Quarterbacks
Garrett Gilbert has been the bright spot on the SMU offense so far this season and it has been because of the help he has gotten from the receivers. He hasn’t had much protection, but has thrown for over 300 yards in both games and is completing 69 percent of his passes. Gilbert has moved the offense up and down the field, but must get more efficient in the redzone and turn drives into touchdowns to take the offense to the next level.
Grade: B+
Grade Trend: Up
Running Backs
SMU really has struggled running the football and it starts up front with the offensive line, but it is also on the running backs needing to be more patient in their reads. Traylon Shead is injured, but should be ready to face Texas A&M; next week, which could mean improvement. Prescott Line has struggled a little bit, but K.C. Nlemchi came on to average 6.8 yards a carry against Montana State. The sign that things are bad is that Garrett Gilbert leads the team in rushing with 82 yards.
Grade: C-
Grade Trend: Down
Wide Receivers
Jeremy Johnson and Darius Joseph have been extremely solid targets for Garrett Gilbert so far this year, combining for 459 yards on 42 catches. From there, it kind of drops off for the SMU receivers, but Jeremiah Gaines could see an expanded role at tight end especially with the offensive line struggling. Keenan Holman and Der’rikk Thompson have just over 80 yards each. Thompson was expected to be a deep threat again for SMU, but hasn’t made too big of an impact. So far, the group has improved since last year.
Grade: B
Grade Trend: Up
Offensive Line
The weakest part of the offense currently is the offensive line. Protection for Gilbert has been suspect and the running game has suffered from it as well. Ben Gottschalk and Taylor Lasecki have played well for SMU, but communication issues along the rest of the offensive line have caused trouble and have allowed opposing defenses to get the best of SMU at times. Against Texas A&M; and TCU, SMU will face some tough defensive lines so communicating and executing will be key, but I don’t see SMU’s line improving enough to control the line of scrimmage against these teams.
Grade: C
Grade Trend: Down
Defensive Line
Against Texas Tech, the defensive line played extremely well, getting pressure on Baker Mayfield and holding the Red Raiders to just 48 yards on the ground. Against Montana State, the line took a step back, but the rotation of linemen including Beau Barnes, Zack Wood, Darrian Wright and Andrew McCleneghen have played well enough to cause problems. As this unit develops and gains more experience, expect them to make even more plays. Texas A&M; and TCU will be tough tests, but once conference play begins that experience will be key.
Grade: B-
Grade Trend: Up
Linebackers
SMU’s linebacking corps took a hit against Texas Tech when Randall Joyner injured his knee and their performance against Montana State suffered because of it. SMU needs Joyner back, but Kevin Pope has been a tackling machine, getting 19 in two games. Stephon Sanders and Robert Seals have to become more of a threat off the edge for SMU, with just 1.5 combined sacks on the season. The front seven for SMU has been solid and will need help from the secondary to be
more effective.
Grade: B
Grade Trend: Up
Secondary
The secondary was supposed to be the strength for SMU, but has given up 631 passing yards on the season so far. Kenneth Acker, the leader in the SMU secondary, has been solid and his play should continue to improve as the season goes on. Chris Parks on the other hand, has been targeted numerous times especially against Texas Tech and will have to improve. Look for SMU to use a lot of nickel against Texas A&M; and TCU and that will bring J.R. Richardson onto the field more often, and his speed could be a
welcome addition.
Grade: C+
Grade Trend: Down
