Stats for this season: How would this sound

[RGV Pony]

What would you think if JWill, or whomever our QB is, went say 381 for 543, with 3800 yards and a QB rating of 139? What if Sanders or another WR caught 81 balls and had 11 TDs or more?

Sounds pretty good...but what is proposed above is exactly the stats for New Mexico State last year. Their 'O' aired it out, but they had no D. This despite a former SEC head coach as their D coordinator. Their 4-9 record included losses such as 58-0 and 51-13, not to mention a 50-13 loss to Hawaii.

Not unlike SMU's struggles last year, it's clear that a high powered O doesn't necessarily mean W's. I'm as excited about JJ as anyone, but I really want to hear about some improvement on D. Rodney Peete had an interesting quote about the R&S in Detroit...they scored plenty of points, but almost scored too quickly, leaving the defense (their own) unprepared and unable to keep up.

[Buddha]

Scoring "too quickly" is impossible. Points count the same, whether they're scored on one play or on a 15-play drive. If the defense can't recover that fast, the team needs to recruit more quality depth on that side of the ball.

[Dooby]

Not the greatest example. Mumme has issues. He has also had three seasons and won no more than 4 games in any of those. Last season, two of their victories were against I-AA teams. They actually had the 35th ranked offense in terms of yards (averaging just over one more yard per game than SMU last season). They actually had the 87th ranked scoring offense (SMU was 54th). They ranked 34th in time of possession, holding the ball over 30 minutes a game. New Mexico State did not score too quickly; they didn't score enough.

To counter you point, there is no better example than Tulsa. Number one offense in terms of yards; number six offense in terms of points. 108th total defense. And 91st in terms of time of possession. Tulsa won 10 games last season.

Also, there is Texas Tech. Number two offense in terms of yards; number seven offense in terms of points. 45th total defense. And 104th in terms of time of possession. Tech won 9 games last season.

Then, of course, look at Hawaii. Number three offense in terms of yards; number one offfense in terms of points. 34th ranked total defense. And 110th in terms of time of possession.

These are three teams that flung the ball around and racked up a lot of points and did so very quickly. None of them had elite defenses, and one, Tulsa's, was downright pathetic. Still, each won at least nine games.

[jtstang]

Like RGV, I too am worried about our defense. We lost the best players on a squad that gave up 87.3 yards per play against NTSU last year.

[RednBlue11]

ok even at our worst we are better than NMSU

[CalallenStang]

50-13 loss to Hawaii. Apparently, JJ doesn't neglect the defense. Next.

[smu diamond m]

50-13 loss to Hawaii. Apparently, JJ doesn't neglect the defense. Next.

Touche, calal

[jtstang]

50-13 loss to Hawaii. Apparently, JJ doesn't neglect the defense. Next.

Oh, I didn't mean to suggest he'd neglect it. I'm sure he's looked it over and is quite worried too.

[SmooBoy]

Giving up 40 ppg and 500 ypg should cause one concern.