CFN: 2005 SMU Football Preview

Cheesesteak · Post by **Cheesesteak** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:32 am

2005 SMU Mustangs Preview:

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Conf ... review.htm

Also, note the links at the top of the preview page (offensive breakdown and analysis / defensive breakdown and analysis / SMU depth chart / further Mustang analysis).

Dooby · Post by **Dooby** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:04 am

Pretty good analysis. Looks vaguely like it was written by someone who knows what they are talking about.

BUS · Post by **BUS** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:39 am

Very Nice coverage. This could be a good year. A good year for SMU fans given our recent past, that is.

Bennett could get these guys to win 5 games. Not betting the barn but it could happen.

I sure hope the line play is as good as the report suggests!!

Go Mustangs

2112 · Post by **2112** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:41 am

Very insightful, this writer knows our team. WE HAVE TO BEAT BAYLOR.

PonySnob · Post by **PonySnob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:01 am

BUS wrote:Bennett could get these guys to win 5 games. Not betting the barn but it could happen.

When can we expect Bennett to produce a winning season? Isn't it realistic to expect that more than once a decade? It is sad that the majority of SMU fans are happy just winning 2 or 3 games a year and a 5 win season is considered a good year.

LakeHighlandsPony · Post by **LakeHighlandsPony** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:15 am

I would not have put our kicker in our Top 10 player list.

EastStang · Post by **EastStang** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:33 am

The fact that our special teams is the only unit to break 7 out of 10 rating makes me nervous. But seeing all those 5's and 5.5's were certainly better than the 2 and 3 ratings of the past. The one sentence that certainly gave me some hope is that we should be competitive in every game with the talent that we have, not winning necessarily but competitive. I agree Baylor is a big game for us. A win at home would give us a lot of recruiting points, some momentum for the season, and a win over a BCS team (albeit a weak one). My view is that TCU is also a big game for us. The Frogs have more question marks than they have had in the last 6 years. This could be a good year to catch them looking past us.

PonyFan · Post by **PonyFan** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:33 am

Actually, I would. McMurtray didn't get a lot of chances last year (what was he, 7 for 8 or something?), but he has a very strong leg and much-improved confidence -- you can see it in the way he carries himself out there. As a freshman (and sophomore), he looked almost scared to miss. Now he goes out and drills 'em. He's a real asset.

I did think it was interesting that Cory Muse, who essentially hasn't played, is listed well ahead of Bobby Chase, who I think was the offensive MVP last year. Hopefully Muse comes out this year and justifies that position.

BUS · Post by **BUS** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:34 am

5 wins this year - Yes I will be happy.

I have and will be a Mustang fan but I can npt, and will not talk and dream like I have been smoking dope.

Reality is, we have not played well. Yes, I think Bennett is doing good things but I have not seen PROOF. I want proof and the writer also said something like.

If more wins do not come..... Something will change - I got what that means.

I'll take 5 this year and 7 next year. If we have 7 this year, and go to any bowl, a small group of SMU friends are downing a bottle of something wild.

PonyFan · Post by **PonyFan** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:37 am

I'd be thrilled to go to the Darrell Dickey Bowl. And I'll be drinking plenty! Whether it's this year or 2064, I'll be there.

GO MUSTANGS

DiamondM75 · Post by **DiamondM75** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:40 am

PonySnob wrote:When can we expect Bennett to produce a winning season? Isn't it realistic to expect that more than once a decade? It is sad that the majority of SMU fans are happy just winning 2 or 3 games a year and a 5 win season is considered a good year.

The situation isn't that SMU fans are happy with 2 or 3 wins, but with progress. If we win 5 games this year, that shows progress.

2003 0 - 12
2004 3 - 8
2005 5 - 6

In my mind this shows progress. Increasing the W's every year is progress. Don't you realize how bad this program was? Bennett has said that to rebuild this program, he had to strip it down to the foundation and start over. I feel he has done that and that we are starting to see the results. In 2006 and 2007, we should expect winning seasons, and will not be happy with 2, 3 or 4 wins.

Stallion · Post by **Stallion** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:26 am

the Frogs may have some questions-but they also have some BIG-TIME answers at the skill positions including Gunn, Hobbs, Merrill, Corey Rodgers et al. BIG ADVANTAGE for TCU over SMU at those positions.

The PonyGrad · Post by **The PonyGrad** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:29 am

Stallion wrote:the Frogs may have some questions-but they also have some BIG-TIME answers at the skill positions including Gunn, Hobbs, Merrill et al. BIG ADVANTAGE for TCU over SMU at those positions.

OK, I hear the answer but ... what does this refer to again?

EastStang · Post by **EastStang** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:54 am

He was referring to the end of my post where I said that TCU was a big game. First, I don't see a lot of improvement in their secondary which TT and Northwestern lit up last year. If our passing game improves to the level it should, we could stay with them.

The PonyGrad · Post by **The PonyGrad** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:19 am

Regarding TCU, the biggest equalizers for us are:
1) Home game - remember two years ago?
2) TCU will be coming off a road game to OU.
3) We should have some offense, unlike last year. More experience and Phillips not starting injured and ending more injured.
4) More confidence and momentum for SMU than last year.
5) Revenge or redemption for last year.
6) Did I mention it was a home game?

We should be underdogs but I expect a close game and a chance at a W.