SMU has exceeded expectations in its first year in the ACC, reaching the College Football Playoff. This article provides insights into the Mustangs' surprising season, their offensive and defensive schemes, and what Penn State fans can expect in their upcoming matchup.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings hands off to running back Brashard Smith during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State. This is SMU ’s first year in the ACC , and the Mustangs reached the College Football Playoff. How surprising has this season been? I’d be lying if I said this season hasn’t been extremely surprising. I think I was fairly positive on the roster; the transfer moves they made, who stuck around and the schedule.
I probably would’ve said eight or nine wins would’ve been things going perfectly. A lot of it certainly comes down to the biggest shift at quarterback with Kevin Jennings this season that allowed SMU to build an offensive identity. But I think the buy-in from the defense and how quickly the coaching staff has been able to identify talent and develop it across the board has been the X-factor in all of this. That’s not something SMU has had until recently. After the Pitt game it started feeling real. They had just escaped Duke by the skin of their teeth and then laid an absolute walloping on an undefeated ACC team, who was the best roster in front of them on the schedule. Reacting to a poor performance like that and clearing the path at that point made it seem like they were almost destined to make the run. I can’t say I was certain they’d get chosen if they didn’t win the ACC Championship, but that game showed they had to be taken seriously, and this wasn’t some kind of beginner’s luck. This might be the first time Penn State fans watch SMU this season. Schematically, what should those fans know about how the Mustangs operate on offense and defense? The main thing to know about the offense is that it’s fast and it’s efficient
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