What was he Thinking?
If you ever want to put context to the popular football phrase, “buy in”, new SMU center Justin Osborne can sum it better than anyone else can.
He should know. He’s the one in this offensive line unit that faced the most drastic move in the offseason.
Was a mainstay at either tackle or guard on the right side. Had to start learning on the fly when Branson Hickman transferred out to Oklahoma.
But when offensive line coach Garin Justice approached Osborne about becoming the new middle of the front, he didn’t flinch.
“I will say this,’’ Osborne said, “I trust Coach Justice with whatever he has in mind for me. I’m down for it. I believe in his vision for me.’’
Justice could be viewed as a mad scientist when it comes to formulating a new offensive line every fall. He evaluates what he must replace either through eligibility or leaving through the NCAA transfer portal.
He appreciates the journey. When he played for West Virginia in the mid-2000s, Justice was grateful for the opportunity. The Mountaineers were his only offer. But he willed himself into becoming a steady player.
“I saw the value of a someone like myself that wasn’t good enough to be a good player but the value of a coach had on me making me to be a fundamental technician and good enough to make plays and seeing how I could develop and become a successful football player,’’ Justice said. “Just the value that coach had on me. From that, it was kind of like I’ve had a good run. I’ve pressed my luck as much as I’ve can. I couldn’t play anymore. I wanted to continue to teach, but I want to make sure I teach a subject that I love and be motivated. That’s what led me to be a coach.”
That passion makes every trip to the lab – as they call it – anything but a job. Finding that skill and that body frame to fit that position is a challenge Justice relishes.
Every offseason, Justice must look at what remains and determine who can fit best where. But this offseason took on something different. SMU’s move into the ACC this fall where opposing defensive fronts will be unforgiving and the pressure to form the right quintet becomes that much more demanding.
From left tackle to right tackle, the five offensive line spots are arguably the most technical and fundamental positions to play. The base, the hand placement, the eye discipline all must work in unison on every snap. Asking those five to do that for approximately 85 snaps each week is a thankless request.
It’s a process that begins in January. However, those decisions are judged for 12 Saturdays in the fall.
“It’s such a build up a guy from the ground up type approach,’’ Justice said. “This is more of a learned skill, a taught skill. And then you see a lot of different linemen. A lot of shapes and sizes and still find ways to be successful.
“Just the value of that and everything that goes into being an offensive lineman and all the hard work and how a group can be cohesive. All that stuff is really cool to me.”
Justice’s plans turned upside down when two anticipated returning fixtures from the 2023 group had other plans. Hickman left. Then left tackle Marcus Bryant went through the portal and ended up with Missouri.
Then the challenge became who could immediately help that’s already on the roster and then who can help through the portal. Working from the inside out.
But that’s not how Justice would prefer to do it. He would rather start with his tackles and then move to the inside.
Yet necessity precluded that. With Osborne, the GS four-year letter winner had experience at both guard and tackle. Plus, he was a leader. Osborne was a team captain in 2023. Justice looked beyond.
“The biggest thing is that he had the intangibles, the skills and the experience that says he should really be a really good center,’’ Justice said. “I’ve always had a firm belief that you want your best run blocker, and your most heady offensive lineman needs to be your center. Justin should be that. And I think that gives him the best chance at the second level (NFL) to showcase his talent and skills.”
Said Osborne: “He’s changed my entire game. Honestly, it almost restarted from Day 1 just from getting into a stance. The way we run plays and make calls are different. You set the tone with the tempo and how to get set. Then people have to trust you to set the calls.’’
PJ Williams appears to have left tackle spot solidified. He was the swing tackle in 2023.
Then getting to play as a fist is the utmost. With Ben Sparks and Logan Parr on the mend from injuries, their return will strengthen both the starting lineup and the depth.
The key, Justice says, is that while the cross training is important, it’s going to be how they all can see the bigger picture. And if they do, then it makes transition to other positions possible.
“It comes into play when you’re in October and you get some injuries you want to have some at least some visual evidence of ‘that guy can do that’ like when that left guard goes down, you know how you’re going to piece it,’’ Justice said. “You’ve seen them do that in practice.”
