When Chad Morris left Clemson (where he was offensive coordinator) a few years ago, many people in college football wondered if Clemson would suffer as a result. That has hardly been the case. In fact, Clemson has gotten better, not worse, since Morris left. It’s true that Deshaun Watson probably had more to do with Clemson’s national championship than the offensive coordinators he had, but nevertheless, Clemson has not missed Morris at all. SMU has been Morris’ workplace the past two seasons. The Mustangs have made slow and incremental progress, but not the substantial leap forward some might have hoped for. SMU knows that it needs to take the next step this season to a bowl game. It is up to Morris to prove himself within the coaching business. His recruiting efforts within the state of Texas need to have something to show for it.
How Did They End 2016
The SMU defense lost momentum late in the 2016 season, giving up 51 points at home to Memphis and then, a few weeks later, 75 points to Navy. SMU needs depth, which is why Morris’ recruiting plan has to bear fruit this season. SMU’s offense was decent as a whole over the course of the 2016 season, but the offense failed to score more than 27 points against South Florida, a team with a very vulnerable defense. SMU was the kind of team which could not pounce when its defense played an imposing level of football. The offense didn’t always rise in accordance with the defense. The Mustangs were hampered by the pattern of one side of the ball playing well at one time… but not both sides. SMU needs both the offense and the defense to thrive at the same time – it lacked that in 2016.
Offseason Changes
SMU has a knack for scoring in bunches under Morris, who has a fertile offensive mind, but the AAC and (more specifically) the cutthroat AAC West demand a defense which doesn’t have to be spectacular, but prevents opposing offenses from running wild. A defense which allows under 35 points in AAC West games will give its offense a chance to win on most Saturdays. Three decades ago, the idea of 35 points being a decent defensive performance would have sounded absurd, but today, the primacy of the passing game has changed standards and expectations.
Deon Green and Zelt Minor are departing defensive tackles. These might be the biggest changes on the SMU roster. The Mustangs have to find a way to find adequate reinforcements on the defensive line.
Team X-Factor
Defensive end Justin Lawler is a player who has to emerge as an edge rusher with Green and Minor no longer in the mix in the middle of the Mustangs’ defensive front. SMU needs a havoc-creating force on defense so that the offense will enjoy a greater margin for error each week.
What To Expect From The Mustangs This Year
The Mustangs pounded Houston but fell short against South Florida and had no answers against Navy. SMU won’t climb to the top of the American’s West Division because the competition is too stiff. However, this young team made a few statements last season about its level of talent. That talent should grow and improve this year.
Record Last 5 Seasons
2016: 5-7
2015: 2-10
2014: 1-11
2013: 5-7
2012: 7-6
Schedule & Outlook
The Mustangs have a schedule that shouldn’t be too bad for most teams, but this SMU team isn’t anything special. Starting the season off with back-to-back home games against SF Austin and North Texas should produce wins. The resistance increases significantly in Week 3 with a road trip to TCU. That’s a common them for SMU as their toughest games are on the road. They have to go to Houston, to Cincinnati and to Memphis. However, overall, they’ll get to play seven home games in total, which is one reason why bettors may lean towards the over with them. That could very well be the difference.
The Mustangs will make it to a bowl game under Morris and move the program forward. A 6-6 season seems appropriate, though a 7-5 season is possible.
Prediction: Under
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