CFN's C-USA Spring Preview

[Harry0569]

SMU

Can the offense recapture its scoring punch? By this time in Jones’ tenure, the Run-and-Shoot ought to be getting more efficient, not less. In 2010, SMU slid from 45th in the country in scoring to 74th, sputtering worse in the red zone. The odd part of the equation was that so many key components, like QB Kyle Padron, RB Zach Line, and the offensive line, returned intact. While the Mustangs will continue to move the ball in a balanced fashion, turning those drives into touchdowns will be an essential goal during the offseason.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1055288.html

2. SMU
2010 CFN Final Ranking: 61
2010 Record: 7-7
2010 CFN Preseason Rank: 87
CFN 2010 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2009 Final Ranking: 61
2008 Final Ranking: 114

Longtime SMU fans, this might be the year you've waited decades for. Being back among the living is one thing, but winning the Conference USA title, and being good enough to hang with anyone on the schedule, is another. QB Kyle Padron leads a loaded offense that gets ten starters back, only losing star WR Aldrick Robinson. The defense gets back eight starters, and while the linebacking corps takes a hit, the front seven should be sound.


SMU
2011 CFN Pred. (Spring): 6-6

Sep. 3 at Texas A&M L
Sep. 10 UTEP W
Sep. 17 Northwestern St W
Sep. 24 at Memphis W
Oct. 1 at TCU L
Oct. 8 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 UCF L
Oct. 22 at Southern Miss L
Oct. 29 at Tulsa L
Nov. 5 Tulane W
Nov. 12 Navy W
Nov. 19 at Houston L
Nov. 26 Rice W

[rich59]

No question that the offense needs to become more consistent and needs to get the ball into the end zone more. Of course field position plays a big role in the ability to score points and that puts the onus on the defense and kicking game. Place kicker and punter are big holes we need to fill as well as the players on the special teams.

I would like to see us switch from the 3-4 to the 4-2-5, like TCU runs. More and more teams are going that direction. Boise State has been running it for several years and Texas Tech is going there. We don't seem to have a true nose guard and I believe our down defensive lineman fit that defense better.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I see this team as being considerably better than 6-6. If we stay healthy, I predict 9-3. IF (yes, that's in all-caps) the offense really clicks, this is a 10-win team.

[Peruna 2K5]

The prediction looks good to me except Southern Miss and Tulsa. I'm thinking those should be wins on our part. 8-4

[Bergermeister]

W at TCU this season. As the Texas Rangers would say, "It's Time". Looking forward to seeing Matt Foley take a home loss.

[ponyte]

Way too early for predictions. However, the trend is to give us credit for winning at home while continuing to be a dog on the road. This was true a few short years ago as far as our road win/lose. I am not convinced we will continue to be a poor road team.

Also there is the trend that we will be a worst CUSA team and go 4-4 instead of 6-2 like the last two years. Odd that the analysis is that we will be better but then predict to be a conference middle of the road team. Is UH, Tulsa, UCF and USM that much better than us?

[reddevil]

I would like to see us switch from the 3-4 to the 4-2-5, like TCU runs. More and more teams are going that direction. Boise State has been running it for several years and Texas Tech is going there. We don't seem to have a true nose guard and I believe our down defensive lineman fit that defense better.

I think this is a very good idea. The only issue is that we have been able to recruits some big time play makers to play OLB in our 3-4 that would seem to be left out in a 4-2-5. I'm sure Moreland could play DE in a 4-3 though.

[35straight]

Have to say, that I was never really a fan of the 3-4. But over the last two years it seems like it has really opened up the big play opportunity from our linebackers and we are getting to the qb more now than I have ever seen. It makes for a really exciting play on the defensive side. Also, the way that we rotate d-linemen in keeps them fresh when it is only two or three at a time. Would like to see better run defense though.

94 barnes beau 6-5 215 DE FR-HS
90 grenier kevin 6-4 259 DE JR-2L
92 hunt margus 6-8 272 DE SO-1L
8 thompson taylor 6-6 276 DE JR-2L
95 dollens mickey 6-2 267 DL SR-1L
9 frazier marquis 6-3 298 DL JR-1L
97 o'guin mike 6-2 321 DL FR-HS
91 pittman torlan 6-1 267 DL JR-2L
Christian Holloway DE 6-5/247
Davon Moreland DE 6-3/225 17
Stephon Sanders DE 6-3/225 33
Robert Seals DE 6-3/220 NR
Cameron Smith DE 6-2/230 NR
Jarrett Spencer DE 6-4/235 NR
Zach Wood DE 6-3/265 NR
Darrian Wright DT 6-1/265 NR

Avg Wt: 260
Avg Ht: 6-4


Not a bad looking group.

*Also, not sure what Pittman's situation is.

[Stallion]

I think the 6-6 is straight by the book based on talent level(not that great yet) and home field advantage which does not generally favor SMU next season. SMU will be better-perhaps significantly and still not show much improvement in the Win column- If I had to pick the season record today in March I think this is exactly how I'd pick the games (6-6). But I'm tempted to think we'll get to 7 wins somehow. Teams rise and teams fall-usually the team with more experience makes their breaks. A fall-off at Tulsa due to coaching changes might get us to 7 but they've got a talented Senior QB and as many good young players in the league as anyone. About 7 newcomers (Fr. JUCOs, redshirts) played crucial rolls last year at Tulsa and they are more experienced too.

[The PonyGrad]

We lose against UCF at home after an open date?? We will win at least one if not two of UCF, USM, Tulsa.

[NickSMU17]

8-4

[PonyPlayer4]

Another .500 season would not excite me.

[SMU89]

12-0

Going to be great year.