One of the few bright spots for Tigers this year may be nullified in this gamer. SMU is among nations top teams in picks and sacks. Which could limit our passing game. Pollard has the potential to have a big game, BUT we would prefer he only has one kick off return if possible.

Tigers have GOT to find a way to get pressure on their QB and hope our defenders can recover more fumbles than their defense intercepts passes.

The last time Tigers had these types of numbers we were looking at 0-3 win seasons.

Total Offense
Tigers 42nd (up 2)
SMU 60th

Total Defense
Tigers 90th (down 23)
SMU 86th

Passing offense
Tigers 23rd (up 6)
SMU 52nd

Rushing Offense
Tigers 89th (down 1)
SMU 65th

Passing Defense
Tigers 66th (down 3)
SMU 88th

Rushing Defense
Tigers 98th (down 15)
SMU 79th

Red Zone Offense
Tigers 118th (down 12)
SMU 117th

Red Zone Defense
Tigers 60th (down 10)
SMU 60th

Net Punting
Tigers 21st (up 5)
SMU 103rd

Punt Returns
Tigers 60th (down 6)
SMU 108th

Punt Return Defense
Tigers 70th (up 2)
SMU 93rd

Blocked Punts
Tigers 12th (down 1)
SMU n/a

Blocked Punts Allowed
Tigers 1st
SMU 1st

Kick Off Returns
Tigers 8th
SMU 106th

Kick Off Return Defense
Tigers 1st
SMU 100th

Turnover margin
Tigers 30th (down 21)
SMU 43rd

Fumbles
Tigers 99th (down 16)
SMU 28th

Fumbles Recovered
Tigers 7th (up 1)
SMU 82nd

Passes Had Intercepted
Tigers 78th (down 19)
SMU 119th

Passes Intercepted
Tigers 13th (down 5)
SMU 4th

Sacks
Tigers 123rd (down 4)
SMU 14thth

Sacks allowed
Tigers 120th (down 1)
SMU 66th

ToP
Tigers 111th (down 1)
SMU 78th

Scoring Offense
Tigers 25th (down 3)
SMU 83rd

Scoring Defense
Tigers 64th (down 28)
SMU 88th

Power Ratings
Tigers 50th (down 3)
SMU 58th

Strength of Schedule
Tigers 59th (up 1)
SMU 71st

The key for UM when SMU is on offense and Memphis is on defense IMO is finding a single shut-down corner against Courtland Sutton. If our redshirt freshman QB is able to simply throw it up to him in one-on-one situations and UM is forced to start giving help to that DB then that opens up our other receivers who have developed well and then the RB's start working against a stretched defense. I haven't kept up with Memphis's secondary - is there a shut-down corner? Memphis needs to get pressure on the QB and SMU needs a growing QB to stay away from stupid mistakes.

On the other side of the ball the weakness for SMU is the LB's, who are average, if that. The defensive backs are our strength and have held there own against the likes of Baylor and Houston, and the defensive line is deep so SMU has been able to rotate out a lot to make up for so-so talent. Memphis needs the O-line to hold up and watch out for DE Lawler, and to have RB's and WR's make plays against the LB's - no dropped passes. SMU needs to have some success with blitz's and stunts and Lawler to have a big game.

If it turns into a field position game Memphis will win. SMU's special teams are poor.

My prediction:
SMU 34
Memphis 31