The Cost of Being Relevant

[Water Pony]

OK, Ponyfans, we were disappointed yesterday when Memphis played out of their minds with a QB, who outplayed Mordecai, and their soul crushing success on 4th and long too many times. We expect better now, which is a result of our much improved performance under Sonny, However, the national media has a higher opinion of us than we do, based on much of the posts here on Ponyfans.

Context: Minnesota, Michigan State and Wake Forest, all ranked, had bigger disappointments than we did yesterday. Our disappointment is natural and normal, but some of the negative reaction is over the top.

When I recall our circumstances before SD arrived, I didn’t see a path forward, much less where we are today as a consistent winner with a future of promise and opportunity.

I refuse to buy-in to “all is lost”. Whatever happens with Sonny and I hope he stays, we are in better place. BTW, we are going to demonstrate that with investments, on and off the field. SMU is on a path to be a premier university. Watch for future announcements.

[Dukie]

Hope you’re right. SMU has yet to produce a true signature big-boy win under Sonny, which is the only thing that really matters for the long-term viability of this program. The deck is stacked against small private schools, especially ones not already in a P4 conference. Gotta break through. There has been nothing—nothing—to really grab national attention.

[PerunaPunch]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I kinda enjoyed beating a ranked TCU (who knocked off #12 Baylor yesterday).

[Dukie]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I kinda enjoyed beating a ranked TCU (who knocked off #12 Baylor yesterday).

I enjoyed it. A lot. Nationally, no one noticed.

[Charleston Pony]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I kinda enjoyed beating a ranked TCU (who knocked off #12 Baylor yesterday).

I enjoyed it. A lot. Nationally, no one noticed.

Short memory? We got tons of national attention although it was mostly because of the epic Patterson melt down.

[Dukie]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I kinda enjoyed beating a ranked TCU (who knocked off #12 Baylor yesterday).

I enjoyed it. A lot. Nationally, no one noticed.

Short memory? We got tons of national attention although it was mostly because of the epic Patterson melt down.

Patterson got a ton of attention. There was zero national interest in it as a big SMU win.

[PlanoStang]

There was so much zero interest we got voted into the top 25 on the basis of this win.

[Charleston Pony]

[quote="Water Pony"]When I recall our circumstances before SD arrived, I didn’t see a path forward, much less where we are today as a consistent winner with a future of promise and opportunity./quote]

Looking back, JJ quit while still employed and burned down a program he had on the rise. Chad took over a program in ashes and got SMU to a bowl game after beating teams with losing records (sound familiar?). Sonny had a better foundation to build on but appears to have done well in at least building a little more depth, but is still lacking the stud "difference makers" who can take this program to the next level. If Sonny stays, maybe he can be the guy. Otherwise, SMU just needs to hire someone who can build on what we have.

It remains to be seen whether the AAC will be as tough a conference as it is today. The potential is certainly there, no matter what the naysayers believe. ECU, USF, Temple, Tulsa, Tulane & Navy have all had good teams in the past and newcomers UTSA, FAU, UAB and even UNT have had good teams so I'm trying to remain optimistic that SMU football can become a legitimate Top 25 program again. We really haven't been a Top 25 program from start to finish in any season that I can recall in the post death penalty era.

[Dukie]

There was so much zero interest we got voted into the top 25 on the basis of this win.

I’m making a different point. SMU needs bigger wins of the type that TCU and UCF and Cincy and even Houston and Memphis have registered. Over teams like OU and Clemson and Notre Dame and in the Rose Bowl. Things that random Oregon and Ohio State fans will notice and remember. Getting ranked is great. It’s also not enough.

[BUS]

Sonny D and a shot of Tequila is good also. Stay the course.

[sail420s]

Sonny had a better foundation to build on but appears to have done well in at least building a little more depth, but is still lacking the stud "difference makers" who can take this program to the next level.

Preston Stone is the highest ranked player we have recruited in over 30 years. Jordan Hudson is even higher. Add Chace Biddle to the mix. The "difference makers" are finally looking at SMU as an option and are coming.

[Water Pony]

I like the above responses, especially scheduling tougher teams and bowling against a good P5 school.