Why I am optimistic about next season

[CalallenStang]

So, as I count, you are saying 12-0? Nice improvment.

No, I'm going with 9-3, but if we catch some breaks, we could have some sort of an eye-popping record. It will be our most favorable schedule in a long while.

[emilygold]

I'm glad you're more optimistic than I am. I think I'm too nervous looking at that schedule. I worry that the most likely result for the non-conference record will be 1-3. SMU must start better. The past 2 years were close wins at home against Texas State and SFA. A few programs play a 13th game, like Hawaii and New Mexico State. I wish SMU would get a 13th game against Texas Southern or Prairie View A&M to start the season before heading out to a tougher game like Texas Tech. Hopefully, SMU will win at least 6 conference games next season too. Really, I'm ready to see them win 'em all. I hate the scheduling against Navy. I don't have enough interest to see SMU play Navy for several years. If the SMU defense can attack the Navy offense the right way then SMU can have a much better opportunity to win. It's hard to tell which UTEP you'll get when you play them. They greatly underachieved this past season. I hope Tulsa and Tulane are on the way down. I hope ECU and Marshall are vulnerable due to coaching changes. C-USA is boring to me because of the East Divsion.

[RGV Pony]

to have a 13th game we'd have to play Hawaii

[CalallenStang]

to have a 13th game we'd have to play Hawaii

@ Hawaii, no less

[SMU 86]

Let's not forget that we lose some major players next year.

We lose:

Starting RB Shawnbrey McNeal (he's probably team MVP)

Starting Center Mitch Enright

Starting WR Emmanuel Sanders

Starting CB Bryan McCann

Starting Safety Rock Dennis

Starting DT Chris Parham

Starting LB Chase Kennemer (team leader in tackles)

And no D1AA teams on the schedule.

We might have a worse year next year if we can't replace those players with good replacements. If SMU starts out 0-3 we wil struggle to make a bowl game. We may struggle if we start out 0-2. next year will be a test. We better work hard in the off-season and recruit like the future depends on it (which it does).

[Purple Wimple]

Folks, TCU is going to freakishly good next season, especially on offense.

The Frogs lose only 1 starter on the o-line, and will start four seniors (maybe three). Dalton's back at QB, and he's got both the best backfield at TCU since... forever, and the best crop of wideouts he's ever thrown to. SMU is going to have to score every time it touches the ball, just to keep up.

And that ain't gonna happen, because TCU's D isn't going to lose much of its punch, if it doesn't gain some. The d-line will feature three seniors (maybe four), all of whom contributed plenty in the last two #1 defenses nationally. Of interest at SMU, particularly, is the graduation of the cornerbacks Priest and Sanders; does this lead to a weakness in TCU's pass D? No. McCoy and Teague subbed with the departed seniors all year in '09, sometimes starting in their places. They are deeply experienced.

I don't see SMU playing TCU very close in 2010, especially after halftime.

[George S. Patton]

Folks, TCU is going to freakishly good next season, especially on offense.

The Frogs lose only 1 starter on the o-line, and will start four seniors (maybe three). Dalton's back at QB, and he's got both the best backfield at TCU since... forever, and the best crop of wideouts he's ever thrown to. SMU is going to have to score every time it touches the ball, just to keep up.

And that ain't gonna happen, because TCU's D isn't going to lose much of its punch, if it doesn't gain some. The d-line will feature three seniors (maybe four), all of whom contributed plenty in the last two #1 defenses nationally. Of interest at SMU, particularly, is the graduation of the cornerbacks Priest and Sanders; does this lead to a weakness in TCU's pass D? No. McCoy and Teague subbed with the departed seniors all year in '09, sometimes starting in their places. They are deeply experienced.

I don't see SMU playing TCU very close in 2010, especially after halftime.

TCU could also be losing its defensive coordinator, [deleted] Bumpas. Heard that he is interviewing in Tennessee today.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

TCU will be very good next season. I would expect the same from Tech. Those will both be tough to win. I think we really need Ws against Wash. State and Navy. If we come out of non-conference at 2-2, we'll be in good shape.

[RGV Pony]

Folks, TCU is going to freakishly good next season, especially on offense.

The Frogs lose only 1 starter on the o-line, and will start four seniors (maybe three). Dalton's back at QB, and he's got both the best backfield at TCU since... forever, and the best crop of wideouts he's ever thrown to. SMU is going to have to score every time it touches the ball, just to keep up.

And that ain't gonna happen, because TCU's D isn't going to lose much of its punch, if it doesn't gain some. The d-line will feature three seniors (maybe four), all of whom contributed plenty in the last two #1 defenses nationally. Of interest at SMU, particularly, is the graduation of the cornerbacks Priest and Sanders; does this lead to a weakness in TCU's pass D? No. McCoy and Teague subbed with the departed seniors all year in '09, sometimes starting in their places. They are deeply experienced.

I don't see SMU playing TCU very close in 2010, especially after halftime.

well, good luck to Dalton throwing to half the field, b/c that 'best crop of wideouts' won't do jack against Sterling Moore.

Anyone have the over/under on Taylor Thompson/Margus Hunt sacks of Dalton?

[Purple Wimple]

[quote="George S. Patton"]TCU could also be losing its defensive coordinator, [deleted] Bumpas. Heard that he is interviewing in Tennessee today.[/quote]

[url]http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/18309/bumpas-will-continue-to-coach-tcu-defense[/url]

[PK]

Folks, TCU is going to freakishly good next season, especially on offense.

The Frogs lose only 1 starter on the o-line, and will start four seniors (maybe three). Dalton's back at QB, and he's got both the best backfield at TCU since... forever, and the best crop of wideouts he's ever thrown to.

Perhaps you should have used these offensive players in your bowl game...oh, my bad...you did use these guys. I'm just saying...

[George S. Patton]

TCU could also be losing its defensive coordinator, [deleted] Bumpas. Heard that he is interviewing in Tennessee today.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/18309/bumpas-will-continue-to-coach-tcu-defense

I'm just saying I have Tennessee people telling me he was there and interviewing today. This story is originating in Fort Worth. My information is coming from Knoxville. Maybe he interviewed and declined an offer. Maybe Tennessee thought chose to go in a different direction.

Very touchy and oversensitive on that campus these days. Hey, y'all wanted to be big time. This is the price of success.

[Pony_Fan]

1-3 start, let's hope to steal a few conf games. Otherwise, 6-6 or 7-5 again.

[Charleston Pony]

I will take another 8-5 season and bowl win right now

some key losses to backfill and an arguably tougher schedule. We had better be improved from 2009

[rich59]

It seems that JJ and his staff have upgraded the recrcruiting at SMU. The defense seemed much improved in 2009 and the overall team seemed to be extremely well prepared for the bowl game. I don't believe I have seen any SMU team play as well as they did in the bowl since 1986.

Having said all that, here is what really worries me! Shawnbrey McNeal came out of nowhere and was a major cog in the offense. Margus Hunt came out of nowhere and played somewhat of a major role by blocking seven place kicks as well as getting a few big plays on defense. BLM got an injury and Padron came out of nowhere to look like a first class QB who may have the potential to play on Sundays.

Arguably, if you subtract any one of those three happenings from the recipe and SMU may have lost a few more games and not have been bowl eligible. Is the improvement seen in the football fortunes at SMU more apparent than real?