Phil Steele is picking SMU over UAB in an upset.

[SMU 86]

I sure hope he is right.

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/DailyBlog.html

[OC Mustang]

I think they will as well. Not wishful thinking.

UABs strengths are Joe Webb, Joe Webb, and defense.
Webb was their top rusher and scorer vs. Rice. No secret that he is the key.

As to UABs defense, their defensive backs got a lot of work, and their DLine is pretty good vs. the run. However, Rice still moved pretty much when they wanted to...they just got nailed with an ill-timed pic and return and a couple of fumbles. Short field and not converting sure TDs kill you every time.

It all comes down to execution. UAB is susceptible to turnovers, so if SMU can create them like they did vs. SFA and not give them like Rice dished up to UAB, I think SMU has a shot. I think SMU's offense is capable of hanging with UAB, but not if BLM has a bad night.

SMU will need to hit on 7 of 8 cylinders with Webb in the game, and only 5 of 8 cylinders without him.

But that's my read...I've been wrong plenty of times, but I don't think the game vs. Rice was as dominating as the score appeared. I think SMU is ahead in competitiveness vs. Rice.

[One Trick Pony]

I have $400.00 bucks says we win. And I all ready spent it.

Kind of nice nice being on the same page as the top 25.

[crazy horse]

This is a game we need to win. BLM needs to shake off what ever funk he had and make some plays. Unleash McNeal, no dumb penalties and hang on to the football.

UAB gave up 391(5.6 ypp passing & 4.6 on the ground) yards to Rice.
Rice was in the red zone 6 times and converted 3 for 24 points.
Rice committed 9 penalties for 80 yards. UAB 14 penalties for 111 yards.

There is no reason why we should not be able to score on UAB. Let's just hope our defense controls Webb enough to allow our offense to win the shootout.

http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/teamgbg.html

[ender3]

Strange that on his picks TODAY, he picks UAB by 1. Looks like he's covered either way.

[The_RichAlum]

Phil Steele must be sniffing magic markers........Joe Webb will be a heisman candidate by the end of Saturday.

[MustangLaxer]

this thread to be deleted for false statements...this is BS he picked UAB. Get this trash out of here.

[Come and Take It]

Rice was in the red zone 6 times and converted 3 for 24 points.

How is this possible, given they never converted a 2 point conversion? Or am I reading this wrong?

[StallionsModelT]

I'd love to say we're going to win but I just don't see it.

[crazy horse]

Rice was in the red zone 6 times and converted 3 for 24 points.

How is this possible, given they never converted a 2 point conversion? Or am I reading this wrong?

My apologies for the confusion. Rice did have one long pass for a TD (52 yards). But the point remains that Rice got within 20 yards six times, but only converted 50% of the time (2 TDs + 1 field goal). It appears that Rice had success moving the ball against the UAB defense. They just had trouble pushing it in.

I thought it an interesting stat that might bode well for us.

I'm grasping for every shred of hope I can find.

[OR-See-Nee]

He was right. Or was he?

[Treadway21]

OC was pretty much spot on in his analysis.

[OC Mustang]

OC was pretty much spot on in his analysis.

Just happy for the win...check that...I'm not simply happy...I'm tickled red and blue!
That said, I know dittily squat about Wash State except that they are PAC-10 bottom-feeders and Hawaii laid it on them today.

After I get a look at them, I'll take a stab at analysis again. Might be bullsh-t...might not. I'll give it a go.

As to SMU, I am anxious to know what the verdict is on DBell playing...it sounded as if he got his bell rung (no pun intended) but-good. The others are Aldrick and Youri...I hope that they get the royal treatment by the trainers and are 90% by Wednesday or Thursday. I'll take those two at 90% over a whole lot of players at 100%. I feel much better about our depth at secondary and even linebacker with those freshman headhunters, but SMU really needs Aldrick out there, and really Youri too. When they send him, Davis, or Reed, the D seems very productive.

[MrMustang1965]

Joe Webb will be a heisman candidate by the end of Saturday.

[One Trick Pony]

Told yea