Re: UNOFFICIAL SMU-UCF GAME THREAD
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:53 am
JasonB wrote:Here are my thoughts:
- I liked the new defensive wrinkle. We actually played a nickel for the first time this season. On third and long, instead of using the 3 safety set or leaving our LBs in there, we subbed out a LB, let 28 play outside corner and let Lancaster play inside corner. It threw UCF off, they weren't expecting it. It closed down a lot of the space in the secondary.
- Overall, full credit to the defense. They played strong and aggressive. Sure, they gave up a ton of yards because of the long plays. And they got a lucky turnover. But they created the other two and forced a lot more punts than UCF is used to. Really a solid performance.
- The UCF quarterback is legit. Great mobility and made a few NFL throws. A couple of bad passes, but overall very impressed.
- UCF overall is a very good team. Great OL and DL. Great size and speed in secondary. They were able to man up on Quinn and Sutton, and their DL didn't give Hicks enough time to wait for them to get open. It was a bit of a gamble, but it paid off for most of the game.
- Hicks had happy feet. He was looking at the DL right when receivers would break free. That is a big reason the offense struggled for consistency. Receivers broke open, but by the time they did Hicks had already started running around whether it was warranted or not.
- We had this game and lost it. Coming into the game, whomever would convert opportunities was going to win. We scored ZERO points on our first SIX possessions on their side of the field. That is an amazing statistic, and we could have built a nice lead if we converted. Credit to the UCF defense.
- Sutton, Quinn, and Proche? Love you guys, but I just can't believe it.
All that said, UCF is a legit top 15 team in the country. The schedule this year is tough and will keep down the win total, but to be in year three of the Morris era, play two top 15 teams close, and actually could be accused of blowing both games, I would certainly say we are on track.
Memphis and Navy aren't as good as UCF or TCU. I'm just saying, there IS a chance!
Sure hope you are right about UCF being better than Memphis and clearly they were the better team the day those 2 played. My take is that there is not a huge difference between SMU and the upper tier of the AAC which to me includes Memphis, Navy and Houston in the west and UCF and USF in the east. Would be nice to win at least one game against Navy or Memphis and to win that last game against Tulane. I would call this season a big success if SMU could win a bowl game and finish 9-4. Whether Chad stays or goes, the foundation is at least in place for continued success.