Dallas Morning News Volume lV

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SPORTSBAYLOR BEARS

5 things Baylor fans need to know about Iowa State: Stifling defense; no more Purdy, Hall​

The No. 17 Bears hit the road to begin Big 12 play versus Iowa State.​

No. 17 Baylor is feeling much better this week coming off its 42-7 win over Texas State.
Unfortunately for the Bears (2-1), they now hit the road for their conference opener, an 11 a.m. matchup on Saturday against Iowa State (3-0) that will be broadcast on ESPN2. Baylor will look to learn from its previous road game woesand start Big 12 play on the right track.
Here are five things Baylor fans need to know about Iowa State:

Finally no more Brock Purdy, Breece Hall​

I’m sure if he wanted to, current San Francisco 49ers and former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy could manage to somehow muster more eligibility and get back under center at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. All jokes aside, Purdy, along with standout New York Jets running back Breece Hall, are no longer Cyclones. It’s a new era in Ames and the Bears have to actually scout for something different now.
When asked of how different Iowa State looks on tape without those two, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said there are a few differences but that there’s still a clear identity about them.


“They are a little different, they’ve thrown it more than they [normally] have,” Aranda said. “I think they’re blitzing more. If you infer just those pieces in terms of the last couple of years that I’ve been watching film since we’ve been here, I would say he [Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell] plays to the strengths of what they’ve got; You can see that for sure. The identity of the physicality and running the ball and stopping the run and all that for sure shows up, and that is still there.”Now, the Bears are game planning against Cyclone QB Hunter Dekkers, who has put together a solid start to the season. Dekkers has completed 78-of-105 (74.3%) attempts across three games for 745 yards and eight touchdowns with three interceptions.
On the ground, Baylor has to look out for Iowa State’s Jirehl Brock, the lead back for the squad. Brock has carried the ball 50 times for 280 yards (5.6 YPC) and one touchdown over three games.

Matt Campbell game plans well​

When the Bears roll into Ames this weekend, the Cyclones will be more prepared than a large majority of schools across the country. This is because Campbell is one of the best coaches in all of football and doesn’t get nearly enough credit for it.
Aranda made note of how tough this game will be on Monday:

“We’re definitely going to be challenged coming up on Saturday,” Aranda said. “As far as the view of who we want to be and consistently look like, I would say Iowa State kind of is that in a lot of ways. They don’t beat themselves, they’re efficient with all their movements in what they do. They’re a tough outfit. I have a lot of respect for them and a lot of respect for their coach. It’s going to be a challenge for us, so I’m excited for that and to see how much we’ve grown.”

Don’t forget how narrowly Baylor won in Waco a year ago, proving that Campbell will be more than ready for whatever Aranda and Co. throw at them. Keep an eye on the chess match between the two head coaches on the sidelines Saturday morning.

WR Xavier Hutchinson is ... quite good​

Oh, yeah. This guy poses serious problems.Redshirt senior wideout Xavier Hutchinson is one of the most lethal threats in the Big 12, make no mistake. This season, Hutchinson has already notched 319 receiving yards on 28 catches to pair with five touchdowns.The man is averaging over a 100 yards a game in college. Just bonkers. There is a major drop off in terms of numbers for the rest of the Iowa State receiver room, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable.
If Dekkers has time but isn’t able to connect with Hutchinson [big if], then don’t be surprised to see athletes like Jaylin Noel or Sean Shaw step up.

Really, really good defense​

While the Cyclones’ schedule has been relatively soft [insert your opinion on Iowa here], the defensive numbers are off the charts. Iowa State has absolutely shut down its opponents through three games in ways that aren’t very common in this era.
The Cyclones have held their opponents to under 250 total yards per game and only 60 rushing yards per game. Regardless of who’s lining up on the other side of the ball, those are wild numbers. Teams just have no room to work with against Iowa State, and Baylor will really need to be firing on all cylinders to have a shot at cracking that defense.

“I’ve played against them a lot,” Baylor fifth-year senior left tackle Connor Galvin said. “They’re a team that plays hard. They don’t beat themselves. They’re tough. They’re physical. It’s just going to be a game of who does simple better. How well we execute our base plays versus how well they defend our base plays, and it’s going to be a fight.”

