# 107

[Danny Noonan]

I was watching ESPNU's recruiting coverage. No mention of Non-BCS conferences in the first hour and 1/2 of coverage, not even on the ticker underneath. I quit watching. I didn't care about what kind of recruiting year Louisville had. I bring this up because that's what we're facing now. We get what's left over after the BCS schools get their picks. Arkansas was rated the worst recruiting class in the SEC, yet gets one of the best QB's in the Country. Even the worst recruiter in the SEC gets better players than we do.

ESPN's ranking were completely bogus. They had Princeton's class rated #17 and William & Mary's #23.

[PhirePhilBennett]

Rivals has the 2006 SMU Recruiting Class Ranked # 107 in the nation today. Any thoughts ?

Only based upon Rivals total points. We only have 13 signed.

[originaloverthehilltop1]

one more time: when you have a program that has averaged less than 4 wins for 15 YEARS and you don't want to pay players to come (cheat) and you set up more restrictive admissions (than your competition), you can't expect ANY coach to recruit compeptitively with the top 50 programs in the country (SEE: TCU).

First, you find a way to win some games (scheduling, SEE: next year). Then, and nowadays only then, you can recruit enough players to compete with the top 50-80 programs (CUSA). As soon as you are competing for championships (and toilet bowls) in CUSA, you can compete for the next level of recruits. There may even be an additional step here between 80 and 50.

With the bcs monopoly established over the last 15 YEARS (15 YEARS, what a coincidence), the established pecking order prevents ANY coach, no matter how charismatic or legendary from waving his recruiting wand and skipping steps.

so could we hear less of this "Phil Bennett has underrecruited TCU for the last three years" hysteria. WE have underrecruited TCU (and the top 50) for 15 YEARS. And it has been a total SMU team effort.

And by the way, the fast finish from last year IS reason for hope. It makes the progressive scenario above a realistic goal.

[originaloverthehilltop1]

and i love you east stang, but "even the worst recruiter in the SEC recruits better than we do"? of course they do! the sun would stop revolving around the earth if they didn't. thier boosters would raid and burn down the football offices if they didn't. they are in a whole different athletic universe!

[gostangs]

TCU did not exactly blow the doors off with their class either - better then ours no doubt, but they got close to shut out in state 100's and they are coming off a one lose season. If we can get a winning season or two we will definately get some mo back - thus the easier schedule, but thats a different post.

Oh by the way, who did TCU lose to again, I forget.........?

[Stallion]

they have one of the Top 3 non-BCS classes and blew us away in recruiting. TCU also had a small class-18- 2 more than us but had more than 5 times recruiting points than SMU. For the 3rd straight year it has been no contest between SMU and TCU's class.

[Pony Fan]

I guess time will tell, stallion 'ol boy.

[SoCal_Pony]

I guess time will tell, stallion 'ol boy.

Time has already spoken...

Prior to our victory this year, TCU won 6 straight by a combined score of 202-36.....or by an average score of 34 to 6.

[Pony Fan]

No question they beat us on the field in the past, let's think about the future.

[PonyPride]

How did that game turn out this season, with our roster full of players who were recruiting afterthoughts to them?

Oh yeah: 21-10.

TCU's got a good program. I don't like them, of course, because of the rivalry between the schools, but they are good. But let's not act like they're out there recruiting with Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis, huh?

[Pony Fan]

Well put, Pony Pride!

[Stallion]

again I'm thinking 3-4 years down the line in recruiting-just as I was 7 years again when I said that TCU's talant gap over SMU would lead to at least a 5 game winning streak over SMU. Guess what-I was right. I didn't extend that prediction last year because as I stated the gap was narrowing PLUS we had them at home. Again I was right to be cautious about extending that streak because of an uptick in SMU's recruiting 3-4 years ago and momentary stumble in recruiting by TCU. Now I can say without reservation again that the long term 3-4 year prospective outlook is bleak for SMU against TCU because of a prodigious talent gap between the two schools. I'm not going to go out on a limb again and predict a 5 game winning streak by TCU-partly because the two teams don't even play for two years-but the gap is real and it is growing. The good news is that SMU plays in the pathetic CUSA West.

[westexSMU]

[quote="PonyPride"]How did that game turn out this season, with our roster full of players who were recruiting afterthoughts to them?

Oh yeah: 21-10.

TCU's got a good program. I don't like them, of course, because of the rivalry between the schools, but they are good. But let's not act like they're out there recruiting with Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis, huh?[/quote] Actually, SMU had a highly ranked class in 2003 very similar to TCU's class this year. In 2003, we had 10 Rivals THREE STAR recruits.SMU got only 2 THREE STAR recruits this year. I believe that out of that 2003 class of 23 recruits, 18 of those recruits have played for us on a regular basis over the last few years. 4 have left school or have been kicked out. That is a great class for us. Remember, these players were JR and RS Soph. when we beat TCU last year. Of course we will have alot Seniors and RS JR's this year leading our football team. Many believe SMU will have a winning season.. Recruiting proves to be important.

[tmustangp]

Rivals has the 2006 SMU Recruiting Class Ranked # 107 in the nation today. Any thoughts ?

for the 100th time Rivals is just judging guys on paper.. and even if we have 8 4 stars.. we would still be low.. cause we have only 13 rides to give