After that game...

[mrydel]

I think (merely an opinion, not a smart [deleted] know it all statement) that what we saw in Rice is what we could have had with Willis at QB this year. Rice will do ok but when they run up against defenses better than ours (the rest of their schedule) they will suffer from having a QB that leads their team in rushing. Clement can pass and Dillard can catch and Thor can move from place to place, but when it all comes to the final score, Rice scored almost as much on us last year (more if you take out the defensive scores this year) and they still only won 3 games last year. I think this is why Jones has the philosophy of the QB passing first, second and third, and not running. Other teams will take away Clement as a runner and then we will see what Rice has to offer. No predictions, just thoughts.

[TheJumpShooter]

Wow -- there are some real idiots on this board, I mean some absolute football morons.

What you witnessed on Friday night had nothing to do with being outcoached. Mason and the defensive coaches for SMU weren't outschemed or taken to school. It had to do with one thing and one thing only: players.

Rice was - I can't beleive I'm about to say this about the Owl program with regard to any other D-IA team - physically superior to SMU. They pushed SMU's defensive front around. It was like JV vs. varsity.

I really believe that some on this board think that the black cloud hanging over the SMU program only relates to the hiring of coaches, their knowledge of the game and their motivational skills.

"Man, if we could just hire some coaches that can motivate the boys, we'd be able to go to a bowl. Or "Gosh, if we just had coaches that could make some adjustments, that I would make if I weren't sitting in the stands we would be able to compete in Conference USA."

What it boils do to is players. SMU had a ton of guys out there on Friday night that weren't physically ready to be playing even at the C-USA level. That is why SMu got routed by four TDs.

It comes down to talent and recruiting. The team that has the better players wins the great majority of college games. It ain't the Xs and the Os, its the Jimmys and the Joes.

If you are going to be critical of this coaching staff, wait until they have had a chance to bring some players into the program. They'll need to seriously improve SMU's recruiting for the Mustangs to get better.

[cs09viking]

Wow -- there are some real idiots on this board, I mean some absolute football morons.

What you witnessed on Friday night had nothing to do with being outcoached. Mason and the defensive coaches for SMU weren't outschemed or taken to school. It had to do with one thing and one thing only: players.

Rice was - I can't beleive I'm about to say this about the Owl program with regard to any other D-IA team - physically superior to SMU. They pushed SMU's defensive front around. It was like JV vs. varsity.

I really believe that some on this board think that the black cloud hanging over the SMU program only relates to the hiring of coaches, their knowledge of the game and their motivational skills.

"Man, if we could just hire some coaches that can motivate the boys, we'd be able to go to a bowl. Or "Gosh, if we just had coaches that could make some adjustments, that I would make if I weren't sitting in the stands we would be able to compete in Conference USA."

What it boils do to is players. SMU had a ton of guys out there on Friday night that weren't physically ready to be playing even at the C-USA level. That is why SMu got routed by four TDs.

It comes down to talent and recruiting. The team that has the better players wins the great majority of college games. It ain't the Xs and the Os, its the Jimmys and the Joes.

If you are going to be critical of this coaching staff, wait until they have had a chance to bring some players into the program. They'll need to seriously improve SMU's recruiting for the Mustangs to get better.

i agree...very well said.

[San Antonio Mustang]

I will only add that most of the defensive players seemed to forget what they learned in middle school about tackling. Fundamentals, Fundamentals, and more Fundamentals are needed. Even when they were in position too many times they just jump on the back and ride them down 3 to 8 yards down the feel or it is just an arm tackle that is broken.

The camp reports kept talking about tackling drills and I thought this coaching staff was addressing a problem that we had in the past, but it still is not solved. Bell and Yenga were so refreshing because they showed they know how to tackle.

