JoeKidd wrote:'Stangs-34
Tiggers-17
A lot of the media and blogs are giving this one to big to SMU. The embarrasing part is that we are in the "upset" lists!
Moderators: PonyPride, SmooPower
JoeKidd wrote:'Stangs-34
Tiggers-17
DanFreibergerForHeisman wrote:Anybody who thinks SMU isn't going to win this one, and probably big, didn't see the Rutgers game.
sbsmith wrote:DanFreibergerForHeisman wrote:Anybody who thinks SMU isn't going to win this one, and probably big, didn't see the Rutgers game.
Maybe if they only watched the 4th quarter but the people that watched the whole game know better.
Harry0569 wrote:SMU (1-4) at Memphis (1-4) Oct. 19, 12:00, ESPN3
Why You Should Give A Hoot: A couple of former Conference USA foes-and current AAC also-rans-will look to snap losing streaks this week at the Liberty Bowl. SMU is coming off its final bye week of 2013, using the time to get healthy and get over a 55-52 triple-overtime loss to Rutgers. The Mustangs have dropped three in a row, with their lone win coming over FCS Montana State by a point. Memphis keeps stockpiling moral victories, while the tangible ones elude the team. Led by an underrated D, the Tigers’ four losses have only come by an average of eight points. A week ago, they fell in Houston to the Cougars, 25-15.
Why SMU Might Win: The Mustangs have a lot more pop on offense than the Tigers, which average a measly 18 points per game. No, SMU has not been prolific for head coach June Jones, but it has shown flashes, especially through the air. QB Garrett Gilbert is coming off arguably his best game with the program, throwing for 484 yards, five touchdowns and no picks. Favorite target Jeremy Johnson has become virtually unstoppable running patterns.
Why Memphis Might Win: With absolutely no fanfare, coordinator Barry Odom has fashioned one of the stingiest defenses in the American. The Tigers are No. 11 nationally in total D, holding the likes of Duke, UCF and Houston below their normal output. Gilbert will need to unleash quickly, because DE Martin Ifedi and LB Anthony Brown spearhead a front seven that closes quickly on the pocket.
Who To Watch Out For: Memphis coach Justin Fuente is being patient with his rookie QB Paxton Lynch, as he should. Development of this nature takes time. However, the Tigers need to see more progress, especially in the red zone, if some of those moral victories are to be transformed into real ones.
- SMU is thrilled that RB Traylon Shead is healthy again, giving the offense a little more diversity and punch between the tackles. The transfer from Texas returned for the Rutgers game, and rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries.
What Will Happen: Memphis is getting close. This week, it breaks through at the expense of an SMU team with problems of its own. The Tigers will continue to slow down opposing attacks with their no-name D, getting enough out of PK Jake Elliott to pull out a building block win.
Prediction: Memphis 27 … SMU 23
Line: Memphis -3.5 - O/U: 48
Must See Rating: (5 Bad Grandpa - 1 Vanilla Ice Goes Amish) … 1.5