Expectations

[AusTxPony]

Almost everyone is touting the Mustangs as a bowl team at worst. Are we being led down the trail of tears, or is this team as good as advertised? Long term fans of SMU will probably undervalue it since we have a history of great expectations unrealized, but others (coaches and pundits) are not shy in raising them. What do you think? Go ahead and get on the bandwagon? I guess I'll tentatively take the leap.

[sbsmith]

The team has been advertised as 6-6/7-5 so yeah they're about that good. I haven't seen anyone saying we're going to win the division/conference or anything crazy like that. Great expectations will be realized next season.

[LA_Mustang]

Since 2012 I have been as pessimistic about this program as anyone, but if the things I'm being told are true, this could truly be a breakthrough season. Supposedly, for the first time in a long time we have quality depth at most positions on both sides of the ball. And we might have a superstar at the most important position.

I still have my concerns with how Morris calls a game but it appears he has massively upgraded the talent on this team. With this schedule, I can see us winning 8 or 9.

[footballdad]

Since 2012 I have been as pessimistic about this program as anyone, but if the things I'm being told are true, this could truly be a breakthrough season. Supposedly, for the first time in a long time we have quality depth at most positions on both sides of the ball. And we might have a superstar at the most important position.

I still have my concerns with how Morris calls a game but it appears he has massively upgraded the talent on this team. With this schedule, I can see us winning 8 or 9.

Sutton the only superstar. Never heard WR called the most important position.

[leopold]

Nothing wrong with being nervous, especially with our history. But I take a pretty simple look at it.

We won five games last year, which is about what we should have won.
We should take a step forward as a team this year.
We have an easier schedule.
This means we should win about 7 games.

Legitimate improvement. That's all we can ask for at this point. No reason not to look forward to that.

[LA_Mustang]

Sutton is an incredible talent and our best pro prospect in decades but I wasn't referring to him. I said the most important position. I know you have an agenda with everything you post so you won't agree but I'm just going on what I've been told by people who don't sugercoat things.

[Pony ^]

If we win less than 6 or 7 games, it would be time to question CCM

[Bergermeister]

Great expectations will be realized next season.

As usual.

[Fresno Mustang]

If we win less than 6 or 7 games, it would be time to question CCM

Agreed. But I dont believe that will be the case... there is no reason not to be able to be bowl eligible with the combination of talent (especially on offense) and schedule.

I think there is a stretch of four games that will determine what type of season this team has:
@Houston
@Cincinatti
Vs Tulsa
Vs UCF

We have a very good shot at being 4-1 going into that stretch and after that we have Navy Memphis and Tulane and unless Van Malone figured out over the off-season how to stop memphis and Navy I dont see us winning those two games.

The other wild card on the schedule is the TCU game I think. If SMU has a QB that has won the job at that point and is playing well and conversely if TCU is struggling with Kenny Hill / Shawn Robinson playing as a freshman we might just have a shot at the upset there.

[longbuzzer]

As Landry used to say about the NFL. improving from 2 wins to 10 is all about upgrading personnel, after 10 wins, it is about coaching.

Applying this to college football, we have upgraded our talent, and still need to continue to do so. I'll worry about coaching when we step up one more level in players.

[ojaipony]

We should make a bowl. If we don't, I'll be disappointed. If we win more than 7 games, I'll be very pleasantly surprised. And I agree those 2 games against Cincy and Tulsa will be the deciding factor. The schedule, on paper, looks easier but everyone in the AAC has gotten better and Arky State is a toss up IMHO. So, yeah, 6-7 wins. And the offense will be fun to watch.

[skyscraper]

A bowl is expected. Anything less would be disappointing given the creampuff non-con scheduling.

[SMU21TCU10]

SMU gets to 9 wins. 8 regular season and a bowl win.

[smitty329]

If we win less than 6 or 7 games, it would be time to question CCM

... and the lack of an IPF.

[Stallion]

I think SMU has 3 more budding super-stars

1. James Proche-his freshman numbers project to national recognition as a Senior-and compares to just about anyone we've had around here as a freshman. I don't think he's tapped his full potential yet either
2, RB (insert starter). We've got Jones who has 800 yards in his first 13 games, Braden a 1,000 rusher as a Sophomore and a third stringer that just might beat them out once he learns the position
3. Demmerick Gary-I guess we'll have to see how he handles moving inside and adding weight but so far he's on the right projection.

Arguably, Justin Lawler is close to reaching the superstar level now-he may get there will a great Senior year