Was The Rise Real?

[Charleston Pony]

Bottom line is that if Chad Morris turns Arkansas into the program that unseats Alabama from their SEC West throne, we will all say how great it was to have had him for the 3 years we did, but if that happens we also have to face the reality of his wanting to compete at the highest level and knowing that at SMU he may never have that opportunity. SMU over reacted to the death penalty (if that is even possible) and shamed the football program during a critical time frame, so we are relegated to G5 status and have to live with that. Best we can hope for at this level (see UCF) is to go undefeated and have an opportunity to play the runner up from a P5 conference in a relatively high profile bowl game. No rational person can argue there is less talent on the current roster than there was when JJ left, so YES, the rise was real...but it wasn't much of a rise and basically put us back to where we were before JJ checked out. If Sonny Dykes is the right hire, SMU has potential to improve it's football program during his tenure but everybody should be prepared for a losing season next year which is going to make Sonny's job just as challenging as this job was for Chad Morris and JJ before him when they took over.

[mtrout]

In the 2000s ucf has gone from 0-11 to 12-1 to 0-12 to 12-0 while our ceiling remains mediocrity.

I wonder if any of our bot or whoever is supposed to care would admit that we suck at football or does everyone think everything is peachy and we’re the best?

Maybe sonny d can turn gillins into vince young and lead us to a surprise season.

[mustangxc]

Bottom line is that if Chad Morris turns Arkansas into the program that unseats Alabama from their SEC West throne, we will all say how great it was to have had him for the 3 years we did, but if that happens we also have to face the reality of his wanting to compete at the highest level and knowing that at SMU he may never have that opportunity. SMU over reacted to the death penalty (if that is even possible) and shamed the football program during a critical time frame, so we are relegated to G5 status and have to live with that. Best we can hope for at this level (see UCF) is to go undefeated and have an opportunity to play the runner up from a P5 conference in a relatively high profile bowl game. No rational person can argue there is less talent on the current roster than there was when JJ left, so YES, the rise was real...but it wasn't much of a rise and basically put us back to where we were before JJ checked out. If Sonny Dykes is the right hire, SMU has potential to improve it's football program during his tenure but everybody should be prepared for a losing season next year which is going to make Sonny's job just as challenging as this job was for Chad Morris and JJ before him when they took over.

I am hopeful we are better off now than when JJ arrived. Keep in mind we were coming off a 1 win season when JJ was hired.

[Charleston Pony]

Both JJ and Chad inherited 1 win teams. JJ won 1 game his 1st year and Chad won 2. Sonny inherits a 7 win team and even though his 1st team will play a tougher schedule next year than what Chad faced in coaching this team to 7 wins, I would be really disappointed if he doesn't find at least 4 wins next year...so again, I do believe Chad left the program in better shape than what he inherited.

[geno]

Both JJ and Chad inherited 1 win teams. JJ won 1 game his 1st year and Chad won 2. Sonny inherits a 7 win team and even though his 1st team will play a tougher schedule next year than what Chad faced in coaching this team to 7 wins, I would be really disappointed if he doesn't find at least 4 wins next year...so again, I do believe Chad left the program in better shape than what he inherited.

And Chad also left the program with a much harder schedule next year than any year he's been here.

[mrydel]

If Chad had had anything to do with next years schedule, he would not have been trying to change it.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

a much harder schedule next year

WTH?

SMU
2018 Football Schedule

[NavyCrimson]

Houston Baptist! You're right. I just checked it, too.

And the school wonders why people don't show up for the games?! (sarcasm)

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Houston Baptist! You're right. I just checked it, too.

And the school wonders why people don't show up for the games?! (sarcasm)

Total potential trap game if we beat Michigan

[NavyCrimson]

'IF'?

Good one. LOL

[Charleston Pony]

a much harder schedule next year

WTH?

SMU
2018 Football Schedule

Beyond WHO we are playing, consider WHERE we play everyone. The tougher opponents are at home and the ones we beat this year are at their place next year. That's a huge difference for a program that has not shown we are good enough to win on the road. UNT game will tell us a lot early next year.

[mtrout]

Houston Baptist! You're right. I just checked it, too.

And the school wonders why people don't show up for the games?! (sarcasm)

Total potential trap game if we beat Michigan

As an SMU fan, if by some miracle we beat Michigan then I fully expect to lose to HBU.

[Stallion]

the Houston Baptist contract was signed awhile ago. Also have Abilene Christian in the future

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

explain it to me?
the consensus on here now seems to be "we are gonna really suck next season"
some are saying we win 4 games next season
others are predicting we only maybe have a winning season next year
i thought next year was gonna be "the year"?
We heard Chad was going to rock with his players finally in place!
We waited patiently for the pieces to fall into place.
So why is next year now such a predicted disaster?
i get we have a new coaching staff....
but Jezzzz how do we go from glowing predictions to doom so quickly?
have we had massive transfers that I am unaware of?
why will next year be so pitiful
I know I know....lets give it a 2-3 years and make a judgement then

[Charleston Pony]

explain it to me?
the consensus on here now seems to be "we are gonna really suck next season"
some are saying we win 4 games next season
others are predicting we only maybe have a winning season next year
i thought next year was gonna be "the year"?
We heard Chad was going to rock with his players finally in place!
We waited patiently for the pieces to fall into place.
So why is next year now such a predicted disaster?
i get we have a new coaching staff....
but Jezzzz how do we go from glowing predictions to doom so quickly?
have we had massive transfers that I am unaware of?
why will next year be so pitiful
I know I know....lets give it a 2-3 years and make a judgement then

Timing is everything. While the overall talent level on this roster improved under Chad, losing his prized QB recruit 2 years running has really hurt and right now, I see this team as having "middle of the pack" AAC level talent, so we are not yet in position to beat the better teams in the AAC. We were at least competitive last year, but as I've said many times, next year's schedule is going to be tougher because 1) our AAC schedule has us playing most of the teams we SHOULD beat on the road which makes that a more difficult task and 2) we have the teams we HOPE to beat at Ford. That's before substituting a road game vs Michigan for a home game against Arkansas State so in my opinion, this team will have to be a lot better to have any hope of repeating this year's 7-5 season. I think some of the setbacks in recruiting along with next year's schedule caused Chad to get very anxious about bailing on SMU and getting into a P5 situation where he felt he could compete against anyone on the recruiting trail. That's been a tall order at SMU and will continue to be so until the attendance issue can be addressed. Really need a Mustang Mania 2.0