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2009 SMU Mustangs NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 16, 2009 by Jason Lowry

SMU Mustangs 2009 Predictions It has been a miserable couple of years for the SMU Mustangs, as they have lost 17 consecutive games in Conference USA play. 2009 will mark the second year under head coach June Jones, and there are hopes that with 16 returning starters the Mustangs can once again be competitive in the West division.

On offense the Mustangs bring back 8 starters from a year ago, but most importantly an experienced quarterback in sophomore Bo Levi Mitchell, who had his ups and downs in his freshman season. Mitchell threw for 2,865 yards and 24 touchdowns, but had his fair share of mistakes with 23 interceptions. This year the Mustangs are hoping that Mitchell will really improve in his decision making. The Mustangs were one of the worst rushing teams in all of college football last season with an average of just 49.5 yards a game. It looks as though junior Chris Butler will be the man to start the season, but this unit could get a big boost if Miami transfer Shawnbrey McNeal becomes eligible over the summer. At wide receiver the Mustangs are loaded with talent, as the top two threats of senior Emmanuel Sanders and junior Aldrick Robinson combined for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Also look for improved play out of sophomore receivers Terrance Wilkerson and Cole Beasley. The Mustangs have a couple of holes to fill on the offensive line, as they lost their starting right tackle and left guard from a year ago. With two sophomores returning to the starting lineup in left tackle Kelvin Beachum and right guard Bryce Tennison, the Mustangs will have one of the youngest lines in the conference if sophomores JT Brooks and Josh LeRibeus fill in at the two open spots as expected. Overall this unit should improve, especially if they can get anything going out of the run game, as they should have much better play from Mitchell at quarterback. Bet the Mustangs this season at Sportsbook.com.

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The Mustangs return another 8 starters on defense, but this was a unit that really struggled last season giving up 37 points and just over 460 yards a game. There isn’t a lot of talent up front on the defensive line, but the Mustangs are hoping to get a boost from junior college transfer Marquis Frazier at defensive end, while sophomore Taylor Thompson and junior Justin Smart battle for playing time at the other position. It looks as thought senior Chris Parham is going to step in at tackle, but don’t be surprise if sophomore Evan Huahule doesn’t get plenty of playing time here as well. At linebacker the Mustangs return three of four starters from a year ago, but senior Chase Kennemer got some playing time last year, and should be a good fill in at the open middle linebacker spot. The guys that really need to have big seasons are junior linebackers Pete Fleps and Youri Yenga, as both have the talent to be a top linebacker in Conference USA. In the secondary all four starters return, and this should be the strength of this unit. The leader of the group is senior corner Bryan McCann, but look out for sophomore free safety Chris Banjo, who came in as a freshman and finished 4th in tackles with 61. This is not a top notch defense by any means, but it does have the potential to keep teams from scoring at will like they did a year ago. If the defense shows some big improvements so will the Mustangs record this season. Bet Conference USA this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: Tie for 4th in Conference USA West Division. I am not calling for a winning season by any means, but I think the Mustangs will be one of the most improved teams in Conference USA this season. I know 3 conference wins doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s a big step forward after the last two seasons this team has suffered through.

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