I am not sure if I can remember ever leaving a football game in which the team that I was pulling for lost in such a lopsided manner that I was as happy as I was after leaving Gerald Ford Stadium last Saturday night. It was so awesome to see so many fans at the game to support the team and the University!

Flanigan says Bo Levi Mitchell will benefit from the faith June Jones is showing in the freshman passer (photo by Travis Johnston).

I am just like every other SMU fan around the country who wants the Ponies to win each weekend. However, I completely understand where the team is and where the teams that we have faced so far are, as well. It is very cool for me to go to a game and see all of the fans, my former teammates and friends, and I can not wait for the next home game.

Our team will be fine, depending on what your definition of what “fine” is. I keep hearing people making remarks about the talent level at SMU. The players that I have seen wearing those awesome-looking jerseys (I am so glad that we got rid of the Navy blue) are talented. The team is young and there is not a lot of depth, but there are some very talented players on the team. I will be excited to see the June Jones era take off once the staff is able to recruit some more offensive and defensive linemen to provide depth to the young players that they have accumulated so far.

I will highlight a couple of things that I have noticed that will cause the Ponies problems throughout the year defensively and offensively. The first thing that will cause the SMU defense problems is a team that runs the football well. The reason why these teams will cause us problems is because of the style of offense that we play. The defense does not practice against traditional run-blocking schemes during preseason practice and spring practice, which is when most of the skills are developed for the players. Offensively, teams that have athletic defensive backs and linebackers will create havoc for the Run-and-Shoot system that SMU uses. If the wide receivers are not able to create separation for easy completions and make yards after the catches, the offense will have a hard time sustaining drives, scoring points and keeping the defense off the field. If the offense can not keep the defense off of the field, then they will continue to give up yards and big plays as fatigue sets in throughout the game.

As far as the quarterback situation goes, we need to rally behind Bo Levi Mitchell, because he is going to be the guy for the season. As a coach, once you make a decision and have the stability of a fresh contract, you can have the patience to ride out your choice. This is the best news for Mitchell, because it is very tough to play while looking over your shoulder to see if you are going to be pulled for every little mistake. That was one of the biggest factors that I felt created the inconsistent quarterback play under the last two coaching staffs. Look at some of the quarterbacks who have gone on to successful careers after not being “good enough” to be the full-time signal-caller for the Ponies during the “fire’em quick” regimes of Mike Cavan and Phil Bennett. Josh McCown was pulled and berated weekly, and he is still in the NFL … and those NFL guys know a little about evaluating talent. Chris Sanders was bounced from starter to backup, and then transferred and had a successful career at East Tennessee State, and is still playing for the Desperados, a very good Arena team. I don't know much about Richard Bartel’s story, because I was at North Texas during that time, but he has been in the NFL … hardly ever made a dent on the Hilltop. Justin Willis was the only quarterback in recent memory who was allowed to play without having to look over his shoulder the entire game, and he had two tremendous seasons during some very turbulent times.

Let’s support Mitchell and see how he progresses once he has the chance to compete against some more teams that are more comparable to SMU. Let’s keep the excitement that has been created by hiring a coach who has a recognizable name and is a good person and watch patiently as the program is built the right way for the long run!

Tulane has a very athletic defense and runs the ball very well. The Green Wave was a last-minute drive away from beating a very good East Carolina team. This week’s game will be another tough test for the young Mustangs, but I look for them to be very competitive.

I hope that the fans continue to support the players and coaches. The great anticipation and excitement leading up to the season may have made the expectations for this season unrealistic, but I can not wait until the next time that I am lucky enough to watch the team compete and see how they continue to grow and improve. I feel this way because I know how proud I was — am — to represent one of the best schools in the country. We have a lot to be proud of and I am happy to call myself a PONYFAN!!