(Graphic by Helena Bologna)
Football season is finally here.
SMU and Texas Tech will kick off the season in a non-conference, ESPN nationally televised game Sunday, Sept. 5 in Lubbock, Texas at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech finished 9-4 overall last season with a 5-3 Big 12 Conference record. SMU had its best season in 25 years, finishing 8-5 overall with a 6–2 Conference USA record.
SMU has a 13-game losing streak against the Red Raiders. The last time the teams competed, Texas Tech defeated SMU 43-7.
“We’re going into a place where SMU hasn’t won in a number of years. We’ll have our hands full. They’re (Texas Tech) a very talented team.” Jones said during his weekly College Press Box teleconference on Monday.
Both teams are projected to have two of the most prolific high-powered offenses in the nation this year.
ESPN.com’s opening week preview recently predicted a 44-40 victory for SMU.
Other news outlets, such as The Dallas Morning News foresee Tech coming out on top, 38-31 over SMU.
“We feel like we have to play our best football to win the game,” said Jones.
Neither team is currently ranked, but both teams were crowned champions of their respective bowls last year.
This will be Tommy Tuberville’s first season at Texas Tech, after leaving Auburn in December of 2008.
In 2004 Tuberville received the Walter Camp and Paul Bryant Coach of the Year awards, after leading Auburn to a perfect 13-0 season.
Other awards that season include SEC Coach of the Year and AFCA Coach of the Year.
Tuberville prefers a more run-oriented system, which is something Red Raider fans are not used to seeing.
“I’m sure there will be some similarities. The guy Tommy (Tuberville) hired, worked for Mike (Leach), and I’m sure that’s going to influence his scheme, but every coach puts on his own touch…It won’t be exactly like Miek’s offense. I’m sure it will have Tommy’s influence as well, and they will be more run-oriented. That doesnt mean they wont pass 60 time a game,” forsees Jones.
Offensive coordinator Neal Brown was added to Tuberville’s coaching staff to continue previous head coach, Mike Leach’s offensive system.
Brown left Troy, whose offense was ranked third nationally in 2009.
“I think Tech counts on getting about 100 plays a game, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw 60 passes and 40 runs,” said Jones.
Previous University of Hawaii head coach, June Jones signed a five-year, $2 million-a-year contract with the Mustang in 2008. The team ended the 2008 season 1-11.
Jones was the fifth coach to take over the team since SMU received the death penalty in 1987. In 2009, Jones led the Mustangs to a bowl game victory, ending a 25-year drought.
Last season, Jones was named Conference USA Coach of the Year by The Sporting News, and Coach of the Bowl Season by College Football News.
Last week, Jones signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at SMU through the 2014 season.
It will be a battle against the quarterbacks this Sunday.
Tech recently announced that senior Taylor Potts will be this season’s starting quarterback. In 2009, Potts threw 3,440 yards and scored 22 touchdowns for the Red Raiders.
Potts was named Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP last year after throwing for 372 yards and 2 touchdowns in a bowl game matchup against Michigan State. The Raiders defeated the Spartans 42-31.
SMU sophomore Kyle Padron will lead the Mustangs into Lubbock as this season’s starting quarterback.
Padron took the field seven games into the Mustangs’ season and posted a 5-1 record as starting quarterback. In that span he threw for 1,922 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Padron was named Hawaii Bowl MVP after throwing for 460 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 45-10 bowl victory over Nevada. Padron was also named to ESPN.com’s Non-AQ All-Bowl Team.
The Mustangs will take on the Red Raiders Sunday in Lubbock, Texas at 2:30 p.m.. For more information visit www.smumustangs.cstv.com
(Designed by Helena Bologna )