Watch out for Will McDonald IV​

Having to deal with an elite edge threat is never fun, but it’s something the Bears will see a lot of on Saturday. Redshirt senior defensive end Will McDonald IV is one of the best defensive lineman in the Big 12 and will definitely hear his name called in the 2023 NFL draft.Baylor’s offensive line is no slouch, but even it will have a ton on its plate in dealing with McDonald IV. Expect a lot of double teams and schemes set up to run the ball or move away from McDonald IV to limit his impact as much as possible.But great players make great plays, and McDonald IV will be sure to remind us just how good he is throughout Saturday’s contest.

 

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SPORTSOKLAHOMA SOONERS

5 things Oklahoma fans need to know about Kansas State: Familiar face at QB​

When watching the Wildcats, these are keys to know heading into Saturday’s tilt.​

The Sooners are returning home after their 49-14 throttling of rival Nebraska in their first road test of 2022. Here’s five things to learn about Kansas State heading into Oklahoma’s first Big 12 game of the season.

Wildcats coming in wounded​

After thrashings over South Dakota and Missouri, to say an upset from Tulane was surprising would be an understatement.

Kansas State came in as near two touchdowns favorites, but the offense struggled to get in the end zone more than once. During the Wildcats’ seven drives in the second half, it was a back-and-forth match as to whether they were punting or turning the ball over on downs.Nebraska-transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez struggled to throw the ball down field, with his longest completion being the lone touchdown to senior wide receiver Kade Warner.This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Wildcat fans under head coach Chris Klieman, as Kansas State has struggled to put away inferior opponents.
The Wildcats are looking for momentum in the passing game and will need to step up in order to be competitive with Oklahoma.

Familiar face at QB again​

Martinez is making his return to Norman after giving Oklahoma all they could handle last year.Three games into 2022, Martinez has struggled mightily to throw the ball down field, with just 304 passing yards and a touchdown.
Although he has been off to a slow start in Manhattan, Martinez is a groomed quarterback with over 8,700 total passing yards and 46 touchdowns, to go with his 2,451 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns.

He will need to have his best performance of the season in order to get the Wildcats back on track.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s presence​

The Big 12 All-First team member from last year returns after an impactful sophomore campaign.His breakout game in 2021 came from a four-sack performance against TCU, that could have been six if they weren’t taken away by two fumbles forced.He anchors the defensive line and has 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks through his first three games this year.Although the numbers show his production, Uzomah has proven he can create pressure and disrupt a play without collecting stats.He also has a knack for forcing fumbles, as the seven in his career ranks sixth all-time in Kansas State history.
Kansas State’s defensive line will be the toughest Oklahoma has faced yet and Uzomah is the prized player in the trenches.

Special teams warriors​

Sometimes, Kansas State’s best scoring comes from the speed they do have with the wide receiver duo of Malik Knowles and Phillip Brooks on kick and punt return duties.Each have a return for a touchdown, with Brooks being the more-known returner with four career touchdowns through special teams.Although Knowles is known for being a big-body wide receiver, he also has plenty of experience returning kicks.
He’s off to a slow start out wide, with 10 catches for 92 yards, but had a rushing touchdown against South Dakota and has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Blocking punts and returning kicks has been a novelty in Manhattan and they will be more than ready to run if those two have the room.

Playing up to the Sooners​

Oklahoma fans have gotten to know when they play Kansas State over the past few years, it’s never going to be easy, regardless of record.

The Wildcats won back-to-back years, clipping the Sooners in Manhattan in 2019, 48-41, as well as in 2020, 38-35, when the world was introduced to K-State running back Deuce Vaughn.
Even in last year’s 37-31 win for Oklahoma, Knowles made the game close with a kickoff return for a touchdown and the Sooners needed to recover an onside kick to prevent the upset.

Martinez led Nebraska to a one-score game last year in Norman last year but fell short, 23-16.

Sooner fans have been accustomed to close games, and regardless of their loss last week, should expect another tight game in Norman.

 

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SPORTSSMU MUSTANGS

Lead-up to SMU’s Battle for Iron Skillet vs. Sonny Dykes, TCU lacking sizzle — for now​

But this year’s Battle for the Iron Skillet doesn’t require pregame sound bites to add to its intrigue.​

UNIVERSITY PARK — It’s clear Rashee Rice is different this year.

Through three weeks, the SMU senior wide receiver has shown it with his play. No one in the nation has more receiving yards so far.

