SMU Mustangs Football

We can't decide what's worse: the so-called dance, the fact that Chad Morris was casually bumping 50 Cent like it's 2003 or that he thought it was OK to share a video of it on Twitter.

But to each his own, and what a gift this is to the Internet.

The SMU head football coach was apparently excited about the Mustangs' recruiting class, so what better way to celebrate the 18-day countdown to signing day than with a little number to "In Da Club" in your living room?

You do you, coach.

[Chad Morris]

Before Chad Morris can take back the state of Texas and go toe-to-toe with the state's sudden glut of football-coaching goliaths—like Briles, Sumlin, Patterson, Kingsbury and Strong—his new home needs furnishing.

Rummaging around the furniture store with his wife, Paula, Morris is ready to leave the makeshift apartment that has bridged his transition from Clemson, where he was one of the nation's best offensive coordinators, to SMU, a program that only recently hit rock bottom.

Today he is seeking out sofas and such to furnish his new digs, taking just a few hours away from a massive rebuilding project—one of the largest fathomable—although he refuses to use that vile word.

"I don't see it as a rebuild," Morris told Bleacher Report. "I see it as a new era. It's a fresh start, and it's going to be something different from anything any SMU fan has seen."

It's a new era for a historic program that won exactly one game in 2014, scoring just 15 touchdowns. For perspective: 107 players individually matched or surpassed this total last year nationwide. SMU didn't just struggle in 2014; it was one of the worst—if not the worst—teams in the nation.

To coincide with a fresh start, Morris has watched roughly 10 minutes of SMU from last season. He caught a small portion of the Mustangs' final game live and has followed up this experience with a grand total of zero minutes of film. He doesn't plan to watch any more.

After successful stops in Tulsa and then Clemson—the place where he made a name for himself as one of the nation's brightest offensive coordinators—many waited to see where Morris would land. When he decided on SMU, some found the decision curious. Many assumed he could have landed a job at a place with more recent success.

As it turns out, however, this is a marriage that has been in the making for quite some time. A high school football coach in the state of Texas for 16 years, Morris jumped at the opportunity to come home.

"The city of Dallas is hungry. I'm from that city, I'm from this state and I grew up coming to SMU football games," Morris said. "I coached high school ball in this state, and I know the importance of football here."

It won't be easy. Art Briles, Charlie Strong, Kevin Sumlin, Gary Patterson and Kliff Kingsbury are not going away. Tom Herman, now at Houston, is only getting started. Texas football is as ruthless and unforgiving as it has ever been.

But with the help of 22,000 high school coaches seemingly invested in one of their own and a plan in place to capitalize on the one thing he knows better than just about anyone else, Morris is ready to embrace his former home in his latest endeavor. And home is ready to embrace him right back.

"It's important to the state of Texas and important to the high school coaches that he's a success," Cedar Hill head coach and back-to-back Texas state champion Joey McGuire said. "He's one of us."

 

Chapter One: Returning Home

In his 16 years as a Texas high school coach, Morris won multiple state titles in multiple stops. Given the level of difficulty and competition, this was nothing short of Saban-esque. His back-to-back state championships at Lake Travis ultimately catapulted him to the collegiate ranks.

A model of consistency, Morris won more than 80 percent of his games at the high school level, and yet it wasn't always good enough. In the rare instances when one of his teams lost, the Morris family would often wake to a freshly placed "For Sale" sign in its front yard Saturday mornings, a gesture from a disappointed and passionate fan. Paula Morris would often try to remove the sign before her husband saw, but he knew.

"Every Friday night is the Super Bowl," Morris said.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing either. He didn't look forward to surprise lawn ornaments, but it ultimately helped shape the coach and the man. The expectations, as magnificently unattainable as they might have been, were a sign of success. The signs were badges of honor he carries with him in his new football life.

"I take great pride in saying that I coached high school football in the state of Texas," Morris said. "I know there are many, many coaches in that state that could be sitting here doing this interview. They are every bit as qualified, if not more qualified, than I am."

After Morris worked under Todd Graham for a year at Tulsa, Dabo Swinney hired him at Clemson to add points to the scoreboard.

His unique uptempo, spread offense—known appropriately as "basketball on grass"—allowed the Tigers' wealth of position talent to flourish over four seasons. In that time, his profile morphed and developed: The former high school power became a commodity.

"Over the course of the four-year tenure I was in Clemson, I probably had four opportunities to leave to become a head coach," Morris said. "But the timing wasn't right. Had this job been in Florida, or North Carolina or South Carolina, I just don't think the job would have been the one."

Although tempting propositions trickled in, none were perfect. When the SMU position officially opened in December, Morris—despite knowing the work and makeover necessary—was instantly drawn to the vacancy. The timing and geography was right.

