Rice game predictions

[expony18]

The good news is that BLM will start against a weak team in front of a small crowd. If there are 20,000 people in attendance it will be a small miracle.

BLM probably played against similar sized crowds in HS. He, therefore, shouldn't suffer from big crowd jitters.

Is the speed of CUSA that much faster than 5A Texas HS? Probably but not to BCS standards.

So, I don't think he will be a total flop. He will suffer from not knowing the offense but hopefully he will get it quickly.

SMU 24
Rice 17

If our defense can hold Rice to 17 points we are in for a great season but I think Dillard alone scores more points than this.

wow thats bold... 3 tds for dillard in the first game of the season... hope you're wrong, unfortunately you may be right

[Sam I Am]

I have never understood why we have kept losing at Rice these many years. SMU should always be able to beat Rice, yet we don't. Way back when Hayden Fry started rebuilding the ponies in the SWC, his first goal was to beat the other three private schools. JJ was hired to work miracles, and it would be one if he wins our opening game. There is nothing except JJ to commend the ponies on the road against the Owls. Rather than worry about having an offense, let's see if JJ has produced a defense - because that has been our real problem lately. There are too many unknowns to predict a win this time, but I just can't give up and say we are going to lose either. My heart says Go Ponies. My head says not yet. SMU 10 Rice 17.

[Pony Soup]

I have never understood why we have kept losing at Rice these many years.

How about 4 plays from the ONE yardline OUT OF THE SHOTGUN FORMATION????????

[LA_Mustang]

I don't see how anyone can predict a win against a team we haven't beaten on the road in 20 years when we are starting a true freshman QB who hasn't taken a college snap?

[Pony Soup]

I don't see how anyone can predict a win against a team we haven't beaten on the road in 20 years when we are starting a true freshman QB who hasn't taken a college snap?

Well I just did.

[PerunaPunch]

I don't see how anyone can predict a win against a team we haven't beaten on the road in 20 years when we are starting a true freshman QB who hasn't taken a college snap?

Well I just did.

Ditto. I think the key to this game will be turnovers. If BLM throws two picks or less we win. Three picks or more, we lose. So I'm hoping for a win.

The D will be much improved. The sad thing is that we could probably win this game with the new D and the old O. Let's hope the learning curve on O is sufficient that the turnovers are kept to a minimum, and the offense is able to sustain some drives.

[Stallion]

17-10? Rice averaged about 43 ppg during the last month of the season and has just about everybody back on offense. Plus they had a horrible defense. This game is going higher than that. Seriously was there a single CUSA game last year where both teams didn't score 27 points?

[jtstang]

I have never understood why we have kept losing at Rice these many years.

How about 4 plays from the ONE yardline OUT OF THE SHOTGUN FORMATION????????

Think that's gonna change with Jones?

[One Trick Pony]

In a concerted effort to post only positive reinforcement. I will be elated with a win, and not surprised with a loss. One thing for sure, baptism under fire, win or loose.

[pony warrior]

WE win 35-21...

[FragileBill]

Ponies 26
Barn Crappers 24

[chillinfool]

I have a feeling JJ will run the ball more than expected to keep the pressure of BLM, and the RB's will have a good game, but still think Rice will win by at least 2 TD's. I'd of been much more confidant if JW was named the starter.

[MustangLaxer]

SMU 52
Fried Rice 45

[ponydawg]

I have never understood why we have kept losing at Rice these many years.

How about 4 plays from the ONE yardline OUT OF THE SHOTGUN FORMATION????????

Think that's gonna change with Jones?

Yes, we won't NEED 4 plays from the one yardline....HEY-OHHHHHH!

[BobcatJh]

For those of you who do not give SMU much of a chance against Rice:

Rice was terrible last season. David Bailiff used to be our coach at Texas State. He won in 2005 with our former coach Matsakis's recruits (such as Barrick Nealy). Bailiff is a great recruiter, but a below average football coach. Rice could not even beat Nicholls State in its opener last season!

I think you guys have better than a 50/50 chance of pulling off this win, despite starting a true freshman at quarterback.