Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Bo Levi Mitchell may lap Justin Willis’ Freshman records

Perhaps no topic garners more discussion than this one. Mitchell versus Willis; Willis versus Mitchell.

Lost in the scuttlebutt of leading the Houston game for all but the last few seconds was an interesting statistic. Bo Levi Mitchell set the SMU freshman record for passing yards with 2,047 (with four games to play). He will almost certainly break the SMU freshman total offense record of 2,401 this week. Further, Mitchell has 21 passing touchdowns (22 total touchdowns) and has four games to play; Willis had 26 passing touchdowns (29 total touchdowns) his freshman year (lest we forget he sat a game).

Not so long ago, SMU ran this ad for a kid that scored 29 touchdowns.



Reminder: Bo Levi Mitchell is a TRUE freshman.

Barring injury (knock on wood), Mitchell will likely beat all of Willis’ freshman records. That includes interceptions, of course. Assuming Mitchell starts 12 games in 2009, he will obliterate all of Willis' career records as well.


Here is an interesting thought: the offense appears to be coming around somewhat; the last four games, SMU has averaged 28 points per game. Assume that SMU adds a field goal to that average over the next four weeks. SMU would then average as many points per game as it did in 2006.

The difference between 2006 and 2008, of course, is wins. The difference, of course, is a lousy start and a lousy defense. In 2006, SMU probably had the best defense it has had in 20 years and it still gave up points in bunches. Make no mistake-in the future, SMU will only go as far as its defense takes it.

So what does it mean? This is not an attempt to say that June Jones was right to start Bo Levi Mitchell. I think that decision was wrong. Nothing I have written above changes that. Mitchell played too early; he struggled; they tried to compensate by dumbing the offense down and made matters worse. Now, it appears he is starting to get it. But it does give you hope for the future. Next season, there will be an offense in place that will likely be better than any offense we have seen in 20 years. I think you have to be optimistic about that.

Now if we can just get a defense that only gives up 300 yards a game....

9 comments:

Troy said...

I've been optimistic for a while... it's been nice to see SMU leading games now, if only we could win some...

Glad to see more posts on the blog.

dude said...

We need to improve on defense.

keep up the blog.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to see how our former HC from Hawaii was doing there in SMU. We don't have any real hard feelings, and still have a lot of respect for the guy. The offense may not be firing on all cylinders right now, but it takes time to truly get it. Colt Brennan wasn't exactly Heisman material his first year, but there was a big difference once he got a year under his belt. The same could be said for Graham Harrel in Texas Tech, they run a very similar offense, but are clearly more polished. SMU will get there eventually and will be really exciting to watch...but it will still need defense a to win the game

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought that maybe Justin wasn't cut because of his football abilities but because of his character? He has alot of growing up to do and help take care an 18-month old daughter that he doesn't care to participate in her life - emotionally, physically or financially.

Anonymous said...

Just another Hawaiian checking up on our long lost coach. I can only imagine the frustration you all are feeling right now. We're not exactly having a stellar year ourselves in Hawaii having lost not only our coach, asst coaches, star QB and a hot receiver corp but we have lost our 2nd and 3rd string QBs due to injuries this year and are operating with last year's FOURTH STRING QB. Hang in there SMU JJ will make it happen. You should have seen what it was like before June came to Hawaii. SMU will rise again but it will take some time because all of the recruiting problems have to fade away first. There was just no way all this past was going to go away with the hiring of Jones. Even we knew that. So I read that you got a lot of BS happening up there...think of as compost for a dead field. Something has to grow from all that crap you're putting up with.

Anonymous said...

Blog man, where ye been? I miss you.

Anonymous said...

Another Hawaii fan like the others on here.

I also echo everyone else i think June is still going to do some great things with your program. I knew his first year was going to be tough but even i didn't see 1-11 coming. Its true his system will make QB's look better but Colt was a great talent that doens't come along very often so i wouldn't exactly expect that but your offense will be productive.

Defense on the other hand might be a constant frustration. In a way its a tradeoff when the offense doesnt click its a quick three and out and the defense is in a bad situation.

Another positive is Jeff Reinbold he truly was one of the best coaches at hawaii and a great guy, im a little curious how he went from defensive line to wr coach though?

Anyway best of luck to your program, cheer for us in the Hawaii Bowl to beat the Irist!

Anonymous said...

Blog? Were you kidnapped by TCU fans?

Anonymous said...

Joe Webb will make the mustangs a bunch of gelded ponies. Go Blazers!!