SMU announces 2014 schedule

[East Coast Mustang]

well take a look at Auburn's recruiting classes for their Sophomore(2012), Junior (2011) and Senior(2010) Classes. (Rivals rankings currently unavailiable-so I used Scout) National rankings of 6, 2, and 8. That's the meat of a team's roster discounting true freshman. Probably only about 2-3 teams in the entire country with more highly rated talent. Auburn's 2012 disaster was a short term decline in an unforgiving SEC. When you have key injuries, coaching issues and other distractions you are going to pay the price. See Georgia this year

I don't disagree that Auburn recruited well in the lead up to last season- my point was that weird stuff happens all the time in college football. Mizzou certainly didn't recruit well as compared to the rest of the SEC East but Florida and Georgia had down years, Tennessee was on their fourth coach in eight years or something but still managed to beat SC and get Mizzou in the SECCG. Hell, Duke played in the ACCCG, and look at Baylor's recruiting rankings:

2009- 8th in Big XII
2010- 5th in Big XII
2011- 7th in Big XII
2012- 6th in Big XII

And they win the Big XII in 2013. Do I think stars/recruiting rankings matter? Absolutely, and people who argue otherwise aren't being realistic. But to completely write off the season before a down is played is silly in my opinion. I'll have a good idea of where this team stands after the UNT game

[Big12Mustang]

How many times will ponyboy and FTH aka Big12 whine about-"but we are playing 8 bowl teams" Wah! This actually is a tougher schedule than last year since we didn't play Louisville anyway last year. 6 straight bowl teams to open the season.

What are you talking about? I have always said this is the best schedule we have had since SWC. No complaints here.

[Big12Mustang]

In fact, I would be more than happy if we could schedule 4 Big 12 teams in OOC every year. It will only make us better and help recruiting ("we play 4 Big 12 teams on ESPN or FS every year")

[Buddha]

The only teams that I see that are basically unbeatable are A&M and Baylor. The teams that we definitely should beat would be UConn and Memphis. Other than that, everything looks up in the air, which makes it nerve-wracking but fun. I have no idea how to predict how this team will fare.

[East Coast Mustang]

In fact, I would be more than happy if we could schedule 4 Big 12 teams in OOC every year. It will only make us better and help recruiting ("we play 4 Big 12 teams on ESPN or FS every year")

FTHP- please go away and let the adults discuss SMU football

[ponyinNC]

Weird things happen, of course - but that is the exception, not the rule. That's why it's "weird" in the first place.

Stallion is spot on in his summary - recruiting is the FOUNDATION of any program, whether that be FB or BB or even ice hockey. Without the influx of new talent every year, or without at least being competitive in recruiting with our rivals, we will never be competitive in the games against those rivals -

See TAMU game. Baylor game. Houson game. Tech game.

Yes, occasionally we may pull an upset or beat a team we shouldn't. But without the strong recruiting efforts needed to sustain a program, those will always be "weird/abnormal" results...

I'd rather it be "weird" when a rival team beats us...not the other way around.

[East Coast Mustang]

Weird things happen, of course - but that is the exception, not the rule. That's why it's "weird" in the first place.

Stallion is spot on in his summary - recruiting is the FOUNDATION of any program, whether that be FB or BB or even ice hockey. Without the influx of new talent every year, or without at least being competitive in recruiting with our rivals, we will never be competitive in the games against those rivals -

See TAMU game. Baylor game. Houson game. Tech game.

Yes, occasionally we may pull an upset or beat a team we shouldn't. But without the strong recruiting efforts needed to sustain a program, those will always be "weird/abnormal" results...

I'd rather it be "weird" when a rival team beats us...not the other way around.

I don't disagree at all. But we were a few bounces of the ball away from being 8-4 last year (UCF, Cincy, Rutgers). I just think it's silly to write the season off in March- that's all.

[Big12Mustang]

In fact, I would be more than happy if we could schedule 4 Big 12 teams in OOC every year. It will only make us better and help recruiting ("we play 4 Big 12 teams on ESPN or FS every year")

FTHP- please go away and let the adults discuss SMU football

I am not FTHP, and would appreciate more respect from you.

[sbsmith]

I don't disagree at all. But we were a few bounces of the ball away from being 8-4 last year (UCF, Cincy, Rutgers). I just think it's silly to write the season off in March- that's all.

Not really silly at all when you consider our declining talent level, difficult schedule and lame duck coaching. Given all we know it seems silly to believe this team can accomplish anything of substance.

[sbsmith]

I don't disagree at all. But we were a few bounces of the ball away from being 8-4 last year (UCF, Cincy, Rutgers). I just think it's silly to write the season off in March- that's all.

Not really silly at all when you consider our declining talent level, difficult schedule and lame duck coaching. Given all we know it seems silly to believe this team can accomplish anything of substance.

[SMU 86]

I think Coach Jones would appreciate the low expectations. That way if he wins 6 or so games he can look like an above average coach even with an average .500 season.

[East Coast Mustang]

I think Coach Jones would appreciate the low expectations. That way if he wins 6 or so games he can look like an above average coach even with an average .500 season.

Yes- in year 7 of the June Jones era, with $14M paid to him by SMU boosters, we should expect to make a bowl game and compete for a conference championship.

[LHS81]

Better get an extra pencil ready.

Don't forget about this

[Big12Mustang]

I think Coach Jones would appreciate the low expectations. That way if he wins 6 or so games he can look like an above average coach even with an average .500 season.

Yes- in year 7 of the June Jones era, with $14M paid to him by SMU boosters, we should expect to make a bowl game and compete for a conference championship.

You just repeat what I keep on saying.

I recommend that you focus on what I say instead of trying to attack me. You are starting to sound like a huge closet #troll

[Stallion]

Anybody laugh because the word "troll" was one of FTH's favorite words. Do a search-he used it all the time