The Bottom Line

[Pony81]

The bottom line is that SMU fans thought SMU was at the point it could be competitive with a top program. Not beat a top program but show up and compete.

Sorry, but A&M scored at will. We got beat. Granted the start as abysmal but let's face it - A&M stopped our offense and shredded our defense.
Now we know we are not in the same league as an A&M and probably any team in the B12 South. That is what is so disappointing. We thought we were at least gaining on them but we are not.

So, wins agains UTEP or other CUSA teams will be satisfying. However, lingering in the back of our minds will be the notion that we are still not close to being competitive with top 25 teams.

That is the bottom line and it hurts and will leave a scar for the rest of the year.

[WildHorse]

That's one way to look at it -- although I would suggest an accurate way.

I'm among those who realizes we showed nothing last year to suggest we would compete with the Aggies. I'm as optimistic at the beginning of every season, but they're top-10 and we're still growing.

The bottom line really is that we're 0-1 with a loss against a non-conference opponent. Yeah, we would have liked a win, but beating UTEP -- while not as glamorous -- is more important, and I have every confidence we will do just that.

[Ponymon]

Actually we stopped ourselves. With 2 interceptions that should not have happened on the two opening drives and the inexcusable botch of the kickoff, we basically gave the game away before it got started. Our 2 long drives in the first half showed to me that we do have more than we showed on offense in the first 2 drives. I thought the offense played well considering that McDermott was not the starting QB and hardly played in the last 2 years. Our defense was more disappointing. The 3-4 might be a good defense for Conference USA, but there is not enough beef on the OL for matching up with the bigger lines of an A$M. The middle of the line appeared to be particularly soft, which might also be attributed to Rogers inexperience.

[TCUBCSBOUND]

That's one way to look at it -- although I would suggest an accurate way.

I'm among those who realizes we showed nothing last year to suggest we would compete with the Aggies. I'm as optimistic at the beginning of every season, but they're top-10 and we're still growing.

The bottom line really is that we're 0-1 with a loss against a non-conference opponent. Yeah, we would have liked a win, but beating UTEP -- while not as glamorous -- is more important, and I have every confidence we will do just that.

For long term of the program as it comes to recruiting, it's not even close which is more important. Beating a&m could have elevated the program beyond perceptions of just being a 8-5/7-6 team counting bowl games. No one cares if you beat utep.

[WildHorse]

Long-term, you're right.

But if a loss to UTEP costs us a bowl game or a chance to win the Conference USA title, a lot of folks will care.

[skyscraper]

The bottom line is that SMU fans thought SMU was at the point it could be competitive with a top program. Not beat a top program but show up and compete.

Agree. It's what I've been saying past 24 hours. Not disappointed we lost (I wasn't expecting a win), but disappointed we didn't compete like I felt we could.