Phil Steele: Mustangs could approach bowl status in 2016

[PonyPride]

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/SMU-Lo ... 73832.html

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Yes we could!

[smusic 00]

Could it get some wind for the sailboat?

[ojaipony]

Oh, I'm sure Chad is pushing REAL hard to get us to a bowl this year (ANY bowl). And then he needs us to get to a 9+ win season next year. He's probably got about a 4-5 year plan to get to aTm and to get that job he really needs to do magic here to generate that interest (a 9+ win season here for a few years would do it). We need to get into the AAC championship conversation (as legit contenders) along with UH and USF here in the next couple of years.

[One Trick Pony]

Wouldn't it be wonderful

[Pony Boss]

Glad to know Chad has a 5 year plan to get to A&M. They love mediocrity down there so I don't see Sumlin going anywhere.

[JasonB]

QB and LB step up and we are a winning team. If not we get 4 wins.

[Digetydog]

QB and LB step up and we are a winning team. If not we get 4 wins.

The only issue is can Malone fix our horrible defense? If we give up 45 OT's per game again, it will be another long year.

[JasonB]

QB and LB step up and we are a winning team. If not we get 4 wins.

The only issue is can Malone fix our horrible defense? If we give up 45 OT's per game again, it will be another long year.

I think we will be much better in the secondary, much more athletic. I also have some confidence in one of the Scott brothers stepping up opposite Lawler, Gentry playing well in the middle, and someone stepping up at the other DT between existing players and newcomers.

The LB play, everyone would agree, was the worst ever, ever last year. It was a disaster. If the LB play doesn't step up, we are still going to give up a ton of points. If LB gets a lot better through WIlliams, McNew, Carroll, Rhone growing up in the weight program and the incoming frosh, the defense will improve really quickly. But I certainly have my doubts on whether or not that will happen. And there were so many players still out injured in the spring on defense, that it gives you doubts about who will actually perform in the fall. It will probably be another year, which is why everyone predicts a huge bump in '17.

[Digetydog]

QB and LB step up and we are a winning team. If not we get 4 wins.

The only issue is can Malone fix our horrible defense? If we give up 45 OT's per game again, it will be another long year.

I think we will be much better in the secondary, much more athletic. I also have some confidence in one of the Scott brothers stepping up opposite Lawler, Gentry playing well in the middle, and someone stepping up at the other DT between existing players and newcomers.

The LB play, everyone would agree, was the worst ever, ever last year. It was a disaster. If the LB play doesn't step up, we are still going to give up a ton of points. If LB gets a lot better through WIlliams, McNew, Carroll, Rhone growing up in the weight program and the incoming frosh, the defense will improve really quickly. But I certainly have my doubts on whether or not that will happen. And there were so many players still out injured in the spring on defense, that it gives you doubts about who will actually perform in the fall. It will probably be another year, which is why everyone predicts a huge bump in '17.

The good news is that we don't need a Great defense to be competitive, just one that isn't in the conversation for worst ever.
- If we can keep the AAC teams + UNT & Liberty under 30, we have a shot to win (about 6 games in 2015)
- If we keep anyone under 20 points, we win almost every time (9 games in 2015).

http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/ ... hedule.php

[JoeKidd]

I think the hold the teams under 30 and win 6 games is achievable. I think D-Line has to step up just as much as LB's and DB's....I am still very concerned about all 3. Need another solid defensive recruiting year to keep building.