"I knew I had a great situation in Clemson. SMU knew I had a great situation in Clemson," Morris said. "This job, this situation, the wheelhouse of my recruiting, at home and in a conference that's full of turnaround programs, I think it can be done," Morris said. "Otherwise I wouldn't have taken it."

Chapter Two: Meet the Neighbors

On a rare snowy Texas day earlier this offseason, with schools closed and much of the impacted areas essentially shutting down for the day, Adamson High School head coach Josh Ragsdale and his offensive coordinator spent the entire day locked in the SMU film room with Morris and his staff.

"We talked football from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We watched film, went on the board, and any detail we wanted Chad gave us," Ragsdale said. "That was shocking to me. That's so valuable for our staff."

Adamson is located only a few miles away from SMU's campus. Taking back roads, Ragsdale can be there in seven minutes. And yet, despite the proximity, the coach's relationship with SMU up until the past few months has been almost nonexistent.

"When the SMU game was on, I didn't really care to watch," Ragsdale said. "I couldn't name one coach on their staff other than June Jones. That's a problem."

This midweek encounter wasn't anything in particular. It was a foundation for recruiting and many conversations ahead. It was help for competitive minds seeking out an edge. And perhaps on a far simpler level, it was a room full of Texas high school coaches doing what they like to do: talk football.

Let's go down the road a bit, although not too far. Todd Peterman, still fresh off a promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach at DeSoto High School—just a 30-minute drive from SMU—has also logged hours with Morris since he took over. In fact, the regime change ultimately helped Peterman get his dream job.

Morris hired former DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis to his staff when he took over, which left an opening at the high school. With his head coach gone, Peterman pondered his future at the program. Morris, understanding the situation, offered his services.

"He asked me if there was anything he could do to help get me the job," Peterman said. "He didn't have to do that, but he did."

Ultimately Peterman got the job. Morris didn't have to pull any strings to make it happen, although the conversation stuck with the new DeSoto head coach. A relationship and friendship formed.

Operating in far different circumstances, Joey McGuire—a high school coach who garnered serious interest from collegiate programs this past offseason, including Texas—checked his phone after Cedar Hill capped off its second consecutive state championship late last year.

A slew of congratulations greeted him, although none were more noticeable than the unified effort coming from a program only 25 minutes from his workplace.

"Every single one of SMU's coaches between the time that game was over and midnight sent me a text congratulating me and our program," McGuire said. "From Day 1 when Chad stepped on SMU's campus, he's made it a point that they are going to recruit Texas. They're going at it really hard."

Ask any Texas high school coaches who've been in the game long enough about Chad Morris, and they'll beam about his football presence in the state. They'll speak of him as if he's a friend—and many are—referring to him simply as "Chad." They've been saying it for a while.

"Chad was always such a good guy when he was winning," Peterman said. "He was inviting, and that's why a lot of high school coaches are such big fans of his here."

More significant to Morris in his current situation, many of these coaches already have a sense of who he is and what his program will ultimately be about even though the first game is still months away.

"I trust Chad Morris," Ragsdale said. "I trust him as a man and what he teaches kids. That's where I want my kids to be."

Chapter Three: Seeing It Through

Still wandering around the store looking for the appropriate furnishings for his new home, Morris reveals his game plan in a sentence that is as simple as it is intricate.

"You can recruit all the kids you want with 10 dollars in a tank of gas," Morris said. "And if you can just keep the kids from leaving the state…"

Wait a second; hold it right there.

While keeping Texas players from leaving the state is a shared philosophy, there are still Texas-sized obstacles functioning within the state lines.

With Baylor, TCU and Texas A&M operating with more momentum than they've had in ages, recruiting should not be assumed. And then there's the biggest giant of them all, Texas, poised to bounce back now that Charlie Strong has settled in.

There's a solution for this, too. Compete when you can, but embrace the state's magnificent size and resources.

"Texas, TCU, Baylor and A&M are all going to get their 25 [kids]," Morris said. "Well, that's 100 kids total. If you can just keep the other kids from leaving the state, you can sign one of the top classes in the conference every year."

Morris watched Art Briles revive a Houston program that was tiptoeing toward extinction before Briles ignited a sleeping giant. He watched Gary Patterson thrive at TCU and make a move to a larger conference feasible. Each coach has had ample opportunities to leave during his tenure. Up until now, they have politely declined.

"They're building there, and they know the importance of football in that state," Morris said. "That's what excites me about SMU. You're in one of the hotbeds of recruiting, and you have an opportunity to get this thing turned."

