The week before the first game of the year . . .

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

is always a difficult one for me. It's really hard to get much work done.

This year, I feel differently than I have in years past. There are so many question marks in my mind about the TTU game that just haven't been there for previous SMU/TTU matchups.

In the past, I knew in my heart that the SMU/TTU game would be a beatdown. Hope springs eternal, and I always had hope for the Ponies. But when the TTU beatdown happened, I greeted it with resigned disappointment rather than surprise.

This year, my hope for the Mustangs is mingled with a certain tentative confidence. I admit that I'm girding myself for the beatdown. Despite the coaching change, I think TTU has perhaps more talent on this team than they've ever had. TTU is going to be good. They are likely to be Top 25 and have a chance to win some big games against UT and OU this year. Not to mention that we are playing at their place. So if the beatdown happens, I'm prepared for it.

On the other hand, I think its fair to say that this SMU team is head and shoulders above the teams TTU has seen in the past. We are thin, but have some real talent. I think we have a chance to really hang with TTU. If Darius Johnson and some other younger players have really made as much progress as the coaches say, then we will have some real playmakers that TTU won't have much or any film on.

Plus, this SMU team has a confidence that I don't recall seeing before. June has really got them believing. As we saw last year, that counts for a lot.

Bottom line. . .If TTU executes and doesn't make mistakes, this is going to be a tough one for us to win. But if they open the door just a little and we take advantage, I think we can hang with these guys. Maybe we can even steal one. A road win against a Big-12 school would be huge for our program.

GO MUSTANGS!

[Caballo]

If Tech whups the cr@p out of us, I would not be surprised.

If we show up and steal a win, I would not be surprised.

I am anticipating the former, but would be pleasantly surprised (ecstatic) about the latter. It has been a long time since I could say that.

[ponyte]

Excited about this season finally starting as well. I think we are better as a team. Does that mean we go 12-0, doubtful. But we will be a competitive team against anyone on our schedule. Ye, we lost some key personel but we have so much experience at all positions returning. And we will be bigger, faster and stronger.

TTU will have excellent talent. However, neither TTU or Tuberville have prepared for a JJ offense that is growing. We have questions but so too does TTU.