My disappointment is tempered with this thought...

[planoponyfan]

I'm very sorry we didn't beat UTEP. We've let at least 3 games get away from us this year.
But at one point during the game yesterday it crossed my mind: how many seasons recently have we suffered through where 5 wins would have been cause to pop champaign corks? We may still finish with 7 wins. We may still get a bowl and get an 8th win. For that matter, we may STILL get to play in the conference championship game.

I hoped for more this season. We had reason to expect more this season. The fact we're disappointed at this is a HUGE improvement over where things had been. Stay positive.

[Dement-ed]

Here's another thought: people are ready to dive off tall buildings, and WE'RE STILL TIED FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE DIVISION.

Losing sucks. I hate that we lost last night. But the last time we won 13 games over two years was 1984-85. Cavan didn't do it, Bennett didn't do it.

Most of our starters are pretty good, but many of the talented reserves are very young. Coach Jones has said all along that 2011 probably is really the year we make a run. We might lose our remaining two games, we might split and squeak into a bowl, or we might win out — in each case, we're better off than we were.

[Arkpony]

I think the problem is not that we don't appreciate how far we've come from Bennett's days, but that we seem to have a team that is capable of playing well (witness Tech and TCU) and yet so consistently underperforms from those games standards. It is very frustrating and fans have a right to question the cause.

[Treadway21]

Very rational thoughts guys. Thanks. People need to have a little perspective. We really are not far off than where most of the preseason predictions had us. I wish we were playing better, but I can live with this season over the 1-3 win seasons we have had since the DP anytime.

[Dement-ed]

I think the problem is not that we don't appreciate how far we've come from Bennett's days, but that we seem to have a team that is capable of playing well (witness Tech and TCU) and yet so consistently underperforms from those games standards. It is very frustrating and fans have a right to question the cause.

So you mean a team with:

a sophomore QB
a sophomore RB
one WR who is a junior but in his first year as a starter
a DE who is a sophomore and in just his second year playing football
a NT who is a junior but in his first year playing the position
two sophomore starting LBs
a sophomore converted CB at SS

is playing inconsistently, like a young team? Shocking.

The position this team is in — and the prospects for a bright future — are lightyears ahead of where we were under previous coaching regimes. Get a grip, people.

[Charleston Pony]

it's a good thing that we are disappointed with the thought of finishing 6-6

last time I remember feeling that way was when the JWill lead Phil Bennett Mustangs lost to Rice to finish 6-6 and miss out on a bowl opportunity

[The Q]

Exactly — it's like having a team with the conference's leader in rushing yards and average rushing yards per game, the conference's second-leading passer (yards per game), three of the top 10 in receptions per game, two of the top four (including the leader) in receiving yards, the No. 3 guy in total offense, the No. 4 guy (and No. 10 guy) in tackles, the second-leading quarterback sacker, the No. 2 guy in tackles-for-loss, and having only one of those guys (Aldrick Robinson) being a senior ... and not finding any room for optimism.

[smupony94]

At least we have basketball coming soon. Kidding. I will be at the Marshall game cheering.

[skyscraper]

This thread is filled with loser's mentalities.
I'm sorry, but these are not the sad-sack Bennett teams anymore.
Expectations have changed.
Yes, I will be thrilled if we go to another bowl this year and I will be at the Marshall game cheering on the Mustangs.
But to try to rationalize away the crap performances of the past few weeks isn't going to do any good.
Mental toughness must be as important as healing beat-up bodies during this bye week.

[PoconoPony]

The mere fact that we now have expectations is a major step forward.

[SMU 86]

Here's another thought: people are ready to dive off tall buildings, and WE'RE STILL TIED FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE DIVISION.

Losing sucks. I hate that we lost last night. But the last time we won 13 games over two years was 1984-85. Cavan didn't do it, Bennett didn't do it.

Most of our starters are pretty good, but many of the talented reserves are very young. Coach Jones has said all along that 2011 probably is really the year we make a run. We might lose our remaining two games, we might split and squeak into a bowl, or we might win out — in each case, we're better off than we were.

I think we win 5 or 6 in 2011. We have a harder schedule and we lose Al, Fleps, Yenga, and Sterling Moore.

[Big Hoss]

This thread is filled with loser's mentalities.
I'm sorry, but these are not the sad-sack Bennett teams anymore.
Expectations have changed.
Yes, I will be thrilled if we go to another bowl this year and I will be at the Marshall game cheering on the Mustangs.
But to try to rationalize away the crap performances of the past few weeks isn't going to do any good.
Mental toughness must be as important as healing beat-up bodies during this bye week.

Right with you. If we were actually getting beat in this games, I might not be so frustrated. But we have talented players, and yet we are handing these games over on a silver platter.

Am I glad to be where we are now vs. under Bennett? Easy answer....YES. Am I content where we are? No, plain and simple.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I am with you Big Hoss. Have we won a game we were underdogs in? We were 8 points favorites and completely laid an egg. Gary Patterson does get his team ready to play every single week no matter who they are playing. Somebody needs to get in these players face fast! They need thier manhood and heart questioned.

[PonySnob]

I think we win 5 or 6 in 2011. We have a harder schedule and we lose Al, Fleps, Yenga, and Sterling Moore.

That's worth $2 million per year...................

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

Many true blue PF posters think they are in some way superior to others, or know something as "gurus" us normal hard core fans do not not by saying "this losing sucks, we are better, you guys have a losers mentality (makes me laugh), my expectations are higher, etc., etc.." This gives them a self imposed feeling of status here on the SMU Mustangs Fan Board, rah rah hey!!...bottom line, it is a hell of a lot better today versus yesterday, we are contending for bowl games and conference titles, players are on the top of most C-USA stat cats and we are almost EXACTLY where Coach Jones forecasted...pissed we lost yesterday, drag...but I refuse to call for a coaches head, call out players and rant and rave like this is the Ohio State fan board. Get real, get a life and GO MUSTANGS!!