It won't happen this spring or this fall. Despite his unwillingness to use the term, the rebuild at SMU will take years and multiple Texas-heavy recruiting classes. It will demand a philosophical change and a great deal of nurturing. It will take time.

With his expectations of conference championships and a Top 10 ranking, Morris isn't simply thinking about relevancy. He's aiming much higher than that, hoping to bring his winning ways back home.

"I hope that in the not-too-distant future, you and I will do an article about one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of college football," Morris told me.

But first things first. Does that chaise come in black?

Adam Kramer is the College Football National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Unless noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

Southern Methodist football is in shambles. After June Jones elected to resign from his post as head coach only two games into the 2014 season, the Mustangs were left with an interim coach and a roster with a paucity of real talent.

They have not won a game this year, and their average margin of defeat is more than 34 points. The offense has been pitiful and the defense has been porous—there is really no nice way to put it.

However, the team made a bold move on Thursday evening, hiring former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris to rebuild the struggling program. The news was first reported by Clint Brewster of 247Sports, and Chip Brown of HornsDigest.com reported that Morris will make approximately $3 million per year.

In six years and two games at SMU, Jones’ record was 36-43—pretty impressive considering the Mustangs have still not recovered from the death penalty ruling they got in 1987 for breaking NCAA rules.

The Mustangs went to a bowl game in four straight years under Jones, an amazing feat considering they hadn’t been to one in 25 years before 2009.

But it will be an uphill battle for Morris—there is no question about it. He is known for his innovative offensive schemes, and he is going to need every bit of deception to get the SMU offense to produce in his first few years on the job.

The thing that Morris has going for him that has made him an enticing candidate is his rich Texas roots. He assembled a staunch resume at the high school level, winning a state championship at Bay City and then grooming Jevan Snead into a Division I quarterback at Stephenville before moving on to Austin Lake Travis, one of the most decorated football programs in the state.

He coached there for two seasons, going 16-0 and winning the state championship in both 2008 and 2009. He helped Garrett Gilbert set the state records for passing yards in a season and career passing yards, both records previously held by former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

Then Morris moved to the college level, where he was the offensive coordinator at Tulsa for one season before moving to Clemson in 2011.

At Clemson, his offenses experienced phenomenal success. He molded Tajh Boyd into a record-setting college quarterback and sent wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins to the NFL.

SMU is obviously not afraid of the 45-year-old Morris’ inexperience. He has never been a collegiate head coach and has only been at the college level for five seasons.

However, Morris’ most valuable asset might be his recruiting potential in Texas, arguably the most talent-rich state in the country. He knows the state of Texas and should be able to lure talented athletes to Dallas.

Morris has been in the conversation for several jobs, most notably Texas Tech (per ESPN.com) after Tommy Tuberville’s departure, but it has always been hard to lure him away from his gig as the highest-paid assistant in all of college football.

Finally, though, he found a match he liked.

Expectations shouldn’t be too high. If he can somehow manage to get the Mustangs to be a .500 team, it would be a miracle. He won’t have much to work with in his first year on the job, but he does have Matt Davis, a heralded dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school back in 2012.

Davis, the third-ranked dual-threat quarterback in his class according to Rivals.com, originally committed to Texas A&M. But he transferred to Tyler Junior College after he redshirted his first year at A&M, and after one year of JUCO action, he arrived at SMU. He will be a junior in 2015, and his athleticism projects well in Morris’ offense.

The Mustangs’ recruiting haul is unimpressive, but they do have commits from Kyle Kearns, the 12th-best pocket passer according to 247Sports, as well as 4-star receiver James Proche II.

Chip Brown of HornsDigest tweeted that his sources tell him that SMU will let Morris begin recruiting very soon, in hopes of swaying some of the uncommitted prep players interested in SMU.

This move benefits both parties involved. SMU gets a young, passionate coach full of potential, and Morris gets his first opportunity as a college head coach in the same state where he built his reputation.

It will be interesting to see if Morris’ offense will be effective with mediocre players and if Morris can recruit as a head coach. Sure, he coaxed plenty of offensive players to Clemson, but he had Dabo Swinney there to help out.

Now, Morris is the main man. It is his responsibility not only to recruit players to fit his offense but to recruit defensive players as well.

Also, he will not be able to spend all his time in practice working with the offense. He will have to learn to delegate some of those duties to trusted assistants.

There is definitely going to be a learning curve, but Morris and SMU is a good match and one that could reap rewards down the road.

Updates from Monday, Dec. 1

College Football Talk passed along word of a hire as SMU's next head coach:

SMU confirms Clemson OC Chad Morris has been named as the Mustangs' next head coach.

