2013 SMU
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
Southern Methodist still made it to seven wins last year despite their ridiculously difficult non-Conference Schedule. In their move to the AAC, it’s going to be a little harder to reach that bowl Game. It doesn’t help that the Mustangs only return five starters on each side of the ball.
The good news is that June Jones brought in Hal Mumme to help with his run-and-shoot offense that never really looked comfortable through the 2012 season. They scored 72 points against Houston one week, but only put up 14 against Rice another week. They ended up destroying a good Fresno State team in their bowl Game which is a good sign. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert is a smart kid and was a top prospect coming out of high school, which is why he played at Texas for a couple years. However, his accuracy has been a major issue his entire career completing just 53 percent of his passes for 15 TDs and 15 INTs last season. Unfortunately, running back Zach Line is gone who compiled 1,278 yards and 13 TDs on the ground in 2012. Transfer Traylon Shead (also from Texas) has some big shoes to fill. Wide receiver was a problem last year and could very well be again. The line is filled with Four underclassmen which could be trouble for Gilbert who isn’t great under pressure.
The Mustangs were hit with injuries all over the place last year on the defensive end which led to some ugly losses (Rice and Tulane). They return a good amount of seniors who will have to lead this unit. Linebacker Randall Joyner and cornerback Kenneth Acker are two of the bigger names that know they have a lot riding on their shoulders.
2013 SMU Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Texas Tech
Sept. 7 vs. Montana State
Sept. 21 at Texas A&M
Sept. 28 at TCU
Oct. 5 vs. Rutgers
Oct. 19 at Memphis
Oct. 26 vs. Temple
Nov. 9 at Cincinnati
Nov. 16 vs. Connecticut
Nov. 23 at South Florida
Nov. 29 at Houston
Dec. 7 vs. UCF
Once again, SMU will get a rough non-Conference Schedule and it’s unlikely they will make it out with more than one win. A home Game against Texas Tech in their opener is their best chance at that second win. Even though the Red Raiders have a new quarterback, their offense is still going to take a lot to stop.
Road Conference Games for the Mustangs are going to be important in as they finished just 1-3 in them in Conference-USA last year. Games at Memphis and South Florida will need to be wins if they want to reach another bowl Game. Houston will be a tough matchup, but the Cougars defense is pretty rugged. The Cincy Game will likely end in a loss for SMU unless Gilbert lives up to his early hype.
SMU’s season finale could decide their bowl fate as they play UCF who they lost to by 25 points last year on the road. If Jones and Mumme can get this offense rolling week-in week-out, they will be a threat to most opponents in the AAC.