Rice game - what was expected...

[JasonB]

I predicted beforehand that we would lose this game. Although I didn't expect such a blowout, I did indicate that the game could get out of hand if our offense struggled to move the ball.

When you have a defensive line that plays a defensive end at tackle, two outside linebacker-sized players at defensive end, and your linebackers consist of a defensive end and two safeties, you are in trouble against an option team. Anyone who analyzed the game logically before hand could see that.

Our lack of size at linebacker and DL scares me. And it is going to hurt us again in the LT and Fresno games. A team can get away with a quick, undersized line if they have big strong linebackers. And quick, undersized linebackers if they have a DL large enough to occupy blockers. But the weakside of our defense, with Rogers and Adami on the line and McCray running behind them is really small.

The only thing I would say about Bennett is that he probably shouldn't have been hyping this game up as a possible road win as much as he did. The mismatch was pretty obvious.

That said, I do have some concerns:

1) Hall and Cleveland are bigger than the linebackers we have out there right now. Why aren't those guys seeing time? Are they that bad? I felt that Hall in the middle would have been an effective option because of his size.

2) I think there should have been some d-line adjustment before the game. Bonds and Jones in the middle, move Adami outside, and let Williams play because he is stronger than the other ends against the run.

3) I probably also would have tried to do something against the option scheme because of our lack of penetration. If the DL is nullified, and basically has to watch the fullback, that takes your DL and middle LB out of the play. So when the qb runs wide, your outside LB gets caught trying to make a play on the QB, to force him to make a decision, or trying to contain the outside. If the WR seals off the corner, the outside LB is forced to take both players, which is obviously not a good thing. Just a thought, but I would have tried a nickel formation with Fitzgerald in there as an extra safety. Stick your corners in man coverage, one safety has deep coverage. Blitz one of the other safeties every play. Force quick decisions. Gives you an extra player to cover the perimeter. Just a thought.

[2112]

I can tell you were not at the game. Rice defense as a whole is smaller than ours. Smaller linebackers, and smaller dbs.

[JasonB]

It doesn't matter what rice's D looks like. That isn't what I was talking about.

[BUS]

Fantastic thread. The ideas/facts about our undersized D is what I have been saying for a while. You know... BIG MEN" I would like to see Adami outside and the two big boys in the middle.

I know I may not understand Phil's D phylosophy but whatever it is, it is not woking very well. GRANTED, he has not recruited a full team to play positions that way he wants to and I feel he will in the years to come.

Go SMU and remember - We need a herd of "BIG MEN"

[JasonB]

I don't think it has much to do with "philosophy" as it is with not having the personel. Next year, if we get Lee and Carrington back, and Mouton can rotate in the middle with Bonds and Jones, and we get Griffin and Muse as situational speed rushers on the ends, things look a lot better.

The biggest problem I have is with hyping the Rice game as a situation where we would challenge for a win, when in reality we didn't match up with them on offense or defense.

[youngalumpony]

Thank you JasonB, I wish more people on this board felt the way you do. It's very dissapointing that the team didn't play well at all on Sat., but anyone that expected a win was not living in reality. Getting too up or too down emotionally with this team this year is a big mistake.

[The Q]

I don't think it has much to do with "philosophy" as it is with not having the personel. Next year, if we get Lee and Carrington back, and Mouton can rotate in the middle with Bonds and Jones, and we get Griffin and Muse as situational speed rushers on the ends, things look a lot better.

The biggest problem I have is with hyping the Rice game as a situation where we would challenge for a win, when in reality we didn't match up with them on offense or defense.

Exactly. Adding Carrington/Lee/Mouton/Pryor (watch him next year!)/Griffin next year will be a big help.

I admit I was one who bought into the idea that we could beat Rice, which is why it stung more. But as it's been mentioned here, the option gives us fits, at least for now.

Onward and upward - beat LaTech!

[ALEX LIFESON]

Oh boy...........Man I can't wait untill 2017, we will be great then!!!!!! Whooooo HOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!

[jtstang]

The biggest problem I have is with hyping the Rice game as a situation where we would challenge for a win, when in reality we didn't match up with them on offense or defense.

I admit I was one who bought into the idea that we could beat Rice, which is why it stung more.

Exactly why my philosophy of "no expectations" is the one to have with this team. I am not disappointed in the loss, but I would have been pleasantly surprised with a win. Folks that think like you two only have a downside. Reality sucks, don't it?

[ALEX LIFESON]

I bet my friend Stallion would agree with this philosophy.

''IF YOU DON'T EXPECT MUCH........YOU WON'T GET MUCH''

[Mustangs35SMU]

Why I want to keep cheering on the Mustangs and hoping we can turn this program around its time to face reality.

Ive been on the SMU "bandwagon" for who knows how many years. Ive been posting here forever saying we would turn this thing around until Saturday

Saturday I dont know what happened. It just popped out of my mouth and said that this team isnt improving at all.

For people that know me and have been here for a long time know that Im there every Saturday supporting my SMU Mustangs. People know I go to all the away games I can. My heart is full of blue and red blood from Mustang Pride. I wear SMU shirts almost every day *unless its Thursday or Friday*. My room is covered in red and blue.

But I am tired of hearing SMU sucks and that we will never get better.

Clearly we have shown improvement this year and I know it takes time with Bennett's "plan" and all. But the time for improvement is now!

In 2002 SMU upset the defending WAC Champions in Louisiana Tech 37-34 for the first win in the Bennett Era. Well Bennett and SMU iITS TIME TO DO THAT AGAIN!

I dont want our guys to sit back and take the heat from anybody anymore! We Can Beat These Guys!

Rice and TCU we screwed up but its time to put those games behind us. Im sick and tired of being in the Bottom 10. Im sick and tired of traveling 6 hours to watch our boys get the hell kicked out of them. I was there proud on Saturday waving my SMU flag (trying to atleast) high the sky.

I dont care what it has to do guys...YOU GUYS BETTER WIN SATURDAY! We are an improved team which is why Im disappointed in the Rice loss..

I dont understand one thing...We can hold Boise State to 38 and score 20 on them but yet we give up 44 to Rice and cant score a touchdown until late in the game.

Ponies, Do this not only for the fans you have in the stands and everyone that is at home wishing you guys for a win but do this for yourself! We know you're tired of losing so prove it to us! UPSET LOUISIANA TECH!