— ClevelandFoosballTalk (@CFTalk) December 1, 2014

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 27

Chip Brown of Horns Digest.com reported that a deal might be done for SMU's new head coach:

A high-level #SMU source told me #Clemson OC Chad Morris has agreed to a multi-year contract averaging more than $3 million per year.

— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) November 28, 2014

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 30

Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has an update on Mack Brown's desire to return to coaching:

On his coaching future: “I don’t have an agent for football. I’m not going to call anybody. I’m not going to pursue any jobs. If somebody calls me, I’ll talk to them.”

On needing the right fit to return to the sideline: “That’s exactly right. I’m very happy with what I’m doing. … I talked to 10 coaches this spring and asked them their opinion of what happens when you get out of coaching. Some got back in. Some didn’t. And they all said, ‘Don’t put one minute’s thought into it until December, or late November.’ And, then, if somebody calls you and it excites you, you’ll talk to them.”

Updates from Friday, Oct. 24

SMU athletic director Rick Hart took to his Twitter account to address reports linking the school to Mack Brown:

(1/3) While it is not our policy to comment during a search process, the attention a recent report has attracted dictates it be addressed.

— Rick Hart (@AD_RickHart) October 24, 2014

(2/2) While we have a great deal of respect for Mack Brown, no one associated with our search has contacted him or his representatives.

— Rick Hart (@AD_RickHart) October 24, 2014

(3/3) To that end, there has been no offer or discussion of compensation with any potential candidates.

— Rick Hart (@AD_RickHart) October 24, 2014

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 23

Bill Nichols of the Dallas Morning News has an update on the kind of salary SMU would use to entice Brown:

Armed with the knowledge that winning seasons are possible at SMU, more qualified candidates are interested in the opportunity to return the program to prominence. And basketball’s quick ascension under Larry Brown seems to have galvanized the school’s football commitment.

Thus, it’s not shocking that SMU officials have already had preliminary discussions with former Texas coach Mack Brown, floating $4 million annually over eight years, sources say. Brown, 63, fits the Larry Brown model — a national championship winner who can land star prospects on name alone.

 

Updates from Monday, Oct. 6

Kirk Bohls of the Austin American Statesman passed along the latest regarding Mack Brown and the SMU job:

Mack Brown will decide in December whether he wants to return to coaching, his attorney and good friend Joe Jamail told me Sunday. Jamail said the former Texas football coach has already been offered coaching jobs but wouldn’t name them. “For comparable pay to what he was making and more,” Jamail said, “but he likes what he’s doing. He misses it, frankly, but he loves being on ESPN.” Asked if SMU reached out to Brown, Jamail said, “He was approached, I was approached, but he’s not interested in coaching anywhere right now.”

Original Text

With the resignation of June Jones, SMU needs to find a football coach capable of bringing the program back to its glory years.   

According to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, the team could be considering former Texas head coach Mack Brown:

A wildcard name to keep an eye on with the SMU vacancy is former Texas coach Mack Brown, now an ESPN broadcaster. Word is, some well-connected SMU brass are intrigued by Brown and think he might be tempted by the chance to coach again.

The head coaching job became available when Jones surprisingly resigned after just two games, according to The Associated Press, via ESPN Dallas Fort Worth. The former Hawaii coach explained:

It was a very difficult decision for me to make, as you can imagine. I have devoted my life for the last 50 years to playing and coaching this game and it has been a great journey. This job has a lot of demands, as you know, and along with that journey comes a price that is paid.

I have some personal issues I have been dealing with and I need to take a step away so I can address them at this time.

Jones had a 36-43 record in his career at SMU, including an 0-2 mark in 2014 before leaving. The squad proceeded to lose the next two games without him and go into the conference portion of the schedule 0-4. Overall, the squad has been outscored 202-12.

Although the Mustangs are just two years removed from a win in the Hawaii Bowl, it seems the current squad is a long way from contending on a weekly level. It will obviously be difficult for any coach to turn around this program within a few years.

That being said, Brown is someone who would bring immediate respectability to the program. While he had his ups and downs throughout his career, the coach totaled a 238-117-1 record over 29 years with Texas, North Carolina and Tulane, including a national championship in 2005.

He also has a lot of recruiting ties in the area after spending 16 years in Austin.

Interestingly, he could have some competition from a former player and assistant. According to Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman (h/t John Taylor of Pro Football Talk), Major Applewhite has reportedly applied for the SMU job.

There will certainly be a lot of interest around the country for the position, especially considering the recruiting hotbed in the area. This coaching search remains something to follow in the coming weeks and months.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

The months leading up to the NFL draft are filled with smoke screens and oftentimes hilariously false narratives. 

It's a time when the best players are torn down by nitpicky criticisms, and under-the-radar players are making a push to be drafted higher than they ever would be realistically.