On Tuesday, he showed it with his words.For the second-straight season, Rice — a Richland alum — was given a stage to address his feelings on the Battle for the Iron Skillet and the long-standing rivalry between SMU and nearby TCU. A year ago, he used that stage to light a fire under the skillet.
“It’s always going to be Dallas vs. Fort Worth,” Rice, confidently, said before last season’s 42-34 win, “but no one comes to Texas for Fort Worth.”

This time around, there was no hurling of trash talk.


“They’re a pretty good defense,” Rice said. “I look forward to playing my old coaching staff and doing that on Saturday.”

Of course, this year’s Battle for the Iron Skillet doesn’t require pregame sound bites to add to its intrigue. That’s because former SMU head coach Sonny Dykes made the rare college football move to go straight from being the head coach at one school, directly to its rival.

A potential sellout crowd is expected at Ford Stadium on Saturday, and as of Tuesday afternoon, the cheapest tickets on secondary marketplaces were going for over $200 a seat. Dykes, understanding the rarity of his coaching move, has an idea of what to expect for his return.
“If I bought a ticket to the game, I would boo me too,” Dykes told reporters on Tuesday, adding that he’s accustomed to it in opposing stadiums and unaffected by it.

The rest of the rivalry comments were just as calm on Tuesday.
SMU defensive back Brandon Crossley, who played at Little Elm, explained: “A rivalry game always means a little more and you always want to win that rivalry game. You don’t want the skillet to go back to [Fort Worth], so surely we want to win a rivalry game, especially this one.”

TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnson told 247Sports he was a fan of the rivalry.
“It’s good for college football,” he said. “Everything is breaking up and we’ve been able to keep it up through the years.”
TCU offensive lineman Steve Avila, a South Grand Prairie-ex, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the factual: “It’s Dallas vs. Fort Worth. That’s the way I see it.”
In a staff meeting on Sunday, SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods said head coach Rhett Lashlee addressed the start of rivalry week.

“We need to be passionate and not emotional,” Lashlee said, according to Woods, “and I don’t know that you can say it better than that.”

Lashlee and this coaching staff weren’t at SMU a year ago, but even the casual fan heard about the emotion that arose from last year’s Iron Skillet battle.
In case it’s needed, here’s a refresher.

After the win, Rice sprinted over and grabbed SMU’s Triple D flag. He then jogged to midfield at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium, hoping to plant the flag. He was stopped by Horned Frogs, but a few other SMU players returned to finish the job at midfield. Amid all that, then-TCU assistant coach Jerry Kill was knocked down. After the game, TCU head coach Gary Patterson claimed that a SMU player hit Kill with a helmet. Multiple videos, including one taken by The Dallas Morning News, showed it was TCU players who actually bumped into Kill, knocking him down.

Later the next week, Patterson doubled down on the accusations. In response, SMU athletic director Rick Hart wrote in a statement that he was assured by TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati that Patterson would “walk back” his accusations, even though he didn’t.
A lot has changed since then. Patterson is now an assistant at Texas. Dykes is now the head coach of the Horned Frogs. And Rice, unlike last year, decided to keep his comments about the rivalry simple and out of the headlines.

“Honestly, I don’t think it has anything to do with emotions,” Rice said when asked about the rivalry. “I think we’re happy with our new coaching staff, and I’m pretty sure they’re happy over there, and we’re just looking to have two teams compete against each other this weekend.”

After the questions were over, and the recorders were stopped, Rice flashed a smile.
You thought you were going to get me,” he said before laughing.

Nope. Things are different in the lead-up to this year’s Iron Skillet.

 

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SPORTSTCU HORNED FROGS

5 things TCU fans need to know about SMU: Mustang air raid led by QB Tanner Mordecai​

Meanwhile, wide receiver Rashee Rice leads the FBS with 491 receiving yards.​

TCU has won seven of the last 10 battles for the Iron Skillet but SMU, as well as TCU head coach Sonny Dykes, have won the past two.

With Dykes on a different sideline this time around, the new-look Mustangs are still a force to be reckoned with. Here are five things TCU fans need to know about SMU:

Mordecai leads the air raid​

In three games this season, SMU has averaged 41.3 passing attempts per game. Although the Mustangs have been utilizing a pass-heavy game plan, Dykes said that their pass frequency is situational, depending on what the opposing defense allows.“Knowing Rhett [Lashlee], I’m sure that they didn’t want to do that. I think they just thought that gave them the best chance to win the game,” said Dykes. “Rhett believes in running the football and the importance of it.”
Quarterback Tanner Mordecai has led the Mustangs’ air raid, averaging 337.6 passing yards per game and throwing 10 touchdowns on the season.

