Did Coach Bennett actually say this?

[Charlie NT73]

Over on GoMeanGreen.com, there is a tread regarding the CUSA media
days. There is a story, from the "Clarianledger.com" Aug 1st sports
section, "USM:What will it take to earn BCS bowl bid" This story has a
quote from Coach Bennett. "We want to play regionally" SMU coach Phil Bennett said. "We are in Big 12 country so we want to play one Big 12 team, home-and-home,(archrival)TCU, home and home, and then two Sun
Belt Conference (teams), with North Texas, preferably."

A Big 12 team, TCU, NT, and another SBC team, would take care of the
OOC scheduling, save $$$ on travel expenses, build great regional
interest, fill up the home stadiums, build attendence numbers, and give
the fans a opportunity to go to the away games. I would like to see this
type of scheduling every year!

[jtstang]

Today's obsessed NTSU fan thread brought to you by the Clarian Ledger.

I'd like to see that kind of scheduling too, but the only way to guarantee that would be a yearly game is for NTSU to be in the same conference as SMU and we all know that SMU would blackball that idea so fast it would make your head spin.

[PhirePhilBennett]

Over on GoMeanGreen.com, there is a tread regarding the CUSA media
days. There is a story, from the "Clarianledger.com" Aug 1st sports
section, "USM:What will it take to earn BCS bowl bid" This story has a
quote from Coach Bennett. "We want to play regionally" SMU coach Phil Bennett said. "We are in Big 12 country so we want to play one Big 12 team, home-and-home,(archrival)TCU, home and home, and then two Sun
Belt Conference (teams), with North Texas, preferably."

A Big 12 team, TCU, NT, and another SBC team, would take care of the
OOC scheduling, save $$$ on travel expenses, build great regional
interest, fill up the home stadiums, build attendence numbers, and give
the fans a opportunity to go to the away games. I would like to see this
type of scheduling every year!

Other than NT, what other SBC team is 'regionally' going to help our attendance?

I'd rather play a home and home with both Baylor and Tech, plus TCU and a gimme 2for1 with a 1-AA.

NOTE: TCU's #2 student population, after Texas, hails from CALIFORNIA.

Why?
1) LT in San Diego giving positive pub to TCU

2) TCU plays out west (not that I encourage a MWC alignment, far from it, but if you circle the wagons and ONLY play regionally, you will hurt your recruiting).

[CalallenStang]

NOTE: TCU's #2 student population, after Texas, hails from CALIFORNIA.

I believe the same can be said for SMU.

Edit: Cox numbers:
Out-of-State students constitute 41% of the student body
(Top 5 States: California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and Louisiana in Fall 2006)
In-State students constitute 59% of the student body
Minorities: 22%
International Students: 7.7%
Caucasians: 70.3%
Female: 45%
Male: 55%
http://www.cox.smu.edu/centers/bbacaree ... salarydata

Now, I realize that is just representative of the Cox School, but if you believe that SMU is hurting for out-of-state or out-of-region students, you are wrong.

How about this: go to Table 4 on the link below:
http://smu.edu/facultysenate/reports%20 ... mittee.htm

[PhirePhilBennett]

NOTE: TCU's #2 student population, after Texas, hails from CALIFORNIA.

I believe the same can be said for SMU.

Doubtful. I'd bet on more Florida and Michigan before California, though a lot hail from bear country.

[CalallenStang]

NOTE: TCU's #2 student population, after Texas, hails from CALIFORNIA.

I believe the same can be said for SMU.

Doubtful. I'd bet on more Florida and Michigan before California, though a lot hail from bear country.

Read above

[EastStang]

What happened to all of the Illini who came to SMU. It seemed like there were a bunch of folks from Illinois, especially around Chicago on the Hilltop when I was there. We also for some bizarre reason had a bunch of folks from North Dakota. I think we had more folks from North Dakota than from New England.

[RGV Pony]

I'd rather 1 Big XII, TCU, 1 SunBelt + 1 lower tier SEC or Big Ten team. Rotate between Indiana, Miss State, Illinois, Ole Miss. Attendance would be much better than Ark State, FA/IU, MTSU, or the battle of the Hilltoppers with W. KY.

[SMUtrojanFAN]

It is quite well-known that the highest number of out-of-state students at SMU come from California. That is closely followed by Florida and Illinois. The west coast has such a high draw that SMU has a separate recruiting coordinator (for academics) dedicated to California specifically.

[2112]

just one more excuse for charlie.nts73, to start another thread on smu. he knew the answer, but he's just another obsessed ntstater that can't stay away.

[Mustangs35SMU]

A Big 12 team, TCU, NT, and another SBC team, would take care of the
OOC scheduling, save $$$ on travel expenses, build great regional
interest, fill up the home stadiums, build attendence numbers, and give
the fans a opportunity to go to the away games. I would like to see this
type of scheduling every year!

Well after this year, you can throw that concept out the window.

Replacing UNT in 08 will be Navy..then replacing ASU in 09 is Missouri.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I wish we could get a home and home with Stanford.

[72mustang]

Stanford was on the schedule once but Copeland changed the schedule. Stanford wanted to play in Texas as they have lot's of alumni there so they scheduled TCU and they played Texas in the 90's

[jkflamebo]

why do we wanna play sun belt teams? i'd rather have monster competition from a legit conference that someone like ntsu

[OC Mustang]

NOTE: TCU's #2 student population, after Texas, hails from CALIFORNIA.

I believe the same can be said for SMU.

Doubtful. I'd bet on more Florida and Michigan before California, though a lot hail from bear country.

California has largest alumni population outside of Texas per the SMU Alumni Association. TCU and SMU are receptive to the region b/c they most resemble USC/Stanford, allow the students to "go away" to school, and still allow a positive image to employers back in CA when they return 4 years hence.