If you want an example of the latter, look no further than the buzz surrounding former SMU and Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert. 

According to NFL.com's Gil Brandt, Gilbert shined in his pro day by completing 87 of 88 passes. Furthermore, Brandt says Gilbert could be a mid-round pick, taken possibly as early as the third round. 

Gilbert's coach, June Jones, understandably piled on the praise (via Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News). 

I think Garrett really, really helped himself. Of all my years in the National Football League and working out quarterbacks, I think this was the second best workout that I’ve been a part of as far as catching the ball and throwing it accurately, deep balls, all of the type of throws that the NFL needs to see.

Of course, Brandt is just one opinion and Jones is going to talk up his player. Still, the buzz coming from Gilbert's pro day is an interesting case of how ending a career strong can be better than starting strong. 

Pro days aren't the end-all, be-all of a prospect's draft stock—so don't put too much into Teddy Bridgewater's reportedly so-so pro day at Louisville—but Gilbert's was probably weighted a little more than others. That's because he wasn't invited to the NFL combine, so this could be a scout's only chance to see Gilbert in person before May.

Per Jones, several scouts were "blown away" by Gilbert. 

There's likely some coach hyperbole mixed in there, so it's important to understand Gilbert's pro day in context.

Most of Gilbert's college career had "bust" written all over it. His stint at Texas was a disaster even though he was a 5-star recruit, per 247Sports, out of high school, projected to be Colt McCoy's successor. As a first-year starter for the Longhorns in 2010, Gilbert threw just 10 touchdowns to 17 interceptions on a 5-7 team. 

A year later when things didn't improve, he was benched and eventually shut down for the year because of a shoulder injury. 

He had some serious low points. However, there's no doubt he's rebounded in a major way.  

After overcoming a learning curve with SMU in 2012—he had as many passing touchdowns as interceptions (15)—Gilbert took off this past season. Prior to his season-ending knee injury, Gilbert was leading the nation in total offense (finished second in that category per game). With 27 total touchdowns and just seven interceptions, he was a one-man show with the Mustangs.

His last year in college, in conjunction with his strong pro day, certainly makes Gilbert more attractive as a draft-eligible prospect now than, say, 18 months ago. 

Of course, drafting isn't about college stats as much as it is about upside and where a prospect potentially fits on a roster. To those points, scouts will look at Gilbert and ask themselves what his potential is and what he could bring to the team. 

Per Brandt, Gilbert had all the measurables an organization would look for in a quarterback: 

He looks like a bigger version of his father Gale, who played 11 seasons in the NFL (Gale remains the only player to play on five straight Super Bowl teams) with the Seahawks, Bills and Chargers. Garrett Gilbert measured 6-foot-3 7/8 on Friday and weighed 221 pounds. He ran the 40 in 4.81 and 4.83 seconds, had a 29.5-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-9 broad jump, ran the short shuttle in 4.43 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.30 seconds.

It was a performance that will get him a lot of attention between now and the draft. Gilbert told me he has visits lined up already with the Panthers and Buccaneers. Expect that list to grow.

Will Gilbert catch enough momentum between now and May to be drafted in the second or third round? Probably not, but whether Gilbert is drafted on the second day, third day or not at all, he has come full circle. He's improved tremendously, and there's something to be said for guys who develop later in their college careers. 

For Gilbert, he's getting some positive publicity at the right time. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football at Bleacher Report. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of the NCAA. 

SMU and quarterback Garrett Gilbert failed to knock off Rutgers Saturday in what turned out to be a 55-52 loss in three overtime periods, but it sure was not for lack of effort.

Gilbert threw the ball a ridiculous 70 times, completing 45 of the attempts for 484 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 11 times and added two touchdowns on the ground.

As ESPN points out, Gilbert broke several SMU records in the jaw-dropping performance:

The outburst from Gilbert should not come as a surprise, given he's thrown for 300 yards or more in four out of five contests this season.

SMU fell behind Rutgers 14-0 after the first quarter and were forced to ignore the running game, rushing just 28 times—11 of which came from Gilbert himself.

Things got interesting in the fourth quarter. SMU entered facing a 35-14 deficit, but SMU rattled off three consecutive touchdowns via Gilbert passes while the defense held the Scarlet Knights to a goose egg to force overtime.

Gilbert scored his two rushing touchdowns in the first two overtime periods as the two teams exchanged touchdowns. Rutgers ended the game by holding Gilbert and Co. to a field goal in the third period, and then Justin Goodwin ran for a 17-yard touchdown to end the game.

SMU falls to 1-4 and 0-1 in the AAC after the loss to the 4-1 Scarlet Knights. The Mustangs senior quarterback is playing at an exceptionally high level, but Gilbert cannot do it all on his own.