“[Mordecai] is just talented,” said Dykes. “He’s got a good arm. He’s a really good athlete. He’s really fast.”

Rice is a constant threat​

Mordecai’s primary target is senior wide receiver Rashee Rice, who leads the entire FBS in receiving yards with 491 yards, averaging 163.6 per contest. Rice has three touchdowns thus far, one against North Texas and two against Lamar.

Dykes said that Rashee is a great route runner with a strong lower body, excellent body control and a competitive mindset.
“Obviously, [Mordecai] and Rashee [Rice] are really on the same page in terms of the passing game,” said Dykes. “He’s throwing it to Rashee and Rashee is making plays on the ball consistently.”

Luckily for TCU, they have several talented defensive backs that could be tasked with containing Rice, including 2021 First-Team All-Big 12 CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Rice will be a test for defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie’s 3-3-5 system. Limiting his production will be one of the keys to stopping the Mustangs.

The Rhett Lashlee Era​

TCU isn’t the only D-FW program to have a newly hired skipper. Lashlee, who spent two years as the Mustangs’ offensive coordinator under Dykes, was brought back to the program as head coach on Nov. 29, 2021.

Dykes said that Lashlee has done a great job building offenses around the talent he’s been given.
“Rhett [Lashlee] has done a great job wherever he’s been,” said Dykes.

Running back by committee​

Just like TCU, SMU will also utilize multiple running backs. In last week’s loss to Maryland, the Mustang ground game involved five different players.
They didn’t see much success, averaging 3.59 yards per carry on 42 attempts. Senior Tre Siggers led the unit with 87 yards and Kansas transfer Velton Gardner tallied 22.

Even though SMU’s offense has been pass-heavy the first few games, the running back room is still a threat.

“We’ve got to do a good job of being prepared for all of [the different gameplans],” said Dykes.

Mistake prone​

Yes, SMU has a well-rounded team, and will be TCU’s toughest challenge yet, but they have weaknesses the Frogs can take advantage of. Mordecai threw two interceptions, fumbled in the red zone, and failed to deliver late in the fourth quarter against Maryland. If the Frogs can force Mordecai to turn the ball over, they’ll be in a great position to succeed.

Additionally, the SMU run defense had a poor outing last week, giving up 151 rushing yards to Roman Hemby and 50 to QB Taulia Tagovailoa. This is a potential weakness the Frogs can attack.TCU QB Max Duggan, a constant rushing threat, is set to receive playing time with Chandler Morris rehabbing a knee injury. The Frogs have five players that average more than 20 rushing yards per game, including running back Kendre Miller who has totaled 54 per contest.

 

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SPORTSTEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

5 things Texas Tech fans need to know about Texas: Red Raiders must slow down run game​

After the Longhorns put 70 on the board last season, TTU needs to solve UT’s offense.​

No Texas Tech fan needs reminding of the 70-35 beatdown the Red Raiders suffered at the hands of Texas last season. A lot has changed about this Red Raiders team since then, but the Longhorns have changed as well. Here are five things Texas Tech fans need to know about the 2022 Longhorns:

QB madness​

Quarterback is always a position that generates a lot of attention, but the Longhorns’ situation at the position has been nothing short of a rollercoaster this season. Heading into Week 1, Quinn Ewers was named the starting quarterback after it was rumored that Hudson Card had won the job. Ewers threw for 359 yards, two touchdowns and an interception over two games before suffering an injury against Alabama. While it seemed that Ewers would miss an extended amount of time, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian reported on Tuesday that all of the Longhorns’ quarterbacks were practicing. Who will be the starting quarterback against Texas Tech? It seems no one knows the answer to that question yet.

A sore reunion​

The last time these two teams faced each other, the Longhorns put 70 points on the board. It was an agonizing defeat for the Red Raiders, one that was caused by a disappointing run defense. The Longhorns totaled a whopping 336 rushing yards in that contest, led by Bijan Robinson’s 137 yards. Roschon Johnson was no relief for the Texas Tech defense, who put up 64 yards and two touchdowns of his own. Both of those backs are still on the Texas sideline, which is a sight that could nauseate Texas Tech fans.

