SMU showed last week it is capable of running the football with Johnnie Freeman and Kris Briggs. If the duo gets more carries and a patchwork offensive line can hold up, the Bulldogs will give up rushing yards. Volek doesn't make mistakes on his own, but he can be pressured into them. That begins on the defensive line. The Mustangs also can't dig themselves into a hole.
Unanswered points have to be avoided.
The Bulldogs have outstanding special teams. Fresno State is also a young team. Only three players who have all-purpose yardage are seniors. The Comet leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, scoring, punt returns, punt return yards and all-purpose yards. Of SMU's 22 starters, only eight were starters last year.