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Based on the present SMU Media Guide, I got that SMU has only 80 scholarships-5 below the maximum. They have 10 scholarship Seniors. I included Shanderrick Charles and James Elliot as undergraduates but there appears to be questions as to their status. I also got at least 7 players listed as junior eligibility wise but who will be entering their 4th year at SMU. At least 4 have never started a game. Historically, many 4th year juniors simply decide to graduate with their oringinal class. I feel even more comfortable now that SMU will sign at least 18 players next year-probably more like 20 next year. Foy Munlin could be a factor in that calculation as well.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 08-05-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 08-05-2003).]

Is Munlin officially on the team now? Has he enrolled?
I heard this might be something of a "local guy comes home" myth. Hope he's a Mustang.

If we have 18-20, we'll have the #3 class in the state, and the best non-BCS class in the nation!
Coach Bennett and his staff are godsends for the program. I just need to maintain a sense of reality while these young players grow into real college monsters.

I really despise being evaluated relative to the BCS...as though the best non-BCS class means anything...the point is that half of the BCS schools suck and have bad classes anyway...

so I hope everyone is looking more to a Top25 class rather than the Best non-BCS class.

Well, right, but as long as we're competing on an uneven playing field, I'm pretty proud of the fact that Coach Bennett and his staff are as successful as any of their real peers.

...that's not really accurate. Only a handful of non-BCS schools ever finish in the top 60 according the major recruiting sites-now there might be an argument that their players are bumped up by signing with BCS schools-but in this day its almost unheard of for a non-BCS school to finish in the Top 30 in recruiting. But then again you ain't playing OU, OSU, Nebraska, K-State, Iowa St, Missouri, Tech, UT and A&M for example in the Big 12.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 08-05-2003).]

Which is why Rossley was getting better recruits than Cavan, by and large. They competed in the SWC, not the WAC.

As I am sure everyone thought at the time, SMU should have been able to WIN the WAC year over year with the Texas recruiting...alas, we digressed other than a few players.

you are completely uninformed about recruiting-no coach in modern SMU history was less competitive in recruiting than Tom Rossley-every recruiting site confirms that-and his 25% winning percentage proves it. Rossley was 3-31-2 in the SWC for a pathetic 9% winning percentage. Winning 3 conference games in 5 years pretty well proves my point beyond a shadow of a doubt. He won ZERO games in the SWC in 3 years and 1 in another year. His greatest year in the SWC was his second when he won 2 SWC games with about 35 Seniors mostly 4 year lettermen none of which he recruited as head coach. Rossley was simply NO FACTOR in Texas recruiting.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 08-05-2003).]

And CAVAN went 6-5 and 5-6 in his first two years with Rossley's recruits...yeah, I guess you're right.

Oh, and I believe BAYLOR had a TOP10 class in 1996 with Odell James.

RESULTS:

1999, went on to go 0-8 in the Big12 (1-10 overall)
2000, went on to go 0-8 in the Big12 (2-9 overall)

Hmm...I dunno, but perhaps that win percentage guage you are using isn't so accurate afterall.

"On Sept. 11, 1999, Baylor made the bonehead decision of the year. On the final play of the game, with a 24-21 lead and the ball near the UNLV goal line, the Bears tried to score a touchdown. The running back fumbled. A UNLV defender returned it for the winning score.

It was symbolic of Baylor's season, as the Bears went 1-10. Which probably isn't how the faithful in Waco, Texas, envisioned the future when Baylor had the nation's No. 10 recruiting class in 1996. "


<A HREF="http://www.sptimes.com/News/012800/Sports/Recruiting_a_hitmiss_.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sptimes.com/News/012800/Sports/Recruiting_a_hitmiss_.shtml</A>

Stallion,

You reported that last year’s recruiting class ranked around #60 and was arguably the best non-BCS class in the nation.

I realize it is early, but given what Bennett has accomplished to date, and assuming there is no significant fall-off in the quality of his remaining signees, what is your best guess today for how this class could wind up being ranked. Also assume he signs 20 athletes.

Thanks for your insights.

Three final comments.

This offense Bennett is creating will be extremely entertaining and should be easier to market.

Wonder if our Frog fans are concerned yet. During the last 5 years, they have played in 5 consecutive bowl games; we on the other hand, have averaged less than 4 wins a season, yet Bennett is taking it to them in the recruiting wars…..guess winning doesn’t cure everything. I love it.

The Bennett boys, the Chase brothers, Zach and Wardog, The B(r)Hops and the Massey Men. That story is SI-cover worthy.

Of course the Frogs aren't worried. They're too busy denying that they ever had interest in the guys we get.