What Now?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

Are we in a horrible position now?

The PAC just collapsed. Can a patchwork of new teams added to the now PAC 4 make it possible for the PAC to remain P5? Would networks just throw crumbs to a new Patchwork PAC whatever number of teams?

Are we hopelessly locked out of SEC, Big 10, Big 12,with a collapsing PAC and possible collapsing ACC?

Is there any chance the other schools in the Big 12 could out-vote SMU haters Baylor and TCU to allow SMU to join the Big 12.....which makes tons more sense with existing regional rivalries and AAC rivalries re-kindled?

Watching the PAC 12 implode is very depressing.

[peruna81]

The is absolutely NO HOPE for SMU in SEC/Big10/Big 12. Period. Nada.

We are not a sought after commodity, in spite of Dallas, Central Standard Time Zone, or monied alumni. Our academic profile is good, but not exceptional. Those are the negatives, and we have lived in that morass for the last 37 years.

We DO have value back-filling another conference, or to be a part of the "7 dwarves" type of non premier programs in a better re-organized conference. We don't drive this bus, but I believe we can have a seat on that bus...somewhere...sometime in the near future whether in the PAC leftovers or elsewhere.

As was posited on another thread, SMU must choose to be agile and aggressive to leave our current conference after this athletic season is complete. A cobbled together PAC whatever is infinitely better than the FAU/Charlotte/NTSU party, if for no other reason than perception. Big Media, so hated by so many in this whole discussion, is doing what they can to ensure that a marketable product (think SEC) is available to sell and see on Saturday. I can't fault them on that...welcome to business and market economies. SMU has to figure out how to:

1) bloom where we currently are planted...that means beating two P-5 teams and winning THIS YREAR...
2) remain relevant in the re-constituted ACC picture. FSU is going to leave. UNC will as well. UVA most likely will take a lifeline thrown by anyone. Duke could, but as good as their basketball is, their football is still perceived as an anchor to a major conference like Big10 or SEC. There may be room there for SMU to exploit an opening, no matter how slim.

Without continuing the fuss of past mistakes and poor leadership at SMU, we must choose to take chances and move with purpose if the opportunity comes available. We have no more time to play it "close to the vest" and wait.

"Who Dares, Wins"

[mtrout]

If we can get in something with Stanford then I'm in. Otherwise no thanks.
Stanford has the best athletic department in the country. They've gotta be in panic mode right now.

[Charleston Pony]

It's tough being on the outside looking in, that's for sure. Winning now and winning big will help but won't fix the biggest problem SMU has and that's our media appeal. Look at Boise...they established themselves as media darlings with so many winning seasons and David v Goliath wins but their location works against them and for all their success they don't always fill their 30k stadium.

I constantly hear "but we have the Dallas market" which simply isn't true...at least not yet. Texas and Texas A$M have far more of the "Dallas market" than SMU. I give TCU credit for all they've done to work their way into the position they are in, but even that lags far behind the advantages the Big Two conferences have to offer. I don't see things getting any better than they currently are at TCU but SMU surely has plenty of room to improve our image and standing.

We are where we are conference wise so I just hope we continue on that path we are currently on, i.e., continuing to upgrade our football and basketball rosters (via NIL & BOLD) to hopefully get to the point we can win conference championships and enjoy post season success. If we were to become the media darling Boise was, coupled with being in Dallas, I would think good things might happen and opportunities could arise.

Now that historical conference rivalries are breaking down, I fully expect in this media driven landscape of college athletics that the schools driving the best ratings will work their way to the top tier and things will filter down from there. The only question is what tier SMU will fit in and I'm reasonably certain it won't be the top, but who knows.

All of this looking into the future hurts this old brain of mine. I just want to beat TCU this year!

[Otto]

I assume the Pac-12 leftovers end up in the Mountain West, and AAC backfills with some others from somewhere. Honestly, the Pac-12 collapse is a letdown, but AAC is much better than where we were in the WAC, C-USA, etc., offers a chance for national attention or even a CFP bid with a big season.

[panhandle_pony]

FWIW, Canzano claims PAC 4 will expand and not merge. Goal is 10 to 12 teams. So hold your tickets, we may have options.

[mtrout]

Still waiting for Canzano to be right about something...

https://pac-4.com/

[ALEX LIFESON]

PAC4 meeting w/MWC tomorrow for merger discussions then immediately meeting with Apple and a few AAC schools to discuss expansion. Again all options are on the table but their preference is to expand and continue on.

[mtrout]

My prediction: Apple offers same but like 10mil. We think we're going to join the PAC. Stanford pulls out late. Everything falls apart.

[Smumba2009]

I'm asking not stating... now that there is literally 4 power conferences is there a chance the American grabs the PAC 4 and becomes the 5th P5?

[redpony]

Good idea and much better than the MWC merging.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

My prediction: Apple offers same but like 10mil. We think we're going to join the PAC. Stanford pulls out late. Everything falls apart.

Where would Stanford go? Are there rumors who might invite Stanford?

[Dukie]

My prediction: Apple offers same but like 10mil. We think we're going to join the PAC. Stanford pulls out late. Everything falls apart.

Where would Stanford go? Are there rumors who might invite Stanford?

I don’t think it’s likely at all but the idea would be independent like BYU returned to after Utah passed them by joining the PAC.

[redpony]

PAC4 meeting w/MWC tomorrow for merger discussions then immediately meeting with Apple and a few AAC schools to discuss expansion. Again all options are on the table but their preference is to expand and continue on.

Prime AAC candidates would be SMU and Tulane. Please not little tulsa or that mental giant of tenn. - memphis.

[rodrod5]

I'm asking not stating... now that there is literally 4 power conferences is there a chance the American grabs the PAC 4 and becomes the 5th P5?

This has as much of a chance of happening as the AAC grabbing Big 12 schools.

Here is what SMU needs to do.

1. Raise cash ASAP to be ready to buy out of anything and everything ASAP.

2. Win. Especially in football.

3. Start filling the stands and selling tickets.

4. Get the stadium project going ASAP.

5. Get over the idea that anything is going to happen in the next year or two with the ACC. It took Big Bad Texas and OU several years and a hundred million plus to get out of a single year of the GOR for the Big 12. It was reported and confirmed by Texas and OU that they were fully prepared to play the last year in the Big 12 and that negotiations had stalled. With everything going on the Big 12 decided at the last minute that it was easier to allow the buy out of a single year and move on with 12 instead of 14. It is extremely unlikely that the ACC is going to allow a similar affordable exit from their conference with the large number of years left on the GOR.

6. Talk with Rice and Tulane frequently. No matter what academics are still going to matter to Stanford and Cal even if it to the detriment of on the field and court performance.

7. Understand the concept that movement indicates a desire to elevate and the AAC is stagnant already and something to be moved away from.