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blackoutpony wrote:

smumustang1980 wrote:SMU 56 TTU 27

SMU's defense shines, and Traylon Shead rips...

Giving up 27 points is not shining.

You don't really think I believe my own propaganda?

I think Gilbert's feet might be his saving grace.. again.

Our D might have some question marks.. but everyone seems to forget the Sand Aggies are on their 5th Defensive Coordinator in 5 years.

SMU 35
Sand Aggy 21

WorldStang wrote:I think Gilbert's feet might be his saving grace.. again.

Our D might have some question marks.. but everyone seems to forget the Sand Aggies are on their 5th Defensive Coordinator in 5 years.

SMU 35
Sand Aggy 21

Completely agree - read option them to death and MAKE THEM MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

People in general underestimate the difficulty of changing schemes, especially if they are more complex (see Steve Spags in NO last year) or changing from a 4-3 to 3-4 (which TTU is doing).

4-3 to 3-4 is definitely a tough switch in year one. I agree we should go heavy with the RO early and a big dose of Traylon to (hopefully) wear down their D. Then let it set up the pass.

This will be an interesting game indeed.

Word is that Kliff went with Mayfield specifically due to his mobility being superior to Webb's. The talent is thereon the OL, just not the depth, which has already taken a hit. We will travel some true freshmen OL for this game (and hope they don't have to play).

We are absolutely loaded at RB. The top 3 guys from last year are back, in addition to DeAndre Washington, who missed last season with an ACL tear. Expect Washington to be the feature back with a lot of Kenny Williams and a bit of Quinton White sprinkled in the mix.

Mayfield won't be asked to throw it 60 times. Expect some zone read, and even some designed runs for the QB. Mayfield has a Kirby Puckett type build to him.

We'll try to work the underneath stuff a bit, and Kliff will do everything he can to get the ball in the hands of Jakeem Grant, Sadale Foster, Jace Amaro, and Eric Ward.

We have tremendous talent on offense, and will score points as long as Mayfield just does his job and makes the easy throws.

Defensively, Tech fans will be watching to see what Pete Robertson and Andre Ross can do from the Bandit position. Both are high caliber pass-rushers.

See you at the game.

Less than 12 hours now to the season kicking off.

SMU 31 TTU 28

Agree Tech has talent in OLM (SMU offered most of them) but in addition to depth they also lack experience-so does the SMU front 7 though

SMU 35
TTU 24

Shead runs for 115 yards, 2 TD's
GG throws for 230, 3 TD's, 2 picks
Jeremy Johnson and Der'rick each have a TD grab
My guess is Darius Joseph has the other one, but that's just a guess

SMU 35
Tech 17

Finally, a big win to start the season. Tech gets a garbage TD at the end to make it appear closer than it really was.

Fortunately it will be too hot for icebergs, so you better bring your own.
I predict:
Neatly arranged deck chairs
Too many dead faders
Too many geldings
Not enough Mustangs

TT 17
SMU 35

Virginia Tech 7
Bama. 49

OK Texas Tech has just released depth chart showing true freshman Mayfield as the starting QB so its time for predictions. This is realistically our first legitimate pregame chance at an upset against one of the major Texas public schools in 27 years. But I think Tech has a decided advantage in experience. The new kids they are relying on except at QB have generally significantly contributed to a decent Big 12 program. I count about 16 key young SMU players who have never done it under the lights except in maybe in garbage time. They maybe great in the future but they won't be ready to play at that level in Game 1. See 162 career starts for Tech Defense v about 83 for SMU Defense.50 Letterman for Tech-34 Lettermen for SMU.

PREDICTION:

Texas Tech: 27
SMU: 24

Season Record: 5-7

I predict Tech goes no-huddle and Mason's D has a difficult time like we usually do when we face a no-huddle offense towards the beginning of the season.

Tech 44
SMU 27

I predict we are much better against the no huddle for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that we have depth on defense to swap players out.

The game will destroy the over and SMU will cover because there is no way a true freshman QB is only worth 2 points.

FYI, the only starting SMU players who haven't played D1 ball: Shead (although JUCO and sat at UT), Gaines (if he starts), the RT, JR Richardson. The others saw time last year. I would be much more concerned about a true frosh QB in front of a sellout crowd than any of those players.

JR played on special teams some his freshman year.