DMN Editorial

[Water Pony]

By Dallas Morning News Editorial
Published: 03 August 2016 07:00 AM
Updated: 03 August 2016 09:29 AM

It's no surprise that demand for an expansion berth in the Big 12 Conference has two dozen or more universities queuing up with last-lifeboat urgency. A chance to join a "power-five" conference, with all the cache and revenue that go with it, is increasingly rare.

So if the Big 12 wants to add two or even four schools, why not Southern Methodist University?

If you've examined the lists of top contenders -- Brigham Young, Houston, Cincinnati, Memphis, Connecticut and Central Florida, among others -- you may have wondered what happened to Dallas' university.

Since the Southwest Conference dissolved in 1996, SMU has found homes in three minor conferences, most recently the American Athletic. Many of its SWC rivals combined with the former Big Eight to create the Big 12 and, in a bit of irony, put its headquarters just outside Dallas in Irving.

Big 12 championship games and tournaments have filled AT&T Stadium and the American Airlines Center. The region is laced with enthusiastic fan and alumni bases from Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas and former Big 12 member Texas A&M.

In fact, that's one of the arguments used against SMU, that the Big 12 owns much of its turf already. Yet that's also a potential weakness in Houston's bid, and that didn't stop Texas' governor and lieutenant governor and University of Texas president from publicly backing the Cougars.

What SMU offers the Big 12 is a stronger case to consolidate a top-five U.S. media market around one power-five conference. That unified presence would only increase penetration and market share in a market that truly matters.

And no offense to Cincinnati, Memphis, Orlando or Provo, Utah, but there's no fair way to compare them to Dallas.

A Big 12 checklist also would include athletic competitiveness and academic standards, including research. To the latter point, SMU's U.S. News & World Report ranking would be second in the conference to UT; SMU's average entrance test scores for first-year students would rank first.

Still, football is king, and there's no denying that SMU has ground to make up. After four consecutive bowl teams, the bottom fell out the past two seasons. The needle is pointing up with a well-regarded coach in Chad Morris and two solid recruiting classes behind him.

Another benefit of being Dallas' university is the support of 50,000 alumni, many of whom help form our civic and community leadership. And with that comes the financial backing that provided $120 million in facility upgrades, with a new $150 million master plan in the works.

One centerpiece of the current effort is a new indoor performance center, an outdoor natural-grass football practice field and new soccer stadium.

"I would say that we are looking for members that will grow over time as we grow, that will bring stability to the conference and that have a high top end," Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said.

All things considered, that sounds precisely like Dallas' university, SMU.

In his own words
"Whether it's the Big 12 or the American Athletic Conference, or another conference down the road, you have to invest constantly at the highest level possible. That's the path to national recognition and championships.

"It never ends. If you want to be a part of that nationally relevant group, you can't wait for it to happen. This is what it takes, and the process is constant."

Rick Hart, SMU athletic director

[ponyinNC]

too little, too late. we needed this support 7-10 years ago, along with the IPF and facilities upgrades.

We have been surpassed by all of our former SWC mates, sans Rice. Maybe after this round of realignment, we will finally win our conference and get some 10-win seasons under our belt so that we can seriously push for P5 inclusion.

[78pony]

too little, too late. we needed this support 7-10 years ago, along with the IPF and facilities upgrades.

We have been surpassed by all of our former SWC mates, sans Rice. Maybe after this round of realignment, we will finally win our conference and get some 10-win seasons under our belt so that we can seriously push for P5 inclusion.

Indeed! You could say our administration got caught asleep at the wheel. You could. But you would be wrong. This one will ultimately come to roost smack dab in the middle of RGT's lap, exactly where it belongs.

[Pony Boss]

Oh yeah it's too late now. The Big 12 just announced the schools they are going to add:
1) There will be
2) No Expansion
3) Period
4) end of story

Congrats to all, specifically end of story for going all out

[mtrout]

"You can't wait for it to happen". Lol we only waited until 6 weeks before we're totally f'd.

[SMUstangs22]

Oh yeah it's too late now. The Big 12 just announced the schools they are going to add:
1) There will be
2) No Expansion
3) Period
4) end of story

Congrats to all, specifically end of story for going all out

This would be great IMO. Gives us time and in a decent conference for both football and basketball.

[mustangxc]

Oh yeah it's too late now. The Big 12 just announced the schools they are going to add:
1) There will be
2) No Expansion
3) Period
4) end of story

Congrats to all, specifically end of story for going all out

This would be great IMO. Gives us time and in a decent conference for both football and basketball.

Indeed! It would be even better if Rutgers and Louisville were still around.

[horsemanx]

Yes it would be great if things remain status quo and we have a chance to rise again and prove ourselves in The American since it is with no doubt the top non-P5 conference and borderline Power Six.

[3rdGenPony]

Best G5 without (make that little) doubt. Borderline P6...tap the breaks.

[Comet]

I'm telling you, AAC without Houston, Memphis, and Cincy is one which we have to dominate. We've already done it in basketball and I have faith in Jank. In football surely we can rise to be the cream of the crop for the AAC. We've competed with all of these teams in the past and with Morris and his recruiting we have a chance to shine. The P5's are far from done with expansion if they were to take the aforementioned teams, so we still have time. But seriously the next 4-5 years might be all the school has left to get people's attention or its FCS status for good.

[vielsiehorsepower]

Best G5 without (make that little) doubt. Borderline P6...tap the breaks.

Little doubt? Who even compares, mwc?

[Water Pony]

Yes it would be great if things remain status quo and we have a chance to rise again and prove ourselves in The American since it is with no doubt the top non-P5 conference and borderline Power Six.

I agree. Hopefully there is no expansion decision for now. We need a little more time to reestablish our value and prominence, which will make us more attractive in future.

[Topper]

too little, too late. we needed this support 7-10 years ago, along with the IPF and facilities upgrades.

We have been surpassed by all of our former SWC mates, sans Rice. Maybe after this round of realignment, we will finally win our conference and get some 10-win seasons under our belt so that we can seriously push for P5 inclusion.

Agreed. We actually could have used their support when the SWC broke up and people actually read this UT in-house newsletter and scandal sheet. There is no way to emphasize their irrelevance at this point.

[vielsiehorsepower]

I'm telling you, AAC without Houston, Memphis, and Cincy is one which we have to dominate. We've already done it in basketball and I have faith in Jank. In football surely we can rise to be the cream of the crop for the AAC. We've competed with all of these teams in the past and with Morris and his recruiting we have a chance to shine. The P5's are far from done with expansion if they were to take the aforementioned teams, so we still have time. But seriously the next 4-5 years might be all the school has left to get people's attention or its FCS status for good.

An aac without houston, memphis, and cincy is no longer borderline p5. Who replaces them?

[SoCal_Pony]

UTEP, So Miss & ??