Positives

[Mexmustang]

We all are still reeling from Tulane, so it almost impossible to identify progress. But, this is what I see:

QB--maybe that light is beginning to turn on. June's willing to go longer downfield and Garrett seemed to respond positively. This next game could give Garrett the confidence he needs to finish the season.

Receivers--I know, I know the ball was often not there, but personally they have been the biggest disappointment of the year. Everytime Gilbert seemed to start to "get it", whatever that means, they would drop the ball. That light going on in Gilbert's head is very dependent upon this group. Catching the ball is difficult/impossible to coach, but they seemed to be on their game with some terrific catches last night.

Running Back--Zack Line, enough said. But, shouldn't we give his backup some experience?

Offensive line--As a unit, they seem to be improving the most. Our OL coordinator needs some kudos, maybe he can't recruit but he is an outstanding coach.

Linebackers--Our talented linebacking crew didn't show up at Baylor, but are now living up to their pre-season promise.

Defensive Line--Our defensive line is holding up and while not great is doing the job. Margus is still a project, not a first round draft choice, but getting better.

Defensive Backs--Let's see in that past few years, we lost six to grades and this year alone, lost three to injuries. Any hope out there? I thought I saw at least two players on the field last night that weren't even on the three deep at the start of the season. But, last night there was a freshman safety that proved he could become a young star in the future. On his first play he put the best hit of the game on a Houston player. Put some more meat on the kid's bones and we may really have something.

Anyone have anything to add or correct?

[Stallion]

yeah why don't you go ahead and list those 6 DBs we lost to grades. Over 4-5 years I got

Keivon Gamble (flunked out-JUCO-TCU)
Darrin Kitchen (quit in a month)
Jeremy Hall (was not admitted at SMU-UTSA-no longer on roster)
Maurice Hood (did not qualify under NCAA Rules)
Maurice Sutton (did not qualify under NCAA Rules)
K.J. Vaifale(did not qualify under NCAA Rules
J.R. Monnico (flunked out-never to be heard from again)

[sbsmith]

Receivers- First time this year they didn't get punked by the opposition, guys were consistently getting separation and coming up with big catches (Both Johnsons, Holman)


Zach Line- Really took advantage of his blockers sealing up outside edges and broke a few runs.

[Mexmustang]

Special teams--Obviously they came to play. But, it appeared to me that that was the direct result of our kicking game performing, especially on kickoffs. There was no wind last night, but most of our punts were very good. Our kickoff placement really had Houston confused. The ball seemed positioned to drop every time one or two yards behing the goal line, forcing the receiving back to check his relative position on the field as he was running forward and attempting to catch the ball. He dropped the ball on almost every kickoff, leading to the turnovers or poor field positions.

[Mexmustang]

Stallion, I really don't care if the number is two or twelve, the point is our depth has really be thinned.

[PonySnob]

yeah why don't you go ahead and list those 6 DBs we lost to grades. Over 4-5 years I got

Keivon Gamble (flunked out-JUCO-TCU)
Darrin Kitchen (quit in a month)
Jeremy Hall (was not admitted at SMU-UTSA-no longer on roster)
Maurice Hood (did not qualify under NCAA Rules)
Maurice Sutton (did not qualify under NCAA Rules)
K.J. Vaifale(did not qualify under NCAA Rules
J.R. Monnico (flunked out-never to be heard from again)

Was Maurice Hood a JUCO?

[ponyboy]

Margus is still a project, not a first round draft choice, but getting better.

I think you really underrate Margus. He was a projected first rounder due to his numbers only. But he's looking like a real football player more and more. Two more sacks last night. (The NCAA leader has a total of nine to this point in the season). Lots of quarterback hurries. And he was in on quite a few tackles.

[jimhagle]

It is so baffling that no one else gets carries[or playing time] except Line-what is JJ thinking or is he?

[rich59]

Nice post Mexmustang.

[indianmustang]

Hunt wasn't the only SMU player who stood out as a prospect. Senior wide receiver Darius Johnson again looked impressive. He had nine catches for 110 yards and two scores. It may have been Johnson's first game of more than 100 yards receiving this season, but he has the look of being a solid late-round option. He's purely a slot receiver, but at times he looked like Antonio Brown of the Steelers. SMU head coach June Jones has said that Johnson is the best wide receiver he's ever coached. That's pretty high praise. Look for Johnson to pop on everyone's radar during the offseason process.

Mustangs running back Zach Line had 113 yards and two touchdowns on the night. He's good running ball, but needs to work picking up the blitz. Line's speed may not be great, but he's strong and can work between the tackles. He may be a UDFA unless he can show better blocking skill going forward. Line has a future of similar to Chargers fullback Le'Ron McClain – a decent occasional runner who can block. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert, a Texas transfer, certainly has the arm strength. He looks like a developmental player going forward. But the junior could come on next season as a draftable prospect. Senior linebackers Ja'Gred Davis and Taylor Reed could both get selected toward the end of the 2013 NFL Draft. Davis is a thick but fast linebacker who can move. Reed showed good instincts Thursday, intercepting two passes that were returned for touchdowns.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/ ... us-johnson

[Hoop Fan]

mind boggling that no one else carries the ball. Even more mind boggling was the fourth quarter possession that JJ went completely empty backfield. Ended up in GG throwing the pick 6. I thought Zach had to be hurt or something at the time, because in that situation where you need to milk clock why would you ever go empty backfield? Besides that you allow the safeties to immediately fall into coverage without makign them even hesitate. I sure wish we had a change-up back to go with Zach or that JJ would play them.

[ponyboy]

Is sticking with Zach really a problem? I don't get this objection.

[docabel]

Special teams--Obviously they came to play. But, it appeared to me that that was the direct result of our kicking game performing, especially on kickoffs. There was no wind last night, but most of our punts were very good. Our kickoff placement really had Houston confused. The ball seemed positioned to drop every time one or two yards behing the goal line, forcing the receiving back to check his relative position on the field as he was running forward and attempting to catch the ball. He dropped the ball on almost every kickoff, leading to the turnovers or poor field positions.

Discipline

Everyone on the coverage teams kept their lanes.

[gostangs]

plus that empty back field will get you a blitz every time.

The bubble play i referred to was not the interception - it was the one on the next drive on third down that bounced off the ground, and then we were forced to go 4th and 1. there is just no reason to do that when the game was literally on the line - its third and 1 - you have two shots at it and if you pick up the first down you probably ice the game. why throw yet another crazy bubble - failing and then also stopping the clock. its stuff like that. I know it seems silly when we hang 70+ on Houston to complain about it - but next year those moves get you beat.

[fivemon]

if it is third and one and you throw it, it most likely means you plan on running/going for it on fourth, at worst gilbert could scramble for a first if they are in zone and if they are in man you should be able to have someone open. On a side note, i would really like to see a qb sneak on a quick count on those third and one with a quick line up (sort of what brady does).