However, Gilbert sure tried.

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling

A high-scoring game may be on tap at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Tex. on Friday. The Texas Tech Red Raiders go on the road to take on the Southern Methodist Mustangs in both teams' season-opener.

College football season is here, and pigskin action in the state of Texas is still a big deal, even with two unranked teams. Both of these squads averaged over 30 points per game last season, so touchdowns should be plentiful on Saturday. Here's how you can watch.

Here's a look at the injury situation for both teams, per USA Today.

Youth and Uncertainty at QB for the Red Raiders

With Michael Brewer out, the Red Raiders will start a true freshman quarterback. The thing is, no one except first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury knows if it will be Davis Webb (a three-star prospect, per 247 Sports) or walk-on Baker Mayfield, who has drawn rave reviews, per Max Olson of ESPN.

In either case, it will be difficult for SMU to know what to expect on defense. This development could equal a massive success or disaster for the Red Raiders.

Point One of the Texas Square Dance for SMU

Head coach June Jones is leading his team in the inaugural season of the American Athletic conference. The conference is a hodgepodge group of programs with teams as far west as SMU and Houston to teams on the east coast like Central Florida, Connecticut, Temple and Rutgers.

Big conference realignment has a way of disregarding geographical continuity.

The Mustangs will be all over the United States this season during conference play, but much of their non-conference schedule will take place in the Lone Star state.

The clash with Texas Tech is the first of four games against a Texas school and the only one at home. The Mustangs will also face No. 7 Texas A&M on Sept. 21, No. 20 Texas Christian on Sept. 28 and conference foe Houston on Nov. 29.

How Many Points Will Be Scored?

With historically high-scoring offenses on display, taking the over on the 59.5 point line is tempting. Even with a true freshman quarterback, the Red Raiders' offense has standout running backs Kenny Williams and DeAndre Washington to take pressure off the young signal-caller.

SMU senior Garrett Gilbert is explosive and erratic. Last season he threw for 2,938 yards, 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

His qualities and deficiencies are sure to provide scoring opportunities for his team or the Red Raiders. Most of all, neither team is known as a particularly stingy group on defense. In 2012, the Red Raiders were 38th in total defense, and the Mustangs were 63rd, per CFBStats.com.

That over is looking better and better.

Prediction: Mustangs 45, Red Raiders 35

The combination of opening on the road and inexperience at quarterback and head coach will be too much for the Red Raiders to overcome in the opener. To further highlight their ineptitude on defense, the team was 82nd in the nation against the run in 2012.

Most of the starters from that unit are back, with the exception of an even younger secondary.

Look for the Mustangs to pull the mild upset.

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"Improper benefits" is be the biggest buzz phrase in college sports right now. 

Blame it on Terrell Pryor, Johnny Manziel or the existence of NCAA rules concerning what players can be compensated for, but college athletes are under fire for their off-the-field activities now more than ever before. 

SMU wide receiver Deion Sanders Jr.—son of the former Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons star defensive back of which he shares his name—is the latest college football player subject to an investigation. 

EJ Holland of The Dallas Morning News reported on Thursday that SMU's compliance office was investigating Sanders Jr. for a recent backstage visit with hip-hop icon Lil Wayne during the rapper's concert in Dallas. 

According to the report, the investigation is centered around how Sanders Jr. was able to get into the concert and find his way backstage. If it was simply because he was an SMU football player, there would be cause for concern. 

Sanders Jr. tweeted a photo of himself, "Weezie" and three other men in what appears to be a backstage dressing room at Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas. 

Adam Lawson of The Valley Morning Star was one of the first to announce that Sanders Jr. was being investigated:

Lawson was in attendance as the elder Sanders spoke prior to a Prime Prep Academy—Sanders' taxpayer-funded charter school in Dallas—scrimmage in Harlingen with two other schools: 

A video soon circulated that captured Sanders Jr. calling his dad to share his misfortune. 

"Prime Time" Sanders can be heard in the video saying that his son is being investigated by the NCAA, but that information turned out to be faulty.

Per Holland's report, SMU Sports Information Director Brad Sutton made sure to enforce that it was SMU's compliance department who is doing their "due diligence" on the case. "We don’t expect to find anything amiss, but it’s our responsibility to check stuff like this out," Sutton said. 

There has not yet been word if the compliance office has—or will—find anything worthy of discipline from the Sanders Jr.-Lil Wayne star-studded meet and greet. 

With less than a week before the Mustangs begin their 2013 season at Ford Stadium against Texas Tech, it would be fortuitous for all parties involved to make sure this "scandal" is short-lived in the news. 

Collegiate officials everywhere are on high alert for suspicious activities related to improper benefits after the events of the past few months. 

