ESPN 100 Things in College Football We're Looking Forward to

[JoeKidd]

47. Tom Herman and Chad Morris trying to translate offseason hype into on-the-field success?

Morris and Herman were two of the hottest coaching commodities in the college game last season, both hotshot offensive coordinators in charge of high-powered offenses. They’ll meet as first-time head coaches this season on Oct. 8, Morris at SMU and Herman at Houston in a matchup of two of the marquee Group of 5 programs in the country.

Even after last season's debacle we are still getting some respect by being called "a marquee Group of 5 program". I know Houston is better positioned to be successful for this upcoming season, but it is very important for us to win this game for recruiting purposes.

[malonish]

Sometimes being "so bad it's note worthy" can be a way to generate buzz. Even on a down year SMU can always be a story thanks to the Death Penalty. 1) They're so bad thanks to the DP 2) They are back from the DP 3) June Junes Effed them over back to Post DP days 4) New Coach can he revive them to Pre DP glory?

[JasonB]

47. Tom Herman and Chad Morris trying to translate offseason hype into on-the-field success?

Morris and Herman were two of the hottest coaching commodities in the college game last season, both hotshot offensive coordinators in charge of high-powered offenses. They’ll meet as first-time head coaches this season on Oct. 8, Morris at SMU and Herman at Houston in a matchup of two of the marquee Group of 5 programs in the country.

Even after last season's debacle we are still getting some respect by being called "a marquee Group of 5 program". I know Houston is better positioned to be successful for this upcoming season, but it is very important for us to win this game for recruiting purposes.

Comments like that are important. It illustrates that we are being recognized for the investments we are making into the big sports, which makes us part of the conversation in the next round of conference shuffling.

I don't think the results of that game are all that important. Anyone who looks at the teams this season will realize that Houston has a head start - we were 1-11, they are coming off of a bowl. Progress is really important for SMU this season - if we finish the season strong and sneak into a bowl, that will look really positive for us moving forward and really help recruiting.

[StallionsModelT]

There are only four or five G5 programs in the country that have the kind of financial and institutional investment for athletics that we have at SMU. Now that we have the right people in place (Larry Brown, Chad Morris, etc.) we are now positioned to go places that we haven't gone in 30 years. We are on the verge of being a consistent Top 20 program in basketball with a Hall of Fame coach. Moody and Crum are among the best facilities in the country. Chad Morris was considered one of if not the best assistant coach in college football for the past three or four years. He fits the profile and has the background in this state to be successful on a level none of his predecessors had. The new IPF and upgrades to Ford will keep SMU football facilities at the very best among G5 programs.

SMU is finally capitalizing on all of its built-in advantages (location, academics, deep pockets, etc.). It is going to be a fun 4-5 years on The Hilltop. Lets hope the foundation we are laying now will be permanent.

[ojaipony]

There are only four or five G5 programs in the country that have the kind of financial and institutional investment for athletics that we have at SMU. Now that we have the right people in place (Larry Brown, Chad Morris, etc.) we are now positioned to go places that we haven't gone in 30 years. We are on the verge of being a consistent Top 20 program in basketball with a Hall of Fame coach. Moody and Crum are among the best facilities in the country. Chad Morris was considered one of if not the best assistant coach in college football for the past three or four years. He fits the profile and has the background in this state to be successful on a level none of his predecessors had. The new IPF and upgrades to Ford will keep SMU football facilities at the very best among G5 programs.

SMU is finally capitalizing on all of its built-in advantages (location, academics, deep pockets, etc.). It is going to be a fun 4-5 years on The Hilltop. Lets hope the foundation we are laying now will be permanent.

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

[StallionsModelT]

Ultimately this commitment is what will keep us afloat in the coming years. I don't know whether or not that means a P5 invitation. So many things have to go our way for that to happen. But I do think there will be an additional "weeding out" of G5 programs and the creation of a truly national 6th conference will emerge. That is probably the most likely destination. If all the players can get on the same page it could be a really fun and competitive conference.

West - SDSU, BYU, Boise State, Colorado State, SMU, Houston

East - Cincinnati, Memphis, UCF, USF, UConn, Temple

You have the makings of a truly elite basketball conference and several of the top G5 football conferences in some major media markets. I've heard the concerns over CA public school budgets but I do think you need a CA school to keep the western schools like BYU, Boise, and CSU happy.

[EastStang]

First, if you're cherry picking from the MWC, then add Air Force and keep Navy from the American. Both have bigger followings nationally than any other program save BYU. Boise might help your strength of schedule, that's it. CSU doesn't do anything for you. Why not add UNLV for hoops purposes? SDS/Fresno State are a toss-up. Tulane and SMU are conjoined twins right now. I don't see us dumping them since we sponsored them into the American Conference (except if we get an invite to the Big XII or ACC).

In reality, your conference still won't get us G5 status and shouldn't be tried. That ship has sailed. If we can't get in a G5 conference, leave the American as is and let some history and rivalries develop and perhaps the rising tide might be lift everyone up. After 10 years, fans in Florida might be interested in the Houston/SMU game or the Tulane/Memphis game as it impacts their team and TV ratings start to inch up. Fans in DC and Philly might start to watch Cincy/UConn games. Remember we have teams in DC area, Philly, NY area, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Memphis, eastern North Carolina. Only Tulsa is kind of a small market team. So each team needs to work to build its footprint in its market. If it does, then TV revenues will increase.

[East Coast Mustang]

Add Air Force and Navy for FB only- 14 football teams, 12 for BB. Maybe you could do 14 BB and add two BB-only schools (Gonzaga and Wichita?)

[Planter's Punch]

No new conference is going to get Power status. I doubt any MWC or AAC schools see the grass as being significantly greener on the other side, or want to take upon the headache of a new conference. Also, BYU has been trying to campaign for a Big12 spot and they don't seem to be willing to settle for less than P5.

It will really depend on P5 schools poaching from each other and wanting to expand for any new spaces to open up. In all this conference realignment talk it always seems SMU and UH move together. Maybe in a few years SMU and UH can be seen as an attractive addition to the ACC looking to gain a foothold in Texas.

[alyssa]

SMH at some of you guys. The way y'all think....aaaahhhh!!!!!

[fifty]

It would be interesting if P5 conferences starting dumping their bottom feeders. I guess once you're in, you're 4-life (like many things) unless your entire conference implodes. Where my ipf be at?

[StallionsModelT]

SMH at some of you guys. The way y'all think....aaaahhhh!!!!!

Explain yourself.

[StallionsModelT]

It would be interesting if P5 conferences starting dumping their bottom feeders. I guess once you're in, you're 4-life (like many things) unless your entire conference implodes. Where my ipf be at?

IPF going in at Westcott....for like the ten millionth time.

[Fresno Mustang]

It would be interesting if P5 conferences starting dumping their bottom feeders. I guess once you're in, you're 4-life (like many things) unless your entire conference implodes. Where my ipf be at?

Interesting, but I don't see that happening. That would mean "bottom feeder" schools like Washington state. Iowa state. Etc get booted out which seems just extremely unlikely. I think there's a few remaining spots that will open up in the future when one more realignment happens and those spots will be fought over by the g5 schools that have made the investment to improve their programs

[gostangs]

We needed a team so we sponsored Tulane. This idea that we are joined at the hip with them is crazy. Chances of both of us getting somewhere else is zero. If ESPN says we should go and no them then we will dump them in two seconds. And they would do the same.