Fearless predictions

[PonyTales]

Nobody really knew what to expect last year. We were entering the first year with Phil Bennett coaching our Ponies, and there were new systems - and new terminology - installed for the players to learn. Now our guys have a season under their belts, they are a year bigger and stronger, and they're being pushed by the young players Coach Bennett and his staff have recruited. So here are some predictions for what we can expect to see this year:

• Richard Bartel will vastly improve the Mustangs' aerial game. The SMU offense accounted for 1,912 yards through the air in 2002. Bartel will eclipse 2,500 yards, and will throw 16 touchdown passes - topping last year's team total of 11.

• Keylon Kincade will have fewer carries than last year, when he logged 327 rushing attempts, but his yards-per-carry average will go up, giving him just over 1,500 yards this season - allowing him to jump past Jeff Atkins for fourth place on the all-time SMU rushing yards list.

• Chris Cunningham will record the 86 punt return yards he needs to become the school's all-time yardage leader - against Baylor in the Mustangs' second game of the year.

• Jonas Rutledge will return to his 2001 form, reaching the end zone four times in 2003 - twice on interceptions, once on a kickoff return and once on a fumble return.

• Don Ieremia-Stansbury will record 12 quarterback sacks in 2003 - breaking Luke Johnson's single-season record of 11.5.

• D.D. Lee will lead the team in tackles with 131.

• Bartel and speedster Trey Griffin will team up to break the school record for the longest pass play in school history, erasing Jeff Courtwright's 96-yard pass to Craig James from the top spot in the record book.

• Phil Bennett will announce in February the signing of the highest-rated recruiting class since the mid-1980s.

• SMU will regain the series lead with a 24-9 win over TCU in the season finale.



(Can you tell I'm a little excited for the start of the season?)






[This message has been edited by PonyTales (edited 07-13-2003).]

[Pony Nation]

So, with all that said, what will our record be?

[PonyTales]

6-6. Next year the major improvement shows in the win column!

[Phil Fan]

Not a bad prediction - some optimism for improvement, tempered with reality. Have faith in Phil, he'll get the Ponies rolling (and quicker than some skeptics might think.) SMU won't cruise through the season this year, but he'll have the Ponies on the right track.

[Pony Nation]

I'm gonna go ahead and say 7-5, the thought of being 6-6 and being so close to a winning season makes me think we'll hopefully pull one out and go over .500

[Fresh]

I'll take 6-6 - gladly. Breaking even as the team reloads for the future would be a huge step forward. I'm not even sure we can break even, but if we do, that will be a great selling point for the coaches in recruiting. Anything above that is gravy.