With the Johnny Manziel autograph scandal taking center stage, interested parties have wasted no time speaking out on the current Heisman trophy winners immaturity, college coaches are doing more to protect their players and the entire NCAA profit margin has come into question from individuals like former Duke basketball star Jay Bilas. 

Needless to say, it's hard to fault SMU for ensuring they don't face the wrath of the NCAA in the event that Sanders Jr. did in fact break any rules. 

That being said, this short-lived melodrama should serve as the latest example that we're either headed for a dark period of nitpicking and wasting resources investigating college athletes or a full-scale change in NCAA philosophy. 

Either way, Sanders Jr. should not face anything more than a slap on the wrist for bumping shoulders with Lil Wayne if he did so in a way the university deems "improper."

His father considers the rapper to be a friend, and for the sake of comparison, I'm not sure anyone was worrying about how Manziel was making appearance at the NBA Finals. 

Hopefully SMU will put this matter to bed so focus in the program can re-shift to the game plan for Texas Tech. 

It wasn't worthy of any controversy to begin with. 

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Deion Sanders Jr. doesn't have any worries.

While most freshmen take a while to adjust to college life and worry about fitting in with the team, the son of an NFL great is living it up like a boss. Just check out the picture he tweeted to more than 50,000 followers (h/t The Big Lead):

Gotta sleep good! #Versace pic.twitter.com/Me8uDSiI7Y

— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) April 22, 2013

Bedding fit for a king.

Although the thought never crossed my mind to buy Versace sheets and blankets, you have to imagine that stuff can't be cheap. When you consider that a pillow goes for nearly $400 and a plate costs more than $100, you are looking at an expensive place to lay your head. The Sanders family may just value their sleep a little bit more than the rest of us.

However, I'm not sure how comfortable that bed is, judging by the picture.

A freshman and 2-star player according to 247Sports, Sanders committed to SMU after also fielding offers from Houston and North Texas. Off his name and bloodlines alone, this is somebody you would like to keep a close eye on as his collegiate career begins to unfold. Yes, that means you should catch a glimpse of Mustang football for the first time in forever.

If he plays anything like his father, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and earned the nickname "Prime Time," college football could be in for a treat.

Scratch that; if he is as flashy as his bed, SMU will jump for joy.

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The best kept secret in the 2013 NFL Draft doesn't own explosive combine results, doesn't possess enormous height and doesn't come out of a big-time football school.

So while the draft "experts" continue to drool over the "can't-miss" prospects who will hear their names called by Roger Goodell in April, the player to keep an eye on is SMU running back Zach Line.

Though he hasn't received the same buzz and hoopla surrounding the big-name players with the big-time combine numbers from the big-name schools, Line will carve out a nice role in the NFL.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to ask Line some questions before writing this article.

Line is listed at 6'1'' and 230 pounds and is classified as a "tweener" by NFL standards, meaning he is considered to be a tad too slow to be a running back and a tad too small for a fullback.

However, Line is much more complex than a one-dimensional player, and his versatility should make him a valuable asset on an NFL offense.

Line finished his NCAA career with 4,185 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns. To put his SMU career in perspective, he finished with more all-purpose yards than Eric Dickerson, tied Dickerson for the most rushing touchdowns in school history and is second in career rushing yards to Dickerson.

For those keeping track, this is the same Dickerson who ran for an NFL record 2,145 yards in 1984 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

One of the issues facing Line is that scouts aren't sold on the fact that he will be a running back heading into the NFL.

"I view myself as a running back," said Line, who rushed for 1,278 yards in a pass-first offense last season. "With that said I have the ability and willingness to learn new positions. I think my versatility is a major selling point. Coaches have told me many different things: possible third-down back, fullback, or even moving around to H-back. Obviously special teams will be a key aspect of my playtime."

This shows that Line is extremely coachable and willing to serve any role the team needs to put him in.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, there is no reason why Line cannot make it as an NFL running back. He is a solid runner who has averaged 6.1, 5.9 and 4.6 yards per carry the past three seasons at SMU.

Though he hesitates to compare himself to any specific player, Line is very similar to Peyton Hillis and Mike Alstott, as he tries to incorporate a lot of aspects into his skill set. He is a strong north-south runner who powers through tackles for extra yardage.

When asked to describe his strengths, Line said, "When I do get the ball I have great vision and ability to run with strength in the box. I create and break arm tackles and fall forward to finish runs."

Line looks for the vacancies in the defense and has the quick burst to get to the holes. He is tough to bring down and fights for every possible yard on every single play. His power and acceleration will allow him to squeeze out the tough yards in short-yardage situations next season.

However, Line ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at the combine, which has some teams questioning his potential at the running back position.

