How Much is a Season Worth?
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 2:53 amSo, the Big XII has talked about expansion. Only I don't think they know, as a group, what they want, else they would have already picked and invited the schools. It's so bad, in fact, that they've said they will end up interviewing 18 schools or so. As a result, I have a hard time believing they are going to be able to decide in the next couple of months on two schools to invite, if they even decide to expand. I'd argue they need to wait until at least the first of the year to get the chance to really get a grasp on things before they pick someone.
In the mean time, our football team is expected to improve over last year. Most publications have us picked to win about four games, which is legitimate improvement, and believe we are on the upswing. We've just announced the plans for brand new IPF, and our coaching staff is already being considered for other jobs. I don't believe there is an AAC team we absolutely cannot beat -even Houston - Memphis has key losses, we get TCU at home, and even Baylor is falling apart, so five wins is a realistic goal, and we can hope for more without sounding stupid. The team, which actually has talent at key positions, could improve ahead of schedule and not only win the games it should win but also pull an upset or two, going bowling if they do.
This is important because the biggest issue that we face in terms of conference membership is how bad our football team has been. But that may be changing for the better, and a winning season with a key upset or two may change someone's mind. T. Boone Pickins, for example, has said that he would be in favor of us if we weren't so bad on the field. Memphis, with their two good years and one upset of Ole Miss, has become a Big XII possibility over the last year despite the basketball team tanking and no real improvement in facilities. Houston opened a brand new stadium last year and continues to win but has other issues.
So my question is this: How much can we improve in the Big XII's eyes in one football season?
What if we do go on roll, catch a few breaks, upset a few teams, go bowling, or even challenge for a conference championship with a young team? Would an athletic director, university president or influential booster take note?
What if we beat North Texas, Liberty, Tulane, Memphis, Tulsa, East Carolina, and, say a Houston, TCU, or Baylor? Do we move ahead of those programs like Memphis, Tulane, and Houston who seemingly have a lead on us right now?
With a clock possibly ticking, what can be accomplished in one season?
In the mean time, our football team is expected to improve over last year. Most publications have us picked to win about four games, which is legitimate improvement, and believe we are on the upswing. We've just announced the plans for brand new IPF, and our coaching staff is already being considered for other jobs. I don't believe there is an AAC team we absolutely cannot beat -even Houston - Memphis has key losses, we get TCU at home, and even Baylor is falling apart, so five wins is a realistic goal, and we can hope for more without sounding stupid. The team, which actually has talent at key positions, could improve ahead of schedule and not only win the games it should win but also pull an upset or two, going bowling if they do.
This is important because the biggest issue that we face in terms of conference membership is how bad our football team has been. But that may be changing for the better, and a winning season with a key upset or two may change someone's mind. T. Boone Pickins, for example, has said that he would be in favor of us if we weren't so bad on the field. Memphis, with their two good years and one upset of Ole Miss, has become a Big XII possibility over the last year despite the basketball team tanking and no real improvement in facilities. Houston opened a brand new stadium last year and continues to win but has other issues.
So my question is this: How much can we improve in the Big XII's eyes in one football season?
What if we do go on roll, catch a few breaks, upset a few teams, go bowling, or even challenge for a conference championship with a young team? Would an athletic director, university president or influential booster take note?
What if we beat North Texas, Liberty, Tulane, Memphis, Tulsa, East Carolina, and, say a Houston, TCU, or Baylor? Do we move ahead of those programs like Memphis, Tulane, and Houston who seemingly have a lead on us right now?
With a clock possibly ticking, what can be accomplished in one season?