Of course, everything looks good on paper until the first snap against somebody else who wants to make life miserable for you and your quarterback.
Arguably, the No. 1 question facing SMU this fall is if this front can withstand the 12-game grind. Should it, then the Mustangs have the opportunity to make a solid showing in their debut ACC season. If it doesn’t, then the tenor of the season could change.
“You have to know what it’s like to sacrifice for the things that you want,’’ Osborne said. “I didn’t understand the college aspect. Coach Justice helped me understand.’’
In the meantime, the work of the mad scientist continues.
*****
On Saturday, I ran into an old colleague of mine, Schuyler Dixon, who works for the DFW AP. Schuyler and I worked at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and last saw each other when I was covering Baylor for SicEmSports. It was probably one of the games during the 2022 season.
It’s great to catch up with folks you haven’t seen in some time. We’re all getting old. But his son is now working for The Ticket doing some ticket tickers. So listen for him. And all I’m going to say is there’s a chance you’re going to hear him on SMU radio football broadcasts this year.
*****
On the subject of game presentation – everything I read from Friday’s release are great steps – I don’t know if SMU has anything in mind for when the Mustangs convert a first down. But it should.
With my Razorback and Crimson Tide, I’ve been to games in Fayettenam (see what I did there? Seriously, I love that area up there in NW Arkansas) and Tuscaloosa, the game presentation does something for first downs.
At Arkansas, the PA says, “And that’s another Arkansas Razorback….” And the crowd finishes with “First Down!”
At Alabama, their PA (their PA guy is awesome) says in tone that inferring “you damn right we got a first down”, First down, Alabama! And the crowd finishes with “Roll Tide”.
SMU can do the same with something as easy as what Arkansas does or it can it say, “First down, SMU” And the crowd can finish with “Pony Up”, “S-M-U” or something else. The important thing is to create more fan involvement.
*****
Now, a look at other SMU sports. Yes, we’re starting to get back into that part of the calendar again.
>SMU volleyball has been picked to finish sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) by the coaches in the 2024 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, league officials announced Thursday.
The Mustangs garnered 199 points, trailing Pitt, Stanford, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Florida State in the poll, all teams who reached the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
“It is a testament to the build we have happening here in Dallas to be picked in the top third of the ACC in our inaugural season,” said Head Coach Sam Erger.” We are one of three new kids on the block, the only one coming from the G5 level, and in the company of National Champions and Final Four programs, so I think this confirms that we belong here. Our team knows these polls have no bearing once we step on the court, but it does reflect a larger view of the potential of this 2024 group and our program as a whole. For that, we are honored and excited to get started.”
SMU enters a league with seven teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last year, led by No. 1 seed Pitt, who was picked to win the league after their
Final Four run last year.
Erger’s second season on the Hilltop was one for the record books in 2023. She was named the 2023 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after the Mustangs finished the season with a 26-7 overall record, highlighted by winning the AAC Championship.
SMU finished league play with an 18-1 record, marking the best conference winning percentage in program history (.947), resulting in the first conference title since 2016.
The Mustangs finished the year receiving 46 votes in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll.
SMU also finished 22nd in the NCAA RPI Rankings, the highest finish in program history, earning five wins over Top-50 RPI teams, including No. 27 Baylor, No. 28 Florida State, No. 38 Wichita State, No. 44 Pepperdine, and No. 46 Texas State.
The Mustangs open the 2024 season Aug. 30 at Hawaii. The Mustangs will host the 2023 NCAA runner-up Nebraska for their home opener on September 3 at 7 p.m. CT.
A full list of the preseason poll and the volleyball preseason All-ACC Team can be found below:
2024 Preseason ACC Volleyball Coaches Poll
1. Pitt (13), 285
2. Stanford (3), 268
3. Louisville (2), 265
4. Georgia Tech, 230
5. Florida State, 226
6. SMU, 199
7. Miami, 197
8. NC State, 187
9. Duke, 140
10. North Carolina, 135
11. Wake Forest, 121
12. California, 109
13. Notre Dame, 105
14. Clemson, 92
15. Boston College, 86
16. Virginia, 55
17. Virginia Tech, 37
18. Syracuse, 17
Let’s make it a great week. Pony Up!
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