UT/OU/SMU

[OR-See-Nee]

I was at the UT/OU game today, wearing my SMU hat and with my SMU flag. Displayed the flag pre game at ESPN area and during the game. My observations:

1. Only one negative comment about SMU, and I really couldn't hear it. When I asked the guy what he said, he laughed and kept walking.

2. UT fans came up to me--a lot of them--and all said that they wanted SMU in the Big 12. Most made some reference to the good ol' days of the SWC, but I was surprised at the near unanimous, unsolicited, positive comments about us and wanting us to be in the Big 12.

3. Overheard a random UT supporter talking about what a great coach June Jones is and what a great addition SMU would be to the conference. This guy didn't see me. I was impressed that of all things he could be discussing, he chose SMU.

4. I have no allegiance to UT or OU--I was there as a guest of a friend--but that is a great game day atmosphere at the beginning. Cannons firing, crowds yelling, allegiances divided by the fifty yard line. It was an amazing experience. I hope we can come close to replicating that with our fan base one day.

5. But....UT fans didn't come back after halftime. They were all in the food court (I was there with my friend) getting refreshments. The folks I talked to there were intense about SMU joining the Big 12. And on their own, they said that they did not want Houston. Very clear about those sentiments.

6. When I talked to the UT folks about Gilbert and his coming here, they were all very positive. They said, unanimously, that Gilbert didn't get a fair shot at UT, has a great arm, and should do well at SMU.

7. I encouraged the UT folks to come to SMU games. A couple of times I said, "Join the bandwagon. At least we beat our rivals."

I was pleasantly surprised with this experience. I figured the average UT fan wouldn't care about SMU, but they did. At least today. And it was positive.

[cutter]

good news.

[redpony]

OR- that's great info. We can only wish that they had some input/stroke in making b12-x decisions.

GO PONIES!!!

[StangCP]

There were more than a few SMU fans sporting the logo at TX/OU today. Awesome!

[NavyCrimson]

Thx, 'Nee

[03Mustang]

Good stuff, but was one of the people saying good things Deloss Dodds? Unfortunately none of that matters much if he and Neinas don't see value in SMU...


And they don't.

[OR-See-Nee]

Good stuff, but was one of the people saying good things Deloss Dodds? Unfortunately none of that matters much if he and Neinas don't see value in SMU...


And they don't.

You maybe right. I didn't speak with DeLoss today. One person wondered if DeLoss was getting soft in his old age because he was making too many concessions to get teams to join the conference! It was said jokingly, but there's probably a bit of truth to the sentiment.

I was simply surprised that so many made efforts to reach out and to say positive things. A handful started their comments with "Welcome to the Big 12."

It was a very nice feeling.

[soccermom]

Think we've been in a conference with them called the SWC. What happened to that?

[Water Pony]

Did I miss something? We aren't in the SWC with them, AR, etc.?

[soccermom]

Exactly...they kicked us to the curb when we started beating them and the swc was dismantled so I'm not impressed that they want us in their conference now.

[ponyscott]

Thanks for the observations Or...I have been wearing SMU shirts lately and get comments all the time. I was in San Francisco last week and had many people mention how we are moving up in national attention....people mentioned Eric Dickerson several times. If i wore SMU garb in the past, never heard a word...

[Comet]

Going to the fair today, got my SMU shirt and jacket ready. I went to the Franconia Brewery yesterday and saw another SMU fan wearing gear, good stuff.