Question mark on defense​

It’s been a noisy week for Texas linebacker Demarvion Overshown. The senior started his week by appealing a targeting call from the UTSA game, one that could cause him to miss the first half of the Texas Tech game. Overshown was then reportedly arrested for a marijuana possession charge, but it was later corrected that the incident happened in December of last year. Needless to say, there’s a lot of noise around Overshown right now. The linebacker is currently second in total tackles on the Texas defense. With his status up in the air, Texas Tech will need to game plan for an explosive first half.

Newfound identity​

There’s a new, unexpected face on the Texas sideline, and he may be making a bigger impact than it seems. Former TCU head coach Gary Patterson joined the Longhorns’ staff as a defensive analyst this offseason, and the Texas’ defense has looked noticeably different. The Longhorns’ standing in measurable statistics is lackluster, ranking ninth in opponent rushing yards per game and eighth in total yards allowed per game among Big 12 teams. But while the measurables aren’t there, the blitz looks from Longhorns have been elite. Six different Texas defenders have tallied at least half a sack already this season. Against a Texas Tech offensive line that’s struggled, expect a lot of pressure from Texas.

Downfield headache​

An unexpected weak point of the Texas Tech defense this season has been the secondary. The Red Raiders have allowed a number of plays where a receiver completely broke their coverage and ended up wide open downfield. Texas Tech better hope to correct those issues quickly, because Texas has two massive weapons on the outside. Xavier Worthy is the most notable Texas receiver, making his presence known with 100 yards and three touchdowns against Texas Tech last season. Jordan Whittington has evolved into a vital part of the Texas offense, leading the team in receptions this season.

 

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

5 things Texas fans need to know about Texas Tech: Good defense stabilizes Red Raiders​

Texas Tech will also have to rely on sophomore quarterback Donovan Smith to lead the charge.​

Texas ended its non-conference schedule with a 41-20 win over UTSA last Saturday. This week, the Longhorns head up to Lubbock to begin Big 12 play against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are coming off of a 27-14 loss against the NC State Wolfpack.

Here are five things Texas fans should know about Texas Tech:

A solid defense​

Texas Tech has one of the best defenses in the Big 12, by far. At the very least, do not expect this year’s game to be a blowout. Texas beat Texas Tech last season, 70-35, in Austin.Linebacker Tyree Wilson currently leads the team in tackles, with 12 solo and 21 total. Despite the loss to NC State, Wilson showed out against the Wolfpack. He ended the game with 11 tackles, 3.5 TFL and two sacks. The former Texas A&M Aggie is one of the most important defenders to this great Texas Tech defense.

Another young QB (or two)​

Texas Tech is also currently led by a young quarterback, sophomore Donovan Smith. The Red Raiders’ starting quarterback, senior Tyler Shough, is still recovering from a shoulder injury that occurred earlier in the month.


“He’s a multi-talented guy that deserves our attention and focus,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said about Smith on Monday.

Smith was awarded Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week earlier this month for his performance in Texas Tech’s win over Houston. However, the Nevada native struggled last weekend against NC State and ended the game with a 58.3% completion rate.

Smith has already shown his talent this season, but the question is whether he’ll be consistent on Saturday. It’s up to Smith and freshman quarterback Behren Morton to run the show, for now.

Minimizing turnovers​

Texas Tech had four turnovers in its loss to NC State, marking a season total of six. Texas has only committed one turnover this season — it happened in the season opener against ULM.

Minimizing turnovers is definitely something that the Red Raiders will be focused on come Saturday. The high volume of turnovers played a key part in last week’s loss to NC State.
The Red Raiders will be on watch as the Longhorns’ much-improved defense looks to do some damage.

Joey McGuire’s first game vs. Texas​

The game on Saturday will also be the first time that Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire leads a team against Texas. McGuire has been coaching in the Big 12 since 2017 when he was hired at Baylor by Matt Rhule.But Saturday will be his first experience leading a team against Texas. McGuire still draws heavily from his time at Baylor, citing Baylor head coach Dave Aranda as one example of why he has started leaning towards analytics.

Full house​

Saturday’s game is officially sold out, per Texas Tech Athletics. This is the first time since 2018 that Jones AT&T Stadium will host a sold-out game. During that season, both games against Texas and Oklahoma were sold out.With Texas’ entrance into the SEC nearing, Saturday’s matchup will most likely be the last time that Texas plays in Lubbock as a member of the Big 12. All 60,454 seats of Jones AT&T Stadium will be filled as Texas’ Big 12 farewell tour begins.

