Who's afraid of the big bad cougar?

[Dooby]

One thing I wonder about Houston is the new offense. Sonny Dykes hasn't lit the world on fire implementing Leach's offense in Arizona. Not 100% convinced it will work in Houston, either.

[jtstang]

I agree with ponyte. I am concerned about our defense.

Also, before we start throwing rocks at our conference mates, shouldn't we go ahead and win our second game in two seasons, and first conference game in three?

Why would one be concerned if one has no expectations?

I have hopes, and I am concerned that my hopes will be left unfulfilled.

[ponyte]

I agree with ponyte. I am concerned about our defense.

Also, before we start throwing rocks at our conference mates, shouldn't we go ahead and win our second game in two seasons, and first conference game in three?

Why would one be concerned if one has no expectations?

I have hopes, and I am concerned that my hopes will be left unfulfilled.

Let's hope that our defense makes dramatic improvements or our concerns about an unfulfilled season will be realized beyond even the meager expectations of others.

[NTXCoog]

One thing I wonder about Houston is the new offense. Sonny Dykes hasn't lit the world on fire implementing Leach's offense in Arizona. Not 100% convinced it will work in Houston, either.

That is an interesting point since Arizona was 67th in yards per game last year. A counter argument would be that there was a 130 yard per game increase over the prior year and the ranking improved from 115th to 67th. That is an amazing improvement.

Obviously UH isn't going for much of an improvement since we were 4th last year. How much of an improvement does SMU expect under Jones? You were 37th last year which is respectable. Do you expect to be where Hawaii was last year at #3?

[ponyte]

One thing I wonder about Houston is the new offense. Sonny Dykes hasn't lit the world on fire implementing Leach's offense in Arizona. Not 100% convinced it will work in Houston, either.

That is an interesting point since Arizona was 67th in yards per game last year. A counter argument would be that there was a 130 yard per game increase over the prior year and the ranking improved from 115th to 67th. That is an amazing improvement.

Obviously UH isn't going for much of an improvement since we were 4th last year. How much of an improvement does SMU expect under Jones? You were 37th last year which is respectable. Do you expect to be where Hawaii was last year at #3?

We have no expectations. We hope we are better than Hawaii last year. But in the long run, most do not feel our offense is our big issue. Most hope that our defense improves from pathetic to merely mediocre. If our defense improves to mediocre, then perhaps UH’s offense has to work a little harder to make that #4 ranking two years in a row.

[Dooby]

One thing I wonder about Houston is the new offense. Sonny Dykes hasn't lit the world on fire implementing Leach's offense in Arizona. Not 100% convinced it will work in Houston, either.

That is an interesting point since Arizona was 67th in yards per game last year. A counter argument would be that there was a 130 yard per game increase over the prior year and the ranking improved from 115th to 67th. That is an amazing improvement.

Obviously UH isn't going for much of an improvement since we were 4th last year. How much of an improvement does SMU expect under Jones? You were 37th last year which is respectable. Do you expect to be where Hawaii was last year at #3?

That's a very good point, NTXCoog. That was a dramatic improvement. I hadn't looked it up before, but the there was a 11 point per game improvement as well. So, maybe it will work fine. I am just asking the question.

To answer yours, I would be shocked if SMU isn't in the top 15 in yds per game. Of course, that is only a difference of 30 yards per game. The far more important questions are (i) will they translate into points and (2) Will the defense stop anybody?

[RednBlue11]

older ladies dont scare me

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

older ladies dont scare me

Unless they look like Kathy Bates!

[RednBlue11]

older ladies dont scare me

Unless they look like Kathy Bates!

touche

[PerunaPunch]

One thing I wonder about Houston is the new offense. Sonny Dykes hasn't lit the world on fire implementing Leach's offense in Arizona. Not 100% convinced it will work in Houston, either.

That is an interesting point since Arizona was 67th in yards per game last year. A counter argument would be that there was a 130 yard per game increase over the prior year and the ranking improved from 115th to 67th. That is an amazing improvement.

Obviously UH isn't going for much of an improvement since we were 4th last year. How much of an improvement does SMU expect under Jones? You were 37th last year which is respectable. Do you expect to be where Hawaii was last year at #3?

I would be shocked if SMU isn't in the top 15 in yds per game. Of course, that is only a difference of 30 yards per game. The far more important questions are (i) will they translate into points and (2) Will the defense stop anybody?

I think almost everyone is assuming that with JJ in here, the offense is going to go ballistic. But I think that may be a bit premature. With Willis under center the last two years, we've had a fairly prolific offense (even if we couldn't ever make 4th & goal from the 1), but now the offense is starting over from scratch. In addition, we lost 3 key members off last year's OL, and the new OL is being completely revamped both in terms of scheme and personnel.

On the other side of the ball, I do think the defense will be improved across the board.

We played Houston pretty tough last year, and two years ago we were about two fingers away from dropping Kolb for a safety and winning that game.

But there are just too many variables to speak with any degree of certainty. But right now, I think you'd have to give the definite advantage to the Coogs. Hopefully that'll change in a couple of weeks (after Rice).