Dead Cat Bounce

[SoCal_Pony]

The problem as I see it is that these victories over TCU and UAB only mask deep-rooted problems with our model, which until properly addressed, will keep us in a perpetual state of losing, with occasional fluke victories here and there.

I suspect PB will win at least 1 more game. I suspect that will be enough to keep him around another season. With PB around, our athletic department, our board and our model will remain status quo. Nobody will have the resolve to address it, after 16 years of failure, should we expect anything more? Instead they will take the easy route; it’s called the path of least resistance...all the while PB gives us another meager recruiting class with our long-term prospects remaining about the same as they have for far too long around here.

Look at our own board as a barometer…we are now talking bowl games and packed houses for ECU.

I know I am in a small minority on this one, but I actually believe it is in our best interest to lose miserably now, fire Copeland and once and for all fix this model. A change this dramatic typically occurs only at the point of capitulation…I’m afraid that instead of capitulation, we have just witnessed a dead cat bounce that only delays the inevitable, maybe now by a year.

Of course I could be wrong. I sincerely hope so. Problem for me is I have 16 years of history on my side. Proof to me will be in PB’s recruiting efforts the remainder of this year. I remain skeptical.

[MrMustang1965]

Look at our own board as a barometer…we are now talking bowl games and packed houses for ECU.

What's wrong with encouraging people to attend the ECU game in force and to bring guests with them?

[BUS]

So Cal You are correct in some of your statements. The system or model if flawed in many way. Majors, transfer hours, true committement to winning and so on.

I want to speak up for this team. Fluke wins... no I ( maybe I want to ) see fluke losses. The Baylor game we should have won. ( Chicken Conservative play calling ) and tired D.

Marshall, same thing got us killed at the end of the game. I don't count pentalties - everyone gets screwed sometime.

NO excuse for Tulane Game - A$M hangover maybe. I will give that one to the coaching staff.

These guys are fun to watch... full of energy.... working hard. What they need IMHO is to be turned loose. Call the big play, open up the play book on O. Run that special package and blitz on D. If we can take the chance DO IT.

Football should be fun, right. Running a conservative game is no fun and like the Prevent Defense - it only prevents you from winning.

BTW, we only have 13 scholorships to give out this year. From what I know, we have six of them taken as of now.

I like PB and his staff. I want SMU to get better. Support the players every weekend and write a letter to Turner.

[Arkpony]

I give a resounding "Amen!" to Bus' statement!

And Bus, I will see you on the Blvd this Saturday!

[LakeHighlandsPony]

Turner should have fired Copeland right after the Tulane game like I posted. It will take 4 to 7 months to find the right AD. Bennett could have finished out the season and make a judgement on him when the new AD is hired.

[MrMustang1965]

Turner should have fired Copeland right after the Tulane game like I posted. It will take 4 to 7 months to find the right AD. Bennett could have finished out the season and make a judgement on him when the new AD is hired.

Knowing how the SMU Human Resources Office works (I've applied for jobs at SMU), you're being generous with that 4 to 7 months.

[BUS]

I totally agree to that 65.

Go Mustangs

And ARK Pony.
Brats and sausage dogs on the grill for Saturday.
You bring the Champaigne

[The PonyGrad]

Marshall, same thing got us killed at the end of the game. I don't count pentalties - everyone gets screwed sometime.

What about bad calls upon which the game turned and the conference office later apologizes? While Stallion was correct that overall MArshall played a better game, we should have won that game and were robbed.

Based on the start of the season expectations we are pretty much back on schedule. Now let's just win the next two and go from there!

[Hoop Fan]

I dont think its fair to call the UAB game a fluke. SMU led most of the second half. Granted the winning play was improbable, but even UAB fans on the CUSA board said SMU played well and deserved to win. I think the circumstances of the TCU win were very favorable for us, but the Frogs still came out sky high in the second half and we turned them back. It wasnt a complete letdown by TCU like some would like to believe, but they did overlook us I'm sure.

Bottom line is I think you can dismiss one quality win as fluke. Two good wins in the first 6 games starts to look more like a team with a little potential even if they are inconsistent.

As for Bennett, unless you are going to hire a proven big name guy which is highly unlikely, I think we should all hope like heck that Bennett pulls this thing out of the fire, including a small but respectable recruiting class.

[SoCal_Pony]

Bus and HF,

I do not mean to infer the UAB game per se was a fluke. I’m speaking in broader terms. During the past 5 years, the only victory we had against a team with a winning record was Rice back in 2001. So it is in that context that I call any win against a good opponent a ‘fluke’.

I am happy for the team and think they are a great bunch of guys. I stand by my statement that we will not get the type of success around here that we all deserve until this model is repaired. Win 3 or 4 games per year and IMO the chances of that are diminished. There is no reason we shouldn’t consistently dominate TCU the same way UT dominates Tech.

And BUS…you say 6 scholarships are taken….care to elaborate???

[Treadway21]

This team has done two things we haven't seen in a long, long time: win against a top 25 team and win on the road (and against a good team). That, at least in my mind, is a sign of improvement. We'll see what the rest of the season holds; I don't expect ECU to be a walkover and am actually very nervous about which SMU team will show up.

As regards to PB and the model, I thought I understood some of the loosening of the restrictions was put in place due to his advocating those changes. I'm not entirely sure of my facts on that, though. I do know he is advocating for continued improvement in that area.

Finally, We have all sat through way too many loses. It is time to start winning with the players and coaches we have now.

[The PonyGrad]

Given the close game vs. Marshall (OT) and the fact that Baylor is much improved this season, I believe this team is shaping up into the team we thought it might be at the beginning of the season. We could easily be 4-2 now, model or not.

[gostangs]

And even the biggest pessimist could not look at our remaining scheudle and only see one win.

As for "the broken model" - exactly what else is there that can be fixed at a school like SMU - as I see it it is maybe a couple of athlete friendly majors - maybe some looser transfer rules - those would both be a help and I understand they are underway.

[Sam I Am]

WE can beat ECU and Rice, not UTEP, Tulsa or UH. How does 4-7 suit you?

[gostangs]

we can beat UAB and TCU but not Tulsa? Not sure where that comes from - I think UTEP is the toughest one left - Houston is beatable but not likely at theri place.

5 wins would be my guess - Marshal games looms large.