 

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SPORTSSMU MUSTANGS

SMU’s one-trick-pony offense is potent, but will Mustangs need more vs. rival TCU?​

The Mustangs might need more distribution on offense ahead of their matchup against TCU.​

UNIVERSITY PARK — At this point, based on the first three weeks of the season, SMU looks like it could be a one-trick pony on offense. Counterpoint: is that necessarily a bad thing when that one trick is really good?

Senior wide receiver Rashee Rice has looked the part of a potential Biletnikoff Award candidate so far. He leads the nation with 491 receiving yards on 28 receptions — many of which haven’t come without a contesting defender on his hip. Against Maryland last week, quarterback Tanner Mordecai targeted Rice 20 times.

“You guys saw it: Every time we threw it to him he either caught it or got a [pass interference],” Lashlee said after the 34-27 defeat. “So we’re not going to apologize for that.”
No apology necessary. But is more distribution necessary on offense the rest of the season, starting with Saturday’s sold out Battle for the Iron Skillet against TCU?
Offensive coordinator Casey Woods laughed when asked that.

“We’re going to give it to the guys that can get yards for us and make plays,” Woods said with a chuckle.


Then he took a more serious tone.

“But always,” he said, regarding an emphasis on spreading out the attack. “The offense is structured in that way and we’ve got good quarterbacks that can. Tanner does a great job distributing it throughout. Obviously, there gets to be situational times, and just sometimes it’s the looks that the defense gives you that gives you an opportunity. And shoot, when you hit it as many times as you hit it, there’s no reservations about getting him the ball.”
As word of Rice’s ability grows, however, the situations conducive to targeting him might diminish. One call for every defensive coordinator is the aspiration to eliminate or subdue an opposing offense’s best ability.
TCU defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie, according to SMU’s coaches, is good at doing just that. The former Stephenville head coach spent seven seasons at Tulsa, including the last three as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“I respect a lot of coaches in our business, but I may have as much respect for Joe Gillespie as anyone,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said, both on a schematic level and personal level.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes, formerly the head coach at SMU, said he didn’t know Gillespie personally before he interviewed him for the Horned Frogs defensive coordinator job this offseason. Dykes did, however, get to face-off against him, including last year’s season finale loss to Tulsa.

“I think he probably has as good of an understanding of that drop eight stuff as anyone,” Dykes said.
Translation: Gillespie is really good at designing a defense that can bend, but not break. Deep ball opportunities could be at a premium for a team that might have the best deep-ball connection in college football so far. Mordecai has completed 10 passes that traveled at least 20 plus yards to Rice, according to Pro Football Focus, at an average depth of target of over 27 yards on those passes. That’s the most receptions for a receiver in that category in the country. Those 10 receptions have resulted in 287 yards.
Gillespie’s Horned Frogs will undoubtedly try and slow that down. That emphasis could be a test for SMU’s offense.
“We’re going to have to be patient,” Lashlee said of SMU’s offense this coming Saturday. “At the end of the day, you hear this word — it all comes down to execution every week, that’s true, but the way they play their defense, probably more so than ever, because if you’re a hair off, they do a great job of always having you outnumbered.”

In addition to being patient, Mordecai and the SMU offense might also have to be a little more spread out. The good news, according to Lashlee: there’s a lot of options. Jordan Kerley left the first quarter of the game against Maryland with a shoulder injury, but Lashlee said he’ll be in “pretty good shape here pretty quick.” Rice transfer Jake Bailey made his return to the lineup last week. Texas transfer Moochie Dixon caught a touchdown late. Earlier in the game, true freshman tight end R.J. Maryland had a 51-yard touchdown reception.

“It doesn’t have to necessarily be one guy,” Lashlee said
But if it has to be one guy, having a guy like Rice makes for a pretty good trick.

 

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Guerin Emig: One player, one problem, one preposterous prediction and one pick for TU-Ole Miss​

One player, one problem, one preposterous prediction and one pick for Tulsa’s 3 p.m. game at Ole Miss Saturday...
ONE PLAYER
TU quarterback Davis Brin
A team facing its most consequential game of the season, and this is easily TU’s most consequential game so far, needs its most consequential player to rise up. Brin isn’t just the Golden Hurricane’s most important player, he is among the most important players in FBS.
It isn’t just that the guy leads the nation in passing yardage, passing touchdowns and total offense, it’s that he is doing so without the benefit of a complementary running game; TU ranks 108th among FBS teams in rushing.

