stubbs1999: Halfway through the season. Biggest surprises, disappointments? Identifiable needs (other than everything) that won't be addressed with this recruiting class?
I'd say the biggest disappointment is how even the guys who started the season hot came back down to earth. Matt Davis, Courtland Sutton and the defensive line all looked like they were going to have great seasons but once teams made adjustments for how to handle them all three have been ineffective.
Surprises? I guess I'd say the freshmen have been bigger contributors this season than some would have expected, especially backs Braeden West and Xavier Jones.
The one need in 2016 recruiting that has not yet been addressed is the need for running back depth, especially the need for a guy who can run through the tackles and drag a few guys downfield with him. I'm not sure if there is a back who can fill those needs for SMU in 2016 so this may have to wait until the 2017 class at this rate. Most other needs (defensive back, linebacker, both lines, tight end) have already been addressed.
stl.pony: Any sleeper OOC basketball teams on our schedule that could cause problems early?
Don't laugh, but Yale is an OOC game to look out for. The Bulldogs were three points away from being a tournament team last year, only losing a tiebreaker for the Ivy League berth to a Harvard team that took North Carolina to the wire and had a lot of postseason experience. Yale will see SMU as an important game to prove that it is for real after the near-miss last season and SMU cannot overlook the team early in the season.
ft5: What recruits do you think might contribute next year in football?
This is rare for offensive linemen, but if I think Harrison Barton will challenge for a starting job on the line. His senior tape must be like porn to OL coach Dustin Fry and does not include his performance against 2017's #1 prospect DT Marvin Wilson, in which his coach moved him inside to deal with the big man and he and his linemates limited him to only two tackles, none for loss. Barton could immediately contribute, especially at center with Lasecki set to graduate.
Other possible first-year contributors in 2016: Corner Eric Sutton (could start Saturday if NCAA allowed it) and generally I'd guess one or two of the DL commits play as a freshman, though it is too early to guess who.
stubbs1999: I know you gave us a quick update on their morale but any other noise you're hearing about transfers, staying put, etc?
I'm not hearing anything at this point. What I've heard is that some guys blew up shortly after the sanctions came out and threatened to transfer but since that point the team has come together and is ready to play for each other.
CTMustang: If Louisville HC Rick Pitino "didn't know," what do NCAA guidelines say about his required suspension vs what Larry got? If he did know, are there written standards for how long he must be suspended?
If Pitino didn't know then he should be in line for the same nine-game suspension as LB, though if he full cooperates with the investigation would anyone be surprised if the NCAA found away around that suspension? As for if he did know what was going on, then you're pretty much venturing into uncharted waters at that point, especially with new discipline standards.
I'd say the biggest disappointment is how even the guys who started the season hot came back down to earth. Matt Davis, Courtland Sutton and the defensive line all looked like they were going to have great seasons but once teams made adjustments for how to handle them all three have been ineffective.
Surprises? I guess I'd say the freshmen have been bigger contributors this season than some would have expected, especially backs Braeden West and Xavier Jones.
The one need in 2016 recruiting that has not yet been addressed is the need for running back depth, especially the need for a guy who can run through the tackles and drag a few guys downfield with him. I'm not sure if there is a back who can fill those needs for SMU in 2016 so this may have to wait until the 2017 class at this rate. Most other needs (defensive back, linebacker, both lines, tight end) have already been addressed.
stl.pony: Any sleeper OOC basketball teams on our schedule that could cause problems early?
Don't laugh, but Yale is an OOC game to look out for. The Bulldogs were three points away from being a tournament team last year, only losing a tiebreaker for the Ivy League berth to a Harvard team that took North Carolina to the wire and had a lot of postseason experience. Yale will see SMU as an important game to prove that it is for real after the near-miss last season and SMU cannot overlook the team early in the season.
ft5: What recruits do you think might contribute next year in football?
This is rare for offensive linemen, but if I think Harrison Barton will challenge for a starting job on the line. His senior tape must be like porn to OL coach Dustin Fry and does not include his performance against 2017's #1 prospect DT Marvin Wilson, in which his coach moved him inside to deal with the big man and he and his linemates limited him to only two tackles, none for loss. Barton could immediately contribute, especially at center with Lasecki set to graduate.
Other possible first-year contributors in 2016: Corner Eric Sutton (could start Saturday if NCAA allowed it) and generally I'd guess one or two of the DL commits play as a freshman, though it is too early to guess who.
stubbs1999: I know you gave us a quick update on their morale but any other noise you're hearing about transfers, staying put, etc?
I'm not hearing anything at this point. What I've heard is that some guys blew up shortly after the sanctions came out and threatened to transfer but since that point the team has come together and is ready to play for each other.
CTMustang: If Louisville HC Rick Pitino "didn't know," what do NCAA guidelines say about his required suspension vs what Larry got? If he did know, are there written standards for how long he must be suspended?
If Pitino didn't know then he should be in line for the same nine-game suspension as LB, though if he full cooperates with the investigation would anyone be surprised if the NCAA found away around that suspension? As for if he did know what was going on, then you're pretty much venturing into uncharted waters at that point, especially with new discipline standards.
