SMU’s defense is an issue

There are plenty of people who were introduced to SMU a week ago, as the Mustangs gave up 54 points to Memphis in a primetime matchup. However, SMU’s defense has actually been pretty good this season, and was especially critical in performances against Temple, USF and TCU. In fact, the defense was the better unit for almost all of 2018. 

But after the last two weeks, it’s fair to say that the unit has lost its luster. A week after giving up 54 to Memphis, SMU gave up 51 points to a 3-7 East Carolina squad. Granted, ECU is starting to find its rhythm after a 46-43 loss to Cincinnati last week, but that’s not good enough to compete for the conference. Luckily, SMU gets a bye before Navy, but the defense has to get in order before then. 

Baylor’s offense is susceptible

For the second week in a row, Baylor’s offense looked terrible. At the end of regulation, Baylor had just 204 total yards and 127 passing yards. The Bears needed a 51-yard field goal just to get to overtime against a lackluster TCU squad. 

Granted, Charlie Brewer came alive in overtime and ultimately helped lead the Bears to a victory. But still, two straight weeks with a combined 26 points in regulation just isn’t good enough, it doesn’t matter what the opponents are doing. Next week, the Bears’ real ability will be put to the test against Oklahoma in front of a national evidence. We hope they’re ready. 

TCU’s rebuild has some legs

Against Baylor on Saturday, the Horned Frogs experienced a major youth movement on defense. Three of the top four tacklers were underclassmen. Defensive end Ochaun Mathis finally had the game we’ve been waiting for with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Ar’Darius Washington and Trevius Hodges-Tomlinson – yep, that kind of Tomlinson – played very well at DB. 

Gary Patterson has excelled in seasons immediately after a losing season, and will likely face that next season. Last year, when the Frogs were at 7-6, it wasn’t obvious where the revamp would come from. After the Baylor game, it’s easy to see that TCU is ready to take a step forward – on both sides, potentially – next season. 

Texas Tech is still alive

Last time we saw Texas Tech take the field, they were losing to Kansas for a third straight loss. Against West Virginia, we saw a Tech team focused and ready to compete with anyone. Jett Duffey continued his impressive year with 388 total yards, and the defense held WVU underwater long enough for Tech to go up 28-3 and effectively end the game. 

There are three games left on Tech’s schedule, and the Red Raiders have to win a pair to make a bowl game. This is where losing to Arizona and Kansas earlier in the year really hurts, because there’s a good argument that Tech is good enough to be in a bowl right now. But still, have a good showing against TCU and there are shots left against Kansas State and Texas. With all the depth issues Tech continues to deal with, Wells has done a great job. 

North Texas is dead

Saturday against conference frontrunner Louisiana Tech was always going to be a tough game for the Mean Green, but it went even worse than expected. La Tech scored 52 points against North Texas, and led 45-3 before a pair of pointless UNT touchdowns. The only team Louisiana Tech beat worse than UNT? UMass. Remember, the Bulldogs have also played Rice, Bowling Green and UTEP this season. 

The worst came when Mason Fine was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a potential concussion. This season has been a nightmare in plenty of ways, but Fine not even getting to enjoy the last two games of his senior year would be undeniably tragic. 

College Power Poll

1. Baylor Bears
2. SMU Mustangs
3. Texas Longhorns
4. Texas A&M Aggies
5. TCU Horned Frogs
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders
7. Houston Cougars
8. North Texas Mean Green
9. Texas State Bobcats
10. UTSA Roadrunners
11. UTEP Miners
12. Rice Owls