Neither Too High Nor Too Low

[ponyboy]

I am as excited as anyone about how this year's class is coming around. (Well, maybe not as excited at MustangKurt20, but ask Stallion, I've been there). This probably will be the best post-DP class. But not by much. It bears repeating, not by much.

In 1997, we were third in the state in recruiting behind UT and A&M, just like this year. TCU and Tech were a tie at fourth. In 1998, most recruiting experts said, TCU just barely edged us out for third spot among Texas schools. We tied Tech that year. Then the Malin thing happened and we've stunk it up on the recruiting front since.

But remembering '97 and '98 ought to bring us all back down to earth. Two nice recruiting classes in a row and we were still a mediocre WAC team. Excited about Massey? Me too, but he's Kris Briggs reincarnated. As Kris' last game at SMU showed, he had a lot of talent, but we did not use him right. Like some of our receivers coming in? Doubt they are better than the unbelievably underutilized Cody Cardwell, who showed too late last year what he was made of. Sterling Harris' incredible potential has been wasted. Certain unnamed quarterbacks left SMU and went on to showcase their talents, one as an NFL first rounder. The list goes on and on.

Coach Bennett and crew will make the difference by using our talent wisely. He'll get us some WAC championships in short order because it's not just talent, it's how you use it.

[Mustangs35SMU]

Well There Goes My Excitment!

[Stallion]

exactly-it will take 3 classes similar to this year to turn things around and then only if the kids stay in school and work hard. To those who think we are going to bowls next year, or even probably the year after, because of this class will only be disappointed.

[Pony Up]

Does anyone know how the '97 class was rated? In terms of average stars per player? Maybe a comparison between that class and this one would help clarify ponyboy's point.

And I've seen Richuel Massey and of course I've seen Kris Briggs. I love Briggs, and he finished up great, but there's no comparison. Massey is faster and stronger. He hits the hole much harder and has better balance. He runs lower and has more power. I loved watching Kris Briggs play for SMU, but I can't wait to see Massey run.

[Pony Up]

Stallion's right. As much as we're all envigorated by this class and all the accolades these guys are arriving with, it will take several clases like this to get where we want to be. Patience and support will be crucial next year. If we stumble in the fall, remember the excitement around this class and remain loyal to our Ponies!

[ponyboy]

Man, I have held off on making that post for some time now for fear that it would discourage folks. It really shouldn't.

If Bennett keeps up his excellent recruiting effort for, say, the next three years in a row, here's what I think you can reasonably expect record-wise: around a .500 record overall in 2003, maybe 6-5; 7-4 in 2004; 8-3 in 2005 with a top 30 finish, maybe WAC championship; 9-2 in 2006, WAC championship, final season ranking at #22.

Neither too high nor too low. Bennett will get it done, just give it time.

[This message has been edited by ponyboy (edited 01-15-2003).]

[Mustangs35SMU]

the problem with that is that we dont play 11 games anymore we play 12 games!

------------------
Home of the 1935 National Champions! the SMU Mustangs!
DIFFERENT TEAM! SAME SOUL! SAME GOAL! BLEED GREEN AND GOLD! GO LOBOS! WIN 2003-2004 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Otto]

If we were to go 10-2 in a few years, would that record in the WAC get us ranked? I think we'd have to pull a Boise State and lose no more than a single game to get ranked.
And there's a lot of recruiting and coaching and luck that has to take place between now and then.
Personally, I see 4 or 5 wins -- max -- next year. After that, the real climb begins.

[ponyboy]

10-2 next year probably wouldn't get us ranked, I'll agree. But a 7 win season, followed by an 8 win season, followed by a 10 win season would eliminate the doubt in anyone's mind that we were a flash in the pan.

[PX]

10-2 next year would mean that out of Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, Fresno State and Boise State, you went 4-2. I think that might actually get you ranked. BUT, which 3 of those do you really think we're going to beat?

[PerunaPunch]

TCU and Baylor, but that's only two and we probably won't take TCU until '04

IMHO.

[PX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by PerunaPunch:
<B>TCU and Baylor, but that's only two and we probably won't take TCU until '04

IMHO.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wouldnt count that [deleted] beating Baylor next year, either.

[LaTech77]

Why would you put Baylor on the list with those good football teams? The Bears would have likely finished second or third from the bottom in the WAC this season.

[PX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by LaTech77:
<B>Why would you put Baylor on the list with those good football teams? The Bears would have likely finished second or third from the bottom in the WAC this season. </B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh, I dont know. Maybe because they've absolutely crushed us the last 7 or 8 times we played them. Even when Baylor wasnt having a particularly good season in the old SWC, they still went through us like we werent there. They physically whipped us at the line of scrimmage every game.
I know they werent good this year, but I cant agree with 2nd from the bottom in the WAC? Didnt they beat Tulsa somewhat decisively? Comparing our games with Tulsa and UTEP to Baylors game with Tulsa, I'd say Baylor would probably have been 6th in the WAC, maybe 5th. I dont recall Rice doing that well against the Bears in the past, either.

[OldPony]

If you come in 6th in the WAC you are a sorry football team. Baylor can really not say they are better than SMU or vice versa. I remember Baylor running every play and beating an SMU team that didn't have a full contingent of scholarship players, couldn't practice together becuase of stupid rules and even then, the game was somewhat competitve (if boring)becuase they could only get 3.5 yards per carry. The problem was that they got 3.5 yards EVERY carry. Nothing Rossley could do(he tried everything) but our guys were just too small.