SMU has had two weeks to make adjustments and improve since their loss to Rutgers in overtime in Ford Stadium, but now heads to Memphis to take on the University of Memphis Tigers at 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
Quarterback Garrett Gilbert got the SMU offense rolling after having a slow start to the Rutgers game to the tune of 52 points.
Although it was in a losing effort, Gilbert threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns along with another two touchdowns on the ground.
If that was a preview of the rest of the season offensively, SMU may have a shot to get back to a bowl game even with its 1-4 record and 0-1 conference record at the moment.
Consistency is key again for the Mustang offense if they’ll want to continue to improve.
The offensive line was able to give Gilbert just enough time to make plays, but not necessarily enough to operate in the most efficient way.
The line will have to deal with Memphis junior and Houston-native defensive lineman Martin Ifedi, who has 10 tackles and 6.5 sacks on the season. It will be a tough matchup for the offensive line because of his size and ability to beat blocks and get in the backfield.
Linebacker Tank Jakes for Memphis also has had a solid campaign, leading the team with 30 tackles and also has 5.5 tackles for loss.
SMU’s offensive line continues to shuffle players in and out, trying to find the right combination, but so far it hasn’t been able to yet.
Offensively, it has been a tough year for the Memphis Tigers with first-year quarterback Paxton Lynch running the show.
Lynch, who has passed for 200-yards in two straight games, had a rough start to the season, but appears to be finding some success.
One aspect of the Memphis offense that will have to get going early is the running game, led by senior Brandon Hayes, who is averaging 5.26 yards per carry so far.
While Hayes only has two touchdowns on the ground this season, SMU will have to limit his yards per carry to get Memphis into passing situations with Lynch, who’s thrown four interceptions versus his two touchdown passes.
SMU will rely heavily on the linebackers to fill its gaps and make the right reads in the running game.
Senior Randall Joyner is still slowly working his way back to 100 percent, but with each passing week he continues to look more and more like himself.
SMU has to start its march to a fifth consecutive bowl game this week with a win or else SMU will face an even tougher climb back this season.
PREDICTION: SMU 35-10
