– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – AAC – Mustangs
Looking for 2017 SMU Mustangs predictions? The Mustangs have an interesting football history. With the hiring of Chad Morris a couple of seasons ago the program is back on an upward trajectory. Getting over the hump and having a better than .500 season is the next goal.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – SMU Mustangs
- Head Coach: Chad Morris
- 2015 Record: 5-7
- SMU Mustangs Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
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The AAC is not the ACC but the Mustangs might find it hard to make that leap.
2017 SMU Mustangs Predictions: Team Strengths
Even More Offense: HC Chad Morris is known as an offensive innovator, now in his third season there is a lot in place for the offense to really start humming.
This season 9 starters return on offense including most of the offensive line. That is a great base for success.
Behind that line the Mustangs have returners at QB and RB. RB Brandon West is not very big but he rushed for more than 1000 yards last season.
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All that is pretty good but the best part of the offense is receiver Courtland Sutton. He has the size and speed to be a star at the next level and might be the best wideout on any college campus this season.
Building Blocks on D: The Mustangs gave up 36ppg on D last season but they have a few players on which they can pin some improved performance.
Up front there is Justin Lawler. The AAC is not the SEC but he is all conference coming into the season. His numbers keep going up. 6 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss last season.
Kyran Mitchell was second in sacks but led in tackles from his LB position. He returns as does Jordan Wyatt at CB, He had four interceptions to lead the team.
2017 SMU Mustangs Predictions: Team Weaknesses
QB or Not QB?: Ben Hicks is a senior and the returning starter…but he has to be better.
Hicks was just not good enough last season and the offense won’t be elite if he throws another 15 picks and doesn’t complete at least 60% of his passes.
Hicks might be pushed by Rafe Peavey, an Arkansas recruit who never played for the Razorbacks. He is highly touted but hasn’t played much football due to injury.
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Even if the offense is inconsistent it won’t matter much if the defense doesn’t improve.
There is some individual talent but this unit has nothing to really lay its hat on. No individual unit stands out and they are especially light up front.
The AAC migh be a pass first league but if teams can run on you they won’t stop. Last year SMU gave up 210 yards per game on the ground.
SMU Mustangs Prediction: 5-7
There are lot of teams that are all offense but it is hard to win big that way.
This year the offense can improve but if the defense doesn’t it is going to be hard to increase the win total.
The schedule is challenging but they may have an out as their four road games are all against good team, ones they probably wouldn’t beat at home anyway.
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The key to a respectable season will be winning the one’s they are supposed to. If they don’t Morris might find himself under a little heat.
2017 SMU Mustangs Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 7:00 PM ET SFA
- 9/9/17 7:00 PM ET UNT
- 9/16/17 3:30 PM ET @TCU
- 9/23/17 7:00 PM ET ARST
- 9/30/17 TBD CONN
- 10/7/17 TBD @HOU
- 10/21/17 TBD @CIN
- 10/27/17 TBD TLSA
- 11/4/17 TBD UCF
- 11/11/17 4:30 PM ET @NAVY
- 11/18/17 TBD @MEM
- 11/25/17 TBD TULN
What do you think about our 2017 SMU Mustangs predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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