SMU Mustangs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Preview

Mustangs open season against high-octane Red Raiders

Date: Monday, September 3, 2007, 3 p.m. Central

Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas (32,000)

Television: ESPN

Season Records: SMU 0-0, 0-0, Texas Tech 0-0, 0-0

The Series: Tech leads, 29-16, and has won the last eleven in a row dating to 1989. The Red Raiders won last year, 35-3, in Lubbock. SMU last beat Tech in ’86, in Lubbock. The Mustangs’ last home win was in ’85.

Injury/Personnel Report:

SMU: DE Cory Muse, groin strain – doubtful; S Rock Dennis, out for season, broken shoulder.

Texas Tech: no info

SMU vs. Texas Tech Overview

It’s another early season meeting for these two, the fifth in six years. This time, though, the increasingly talented Mustangs have a real shot. Also, Tech head coach Mike Leach has more new starters in his lineup than ever before.

Phil Bennett at Tuesday's media luncheon for the Texas Tech game.

So if Tech’s not gellin’, SMU’s pride might be swellin’ after this ga- … Sorry, dump that.

But SMU head coach Phil Bennett isn’t counting on Tech missing a beat with new starters. “They’re never out of a game,” he said Tuesday. “[Leach] seems to replace players that fit his system and they just keep on going.”

The last two meetings in Dallas, in ‘02 and ’04, were close affairs with the Red Raiders winning by 10 and 14 points.

This match up features two of the best quarterbacks in Texas - SMU’s Justin Willis and Tech’s Graham Harrell. It could be a real aerial circus, folks.

“We’re not gonna play keep away with anybody,” Bennett said. “We’re gonna try to score.”

A sellout crowd is expected.

“I think the atmosphere is gonna be outstanding,” Bennett said. “It’s gonna be national TV on a national holiday, just one of two games. We haven’t had that here. It’s a new feel for us. I know my guys are excited about the opportunity and I think they’ll come ready to play.”

Tech comes off a 44-41 overtime win over Minnesota in last year’s Insight Bowl, the greatest comeback in bowl history. SMU’s season ended bitterly with a close loss at Rice with a bowl bid on the line.

And who can forget the last time Leach ventured into Ford Stadium? The game ended with a near brawl when Bennett charged the field, angry that Leach had continued throwing deep when leading, 27-13, late.

“We felt like the game was over,” Bennett said. “I put some [second-team players] in and he decided he wanted to score again.”

“It’s just a philosophy,” he said of Leach’s play-calling. “Part of it is just the way he is and, after what happened, just the way I am.” Bennett said there are no hard feelings.

Bennett starts his sixth year at SMU with a record of 17-41. Leach is 56-33, beginning his eighth year at Tech.

SMU has yet to beat a Big 12 team from the former Southwest Conference.

SMU Offense vs. Texas Tech Defense

Advantage: SMU

Willis made his debut against Tech last year, finishing just 9-16 passing for 69 yards.

Said Bennett, “Last year, just the speed of the game and the atmosphere, he went through the wrong progressions too many times, which made him have to run.”

Also watch for big tight end Vincent Chase (6-5, 255).

Willis versus Tech’s experienced secondary could be the best match-up of the day.

The Red Raiders return three of four starters here: safeties Darcel McBath and Joe Garcia, and right corner Chris Parker. Jamar Wall, Willis’ cousin, is at left corner.

SMU running backs DeMyron Martin, Cedrick Dorsey, and James Mapps should find some creases. Tech, 86 th in the nation against the run last year, is not deep up front. True freshman Colby Whitlock (6-2, 281) may start at nose tackle. The ends are Jake Ratliff (6-8, 250) and Brandon Williams (6-3, 243), with Richard Jones (6-2, 285) at tackle.

Tech has one returning starter at linebacker, Kellen Tillman at SAM. In the middle is Paul Williams and Chad Hill takes over at WILL. All three are seniors.

“For us to be effective, it’s simple,” Bennett said. “We’ve got to stay out of second-and-long and third-and-long. We’ve gotta get the ball into doable third down situations and we gotta be able to make some big plays on them.”

Texas Tech Offense vs. SMU Defense

Advantage: Texas Tech

“They’re gonna make some plays from 20 to 20,” Bennett said. “You have to produce [defensively] in the red zone. You’ve gotta hold them to field goals, you’ve gotta get a few turnovers.”

