TCU wide receiver John Brown goes up for the ball while covered by freshmen defensive back Jake Rogers in SMU’s 7-48 loss last Saturday at Ford Stadium. (Stuart Palley)
In 2006, the Mustangs’ win in New Orleans gave SMU a 3-2 record, that was the first time SMU has had a winning record five games into the season since 1992.
The 2008 Mustangs will need a win to stay afloat in the bowl picture. SMU comes in with a 1-3 record and a chance to be eliminated from post-season play by mid-October.
The Mustangs will have to cut down on turnovers, eight in the last two games, and put points on the board, 14 in the past two games. If SMU can score and hold onto the ball, that will help take pressure off the defense.
Even in the win against Texas State the offense did not operate efficiently. Yes, they put up 47 points, but that was helped mostly by five turnovers forced by the defense.
Against Tulane the Mustangs will have to put together a complete game. The offense will have to sustain drives and score, and the defense will have to force punts and turnovers.
The Mustangs will be playing their second Conference USA game of the season, and will once again be on the road. The last time SMU won on the road was the 2006 game against Tulane. That task won’t be any easier this season with road games coming up against UCF, Navy and UTEP.
Against TCU the Mustangs couldn’t get the running game going. DeMyron Martin carried the ball three times and gained no yards. Without an effective running game the run and shoot offense cannot be successful.
SMU needs to use the short week to its advantage.
The Mustangs need to not only put the loss against TCU behind them, but they also can wear down the Tulane defense that is coming off two spectacular games.
The Tulane (1-2) defense is No. 1 in the conference in seven of nine defensive categories including total and scoring defense. That could be the biggest problem for the Mustangs tonight.
While the Tulane offense has been able to score only 18 points a game, the defense has kept things close allowing just over 19 a game. And after their 20-6 loss at Alabama, the Green Wave has scored 24 in each of their last two games, a full 17 points higher than the Mustangs.
After the loss to TCU, SMU head coach June Jones said the team isn’t putting itself in a place to win right now. If SMU hopes to make any progress over the 1-11 season from a year ago the team is going to have to start learning how to win. Whether that begins with the offense scoring points, or the defense forcing turnovers and getting stops something needs to give for the Mustangs.
No one expected miracles overnight, but more wins were hoped for.
The game airs on CBS College Sports and 1310 the Ticket at 7 p.m.
