Conference preference

[Charleston Pony]

Given the probability a dramatic shake-up will take place this summer, would you prefer to play:

1) in the WAC east with Tulsa, TCU, Rice, Houston & La Tech with UTEP joining the 5 current WAC west schools in a 12 school league

2) form a new SWC with that same WAC east group and invite UNT, Ark St and La-Lafayette to join for a 9 member conference with all the I-A schools closest to home

3) become part of a "salvaged" CUSA with Houston, TCU, So Miss, ECU, Army and (maybe?) Memphis, UAB & Tulane

Option 3 assumes the Big East is going to pick the creme from CUSA (Louisville and Cincy along with either Memphis or S.Fla, or both)and that Tulane may scrap football, followed shortly thereafter by UAB.

[No Quarter]

Option Two, hands down. SMU needs to economize in every way possible and travel is a place to start, so revive the SWC with Texas schools and schools from adjacent states. Attractive as the idea is - for someone living in the East or Southeast - of seeing SMU play in Memphis or at Army, ECU, Hattiesburg, I just don't think the rivalry will ever be there. And ditto for a league large enough for a championship game. No interest in the projected additions.

[EastStang]

Whichever option makes puts us in a conference with TCU, Rice, UH, UTEP and Tulsa. That would be the beginnings of a something we could build on. Of those Option 1 or 3 would be the best (if the above happens) because the automatic NCAA basketball tournament bid would remain. With a new SWC, you would have to wait a year to get a bid. Also, you might have to be involved in a play-in game if that is the case. I would rather not be in that position if our basketball team gets better.

[Stallion]

any option without Arkansas St, Louisiana Lafeyette, New Mexico St. and NTSU et al. You simply can't set your sights lower than that.

[untgrad88]

One comment stallion:

#24 TCU (10-2)
#61 UNT (8-5)
#75 New Mexico State (7-5)
#96 SMU (3-9)
#97 Louisiana Tech (4-8)
#102 Arkansas State (6-7)
#104 Rice (4-7)
#106 Houston (5-7)
#110 UTEP (2-10)
#115 Tulsa (1-11)

Enough said.

[SWC Grey Hair]

A new league as follows:
SMU
TCU
Rice
Houston
Tulsa
UTEP
LaTech
Tulane or UNT
Southern Miss

[Bergermeister]

Amen, Stallion. All of this speculation is "fun and games" for SMU fans. Why take the doom and gloom attitude? To even suggest Orkansaw State, Lewziana- Laughyet and North Texas State Teachers College is preposterous! SMU fans gotta shuck the poor-pitiful-us attitude and get the attitude that we'll be runnin' with the big dogs again soon. A couple of good football seasons and we'll be more visible. The "SMU"s, as favorites, on big-time recruiting lists is increasing. We knew it would. Have faith. We're in the midst of a return to prominence. We've all gotta stay positive along the way.

[Nacho]

Just put me with TCU and Houston and I'll be as happy as a clam.

[SoCal_Pony]

Option 1) as Fresno State and Hawaii offer more tons more credibility to any conference than Arkansas St and LA-Lafy, and through expansion you solve your travel costs problems.

Nacho, what does Houston offer that Rice doesn’t already?

[EastStang]

I think Nacho still wants Rice as part of the package. I think UH offers basketball credibility to some degree although that program has fallen somewhat. Also, UH brings Rice's natural rival back into the same conference, thus saving OOC games and allowing to schedule more money games. If they were part of a WAC expansion which allowed 5-2 division game scheduling it would move on more west coast game to within driving distance of Dallas. Lastly, it brings back one more old SWC team for an annual game. All of those are advantages as I see it.

[Stallion]

please-Rice has not gone to a bowl game in 42 years. The University of Houston with the right coaches and one rich alumnus within to fund a decent FB stadium is a Sleeping Giant in both FB and BB.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 06-03-2003).]

[untgrad88]

Just a note: When Arkansas State comes to Denton, they bring their band and several thousand fans. How many fans does Fresno St or Hawaii bring to SMU? MAYBE 50. Have you EVER seen their band at your place.

How do you develop rivalries with folks that far away? Answer: You can't. There-in lies the problem with all of this far-flungness.

That explains why you (and us) need to be in a regional league.

[This message has been edited by untgrad88 (edited 06-03-2003).]

[EastStang]

Fresno State has been a top 30 program in football and a top 50 program in basketball for 5 years. UNT had a winning season last year and probably will beat the high schools in the SBC this year. They bring nothing to the table in basketball. Their Sagarin rating was in the 200s. With Fresno, Nevada, and Hawaii on the schedule, or basketball team has a chance (if they win games) to go the NCAA tournament or the NIT. Try getting a home game with a top 50 Sagarin team. With UNT, Ark. State, La. Laf in lieu of those teams any guess what our Sagarin would look like? About 200 instead of 122. That means no chance at the NIT. This year we were one win away from an NIT bid. Regionalism can hurt, too.

[Nacho]

Conference realignment is mainly about major TV markets. That's whay BC (Boston) and Cuse (NY) are going to the ACC.

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry and George team up to date one woman. They decide that the 2 of them together equal one man. The analogy is that TCU/SMU delivers DFW and Houston/Rice delivers Houston.

[This message has been edited by Nacho (edited 06-03-2003).]

[untgrad88]

"....UNT had a winning season last year and probably will beat the high schools in the SBC this year...."

Once again:
#24 TCU (10-2)
#61 UNT (8-5)
#75 New Mexico State (7-5)
#96 SMU (3-9)
#97 Louisiana Tech (4-8)
#102 Arkansas State (6-7)
#104 Rice (4-7)
#106 Houston (5-7)
#110 UTEP (2-10)
#115 Tulsa (1-11)

It seems these "high schools" outrank many programs in the WAC.