Friday, September 7, 2001

How the two teams match up:

Passing offense

TCU
Through two games, the inexperience of both the offensive line and backfield have become apparent. True sophomore Ricky Madison started both games this season and has 102 of the Frogs 162 yards rushing. A young but talented offensive line must find its groove before conference play, and SMU would be a good place to start.

SMU
The Mustangs lost 36-6, but quarterback Kelan Luker threw for 216 yards in an impressive debut as SMU’s signal caller. He will be hard-pressed to duplicate that performance against the TCU secondary.
‰ EDGE: EVEN

Passing defense

TCU
The Frogs rank No. 10 against the pass after holding UNT to just 23 yards passing and recorded two sacks. TCU started two new safeties, and redshirt freshman Marvin Godbolt and junior Kenneth Hillard have both looked solid.

SMU
The SMU defense held Louisiana Tech, which returned eight offensive starters from a unit that averaged 411 yards last year, to 245 total yards. The Mustangs looked solid against the pass, allowing 189 yards.
‰ EDGE: TCU

Rushing offense

TCU
Through two games, the inexperience of both the offensive line and backfield have become apparent. True sophomore Ricky Madison started both games this season and has 102 of the Frogs 162 yards rushing. The young but talented offensive line must find its groove before conference play.

SMU
Running backs Kris Briggs and Keylon Kinkade combined for 104 yards rushing on 25 carries, an average of 4.16 per carry. SMU must establish its rushing game to have a chance.
‰ EDGE: EVEN

Rushing defense

TCU
After holding Nebraska to 159 yards, the Frogs yielded 106 to North Texas. Shutting down the Mustangs running game will allow the defense to blitz and rattle SMU’s young quarterback.

SMU
SMU linebacker Vic Deloria had 11 tackles for a unit that held Louisiana Tech to 56 yards rushing. If the Mustangs can shut down the TCU running game, it will be good news for the Ponies since the Frogs have not proven they can win by throwing the ball.
‰ EDGE: TCU

Special teams

TCU
Junior punter Joey Biasatti has returned well from last year’s broken leg injury. He averaged 44.8 yards per punt against Nebraska, including two that went 55 yards.

SMU
This aspect has not been special for SMU. The Mustangs rank No. 63 in punting (33.86 per punt) and No. 79 in kickoff returns (16.33).
‰ EDGE: TCU

Intangibles

TCU
As the first two games have proved, this is not the same TCU team that scored 62 points against SMU last year. With each game, new starters slowly become veterans. Look for thr defense to lead TCU out of Ford Stadium with a win.

SMU
The Mustangs have something to prove after last year’s 62-7 humiliation. Upsetting TCU could provide the emotional boost to get the Mustangs rolling.
‰ EDGE: SMU

Predicition: TCU 21, SMU 13.