SMU Football: Can Sonny Dykes, Mustangs turn it around in Year 2?
By Dante Pryor
How will the Mustangs fare in 2019?
- Week 1: at Arkansas State (Aug. 31)
- Week 2: North Texas (Sept. 7)
- Week 3: Texas State (Sept. 14)
- Week 4: at TCU (Sept. 21)
- Week 5: at USF (Sept. 28)
- Week 6: Tulsa (Oct. 5)
- Week 7: BYE
- Week 8: Temple (Oct. 19)
- Week 9: at Houston (Oct. 24)
- Week 10: at Memphis (Nov. 2)
- Week 11: East Carolina (Nov. 9)
- Week 12: BYE
- Week 13: at Navy (Nov. 23)
- Week 14: Tulane (Nov. 30)
It seems as if the offense might have a few more questions than the defense, and that’s because the latter brings more back this season.
Quarterback is such a crucial position in this type of offense and the Mustangs won’t know if Shane Buechele is a fit until he plays. The offensive line is young, and needs to show improvement from last year.
The defense needs to create more turnovers for the offense in that crucial third category. They were second in the AAC in turnover margin last year, but where 11th in defensive third down conversions. So if the Mustangs didn’t turn you over, opponents didn’t have many issues sustaining drives.
As far as win totals, the schedule doesn’t favor the Mustangs. They begin the season against an always tough Arkansas State team on the road, but get North Texas at home; both difficult asks to begin the season.
After a reprieve of sorts at home against Texas State, they go to Fort Worth to play the Horned Frogs and to Tampa to play South Florida.
Prediction: 6-6, 4-4 AAC
Next. Top 30 skill position players for 2019. dark
The Mustangs could begin the season 1-4, and with this tough schedule they are going to need a hot streak to get to a bowl — which might come. Set your win total for the Mustangs at six.