SMU @ Texas Tech

**Sean81** · 08-13-10, 09:26 PM

It would not surprise me if SMU won straight up. Tuberville is beyond washed up, he can barely speak a coherent sentence. Saban did something to this guy that I'm not sure he will ever recover from. I don't expect much at all from TTU this year and think they finish with a losing record.

**HoldEmHook!!** · 08-13-10, 09:31 PM

Be very careful here....I loved SMU untill BigDaddy let me know that SMU lost both starting CB.

**ackem19** · 08-13-10, 09:40 PM

Holdemhook!!,
He informed me of that as well. It did make me weary of SMU, but it doesn't change TT's ability to stop SMU or lack thereof. Should be interesting though.

**Vince Lombardi** · 08-13-10, 09:59 PM

I think SMU covers too. They will put up plenty of points. Enough to stay close. TT still has big questions about the starter at QB.

**SoonerBS** · 08-13-10, 11:17 PM

You've already stated what I believe as well. Here is what I posted on this game on 7/30 at my place:

"I have already wrote some about this game in my "play on" games with SMU. I think this could be a play for me on SMU against Texas Tech. They SHOULD be getting about +14 in this spot, and I don't look for Tubberville to want to give away too much offensively in schemes with a game with Texas only a couple of weeks away. The only problem though is that SMU, under Jones' tutorage, is now an offensive monster that is getting better each year. Plus, they have just enough defense going now to hang in games and win them. Tech has got to take SMU serious now, not as just another easy win. Even if they do take them serious, I expect SMU to hang in the spread, if they don't pull off the upset all together. One thing I will need to watch is how many players SMU loses to injuries before this game occurs. They are not real deep and that would make a difference. If they stay healthy though, SMU will be a play."

I'm still watching . . . . .

**Sean81** · 08-14-10, 05:50 AM

I have nothing personal against Tommy Tuberville, but you guys are giving him way too much credit. He had a couple good years with Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams, and Ronnie Brown in the backfield, not to mention talent on defense. Other than that, I am not too impressed with his teams. Tubs was 3-5 and 2-6 in conference play his first years at Ole Miss and Auburn, respectively. It will probably take at least 3 years for him to implement his "system" at TTU, so I would not get in a hurry. June Jones is in his 3rd year at SMU with lots of experienced players.

**SoonerBS** · 08-14-10, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Sean81

I have nothing personal against Tommy Tuberville, but you guys are giving him way too much credit. He had a couple good years with Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams, and Ronnie Brown in the backfield, not to mention talent on defense. Other than that, I am not too impressed with his teams. Tubs was 3-5 and 2-6 in conference play his first years at Ole Miss and Auburn, respectively. It will probably take at least 3 years for him to implement his "system" at TTU, so I would not get in a hurry. June Jones is in his 3rd year at SMU with lots of experienced players.

Good points. He is difficult for a handicapper to second guess because of his inconsistencies with teams. Like you said, he's had his good teams, and he's had his bad ones.

**SoonerBS** · 08-14-10, 11:47 AM

Here's some more good news for SMU:

Texas Tech WR, punt returner has surgery

August 13, 2010

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -Texas Tech receiver and punt return specialist Austin Zouzalik could miss the Red Raiders opening game as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy.

Team spokesman Blayne Beal said Friday that Zouzalik had the surgery early Thursday. Zouzalik could be out as long as a month. The Red Raiders open the season against SMU on Sept. 5.
Zouzalik caught 35 passes for 469 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman last season. He is among the top three punt returners after averaging 9.6 yards on 21 returns last season.

**BigdaddyQH** · 08-14-10, 01:25 PM

I am certainly looking forward to this game. It should be a shoot-out. The total is 60.5 in many places now. No wager as of yet. The line is acting rather funny. In Vegas it has climbed to 14 at the Hilton, and dropped to 13 at other books. This being a Sunday game, and one of only two games that day, it should draw a lot of wagering.

**iwantcougars** · 08-14-10, 10:33 PM

TT will run more and eat more clock, if the lines climbs a bit smu will be very interesting

**HoulihansTX** · 08-14-10, 11:11 PM

What kind of offense is Texas tech running with Tubberville at the Helm?

60.5 is a high number if he switches to a more run oriented offense. Plus I know he wont be going for it on 4th down like Texas Tech last coach. I would look at the UNDER here.

**Sean81** · 08-14-10, 11:45 PM

He stated when he took the job that he would continue to run a spread offense. The disaster that occurred when he tried to run the same thing at Auburn notwithstanding, it is clearly not something he believes in. The main concern is whether or not he has the players to run the type of system he wants. It's not like the NFL where players at all positions basically look, run, and think a certain way, so implementing a new approach has less lag. The college game is much different and Mike Leach recruited certain types of players that would not only fit into his system, but not be stolen by Texas or Oklahoma.

TTU and Auburn are some of the more stranger programs in the nation. In a sense he is coming from one cult to another. I think the whole thing is a sham and TTU has some very tough years ahead of them.

**M.W.** · 08-15-10, 09:33 PM

Everything you said sounds reasonable, Ackem. By power ratings alone, I would take Tech in this one, probably. But SMU has a weird way of keeping games close whether they're the favorite or the dog. They were 7-1 ATS as a dog last year and 0-5 as a favorite.

**reverend** · 08-15-10, 10:05 PM

I am with you all the way. The play here is SMU or PASS.

I could see SMU pulling the biggest upset of opening weekend...

**redrum** · 08-16-10, 03:19 AM

i like smu also

**awholelottalumps** · 08-17-10, 05:45 PM

SMU is capable of hanging around here and two touchdowns is a lot.I think the line should be nore more then 10 or 11 points.