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Will be playing two top 25 teams (FSU and Louisville) back-to-back. Ouch !

Nice to be on the list but it is time for SMU, Lashlee and staff to earn the spots above 25. WE are bringing in the herd, now let's ride.

panhandle_pony wrote:Will be playing two top 25 teams (FSU and Louisville) back-to-back. Ouch !

This is why we want to be in a power conference. You can't beat good teams unless you play against them regularly. A winning season our first year in the ACC would be so much better than lurking around somewhere in the American. Tougher competition, bigger crowds, more national exposure. All things that recruits like to see.

Ditto.
And SMU doners like to see. We really should represent Dallas.

Topper wrote:

panhandle_pony wrote:Will be playing two top 25 teams (FSU and Louisville) back-to-back. Ouch !

This is why we want to be in a power conference. You can't beat good teams unless you play against them regularly. A winning season our first year in the ACC would be so much better than lurking around somewhere in the American. Tougher competition, bigger crowds, more national exposure. All things that recruits like to see.

This 100%! There were some on here questioning this move which is unbelievable to me just looking at the schedule and all the press SMU is already getting. Now, like Bus says, it’s time to walk the talk, and enjoy this unbelievable ride.

I am trying keep my expectations in control, but read the Mandel article in The Athletic today. CFP for SMU? Here's a taste:

"I have a feeling there will be a surprise team from either the ACC or Big 12, both because of the expected parity and the wildly imbalanced schedules. In that spirit, why not ACC newcomer SMU?"

He goes on to explain why...

I would consider our 1st year in the ACC a huge success if SMU finishes among the top 4 teams in the league as so many pundits seem to be thinking can be accomplished

Charleston Pony wrote:I would consider our 1st year in the ACC a huge success if SMU finishes among the top 4 teams in the league as so many pundits seem to be thinking can be accomplished

If that happens, Lashlee might get another extension. I think some experts are underselling the step up we face next year.

I agree. There is very little history of G5 schools making the jump to P5 and finishing in the top 4 in football the first year. We caught a break in that we don't face NC State, UNC, Miami, or Clemson next year. But I'm not ready to extrapolate that into a top 4 finish considering that we play FSU, Louisville, and it was generally be a tougher week-to-week slog than this program is used to.

Oh, and the travel in October is brutal!