DMN: SMU makes public its desire to join Big 12

[Mitch McConnell]

Colorado doesn't play baseball and that didn't stop it from joining the Pac 12. I realize it's apples to oranges with a state school vs. a private school. Just informing you of that.

Wisconsin doesn't play baseball either.

[ponyinNC]

When I think of the armpit locations in which other Big 12 schools are located (Ames, IA; Waco, TX; Lubbock, TX to name a few) I would imagine those fans/alums would love a chance to come to Dallas and watch their team play. Manhattan Kansas...really? I've lived in Manhattan..the real Manhattan. And Kansas, you are no Manhattan.

[RyanSMU98]

When I think of the armpit locations in which other Big 12 schools are located (Ames, IA; Waco, TX; Lubbock, TX to name a few) I would imagine those fans/alums would love a chance to come to Dallas and watch their team play. Manhattan Kansas...really? I've lived in Manhattan..the real Manhattan. And Kansas, you are no Manhattan.

Hey, don't knock Manhattan, KS. It's actually not a bad little town and has surprisingly good Mexican food (shocked the heck out of me when I was there). But your point is well taken. I honestly don't know what our chances are on this, but there are solid arguments to be made for our inclusion if the Big 12 wants to continue to exist. Yes, we need to put butts in seats, but the lineup of schools makes that easier. We showed last year that we can at least hang with a Big 12 team, and if we beat the Aggies then the whole "you're not playing at our level" argument goes right out the window. Add our facilities improvements and (hopefully) some solid marketing and this is not a total pipe dream. I think once Case Keenum is gone, Coog High is much less the draw that people think it is, and a lot less competitive.

[EastStang]

Showing that we are consistently a soccer power and that we won't be recruiting against Texas, OSU, OU, Baylor, and TT in baseball might actually be a plus. They know in that sport we won't be competing against them for players. Personally, if I was the Big XII, I'd be talking to SMU, UH and Memphis. Schools in big cities with something to offer. Not perfect choices, but better than Provo, UT.

[Mitch McConnell]

Showing that we are consistently a soccer power and that we won't be recruiting against Texas, OSU, OU, Baylor, and TT in baseball might actually be a plus. They know in that sport we won't be competing against them for players. Personally, if I was the Big XII, I'd be talking to SMU, UH and Memphis. Schools in big cities with something to offer. Not perfect choices, but better than Provo, UT.

Love your spin. But that's just not realistic.

[couch 'em]

Personally, if I was the Big XII, I'd be talking to Memphis.

The insanity of your posts always amaze me.

[friarwolf]

Fans will not be a consideration when the Big 12 meets to consider who to invite so forget the thought that fans wanting to come to Dallas will hold sway for us. No way any of the Big 12 teams located in Texas or Oklahoma will allow us to be invited. They like us being on the outside especially recruiting wise.............

[ponyinNC]

Bottom line - When the SMU higher-ups decide to go all-in and do something, it usually gets done. Be that the Bush Library, an on campus stadium...heck, even creating a payroll to get top players and win SWC championships, we get the [deleted] done.

Money talks. Not my money of course, but Gerald J. Ford's money.

[RGV Pony]

Bottom line - When the SMU higher-ups decide to go all-in and do something, it usually gets done. Be that the Bush Library, an on campus stadium...heck, even creating a payroll to get top players and win SWC championships, we get the [deleted] done.

Money talks. Not my money of course, but Gerald J. Ford's money.

I agree. The athletic dept blows smoke (Commitment, Top 25 in everything we do, etc) but when admin & others get on board, most often it seems SMU gets what it sets out to get.

[peruna81]

Does SMU fit the Big 12? irrelevant...

Does baseball (or lack of a program) fit in the decision cycle for inclusion? again irrelevant...

Does stadium size matter to the Big 12? I still think it is irrelevant...


the only relevant piece of information that I gleaned from this morning is that SMU, through R Gerald Turner, has openly stated that it seeks to take the next step in the college football landscape.

Now it is about wins. The rest of the path is predicated on that alone...note our scaled cousins 40 miles west, who let it be known their intention to join with the 'big boys'(many years prior), and then WON their way into the conversation.

[friarwolf]

Money doesn't matter in this particular situation. Would you allow a close regional competitor currently blocked from bidding on a piece of business a seat at the bidding table??????? Better to have a competitor from a different market, n'est-ce pas???????

[WordUpBU]

As a DFW resident and Baylor fan I cannot express how much I would love to have SMU join up, however I also realize that pretty much any Texas team is going to get the veto by the north schools. I do think if we survive and can pillage the big east it will open up some avenues for an up and coming program like SMU to break into a BCS league and increase revenue & exposure.

[Stallion]

Yes as I've said
What is the Goal
Once you determine the Goal-you design a Plan to reach the Goal
Its relatively important that the Goal be stated so the Plan can be determined and everybody knows where the train is supposed to be headed.
As usual we have multiple groups pulling us in different directions.
Its a waste of time to talk about Ford, Baseball etc until you decide whether the BCS is the Goal. Once that becomes clear then the answers to the remaining questions become pretty clear as well.

The current Ford Stadium suggests that the Goal is to be a competitive regional non-BCS program-it will have to be addressed if you want to reach what now appears to be the Goal. You will also have to address how to fill the stadium.

[Dutch]

I am sure the Big 12 would also look at what we do attendance wise when we are not playing high profile teams. It would not look good to see vast amounts of empty seats on TV when the camera goes around when we play UCF or UTEP at home We must be able to at some point get better crowds on our own. Looks like we are headed in the right direction with everyone on the same page.

all the big 12 needs to do is look at our attendance when we have played big12 teams. in basketball & football. sellout crowds or damn close in all of those.

we would immediately need to expand and could probably fill 42000 every week w/ not only our alums who would come out to see us playing bigger caliber teams, but the 'visiting' local alums too. there are tons of OU/OSU/TT/UT/BU/etc. alums living here. our weakest attended games would be Iowa St and Kansas, and those would probably still be over 30k

[Stallion]

We're going to need a bigger Boulevard too.