There is no doubt Brin is stepping up in class against the Ole Miss defense. The Rebels rank 16th in total defense nationally, and fifth in sacks per game. That latter statistic is alarming, given that TU has allowed 10 sacks over its 2-1 start.
Here’s what plays into Brin’s hands Saturday: “This is a totally different challenge than we’ve had," Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said this week. “I think some people would say the best team we’ve played, the most challenging team for sure, schematically, and passing game."

Last week, the Rebels blitzed a Georgia Tech team not exactly known for throwing the ball (the Yellow Jackets completed 18 passes for only 161 yards). The week before, Central Arkansas completed 14 passes for 131 yards in losing at Oxford.


Troy completed 28 passes in losing 28-10 at Ole Miss Sept. 3, but averaged just 8.2 yards in doing so.
TU averages 15.3 yards per completion to rank 12th in FBS. Brin has been terrific pushing the ball downfield to Keylon Stokes, JuanCarlos Santana, Malachai Jones and Isaiah Epps.
He’ll need to keep that up Saturday. He just might be able to do so, given how much of a shock he will be to Ole Miss’ defensive system.
ONE PROBLEM
Ole Miss’ offense
The Rebels counter Brin with Jaxson Dart, a USC transfer who was 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year at his Utah high school. Dart’s numbers over Ole Miss’ 3-0 start don’t exactly pop – 38-of-58 for 543 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions – but he has the arm and the receiving talent to explode any given Saturday. Deep threat Jonathan Mingo and tight end Michael Trigg will be particularly dangerous against TU’s pass coverage.


What Ole Miss has that TU does not is a proven rushing attack. TCU transfer Zach Evans and freshman Quinshon Judkins combine to average 202 rushing yards per game.
If the Hurricane’s passing game will be a jolt to Ole Miss’ defense, the same can be said of Ole Miss’ running game to Philip Montgomery’s D. Evans and Judkins are on a totally different plane from the running backs TU defended against Wyoming, Northern Illinois and Jacksonville State.
ONE PREPOSTEROUS PREDICTION
TU fans come away from this game comparing Brin to legendary Hurricane quarterback Jerry Rhome. It was Rhome who threw for 252 yards to spark TU’s 14-7 1964 Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Ole Miss, the last time the Hurricane and Rebels played before Saturday. He was selected the game’s most outstanding back.


Brin is the TU offensive standout Saturday. His 245-yard first half propels the Hurricane into a 21-21 intermission tie, before Evans rips off a couple game-breaking runs in the third quarter and Ole Miss is able to open some breathing room.
The Rebels get a tougher-than-expected victory, but Brin takes another step toward becoming the most dynamic TU quarterback since Dane Evans.
ONE PICK
Ole Miss 48, TU 34

 

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TCU @ SMU OVER 71

TCU scored 59 points vs some shithead team two weeks ago and had last Saturday off to get ready for fierce rivalry game that put up 72 points last year.

TCU’s coach was SMU coach last year bolted to Fort Worth. Just like NFL divisional games where they know each other so well equals a lot of scoring.

Quarterback Tanner Mordecai has led the Mustangs’ air raid, averaging 337.6 passing yards per game and throwing 10 touchdowns on the season.

 

[biggins]

Duke @ Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks -7-113
Starting to think this teams for real and looks to get revenge from last years game of which l won betting Duke.
The very next week Duke got bitch slapped by North Carolina.

 

[biggins]

Minnesota Gophers @ Michigan State Spartans

Have had Gophers all three so far beating up on patsies giving up on average -40 points. Not going to shot a winning horse. Let’s see what this teams made of.

Michigan State was dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and its secondary resembled the porous 2021 defensive backfield, or possibly looked even worse, giving up 397 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air. Washington led from wire to wire.

Minnesota-3

 

[biggins]

Texas Longhorns -7

Bijian Robinson will succeed

 

[biggins]

Bijian Robinson is a stud

 

[biggins]

Arkansas Razorbacks @ Texas A&M Aggies

Not really a home game Jerry Jones(an Arkansas Grad) stadium.

A@M defensive struggle last week beating Miami at home. Miami getting beat by middle Tennessee State currently.

I’m going with the Hogs high octane offense.

Arkansas +1

 

[biggins]

Oklahoma Sooners -13 1/2

 

[Wagerallsports]

Love your thread bigs