For a while it seemed like the only thing SMU football gave its fans was mismanagement of the quarterback position, enough space and peace to facilitate a Saturday afternoon nap while players ran around doing stuff, and just enough collective talent to make some games look kind of close by the time our starters finished games against their backups. Unfortunately, there still was room for sleeping bags.

Hampton said Kyle Padron's "athleticism and natural tendency to win" helps keep head coach June Jones optimistic, even in games in which the Mustangs struggle (photo by Travis Johnston).

It doesn’t take long to peek around Texas and realize football is a really big deal, so if you win, people talk about you; if you win consistently with an exciting brand, they’ll pay money to come see it.

I get it. I’m not expecting sell-out crowds nor am I in the ticket-selling business, I just like good football and endorsing it as much as it deserves. We have it in front of us every week. Spread the word as much as possible and fill the stadium.

If TCU rolls into Ford Stadium next Friday night and plays a home game 45 miles away from its campus, SMU followers should be collectively embarrassed.

I’ve watched losing teams fall apart after first-quarter fumbles that allowed the other team a score. I’ve seen quarterbacks return from multiple-pick games only to out-do themselves and toss even more interceptions the next game. Last Saturday, that unflustered vibe on the SMU sideline after UAB’s score mirrored the lack of emotional outburst after the Mustangs simply finishing their business, handled a team they knew was inferior, and walked off the field to begin preparing for the next game.

June Jones joked in the post-game interview, in regard to a question on what improvement he saw out of quarterback Kyle Padron from week one to week two.

“Well, he didn’t throw to the other team,” Jones said.

June wasn’t being trite. It’s just that when you’re building for championships, the exhausting, long-winded answers are more often found in the losing coach’s postgame show. He went on to expand upon the fact that Kyle’s athleticism and natural tendency to win give coaches and teammates the utmost confidence that the plays are coming and will continue to come in bulk, but like everyone on the roster, each week is about being better than last.

I hope to see you Saturday and find out if SMU is better this week than last. I bet they are.