Texas State is set to take on SMU this week in Dallas.
Under the guidance of Sonny Dykes and the leadership of Shane Buechele, a transfer from the University of Texas, the SMU Mustangs look to be much improved from last season.
SMU has had a fast start going 2-0 against traditionally good Arkansas State and recently good UNT. It is too early in the season for that to be a true indicator of how this matchup is going to go, but at the very least it indicates that SMU is no pushover.
If Texas State wants to get their first win of the Jake Spavital era in Dallas this Saturday, there are a few areas they need to focus on.
Keys to Victory
Turnovers
Wyoming scored 20 of their 23 points off turnovers, including a pick 6 to give the Cowboys the lead midway through the 3rd quarter. Had the Bobcats protected the ball a little better and not thrown 2 interceptions with one fumble, the game may have turned out different and the Bobcats could be sitting at 1-1 right now.
The Bobcats now have 7 total turnovers on the season through just two games. They had 4 interceptions against A&M and 2 interceptions with 1 fumble against Wyoming.
If the Bobcats want to come out of Dallas with a win, they have to eliminate the turnovers. If they aren’t able to completely eliminate the turnovers, they need to at least win the turnover margin. Currently the Bobcats are tied for 119th in turnover margin with -4 and tied for dead last in total turnovers with 7.
Sacks
Sacks are another area of concern for the Bobcats through two games and that is why it is our second key to victory.
Through the first two games, the Bobcats have given up 8 total sacks between the two quarterbacks. Jensen has been sacked 6 of those 8, giving up 5 in the Wyoming game.
Now, there are a few reasons this might be happening. From the offensive line not being able to contain the pass rush, the offensive play calling being completely one sided with no runs to keep the defense honest, or pocket awareness by Jensen.
Regardless of the reason, the sacks in the Wyoming game resulted in 2 positive drives being cut short. If the Bobcats hope to win and decide to start Jensen, they need to do a better job of limiting the sacks.
Special Teams
Finally, special teams. The Bobcats struggled all year last season in this department and it’s not looking good so far this year either.
The Bobcats went 0-2 in field goals against Wyoming. Had they hit both, they would have been driving down to kick a field goal and tie the game on the last drive. Instead, they drove down the field in an 8 play 75 yard drive that ended on the Wyoming 6 yard line. A drive that would have only served to make the final score look closer than it was. Had the Bobcats scored, it still would have been 21-23. Unless they had made even just one of those field goals.
Another aspect of the special teams the Bobcats seem to still be lacking in, is the punting game. TXST is currently 114 in the nation in net punting yards at 33.92 yards on average. This becomes a problem in the field position battle. The Bobcats have a good defense, but even the best defenses in the nation can’t be expected to defend a short field all game every game. If the Bobcats want to beat SMU, this is another area they need to focus on.
So there you have it. If the Bobcats are able to limit the turnovers, avoid taking sacks, and make their field goals, they will win this game.
