CFN: 2005 SMU Football Preview

[Dutch]

yeah, but when we played them here 2 years ago, it was later in the season and they were plagued with injuries. see what they did to us last year when they were healthy?

[PlanoStang]

Playing OU the week before will give them a few bumps, and bruises

[Dutch]

i'm counting on that, and that they will be looking past us to Utah. I hope that means that they will rest starters, or nurse any little injury in our game.

the frogs play 2 of their first 3 games against teams that played in a BCS bowl last year.

[Dutch]

oh, just checked their schedule. the utah game is on Thurs the 15th, we play them on the 10th.

short week following our game means sit the guys w/ hangnails to get them ready for an in conference game that is slated for national TV (espn) against a top 6 team from last year. they're not worried about little old SMU at all.

[The PonyGrad]

TCU has got to be thinking... boy it is a good thing we have SMU between those two games.

How does TCU get themselves into such situations?

[mavsrage311]

i really liked this evaluation of us, it's probably the best I've seen from somewhere outside of SMU (evaluating our own players). I'm surprised any source knows so much about SMU football....whoever wrote it has foster and chase's roles mixed up though, I thought

[SoCal_Pony]

It might very well be the best outside evaluation of us, but they also have us coming in dead last in our C-USA division.

They project TCU placing 3rd in the M-West.

What I like about this team is its depth. What we desperately need is a non-conference win.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

That TCU game last year killed me. I thought we had started to turn the corner with our performance against Tech. I think Bennett would even blame himself for not having the team ready. Hopefully he is now a better coach because of it. I think so

[Pony-Up]

After watching SMU Football for the past two years, and seeing what has to be defined as progress last year, I'm hoping to see three goals met this coming season that would make this year more enjoyable for all concerned.
1. We need to improve to at least "middle of the road" status in the turnover department, our biggest shortcoming, by far, of the past two seasons. If we improve to 0 (as many takeaways as giveaways), and this is a huge if, we will win more games than last year and be competitive in most.
2. Win a non conference game.
3. Win a conference game on the road.
Lots of factors come into play as to why we've been so lousy with turnovers. The truth is they put lots more pressure on us than we put on them...on offense, defense,and special teams. Hopefully new talent, bigger bodies, more depth, returning players who missed last year due to injuries, and our experience (instead of youth) will help level the playing field as far a turnovers go.
Beating either Baylor or TCU would be a big step for the program and get us noticed around town. It would also set the stage for putting more people in the stands. It will also make the trip to A&M a more positive experience. I don't know if winning that game is doable but I'm really looking forward to the trip and the chance.
Winning a road game seems to be a mindset problem that this team hasn't been able to overcome. Looking at what happened last year at TCU, OSU, Rice, and Fresno I would think that our coaches need to re-evaluate their preparation approach for away games and make some changes. It certainly can't hurt.
Accomplishing these three somewhat meager objectives won't guarantee a championship or a bowl game but they will bring another year of progress and more enjoyment or at least satisfacition for SMU supporters.

[The PonyGrad]

There are a number of things to accomplish to get to "Break-even" or average status.

You mentioned the big one - turnovers. We need to narrow the interception margin by 11 and the fumble margin by 8.

The difference in rush offense vs. defense per play is 1.5 yards. Actually the bulk of that is yards lost attempting to rush. The o-line has got to protect and run block. That will greatly address the TO and rush difference.

Passing - we discussed INTs but pass protection is key, o-line we need you here. Our opponents had 17 more sacks against us than we had vs. them for over 100 yards more in losses.

The defense needs to increase their pressure and picks but to me the biggest issue is o-line improvement.

Punt and kick coverage is also a sore point.

[SWC2010]

I would not have put our kicker in our Top 10 player list.

He's okay, but I think the bigger point is that they also have McMurtray (and Punter Mentzel) listed as Jrs., so it's doubtful that much of this info came from internal SMU in 2005...

[OldPony]

Gents, I don't think anyone is worried about SMU let alone the Frogs. Do you think if Bennett won 4 he would get a new 10 year deal from Copeland? Man I wish someone would fire Copeland. He has had way too much time and has accomplished little unless you credit him with Ford Stadium. I don't. I credit Jerry Ford. Jerry stepped up big time to help us be competitive along with Lloyd and the Hunts. Copeland hasn't put the other things in place to win despite those contibutions. Please go away Mr Copeland. Dr. Turner- Please make him go away .