Luckily for Line, he recorded 33 receptions for 229 yards for SMU last season, demonstrating that he can be a multi-purpose player.

What may be Line's best asset is the intangible aspect of his game being overlooked by NFL scouts: his pass-blocking ability.

In college, Line was a running back in June Jones' Run n' Shoot offense, which consistently saw up to four receivers on the field at once. This system emphasized the pass, and Line learned to master pass-blocking.

Since NFL offenses are passing the ball at a very high rate, Line's pass-blocking will add value to him and get him onto the field quicker. He is low enough to get leverage on incoming defenders and strong enough to fend off rushers to give the quarterback time to deliver the ball.

Since Line does have a proven history as a rusher, receiver and blocker, he may be suited as a hybrid player in the pros.

Line has the athleticism and wide range of skills to be similar to James Casey or Brian Leonard. Both players split time at fullback, with Casey specializing as a tight end and Leonard as a running back.

One thing coaches won't have to worry about with Line is his work ethic.

The reason that Line, the 2012 Conference USA Offense Player of the Year, was able to thrive in a pass-heavy offense was because of his willingness to prepare before game day.

Line prides himself with what he does prior to game days. "My practice habits and work ethic are unmatched. I train like I play."

And one thing is certain: Line can play football and play it well.

He has his pro day at SMU on March 27th and will have one last opportunity to show scouts and coaches why he can be a valuable piece to an offense.

Line had the opportunity to train with Montee Ball before the combine, an invaluable experience that will only enhance Line's production on the football field.

"Montee was a very solid runner and a great work partner," Line said. "I think we both pushed each other to have perfect practice prior to the combine."

Ball was an extremely prolific collegiate player as well, being a two-time consensus first-team All-American and setting the NCAA Division I FBS record with 77 career rushing touchdowns.

Having the opportunity to compete with Ball for the same common goal is a jump-start to what Line will see in an NFL training camp this summer.

Chances are that Line will be drafted in the fourth round or later, and Line won't know if he will be projected as a short-yardage back, halfback or a fullback until he talks to his future coaches. Line will know that he will have to compete for a roster spot, and he will certainly be prepared for the opportunity that awaits him in a few short weeks.

The situation Line will find himself in the NFL isn't too different from the situation he found himself in at SMU.

Line only received one Division I scholarship offer and went to SMU with little expectations. Four years later, Line carved out perhaps the best Mustangs career since Dickerson and put SMU back on the map following the infamous death penalty.

In the NFL, Line will most likely come in as a player with a lot to prove just to make the 53-man roster. However, this is nothing Line hasn't seen before or conquered.

"This entire process has taught me to have a lot of patience," Line said when asked what the pre-draft experience is like. "It would be very nice to have some reassurance of where you might be going, but you don't. All you can do is keep up with your training so you are able to shine when your time comes."

And that time will come very soon for Line.

For whatever reason, Line has slipped through the cracks and will be a mid-to-late-round pick. But don't let his draft status define his potential; Line is a do-it-all player.

Line fights between the tackles for tough yards, breaks tackles with ease and lunges forward for every last yard. Line can catch the ball out of the backfield and pass blocks as well as anybody in this draft class.

Regardless of his role, Line is confident he will be prepared.

"I would bring the versatility to be a hybrid player. I am able to run the ball, I am able to pass protect, I am able to catch the football. I bring consistency to the offense. Coaches will never have to worry about me missing an assignment. I pay close attention to detail because I am a student of the game."

For those who think talk is cheap, just simply put on any game tape of Line. 

He fights through and breaks tackles like Alstott. He is patient like Arian Foster and pass blocks as well as Joseph Addai did for the Indianapolis Colts in their heyday.

So regardless of what happens this April, Line is almost certain to impress his new employers. He prides himself on his practice habits, and if he practices like he plays, his play will speak for itself this summer.

In this day and age of many one-dimensional players, Line is very old-school because he can do a lot of things in an offense. His versatility and wide-ranging skill set are crucial to his potential success, but his work ethic and attitude make NFL success a real possibility.

"Coaches will find it hard not to play me when they see my attention to detail and practice habits. I earn the right to play the game at its highest level on the practice field."

Line is a great football player and a true professional. He will be a draft-day steal, a late-round gem and enhance any offense in any way needed for years to come.

Whether Line is expected to add depth to the running back position, transition into a fullback or be a special teams contributor this fall, he will do his job with passion and do it well.

And in a generation of "me-first" players who excel in only one aspect of an offense, it is refreshing to see a humble, versatile and talented player in Line, who will make the most out of whatever situation an NFL team puts him in this April.

(Sound off in the comments below as to which NFL team you want to see Line with next year!)