for it on 4th down again.

(Of course, if Lowery catches that ball in the end zone we would have acheived the same effect.)

But I think you should take any points when you can get them, especially in the first half. Morestead is the best kicker in the league and the best we've had since I've been here. We should let him show us why.

We debated the field goal vs. the first down in the first half, and I definitely see your point. Morstead would have had to kick a 41 or 42-yarder -- definitely in his range.

Again, your argument is more valid based on how much the coaches screwed that up.

As for Lowery, I realize that's a difficult ball, but you have to catch that. No excuses. Programs that win and find ways to win make those plays. We have to make those plays.

[Corso]

Ben Poynter did a very good job. Blake didn't play a ton of snaps, but he also didn't have a sack or even a solo tackle.
Kudos to Big Ben.

[D]

Quick question on the replay Stallion. Was the fumble in the 4th quarter on the TCU sideline actually recovered in bounds by the TCU player? At the game, it looked like he was out of bounds when he got possession which should have kept our drive alive. Would be interested to see if CSTV gave a better angle than what we got in the stands or on the replay board.

[Stallion]

Three issues on that play:
1)I'm completely at a loss to understand how they upheld the ruling on the field on the sideline ruling. Unless they had a different angle-the TCU man looked like a large part of his body was touching the out of bounds line when the recovery was made. It wasn't even close.
2)The catch/fumble issue was close enough that I could see how they upheld the call on the field.
3)I don't think Lowery was down as he lost control while turning upfield.

Pretty much the consensus in the TV booth

[D]

Three issues on that play:
1)I'm completely at a loss to understand how they upheld the ruling on the field on the sideline ruling. Unless they had a different angle-the TCU man looked like a large part of his body was touching the out of bounds line when the recovery was made. It wasn't even close.
2)The catch/fumble issue was close enough that I could see how they upheld the call on the field.
3)I don't think Lowery was down as he lost control while turning upfield.

Pretty much the consensus in the TV booth

Thought the same thing that it probably couldn't be overturned that it wasn't a catch and that he wasn't down when he fumbled. Being out of bounds when you recover the ball is the ridiculous thing. How could that stand? Is there some rule I don't know about?

I think that side judge missed 4 or 5 calls that were pretty material - this one was obviously the worst. He did give us a bonus on the PI in the first half though - didn't think that ball was catchable - although he may not have been the one that threw the flag (it may have been the back judge).

[D]

Other question, what was up with the block in the back or holding call on the punt return that ended up being about a 30+ yard penalty in the 4th quarter. The infraction happened around midfield. Was that the right call? Should they have marked it off from where the punt was received?

[mrydel]

Other question, what was up with the block in the back or holding call on the punt return that ended up being about a 30+ yard penalty in the 4th quarter. The infraction happened around midfield. Was that the right call? Should they have marked it off from where the punt was received?

They said that since it was a holding call it was to be marked from the point of catch.

As far as the Lowery fumble, I saw the opposite of Stallion. I say it was very clear that there never was possession so it should have been an incomplete call. I did, however, think the recovery took place barely in bounds, by grabbing the ball just before the shoulder hit. I guess that is why they just called it as originally called.

[PK]

What about the non-call pass interference towards the end of the 4th qtr. on about the TCU 10 yd line. The TCU DB was climbing up our receivers back long before the ball got there. That would have been a first down and kept that drive alive. I was livid after that...it was so blatant , but totally ignored by the officials.

[mrydel]

What about the non-call pass interference towards the end of the 4th qtr. on about the TCU 10 yd line. The TCU DB was climbing up our receivers back long before the ball got there. That would have been a first down and kept that drive alive. I was livid after that...it was so blatant , but totally ignored by the officials.

Living in Arkansas and having to listen to them still complain about "THE CALL" against them in our NC year, I refuse to let a pass interference call be used as an excuse for losing a game no matter how blatant it may have been.