KC Star / Sports net Tulsa preview

[The PonyGrad]

Tulsa by 6

FACTS & STATS: Site: H.A. Chapman Stadium (30,000) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma. Television: FSN. Home Record: SMU 3-0, Tulsa 2-1. Away Record: SMU 2-2, Tulsa 2-2. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, Tulsa 0-0. Conference Record: SMU 3-1, Tulsa 3-0. Series Record: SMU leads, 12-6.

GAME NOTES: Two of the top teams in the Conference-USA collide this Saturday afternoon when the Tulsa Golden Hurricane host the SMU Mustangs at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

The Mustangs bounced the UCF Knights two weeks ago, earning a victory over the team that defeated them in the conference title game a year ago. However, that win must have taken a toll on SMU because the team saw its five-game winning streak come to an end this past weekend with a loss to Southern Mississippi (27-3).

The Golden Hurricane opened the year with three losses in their first four games, but since then the team has really caught its stride, collecting three victories in a row. The most recent decision was a 38-20 win over Rice, which pushed Tulsa's league mark to 3-0 on the year.

The Mustangs currently own a 12-6 edge over Tulsa in the all-time series and have won the last two matchups.

During the five-game winning streak for SMU the team averaged close to 40 ppg, but this past weekend the Mustangs hit a wall, scoring just three points in a loss to Southern Mississippi.

J.J. McDermott has been solid throughout the season, but the quarterback was clearly not sharp against Southern Miss, as he finished with just 173 yards on 16-of-32 passing and was also intercepted twice. McDermott has done his best to make the passing attack relevant, and even though he has over 2,000 passing yards he has only 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

Consistency for the Mustangs comes from tailback Zach Line, who leads the team with 828 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Line was held out of the end zone against Southern Miss, but he still managed to rack up 163 yards and will definitely see plenty of carries this weekend.

The defense also fell apart against Southern Miss, as the Mustangs were gashed for 187 yards and one score on 4.5 yards per carry. It was a miserable performance by this unit which is usually stout against the run. Even with that poor display the Mustangs are holding the opposition to just 103.4 yards per game on just 3.2 yards per attempt.

The final score could have been much worse if not for the two forced turnovers. Those takeaways were a bit surprising because this unit has not forced many on the year. In fact, through seven games the Mustangs have forced just seven turnovers.

Ja'Gared Davis has the only two interceptions for SMU and he comes into this weekend second on the team with 43 tackles, trailing only Taylor Reed who has 57 stops and three sacks.

When the Golden Hurricane take the field one thing is for certain and that is this offense is going to produce at a high level. At this point in the season Tulsa looks to be a well-oiled machine.

G.J. Kinne has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and comes into this game with 1,621 yards and 18 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. No one on the roster has more than 40 receptions, but Willie Carter and Bryan Burnham seem to be the top targets for Kinne as the two players have combined for 10 touchdowns.

Tulsa can do more than just air the ball out though, as the team is also averaging an impressive 183.7 ypg on the ground. There is not just one main option for the Golden Hurricane, but instead there is a two-headed monster in the backfield. Ja'Terian Douglas is leading the way with 484 yards, while Trey Watts is helping out with 452 yards.

Watts led the way for Tulsa in the recent win over Rice, rumbling for 68 yards and one score, while Douglas added 51 yards. Kinne also scored on the ground for the Golden Hurricane, but he was much better with his arm, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

The problem for Tulsa is clearly not on the offensive side of the ball, but there is a major issue with the defense. The reason why the offense has to score so many points is because the defense has a hard time keeping opponents out of the end zone.

At the moment the Golden Hurricane are allowing 30.6 ppg, and while the team has already allowed 12 rushing touchdowns, the biggest area of concern has come against the pass, as the secondary is being torched for 299.7 ypg and 14 touchdowns overall.

Tulsa surrendered 250 yards and one touchdown through the air to Rice, but the unit forced enough big plays (four turnovers and three sacks) to keep the Owls from making the matchup a tight one.

Curnelius Arnick was all over the field for Tulsa and finished the game with 12 tackles, one interception and one sack. Arnick has been the most active player on this unit and is currently pacing the team with 86 tackles.

The Mustangs had some trouble this past weekend on the road against Southern Miss and now they have to figure out a way to stop Tulsa's offense. If SMU can find success on the ground then the game should be close. Still, expect the Golden Hurricane to win at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tulsa 27, SMU 21

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/26/32 ... z1bvPkv54T

[Charleston Pony]

homers

[The PonyGrad]

it does seem slanted to support the conclusion

[ponyte]

Looks like it says we are even and the home team gets the TD advantage. Not sure I buy it. We flat laid an egg last weekend. I don't expect this team to do that twice in a row. Too much pride in kids that are use to winning.

[03EMBA]

Too much pride in kids that are use to winning.

Think about that statement... How blessed are we, it's only been a couple of years ago you would have never heard anything like that mentioned about the football team... SMU is certainly heading in the right direction. GO Ponies!!!

[ponyte]

Oh I have.

Only the Sr. (Redshirt Jr.) have tasted a losing season. Most of the players are use to winning and going to a bowl. And the players are getting use to winning big games. Nevada in a bowl game, ECU to get into the conference championship and TCU. And all on the road!

Sure is a better situation for the players and potential recruits and sure makes fall more enjoyable for the rest of us.

[mustangxc]

As this weeks stampede said, we will see the character of this team in how they respond to adversity. Beat TU!

[arekp01]

Hard to believe we lead this series is 12-6 considering the state of this football since we've played the majority of our games against Tulsa. Easy to forget that TU was the worst D1 program in the country before Kragthorpe.