Sophomore Slumps

by **J.T.supporta** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:32 pm

Some of you have said or felt as if JW has been regressing in his 2nd year after a somewhat HUGE freshman season. We all know that DM had a sophomore slump last year after almost setting the SMU record for rushing yards by a freshman. Willis' numbers are good but dont really compare to last years numbers (i.e. Win:Loss ratio)

11 of the top 100 QBs last year were freshman:

Juice Williams, Corey Leonard, Josh Freeman, Thaddeus Lewis, Matt Grothe, Matt Stafford, Colt McCoy, Nate Davis, Dan LeFevour, Riley Skinner, and Justin Willis.

At the halfway point in the season right now, all of them are racking up better stats then last year but JW seems to be the only one in a true slump with only 1 win right now.

Lets face it, Justin is getting the majority of the offensive production headed his way. Hes on pace for a 20-20 season (TD-INT), 30 sacks, and over 400 attempts.

The Interceptions, lower number of TDs, lower completion and passer rating so signs of a sophomore slump but JW is on pace to throw for 3000 yards, nearly 1000 more than last year.

I ms like he j say that JW is regressing but it seems like he just wasnt ready to handle the bulk load of work hes getting.

Of the 2800 total yards of offense SMU has gained over the season, Willis accounts for over 2000 of those yards. hes our leading passer and rusher. i.e. the team it seems.

The kid just wasnt ready to handle the bulk of the offense...he needs the rushing game to be established in order to win games.

by **mrydel** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:36 pm

I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

by **J.T.supporta** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:38 pm

yes i totally agree. i dont feel as if hes the type of QB that will beat you with his arm on every down. lets not wear JW down where he wont be any good for us later.

by **chillinfool** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:02 pm

I won't waster my time researching this but I bet none of the other 10 QB's named play on a team where the defense gives up 500+ yards and 30+ points a game?

JW's number have not been as good as last year but that doesn't mean he's in a slump. There are many factors including playcalling, having to play from behind, offense one dimensional so the defense blitzes, etc.
I believe he has matured and gained some valuable experience this year, and will only improve. Like they said on the Fox telecast, he's going to be the heart and soul of SMU football for the next 2 years. And you can't argue how well he did on the last drive on Saturday, there are many QB's who couldn't have pulled that off with no timeouts.

I know some UT fans that'll argue McCoy is having a sophomore slump though his numbers are better, but the team as a whole isn't.

by **J.T.supporta** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:37 pm

[quote="chillinfool"]I won't waster my time researching this but I bet none of the other 10 QB's named play on a team where the defense gives up 500+ yards and 30+ points a game? [/quote]

only looked it up because i was bored but Thaddeus Lewis of Duke is the answer to that question. and we all know Duke is horrible.

but of all those Sophomore QBs, Lewis is the only one putting up better numbers in every passing category. and like SMU, duke is 1-6

by **bigdaddy08091** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:14 pm

mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

by **abezontar** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:16 pm

bigdaddy08091 wrote:
mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

You think he would be good on the defensive side of the ball? What position?

by **Statler** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:18 pm

bigdaddy08091 wrote:
mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

WoW! Seems PB wasn't telling the truth on the post-game radio show. He said that they were going to be in pads practicing tackling at that at least at Tulsa they would know how to tackle.

He also said in the post game that it was not just the players for not tackling, but the coaches and himself for not getting the players ready.

by **Stallion** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:24 pm

I think that as mentioned by someone on here before-every sport has a mandatory off day during the week. I just read that about Basketball-probably the same for Football.

by PK » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:24 pm

Darth Mustang wrote:He also said in the post game that it was not just the players for not tackling, but the coaches and himself for not getting the players ready.

He says that after every game...the truth of that statement would be reason enough for dismissal.

by **mrydel** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:31 pm

bigdaddy08091 wrote:
mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

If we are at 1-7 I would rest him. We need to have a 2nd team QB with some playing experience. Rhodes has taken 2 snaps this year. One hand off and one dropped snap. If something were to happen to Willis in the future I do not want someone with total inexperience. Now if we beat Tulsa, I agree that we play Willis until we lose a game. But after the next loss get some experience with anyone that is not redshirting including the QB.

by **bigdaddy08091** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:45 pm

abezontar wrote:
bigdaddy08091 wrote:
mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

You think he would be good on the defensive side of the ball? What position?

He has played safety and corner in the past, but this is college football. If he gets a chamce at the next level, it could possibly be as a DB.

by **bigdaddy08091** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:48 pm

Stallion wrote:I think that as mentioned by someone on here before-every sport has a mandatory off day during the week. I just read that about Basketball-probably the same for Football.

Maybe for on the field/court practice. You can be in the weight room, training room, and film room 24/7.

by **bigdaddy08091** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:57 pm

mrydel wrote:
bigdaddy08091 wrote:
mrydel wrote:I would just like them to give him a rest every now and then so he does not get broken in two.

He is resting today, along with the rest of the team and coaches, which is hard for me to believe. 1-6 and we take a day off? On game days his [deleted] needs to be on the field for every play and every down.

If we are at 1-7 I would rest him. We need to have a 2nd team QB with some playing experience. Rhodes has taken 2 snaps this year. One hand off and one dropped snap. If something were to happen to Willis in the future I do not want someone with total inexperience. Now if we beat Tulsa, I agree that we play Willis until we lose a game. But after the next loss get some experience with anyone that is not redshirting including the QB.

I say, we play the best people we have every play, every down until the season ends. That is the exchange? Work your butt off in exchange for one of the most prestigious educations in the country. If you break a leg or something, you can still limp around and make 100k a year, if not more.

by **Hoop Fan** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:12 pm

Willis is a stud and we are lucky to have him. The only good news about this debacle of a season is that Willis probably knows Bennett cant be retained and he wont be making any more threats to transfer if Bennett is let go.... at least i hope not. I like a player having loyalty to his coach.

Sophomore Slumps

Sophomore Slumps

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