[Stallion]

One Additional Point

2007/2008 Starting Lineup:


LDE Handy-Dizer X
DT Leonard-Elizee X
DT Parham-Handy X
DE Muse-Sowe X
LB Bonilla-Fleps X
LB Hawkins-Smart X
LB McCray-Jackson X
CB McCann-McCann Check
FS Haynes/Jones-Banjo X
SS Hudman-Dennis X
CB Lindley-Bell X



What kinda of Division 1A Football program completely changes its defensive starting lineup in a single year. I've been trying to emphasize this point all preseason but no one seems to pay attention. This is EXTREMELY unusual. I pointed out in just every defensive analysis that this would be a huge problem and to expect them to struggle early in the year. This problem is exacerbated by Jones refusal to play tackle football in Spring and Summer workout. Players have never played at their positions or with their teammates-lack of defensive coordination-and that's exactly what it looked like last Friday Nite. I stand by my prediction that they will improve later in the year.

[Stallion]

OK I'm going to keep BUMPING this post until someone acknowledges my penetrating analysis, mastery of defensive deficiencies and keen understanding of one of the most underappreciated reasons for our dismal defensive performance on Friday. You can't solve a puzzle w/o working with the pieces for awhile. SMU's Defense will improve-I said repeatedly it would struggle early in the season for this very reason. Do you guys realize how lucky you are to have me analyze these problems for you?

[RGV Pony]

OK I'm going to keep BUMPING this post until someone acknowledges my penetrating analysis, mastery of defensive deficiencies and keen understanding of one of the most underappreciated reasons for our dismal defensive performance on Friday.

what, that we already had a defense that sucked and most, if not all of the starters were new starters, and we haven't really had a secondary in awhile-save for maybe McCann-and that Dennis was an unknown at safety, and that aside from Elizee we didn't really know what we had a DT other than a light but strong Patrick Handy?

I think you allude to it in your "not playing tackle football" post; if so consider this an endorsement...the week before I was surprised to not see a single day in full pads (that I can recall). I think they did walkthrough and film Monday, shells Tuesday and Wed and walkthrough Thursday.

[PonySnob]

All that tackling they was done during practice in the Phil Bennett error sure helped while he was the coach!!

[mrydel]

OK I'm going to keep BUMPING this post until someone acknowledges my penetrating analysis, mastery of defensive deficiencies and keen understanding of one of the most underappreciated reasons for our dismal defensive performance on Friday. You can't solve a puzzle w/o working with the pieces for awhile. SMU's Defense will improve-I said repeatedly it would struggle early in the season for this very reason. Do you guys realize how lucky you are to have me analyze these problems for you?

Kind of like saying Willis is too short to be a D-1 QB.

[03Mustang]

OK I'm going to keep BUMPING this post until someone acknowledges my penetrating analysis, mastery of defensive deficiencies and keen understanding of one of the most underappreciated reasons for our dismal defensive performance on Friday. You can't solve a puzzle w/o working with the pieces for awhile. SMU's Defense will improve-I said repeatedly it would struggle early in the season for this very reason. Do you guys realize how lucky you are to have me analyze these problems for you?

Good thing this is a long weekend. You've got an extra day to ice your shoulder strain from patting yourself on the back.

Anyway, I actually do think you've got a point. It's no difference than the difficulties that expansion teams have at any level in any sport - familiarity and experience playing together are as important as anything.

[chillinfool]

I did like Youri Yenga, he should be starting this week.

Sadly though, most of JJ's early commitments for next year are on the offensive side of the ball, stud center, WR, etc., and you can't win without defense. Kind of like the Rangers think they can win without pitching.

[MUSTANG'76]

I agree with stallions analysis, and losing one of the few returning seniors at linebacker did not help either. We are still undersized on the dl and except for McCann have a completly new secondary. We had 20 players play in their first college football game. I believe the defense will improve quickly and the Mustangs will have a big win this week at home!

[Three Putt]

OK, Stallion, I will give you some props. For years you have been saying we need better recruits. You were right. A lot of people on here give you grief, but not me.

[NickSMU17]

Defene can be fixed with JUCO help next year....I am expecting that JJ feels the same way...

Lets not panic, It suck to lose like that on national TV but we have the right guy and it will get turned around. I especially liked the cut to one player, Handy maybe, that showed his education major...

Everyone stay calm and enjoy watching the progression.

[MustangTu]

The one thing the defense had in common Friday night with last years team, is the fact that most of the players don't know how to tackle. Sure they will improve should that basic matter be quickly addressed.