PonyPride.com - Brian breaks down Tulsa

October 29, 2009

Brian Chuck
PonyPride.com Staff Writer

Through all of SMU's (3-4, 2-1) games this season, this week's matchup with Tulsa (4-3, 2-1) is probably the biggest question mark.

As of Thursday morning, SMU did not know who was going to be the starting quarterback as sophomore starter Bo Levi Mitchell remains a game-time decision.

True freshman Kyle Padron has taken first team reps this week and will continue to do so on Thursday as the team practices at an indoor facility to avoid the anticipated severe weather.

While the question for SMU is who their quarterback is, Tulsa continues to question who they are as a team.

The two-time defending C-USA West Champions have lost two in a row to Boise State and UTEP. They are feeling the effects of losing wide receiver Brennan Marion to the NFL draft and quarterback David Johnson, who accounted for 49 touchdowns last year.

With University of Texas transfer sophomore G.J. Kinne as the starting quarterback, Tulsa is not the high flying aerial attack it has been in past years. Kinne leads the team in rushing but his arm isn't as efficient. Over the last two years, Tulsa has had senior quarterbacks that have thrown at least 40 touchdowns but Kinne is on pace to shoot much lower than that as he currently only has 12 touchdown throws.

What is certain remains the fact that Damaris Johnson is the main offenses weapon. The sophomore WR leads the team in receptions and yards can be dangerous wherever he lines ups.

SMU head coach June Jones said Johnson is one of those players that when you watch him you say "Wow." Over all he says their skill position players are as fast as Houston, TCU or ECU. But it's the other side of the ball that has made Tulsa still one of the conference favorites.

"Their defense is playing real well," said Jones. "[They have] one of the better defenses we have faced. They are well coached, have a good scheme."

Tulsa is coming off back to back losses and they will be desperate for a win if they hope to make it back to the conference championship.

SMU's last two games have been plagued by drops. Regardless of who plays quarterback, the receivers must catch the ball. Jones said there is no magic formula to combat the dropped passes.

"Whenever you are struggling with anything there is no easy way out. You have to work harder. Catch more balls, get more wins. You got to work hard, that is what you have to do. "

This week is the healthiest the talented receiver corps have been all season with true freshman Darius Johnson back and junior Aldrick Robinson starting to look like the speed kills receiver he was last year. In order to win, the receivers need to stop impersonating Featherstone from Necessary Roughness and live up to the pre-season hype of Biletnikoff Awards and future NFL draft picks.

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