Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Army vs. SMU

                On paper, this game looks like one of those interesting run heavy vs. pass heavy offensive battles. However, the result of this game will come down to a simple battle of quarterbacks. The team that wins this game will be the team that got better play from their starting quarterback, though the stats sheets will look very different for these two.

                Army comes into this game with a blueprint they should try to follow if they want to win this game. SMU played Navy earlier in the year and lost, though the game was close. If they look at what Navy did, particularly in the second half of the game, and mix their version of those plays into their normal play calling, they could have great success again the SMU defense, which has been undisciplined at times this season. A lot of their success will be dependent on whether or not quarterback Trent Steelman can carry out his fakes and pith the ball when it’s necessary. He may not be Ricky Dobbs, but he is good within the system and should be able to keep the SMU defense guessing as to where the ball is going from play to play. His ability to do this will help suck the linebackers to the interior of the offensive line, where they get caught up on blocks and have trouble wading through traffic to make tackles on the outside. He’ll also need to pass efficiently when Army does decide to throw the ball. One of the reasons Navy came on so strong in the second half of the game against SMU, was because they were able to make first downs through the air when they needed to. He has good options for the pitch and pass in slot backs Patrick Mealy, Malcolm Brown and Brian Cobbs. All of them are fast enough to turn the corner on misdirection and make plays on short pass plays. On longer pass plays, wide receivers George Jordan, Austin Barr and Davyd Brooks are all bigger than 6-3, giving Steelman good targets in the redzone, especially since none of the SMU corners are bigger than 5-11.

                SMU needs to have a good game from quarterback Kyle Padron. The run and shoot offense that head coach June Jones uses requires that the quarterback be able to play consistently and make good reads. Padron, a sophomore, is just not there when it comes to pre-snap reads or being able to consistently beat blitzes. If Army can disrupt his rhythm but bring more rushers than the offensive line can handle, Padron will more than likely make a number of mistakes. However there is a risk in doing that, as Jones could just dial up a lot of quick passes to slot receivers Darius Johnson and Cole Beasley, one of whom is likely to be lined up against a linebacker. Both are more than fast enough to beat whomever SMU lines up against them man-on-man. If that doesn’t work, they can dial up bubble screens to Aldrick Robinson to slow the Army pass rush. They’re lucky to have an effective runner in Zach Line who helps keep the offense balanced and defense off-guard.

Prospects to Watch

                Army

                                Due to Military Commitments, no Army players are projected to be drafted this year.

                SMU

                                Aldrick Robinson – Wide Receiver: Robinson is a lot like Emmanuel Sanders from a year ago. He is undersized and may not compete well on long balls, but he has great quickness and works underneath routes very well. He can definitely be an asset to a team but still projects to the 5^th round because the system he plays in produces players like this quite a bit. A good forty time could help his cause.

Final Pick

                Army – I have more faith in the senior Trent Steelman to succeed in the triple-option than I do that Kyle Padron will succeed in the run and shoot.