ESPN Big East Spring Roundup

[Harry0569]

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast
SMU Mustangs

2012 record: 7-6

2012 conference record: 5-3, C-USA West

Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 6; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

QB Garrett Gilbert, WR Der'rikk Thompson, DB Kenneth Acker, LB Randall Joyner

Key losses

RB Zach Line, WR Darius Johnson, DE Margus Hunt, LB Ja’Gared Davis

2012 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Line (1,278 yards, 13 TDs)

Passing: Gilbert* (268-of-506 for 2,932 yards, 15 TDs, 15 INTs)

Receiving: Jeremy Johnson* (679 yards, 3 TDs)

Tackles: Taylor Reed (97)

Sacks: Hunt (eight)

Interceptions: Acker*, Joyner* Reed (three each)

Spring answers

1. Garrett Gilbert looks sharp. Coach June Jones said after spring practice wrapped up that he was pleased with the way Garrett looked and improved in the biggest area of all -- accuracy. Gilbert only completed 53 percent of his passes last year but has a better grasp of the offense now and more chemistry with his receivers. It probably helps that he had Hal Mumme working with him, too.

2. Traylon Shead steps up. The Mustangs lost their best offensive player in Zach Line, but Shead stole the show this spring as he worked his way up to the first team. Jones called the Texas transfer "the real deal," and is confident the running game will be just fine with Line gone.

3. Linebacker depth. Reed and Davis are gone, but there is depth at this position and some veterans returning to the starting lineup, too, in Joyner and Kevin Pope. Jones said Joyner had a great camp, and so did Lincoln Richard. Rishaad Wimbley moved over from running back as well.

Fall questions

1. Pass-rush specialist. Defensive end Margus Hunt proved just how special a talent he is this past weekend, when he was drafted in the second round. So how do the Mustangs go about replacing him and their other starting end, Kevin Grenier? Finding another pass-rush specialist takes on even greater importance now that the team is moving to a new league.

2. Offensive line depth. The Mustangs have to replace three starters and are going to be much more inexperienced at this position. Though Jones feels confident with his starting five, depth still has to be built in the fall. True freshmen may have to be relied on this season.

3. Receiver rotation. Jeremy Johnson and Thompson are back, along with Keenan Holman but otherwise, there are some young faces that are going to find themselves getting much more playing time. Line was also a big part of the pass game. Can Shead fill that role now?

[ponyte]

Fair summary.

This year we have 5 returning O linemen lettermen. To be sure we have lost some starters but nothing like last year when we had 5 new starters in the O line (and they were repacing some NFL level talent). A concern to be sure but not the concern we had last year.

We sure did lose a strong D line. One might expect to use the backers with their depth and experience more in the pass rushing role. Sanders can rush the passer. Do we move him around and get him match up advantages? With experience and athletic LBs this year, I think we can adjust and be fine with the pass rush.

Receivers were a big question mark last year and that continues. Perhaps with experience and GG a bit more accurate, this too strengthens up this fall.

The biggest 'what if' is injury. Key injuries could be a killer.

If we try to win with last years’ talent, it will be a long season. If we successfully adjust with this year’s talent, I think it could be very exciting.

[ghost]

With so many questions and what looks like a tougher schedule....I know we lost to Tulane and Rice last year but beat Tulsa and UH but usually we have won a game or two in nonconference and then two or three wins from the CUSA east against teams like UAB or Memphis and then wins against UTEP, Tulane and Rice to be bowl eligible. With a Memphis team who showed improvement late last year are there any traditionally weak programs on the schedule in the future . Teams who occasionally win but most years are losers?

[sbsmith]

With so many questions and what looks like a tougher schedule....I know we lost to Tulane and Rice last year but beat Tulsa and UH but usually we have won a game or two in nonconference and then two or three wins from the CUSA east against teams like UAB or Memphis and then wins against UTEP, Tulane and Rice to be bowl eligible. With a Memphis team who showed improvement late last year are there any traditionally weak programs on the schedule in the future . Teams who occasionally win but most years are losers?

Temple is the only other one like that on the schedule.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Don't forget SMU just doesn't lose home conference games.

[SMU2007]

Will Margus be that hard to replace on defense? I don't know if other teams changed their blocking schemes around to account for him, but it surely seemed like he had plenty of games where he was invisible. Special teams is another story.