ESPN picks SMU to win C-USA

[Garret]

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id ... as-in-2010

[ponyboy]

I'd consider our winning CUSA outright to be downright shocking. Good shocking, but shocking nonetheless.

[StallionsModelT]

Why not us? We have the bulk of the starters on both sides of the ball coming back and a QB who will have gone through a full spring and fall camp as the starter. There is no reason we shouldn't be in the conversation for the CUSA championship for next year.

[ponyboy]

Understood. But Houston is the class of the conference right now and we're probably second tier along with three or four other teams.

[StallionsModelT]

IMO its Houston or us. Houston's defense is shaky to say the least and we have to prove that 2009 wasn't a one year wonder.

[peruna81]

StallionsModelT-

we have to prove we are a 'one year wonder' as well...think we will have a MUCH more difficult time this year than last winning games.

that said, from espn's mouth to God's ear.

[StallionsModelT]

See I just don't buy that. Our toughest conference opponents are East Carolina, Houston, and Tulsa. Two of those three are at home. Add to that games against Washington State, Rice, Tulane...I see us getting to at least 8 wins. I'd be very disappointed if we didn't match the win total from last season.

[ponyboy]

We're a .500 team this coming year, IMO. Next year's the year.

[Nacho]

ponyboy has lost all sunshiner cred

[StallionsModelT]

So we wildly exceed everyone's expectations to win 8 games (winning our bowl game by 5 touchdowns) when our QB who started the season literally gave away one win and choked against Navy with a double digit lead for two of losses. Forgive me if I think June and his staff are going to build on that success and take this conference by storm. We now have a QB who won't lose us games. This is, IMO, at worst a 7 win team. I'm looking for 9.

[Mestengo]

10 wins

[smuuth]

Don't forget that the win total last year could have easily been 10 and then if we had a little more depth 11 with a win at Marshall. Also, with basically no offense and poor special teams play we were only a td away in the third quarter against a team that was undefeated in the regular season. The only big loss was the one that probably propelled SMU to it's first bowl in 25 years with the loss to UH and the injury to the existing qb and the unveiling of Padron! This team is at a crossroads of building on a special season or being satisfied with going to a bowl. Fill Ford!

[westexSMU]

If we get the fast 6' 5" 270-280 JUCO DT from Miss to make his grades., I say 10 wins in 2010. If not, we will have some defensive depth problems at NG and CB. Then 7 or 8 wins. Still a much improved overall passing game as QB play will be outstanding and a good running game by the end of the season. Conference Championship or Bowl game for sure.

[DiamondM]

I hope our players can play with expectations -- something they haven't really had to do in 25 years. The last time we had (much more modest) expectations after a 6-6 season and a returning sophmore quarterback we won 1 game.

[Junior]

I'll say we have a winning season, but I don't see a CUSA title this year.

I'd love to be proven wrong, though.