Can SMU get momentum for Sonny Dykes era with win over Louisiana Tech?
What's on the line?
In the first game of the Sonny Dykes era, SMU is looking to get a dose of momentum for the new head coach and the younger guys heading into 2018. A win would give Dykes credibility and trust from his players before their first offseason together. It'd also be a nice way to send SMU's seniors and receiver Courtland Sutton off to the next stages of their careers. And, as quarterback Ben Hicks put it last week, 8-5 sounds a lot better than 7-6.
As for Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs have a three-game bowl winning streak on the line on Wednesday. At 6-6, a victory would get Louisiana Tech a winning record on the season. Head coach Skip Holtz could get a win against Dykes, his predecessor at Tech. And then, as is the case for SMU, a postseason victory is its own reward, as are the rings the winners will get after this one.
When SMU has the ball
SMU will be without the majority of the offensive assistant coaches who started the season with the Mustangs. Graduate assistant G.J. Kinne will be the de facto offensive coordinator, calling plays from upstairs. Hicks is taking a lot of responsibility with the game planning and will have a lot of freedom to make decisions at the line of scrimmage. Louisiana Tech is middle-of-the-road in passing and rushing defenses, so running back Xavier Jones and receivers Sutton and Trey Quinn are all capable of being difference makers against the Bulldogs.
Where Louisiana Tech does shine is in forcing turnovers. The Bulldogs are 31st in the FBS with 22 forced turnovers this season and 12th with 16 interceptions, three of which they returned for touchdowns. The secondary is headlined by corner Amik Robertson, a freshman who had six breakups and four interceptions. He'll be tested by Sutton and Quinn.
When Louisiana Tech has the ball
The Bulldogs like to run the ball, with 457 rushing attempts to 386 passes this season. Boston Scott is a tough guy to bring down at 5-foot-6 and 203 pounds. Quarterback J'Mar Smith is a good runner too, and at 231 pounds SMU's pass rush knows he will be tough to bring down in the pocket; arm tackles aren't going to work with him.
SMU will be without cornerback Jordan Wyatt, who had knee surgery following SMU's win over Tulane. This will likely put sophomore Christian Davis back in the starting lineup after he was benched in favor of senior Cedric Lancaster late in the season. SMU has its entire defensive staff still in place so the Mustangs will have continuity on that side of the ball.
SMU probably comes out a little slow after all the distractions leading up to kickoff. But once the offense finds its groove the Mustangs should be able to put Louisiana Tech away.
What's on the line?
In the first game of the Sonny Dykes era, SMU is looking to get a dose of momentum for the new head coach and the younger guys heading into 2018. A win would give Dykes credibility and trust from his players before their first offseason together. It'd also be a nice way to send SMU's seniors and receiver Courtland Sutton off to the next stages of their careers. And, as quarterback Ben Hicks put it last week, 8-5 sounds a lot better than 7-6.
As for Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs have a three-game bowl winning streak on the line on Wednesday. At 6-6, a victory would get Louisiana Tech a winning record on the season. Head coach Skip Holtz could get a win against Dykes, his predecessor at Tech. And then, as is the case for SMU, a postseason victory is its own reward, as are the rings the winners will get after this one.
When SMU has the ball
SMU will be without the majority of the offensive assistant coaches who started the season with the Mustangs. Graduate assistant G.J. Kinne will be the de facto offensive coordinator, calling plays from upstairs. Hicks is taking a lot of responsibility with the game planning and will have a lot of freedom to make decisions at the line of scrimmage. Louisiana Tech is middle-of-the-road in passing and rushing defenses, so running back Xavier Jones and receivers Sutton and Trey Quinn are all capable of being difference makers against the Bulldogs.
Where Louisiana Tech does shine is in forcing turnovers. The Bulldogs are 31st in the FBS with 22 forced turnovers this season and 12th with 16 interceptions, three of which they returned for touchdowns. The secondary is headlined by corner Amik Robertson, a freshman who had six breakups and four interceptions. He'll be tested by Sutton and Quinn.
When Louisiana Tech has the ball
The Bulldogs like to run the ball, with 457 rushing attempts to 386 passes this season. Boston Scott is a tough guy to bring down at 5-foot-6 and 203 pounds. Quarterback J'Mar Smith is a good runner too, and at 231 pounds SMU's pass rush knows he will be tough to bring down in the pocket; arm tackles aren't going to work with him.
SMU will be without cornerback Jordan Wyatt, who had knee surgery following SMU's win over Tulane. This will likely put sophomore Christian Davis back in the starting lineup after he was benched in favor of senior Cedric Lancaster late in the season. SMU has its entire defensive staff still in place so the Mustangs will have continuity on that side of the ball.
SMU probably comes out a little slow after all the distractions leading up to kickoff. But once the offense finds its groove the Mustangs should be able to put Louisiana Tech away.
