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Our oline did not play great last year and we got 8 wins. We have good players with game experience coming back on the oline that the coaches really like. We can win CUSA and we definitely need to go to a bowl game to help our recruiting if nothing else. Other teams are losing critical players as well. I don;t see any CUSA team that has an advantage over SMU. Again, this is not some lame duck throw away year. Coach Jones will have them ready.

SMU 86 wrote:Not saying it will be easy but with GG coming in and all the coaching changes in CUSA we can do it. We really don't have any excuses.

And several schools will be getting new QB's other than just SMU.

Schools with new QB's other than SMU

Tulsa
Houston
ECU
UCF
USM


Schools with new coaches

Houston
USM
Memphis
UAB
Tulane

No way. We can win it, I guess, but no way we should be favored, with all new starters on the offensive line, a new quarterback who has never taken at SMU, 2 new starting receivers, 2 new starting defensive ends and 2 (maybe 3) new starters in the secondary, not to mention Zach Line coming back off foot surgery. Some serious talent returns, but they lost a lot of experience and talent.

Can anybody tell me who should be favored in CUSA if not SMU?

Cheat Sheet on NCAA returning starters-if you scroll down they isolate CUSA. Wow! Boise only has 6 returning starters-I'm surprised Peterson didn't get the hell out of Dodge

http://blog.philsteele.com/2012/01/20/2 ... -starters/

In theory, where we should be, we should be favored, we should win. On the field, eh, we'll see. Maybe June has identified technical development for offensive lineman as absolutely key to our success this year. Perhaps, he's bringing in a coaching and technique specialist such as Paclic to remedy these concerns on an expedited and short term basis. In which case, Paclic's technical expertise in the area of offensive lineman (3 Rimington winners) would help offset the graduation of our entire offensive line and allow us to get to the next level. Perhaps Paclic will be here for a year or two to address these concerns, and develop athletically superior, but raw lineman into a strength, rather than a question mark. Here's to hoping that's the case.

SMU 86 wrote:Not saying it will be easy but with GG coming in and all the coaching changes in CUSA we can do it. We really don't have any excuses.

And several schools will be getting new QB's other than just SMU.

Schools with new QB's other than SMU

Tulsa
Houston
ECU
UCF
USM

While Keenam has obviously graduated, they have David Piland coming back next year who was the QB who took over in 2010 and led them to the championship game that year. After having seen him play against us, I don't think that Houston's offense, unfortunately, will miss a beat!

I do not think Piland is their heir apparent. Seems like there was another kid that stepped up. I was thinking Piland may have even changed positions. Not sure, just some distant recollection.

SMU played in CUSA Championship that year. Piland led them to 5-7 season although they looked like Champs against us. Piland played like a freshman-freshman QBs suck. I'm sure he'll be a lot better but still gonna be a big drop off. Didn't UH lose all their top receivers

Yes, with QBs there is no substitute for experience and the confidence that comes with it. You certainly saw that with 6 year player Keenum. Remember we beat Houston at Ford or almost (I forget) when he was a freshman or sophomore. That's why I think we'll be favored if GG is here. While he has "taken no snaps at SMU", he has a few snaps at UT that should not be dismissed. I am anxious to see how Kaiser and Connor do this Spring. If they emerge, then I have no doubt we will be favored in the West. Defense will be highly rated in CUSA.

Our defense will be tops in CUSA IMO.

Stallion wrote:Cheat Sheet on NCAA returning starters-if you scroll down they isolate CUSA. Wow! Boise only has 6 returning starters-I'm surprised Peterson didn't get the hell out of Dodge

http://blog.philsteele.com/2012/01/20/2 ... -starters/

Interesting link. Funny that the worst teams in the conference have the most returning. We'll find out real quick how those coaching changes work.

Ponymon wrote:While Keenam has obviously graduated, they have David Piland coming back next year who was the QB who took over in 2010 and led them to the championship game that year. After having seen him play against us, I don't think that Houston's offense, unfortunately, will miss a beat!

Yeah, but it's not just Keenam. They lose the solid running back, their top reciveres and some of their line. Their loses, at least statistically, are much worse than ours - I argued what's-his-name (I've been drinking) had to leave, he lost waaaaaaay too much of the players he didn't even recruit.

SMU 86 wrote:Our defense will be tops in CUSA IMO.

Bingo. This will be the key to winning games. Getting a possibly great transfer at safety could be key.

While Keenam has obviously graduated, they have David Piland coming back next year who was the QB who took over in 2010 and led them to the championship game that year. After having seen him play against us, I don't think that Houston's offense, unfortunately, will miss a beat!

We made the championship game in 2010, Houston finished 5-7.

Looks like it should happen.

Is it possible to win CUSA without having to beat a team with a winning record? I think that's our only shot.

SMU2007 wrote:Is it possible to win CUSA without having to beat a team with a winning record? I think that's our only shot.

We will have to beat Tulsa and they will have a winning record.