“And [Leach] will help you out if you’re playing really good. He’ll go for it on fourth down.”

Harrell racked up 4,555 yards passing yards and 38 touchdowns last season.

“I think Graham is probably the best quarterback we’ve seen them have back there,” Bennett said. “He’s like a coach on the field.”

The Mustangs hope to dash to their first bowl in 23 years.

Harrell bombed SMU last year for 342 yards and five touchdowns in his first start.

Junior tailback Shannon Woods, who rushed for 926 yards last year, also led the nation in receptions for a running back, with 75.

With Tech receivers Joel Filani, Robert Johnson and Jarrett Hicks gone, only one starter remains, dangerous Danny Amendola. The Red Raiders look to talented sophomore Edward Britton and redshirt freshman Michael Crabtree and others to fill the void. At tight end is Adrian Reese (6-6, 203).

Tech’s starting O-line? “They’re giants,” Bennett said. Louis Vasquez, Brandon Carter, Jake Johnson and Rylan Reed each stand 6-6, averaging 336 pounds. Center Shawn Byrnes comes in at a svelte 317. Vasquez is the only returning starter.

Defensively, the Mustangs counter with new faces too - and it will be a test.

Up front, with the only returning starter, Muse, likely out, Justin Smart (6-4, 235) debuts at left end. Patrick Handy (6-2, 250) is opposite him at right end. Inside, SMU starts true freshman Ryan Leonard (6-0, 270) and redshirt freshman Chris Parham (6-3, 280). Senior Charlie Berry (6-3, 280) will also play.

Four-year starter Wilton McCray returns at WILL linebacker and Tony Hawkins has the middle with Will Bonilla at SAM.

SMU returns three very good corners in Bryan McCann, Brandon Jones and Jonathan Lindley. David Haynes takes over at free safety after Dennis’ injury. Bryce Hudman returns at strong safety.

Special Teams

Advantage: Even

SMU’s Thomas Morstead gets the punting nod over Tech’s talented true freshman Jonathan LaCour. The 6-5, 230-pound Morstead finished last season with a 43.8-yard average, tops in C-USA.

Tech senior Alex Trlica has the slight edge in placekicking. Morstead was 13-18 with a long of 50 yards last year. Trlica was 15-21, with a 49-yarder to beat UTEP and 52-yarder to send the Insight Bowl to overtime. Morstead, a junior, has 34 straight PATs, tying an SMU record set by Eddie Garcia in ‘81. Trlica owns the current NCAA record with 166 consecutive PATs. He also handles kickoffs.

Sophomore Kellis Cunningham kicks off for the Mustangs.

SMU punt returners could be Sledge, Lowery, or McCann. For Tech, it’s Amendola for the fourth year.

Kickoffs from the 30-yard-line this year will have a huge impact. SMU rocket Jessie Henderson may get loose Monday.

Intangibles

Advantage: SMU

Senior corner Jonathan Lindley.

Though Tech’s “road” crowd will outnumber SMU fans, Mustang backers, sensing a turnaround, will be out in force - and they’ll be loud. Ford’s home field advantage continues to grow.

The Mustangs will be sky-high. It’s the biggest opportunity this year for the program to make a desperately-needed splash – on a national stage, no less.

And no matter what they say, the Red Raiders have little respect for SMU.

SMU vs. Texas Tech Prediction

SMU, 38-36.

Sure, Leach has talent, (by virtue of being in the BCS-propped-up Big 12), but he’s never brought in this many new starters. I’m guessing it’s tricky, even for a Pepperdine lawyer.

There’ll be hiccups for Tech - though Harrell still puts up big numbers.

Willis will get protection and connect with Sanders for two TDs. Mapps will surprise with a rushing bolt or two into the secondary. SHA-ZAMMM!!!

Quotable Bennett

How is Willis dealing with celebrity? “I think he’s handling it. I can tell you more about seven o’clock Monday night.”

SMU Football - Did you know?

• Mustang team captains are Willis, Muse, Morstead and Ben Poynter.
• SMU student-athletes will solicit donations and distribute balloons prior to the game for the Virginia Tech Victims’ Fund. The balloons will be released during pre-game ceremonies.
• SMU plays nine televised games this year, the most in school history.