ESPN Blog: Texas Tech vs. SMU

[Water Pony]

Texas Tech at SMU, Aug. 30

TT Opponent:

•Coach: June Jones, sixth season (31-34)
•2012 record: 7-6 (5-3 Conference USA)
•Returning starters: Six offensive, three defensive
•Offensive headliner: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert's debut after transferring from Texas wasn't great, but he racked up 2,932 yards and 15 touchdowns, though he also threw 15 interceptions. His top target should be senior receiver Jeremy Johnson.
•Defensive headliner: Senior linebacker Randall Joyner is the team's leading returning tackler, with 93 stops a year ago.
•The skinny: Texas Tech hasn't lost to SMU since all the way back in 1986, spanning a total of 14 meetings. SMU's program has improved since Jones' arrival, and with a new coaching staff and a road atmosphere, this could be a bit shaky for the Red Raiders. Still, Tech just has to play solid to earn a win here.

[Charleston Pony]

I expect this game to be more competitive than what we've seen in the past. We've fared as poorly against Tech as any SWC opponent we've played in the post-death penalty era.

Can't help but wonder if we had played Tech every year since 1989, would we have beaten them at least once during that span?

At least the program has another opportunity for a "signature win" on a national stage

[AusTxPony]

I agree CP, in the recent past we have looked thoroughly outclassed against TTech. This year it will be different. The BIG IFs...can JJ and the coaches get SMU ready to take it to the Raiders? And this year is already different in that most would say that IF GG has great success, the team will win. Not near as many IFs as in the past.

[HarvCrimYaleBlue]

I drove out to Lubbock in 2010 when SMU narrowly lost 35-27. I was the only Pony in a sea of Rednecks, I mean Raiders (a lot of my wife's family are Tech alums) and I was up yelling from my seat many times.

To play d-advocate and be contrary, we played really well until about the 4th. My big takeaway from play is lack of depth on the team. Generally speaking we play a really decent first half no matter who we face. It typically gets ugly after halftime.

Tech is absolutely beatable and my blind optimism says we get score first and don't look back!

[Charleston Pony]

I think this team will have more "depth" than what we've seen in recent years. By that, I mean we won't have as much of a drop off between the 1st and 2nd team guys that what we've seen. The problem I see is that our 1st team guys might not be as strong as what we've had in recent years. Hope they prove me wrong. I'd be a happy Mustang fan if we are 2-2 heading into conference play

[peruna81]

If we're going to win, it had better be this year. With a new coaching scheme, several key injuries and dismissals, Tech appears to be as beatable as we have recently seen. I fear that KK and the Tech folks will be re-recruiting the DFW area and Houston/Austin area again successfully, and this time picking up better talent than what Lumpy had. They could be an emerging power in the coming years in the Big 12(10, whatever it is).

Beat the sand aggies. It is time, and we are due.

[CalallenStang]

I expect this game to be more competitive than what we've seen in the past. We've fared as poorly against Tech as any SWC opponent we've played in the post-death penalty era.

Can't help but wonder if we had played Tech every year since 1989, would we have beaten them at least once during that span?

At least the program has another opportunity for a "signature win" on a national stage

I will go out on a limb and say that if we had been on equal recruiting footing with them at any time since 1995, and had played them every year, we would have beaten them at least three times.

[Stallion]

ESPN Rates Tech Receiving Corp 2nd in Big 12

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id ... -receivers

[ripcurlgti]

SMU beats Tech

Book it.

Tech has a new coach who hasn't proved anything after coaching Manziel.

Their starting QB is injured.

[ponyte]

Depth has been a huge barrier to success for decades. We had it in the Dline and LB last year. But we got killed late in the passing game because our depleted secondary was gassed in the 4th. Perhaps not this year.

If our O can get it cranked up and consistently move the ball (les 3 and outs), we might gas a few opponents' D this year and have huge 4th quarters as well.

The key against the Big Boys has been our depth issue. We can't play undersized and all the time on defense. We have to spell our D players. This year we are in a position to do that more than any other time since the DP (assumes we have low injuries).

Maybe this is the year we play with a Big Boy the entire 4 quarters.

[Harry0569]

Depth has been a huge barrier to success for decades. We had it in the Dline and LB last year. But we got killed late in the passing game because our depleted secondary was gassed in the 4th. Perhaps not this year.

If our O can get it cranked up and consistently move the ball (les 3 and outs), we might gas a few opponents' D this year and have huge 4th quarters as well.

The key against the Big Boys has been our depth issue. We can't play undersized and all the time on defense. We have to spell our D players. This year we are in a position to do that more than any other time since the DP (assumes we have low injuries).

Maybe this is the year we play with a Big Boy the entire 4 quarters.

Limiting 3 & outs / TOs are the biggest keys in my opinion. Keeps our D fresh.

[Alaric]

Depth has been a huge barrier to success for decades. We had it in the Dline and LB last year. But we got killed late in the passing game because our depleted secondary was gassed in the 4th. Perhaps not this year.

If our O can get it cranked up and consistently move the ball (les 3 and outs), we might gas a few opponents' D this year and have huge 4th quarters as well.

The key against the Big Boys has been our depth issue. We can't play undersized and all the time on defense. We have to spell our D players. This year we are in a position to do that more than any other time since the DP (assumes we have low injuries).

Maybe this is the year we play with a Big Boy the entire 4 quarters.

Limiting 3 & outs / TOs are the biggest keys in my opinion. Keeps our D fresh.

IMO you're right. Size, talent, depth, etc matter but no defense can hang when your O can't make first downs and turns the ball over a lot.

[Rebel10]

Does someone have a link to the AAC blog?

[malonish]

FWIW http://espn.go.com/blog/aac

It's all Louisville and Rutgers because they're future power 5.