Drops hurt the Mustangs’ passing game against Texas Tech. SMU will have to eliminate errors Saturday against North Texas. (John Schreiber)

There was little time to dwell on the shellacking SMU received from Texas Tech at head coach Phil Bennett’s weekly press conference. He and his team were already turning their attention to Saturday’s opponent, the University of North Texas.

“Right now, after this game, I thought we were further along than we are,” Bennett said. “Right now we’re a work in progress.”

Bennett said he spent most of Monday night at Ford Stadium. He wants to make sure SMU comes out prepared on Saturday, avoiding a repeat of last year’s 24-6 loss to the Mean Green.

One major change will be the way SMU runs the offense.

Players were running the offense using wristbands with plays written on them. The idea was to speed up play on the field, but it just wound up causing problems.

Bennett said they would go back to calling in plays from the sidelines starting this week against North Texas.

SMU practiced with the wristband system the entire summer and during mini-camps when school was back in session. The team didn’t experience any difficulties until the system was put into use Monday against Texas Tech.

“Both times they struggled with it we were in the red zone, and it took us out of rhythm,” Bennett said. “It’s a coaching mistake; we should have gotten rid of it faster.”

SMU’s defense is planning for both North Texas quarterbacks. Junior Daniel Meager and freshman Giovanni Vizza saw playing time during North Texas’ 79-10 loss to Oklahoma. Meager was benched in the middle of the game and Vizza was put in the game, scoring the only touchdown for North Texas.

Bennett said they don’t know what the Mean Green will do at quarterback, but his team will be prepared for both of them.

Since this will be only the second game for North Texas head coach Todd Dodge, Bennett has been studying game tapes from Dodge’s Southlake Carroll games, where he coached previously.

One thing Bennett isn’t budging on is the “All Out” blitz, which has gained notoriety in a not-so-good way for the SMU defense. Defensemen could be heard on the ESPN telecast and in person at Ford Stadium yelling “All Out” before blitzing the Texas Tech offense.

Bennett said the blitzing scheme was effective except for one play. That play resulted in a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tech receiver Danny Amendola. He said the blitz would remain in the SMU playbook because the defense can line up in different formations.

Justin Willis will have to put another rough season opener behind him. North Texas comes into Ford Stadium just five days after Texas Tech. (John Schreiber)