Predictions for 2002

[Corso]

This is a good schedule for us.

- Navy is very beatable (especially in Ford Stadium), even in Coach Bennett's first game. They were so bad in 2001 they fired their coach mid-season, which is unheard of. SMU should get Coach Bennett off to a positive start, as Ponies settle into new schemes on offense and defense. McMurtray drills 4 field goals in season-opening win.

- Tulane is a possible win, even though it's on the road. Even if, as rumors suggest, they hire Eric Schumann as defensive coordinator. Tulane defense was horrible in 2001, and even Eric the Great can only do so much with that crew. They had a down year this year, and they don't appear to have a great base of young talent, which would indicate a bounce back next year. RB Melwyn Moore, a one-time SMU commitment, is a stud, if he doesn't abandon college to play professional baseball -- something he reportedly is considering. If he's not back, SMU starts 2-0.

- Even without soon-to-be-departed Casey Printers, TCU is going to be tough. Sean Stilley is a huge, mobile QB with a strong (if somewhat erratic) arm. Running game fell off a lot after Tomlinson left for the NFL, but receivers (led by LaTerance Dunbar) are highly underrated. Offensive line went from a strength in 2000 to a weakness in 2001 after graduating 4 of 5 starters. Defense loses several starters from 2001 roster, but MLB LeMarcus McDonald is a major stud who will play on Sundays. SMU falls to 2-1 in Fort Worth.

- Don't be fooled by Cowboys' late-season win over Oklahoma. This is not a great team. But they have huge linemen on both sides of the line, and speed at the skill positions. QB Aso Pogi will be back from offseason rehab. OSU played without much discipline on offense, although running game is expected to be a strength in 2002. SMU's first home loss (in overtime) drops Ponies to 2-2.

- Ponies travel across the ocean and make up for this year's depressing loss in the "game that got away." Hawaii QB is not yet determined; Timmy Chang is supposed to be the golden boy out there, but Tim Rolovich threw 8 TD passes in the Warriors' season finale - 1 more than Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch threw all season. Hawaii WR Ashley Lelie should be in the NFL by then, and he's the best player UH has had in years, so targets for Chang/Rolovich passes will suffer a serious hit. Hawaii defense has never been any good, and that trend won't change in 2002. SMU gets off the skid to improve to 3-2.

- San Jose is terrible. ShanDerrick Charles re-visits the Spartans' secondary -- repeatedly -- as he did this year when he racked up 243 yards. He won't match that figure this year, because SJSU will stack the whole roster on the line of scrimmage trying to stop him (he'll be "held" to 202). Jay Taylor has first three-touchdown game, and Ponies go to 4-2.

- Fresno is losing QB David Carr and DT Alan Harper, as well as a couple of WRs, to the NFL. But they still have a massive offensive line and a lot of speed on defense. Late rally falls short, SMU slips to 4-3.

- Arguably the most disheartening loss of the 2001 season was the opener, when WAC newcomer LaTech was more prepared for SMU than vice versa. Luke McCown looked like SMU fans always hoped his older brother would look, flinging the ball all over the field. Won't be that lopsided in 2002, but LaTech will pick up its second win over SMU. Gimmick offense is tough to prepare for, especially when the Ponies still will be learning their defense in Bennett's first year. Record: 4-4.

- Annual see-saw with the Owls leans Rice's way, as Ponies pull the swoon that afflicts them every other year against the Owls. Offense will play well, but Rice's goofy triple-option offense creates headaches of its own. Ponies dip under .500 at 4-5.

- Ponies welcome Nevada to Ford Stadium, eager to return the black eye Wolfpack handed out in 2001. Pass-happy 'Pack feeds two interceptions each to Garrett and Rutledge, and Melvin Williams has first three-sack game. 2001 phenom RB Chance Whatshisname comes back to earth with 17-carry, 27-yard "performance." Nevada has minimal talent, and it shows, as SMU evens record at 5-5.

- After a late bye week, Ponies cap Bennett's first year with a win, going west to El Paso and completing hapless UTEP's winless season. El Paso natives Matt Rushbrook and Don Stansbury come up big, Rushbrook with a pair of interceptions and Stansbury with a pick and two sacks. SMU freshman Jamar Ransom doesn't play, but gets a free trip to El Paso for a home-cooked meal, as SMU coaches establish more of a recruiting foothold in Texas' western-most city. Toothless Miner defense gives little resistence, as ShanD Charles rushes for 191 yards, and three SMU QBs combine for more than 350 passing yards.

Final SMU record: 6-5

[PK]

A fun read Corso, but you may have to do a rewrite for the Tulane game as it is very possible we may be playing Texas Tech instead. You may also want to figure in the affects of a coach who actually believes it is his job to get the team up for each game and hopefully an offensive coordinator with better play calling ability then the last one had. With our players playing with more emotion like they did in the last couple of games and the calling of plays that take advantage of our player's strengths, some of those close games you were talking about may actually fall our way.

[PerunaPunch]

Always the optimist (at the beginning of the season anyway).

Yes, Navy is very beatable although I've always been a fan of the midshipmen. My sympathy won't do them a bit of good as Bennet will (unlike the former coach) have his team ready to play by the beginning of the season.
1-0

Tulane whipped TCU last year. It'll be an exciting game, but the new and improved Mustangs aren't quite up to snuff yet.
1-1

Even without Printers, TCU is still bigger and more athletic. Even with home field, the Mustangs are vastly improved and play it close.
1-2

OSU, like TCU, is too big and too fast. I'll take size and speed over coaching and execution.
1-3

Hawaii could go either way. But I think this coach will be able to keep the players off the beach and out from under the grass skirts -- at least prior to the game. SMU knows they can beat Hawaii, and without Lelie...
2-3

SMU puts some distance between itself and the WAC downtrodden. SJSU falls hard, and Charles/Kincade WILL get 200+ again.
3-3

Fresno is a good team, but SMU plays them hard every year. Without Carr, SMU pulls a shocker.
4-3

SMU played LA Tech before SMU discovered its offense. We also had a zillion turnovers in that game. Garrett and Rutledge shut down McCown. LA Tech still can't play defense.
5-3

Bennet won't let his defense fall for that option crap. We lost Aldridge, but Villoria is healthy again.
6-3

Should have beat Nevada last year. Their RB will get some yardage, but not enough. One player does not a team make.
7-3

UTEP? Puhlease!!
8-3 or more realistically 7-4, but won't win the WAC.

[PerunaPunch]

One other thought. Everyone on the schedule, with the possible exception of Texas Tech, IS beatable.

I didn't have the same feeling last year with Fresno, UNC, NC State and TCU.

[graypony]

Tech is beatable. Our defense will keep us in games because teams will not be able to score a lot and pull away. Also, our cornerbacks are as good as anybody's. That's not just me, but that is what June Jones said. He knows a little about a passing attack. Tech's offense was not outstanding in their bowl game and they will miss Ricky Williams in the running and their passing game. Look for him to do well next year on the next level.
The real key will be what our offense can do. I do not think that Tech will have the talent on defense that UNC had this year. If we can move the ball and score, Tech, though favored, can be beat. It all comes down to how inspired our guys will be under Bennett, whether we can replace McCarthy and Slaten., and what kind of performance we will get out of the QB position next year.

[Bballer]

What do you say we break out some tortillas for Tech and give them a dose of their own medicine? Someone stated this on another post, but everyone on our schedule is very beatable.