Video: 2009 SMU vs. TCU preview

by Staff of The Daily Mustang

After a letting a near certain victory slip away against Washington State, the SMU football team got a week off to reflect on the game and move forward.

During last week’s bye-week, the Mustangs watched film and spent time in the weight room, trying to get the loss out of their minds.

“You’ve got to be able to clear your mind,” said SMU Head Coach June Jones. “You can’t let it affect how you play.”

Practice started as normal this week with a focus on the game Saturday. SMU will take on cross-town rival TCU in the battle for the iron skillet Saturday at 7 p.m. at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.

The Mustangs, off to a 2-1 start, have shown great improvement from their consecutive 1-11 records over the past two seasons.

Last season, SMU’s running game was third to last in the NCAA for most yards. With the addition of transfer Shawnbrey McNeal this season, the rushing game has become an important part of the offense. McNeal is tied for 41st in the NCAA for most rushing yards.

The Mustang’s defense, which had eight interception last season, leads the country with 11 in the first three games.

“June Jones has done a good job of changing the mindset at SMU. I think that is the biggest thing,” said TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson said in his weekly press conference. “They are going to get better every year.”

“They have been very opportunistic on what they do on defense, changing their scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4,” Patterson said. “They man blitz, zone blitz, and do all of the different things to keep offenses off balance.”

No. 10 TCU (3-0) has also seen improvements this season. The Horned Frogs’ defense is ranked 12th in the nation in yards allowed. Junior quarterback Andy Dalton, who went to the same high school as SMU’s QB Bo Levi Mitchell, has thrown for 625 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, in leading to TCU to their undefeated record.

TCU fought back to win 14-10 last weekend in a tough road game at Clemson. TCU heads into this game as SMU’s highest ranked opponent this season. To win the game, Coach Jones joked that they’ll need to throw the ball to right colored jerseys Saturday, after SMU gave up four interceptions against WSU.

“They’re one of the best defenses in the country,” Jones said. “They do what they do and they do it well, and they don’t care what you do, they’re just going to try to out execute you.”

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