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77. SMU Preview
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Linebacker
Relative Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Defensive Back

What to watch for on offense: Ton & Shoot. The Mustangs aren’t just balanced on offense. They’re powerful and downright assertive on the ground, testament to June Jones’ ability to adapt to the talent surrounding him. In Zach Line and Rishaad Wimbley, SMU has at its disposal nearly 500 pounds of muscle with which to soften defenses between the tackles. The pair is going to form an ideal counter to the quick-hitting passing style, keeping defenses off balance, and unable to target one specific segment of the offensive attack.

What to watch for on defense: The Hunt for notoriety. Prepare to get an earful regarding Mustangs DE Margus Hunt, who’s on the verge of becoming a household name at least in Conference USA circles. The Estonian product, who arrived in Dallas on a track & field scholarship, has done well since taking up football a few years ago. Now that the 6-8, 275-pound gifted athlete has mastered blocking kicks on special teams, he’s bucking to become a more productive pass rusher as well. If his bowl game performance versus Pitt, five tackles and three sacks, is a harbinger of things to come, Hunt could have NFL scouts flocking to SMU in the fall.

50. Baylor Preview
Relative Strengths: Receiver, Running Back
Relative Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Linebacker

What to watch for on offense: The running game. The overall numbers aren’t going to be as good as they were last season, but it’ll still be an effective attack. Of course the Baylor offense will still put up video game stats through the air with a great receiving corps for Nick Florence to work with, but the ground game could be just as dangerous and even more effective at times from the running backs. Griffin ran for 699 yards and ten scores, but that’s not Florence’s game. Fortunately, Jarred Salubi is a speed back who can do a little of everything. Lache Seastrunk was a star recruit for Oregon and would’ve put up LaMichael James-like stats had he still been with the Ducks, and now he’ll blow up for the Bears.

What to watch for on defense: The secondary will be better. To be fair to last year’s defense, it had to deal with great offense after great offense throwing to keep up the pace with the Baylor offense. Even so, giving up 291 yards per game through the air and 36 touchdowns was still awful. Kansas threw for 108 yards because it was Kansas, and Oklahoma State threw for 274 yards because the ground game went nuts ripping off 327 yards, but the Bears allowed 325 passing yards or more in six of the final eight games with three 400+ yard outings and a 398-yard game against Texas Tech. All five starters are back to the 4-2-5 alignment and there should be a decent rotation in some spots. The production will be better; it can’t be any worse.

24. TCU Preview
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Receiver
Relative Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Linebacker

What to watch for on offense: The passing game should explode. It was good when it had to be last season, but it only finished 63rd in the nation averaging 232 yards per game. Part of the reason was that Casey Pachall didn’t have to chuck it all over the yard against Portland State, Wyoming and Colorado State when the running game was going crazy, but he mounted a big comeback in the loss to Baylor and was brilliant in the win over Boise State. He has the size, the arm and the receiving corps to do a lot more in a league that will once again be known for its shootouts. Josh Boyce and Skye Dawson are a good 1-2 combination, and Brandon Carter, Cam White and LaDarius Brown will put up huge numbers, too.

What to watch for on defense: The back seven. Part of the foundation of the great TCU defenses in recent history has been tone-setting leaders at linebacker. Tank Carder is done, while Tanner Brock is out of the mix as part of the off-the-field issues and now he’s off to UTEP. The linebackers are expected to be fine in time, but the pressure is of Deryck Gildon and Kenny Cain to be great against the run. The problem, though, is a secondary that needs to be far stronger at corner and needing more plays from the safety. The pass defense is a major concern.

I think they have SMU and TCU reversed and Baylor is waaaaaaay to high.

All this will be corrected by September 29, 2012 when SMU is 4 - 0.

Not sure I am buying this. Seems a bit low given our recent success, improved recruiting and added depth. I can understand we are not top 10 but bottom half?

Inaccuracy in TCU Report:-they subsequently lost Gildon too due to academics

I think the order should be:

A&M
Baylor
TCU

I just don't see how a team recovers from losing 10 starters/projected starters/key contributors to non-graduation losses and has the depth to compete in the Big 12

Also, Margus was not on scholarship as we don't have a men's track and field team....

Hah they made absolutely no mention of GG being our quarterback, which I think will have an enormous impact this year. Barely even mentioned a pass attack, it sounded like we are a running team.

77 is a joke, we'll prove em wrong soon enough...

crazy how losing our line bumped us down from 45 to 77