Safe to say that Craig James doesn't hate SMU, but...

[RGV Pony]

...he doesn't think Phil Bennett is the man for the job. Read between the lines...or just read the lines...of the post game stuff. Summarizing again, Doug Flutie: "blah blah blah Phil Bennett rah rah SMU..." Craig James: "I don't know...Orsini needs to think about Coach Bennett's whole tenure (wink wink).." John Saunders: "blah blah blah building something at SMU and the players are buying in...: Craig James: [summarized] UAB practically gave them this game

Also, early in the game CJ pointed out that he could tell if a program was turning around just by looking at backside pursuit. And the SMU d had none.

For the record, I can't say that I entirely disagree with CJ's assessment. I

[JasonB]

I think James would have shown himself better as an alumni if he referred to the player as Martin instead of "number 8".

[MustangIcon]

I think James would have shown himself better as an alumni if he referred to the player as Martin instead of "number 8".

I hope you are being sarcastic. Some teamates will often refer to eachother by their number, even conversation off the field. This is no indication whatsoever of the way CJ shows himself as an alumni.

I personally thought he got fairly excited about the game and just tried to restrain himself. Ya he has doubts about PB, who doesn't? And he did have some negative things to say about a game which we played pretty poorly and still came away with a W. But to me it definitely seemed like he really wants success for SMU.

[Horseshoe]

I think James would have shown himself better as an alumni if he referred to the player as Martin instead of "number 8".

That would have been nice -- you'd think he actually read his alma mater's roster before the game! Sort of like at the end of the game, on the Hawkins INT/TD .... they showed the replay multiple times, and every time Cory Muse was shown chasing Williams, he was just "No. 11." Didn't like CJ's less-than-enthusiastic commentary about his alma mater, and it was clear he did ZERO prep work for the broadcast. Flutie did his homework, Saunders did his homework, even that sideline dork sounded like he knew what school he was at. CJ mailed it in before he got to the campus.

[smuwins]

On the first pass of the game, Saunders did call Givens Kellis Cunningham. I know they have the same number but 2 seconds of prep would have cleared that up.

[Horseshoe]

I hope you are being sarcastic. Some teamates will often refer to eachother by their number, even conversation off the field. This is no indication whatsoever of the way CJ shows himself as an alumni....

No, but it sure as hell shows how he prepped for this game. Nicknames between teammates and friends are one thing; on a national broadcast, you use the names. If DeMyron was as famous nationwide as Adrian Peterson or Reggie Bush or Matt Leinart -- MAYBE you get away with a nickname, but certainly not on every reference. You have a chance -- withOUT sounding biased and homeristic -- to introduce the country to your alma mater and a talented young running back for whom many of us still have high hopes for a bright future.... and the best you can come up with is "No. 8"? Make the effort to at least study the roster, CJ. ACT like you give a damn, even if you don't.

[MustangIcon]

I think he pumped up SMU and the Dallas experience a lot more than anyone was expecting and I was pretty pleased to be honest.

[SApony]

I loved the camera shot of the pom squad and CJ's comments, "that is recruiting right there boys, that is why you play on Tuesday nights". Classic.

[FloridaMustang]

I think he pumped up SMU and the Dallas experience a lot more than anyone was expecting and I was pretty pleased to be honest.

I'm with you there. He would have sold the school to me, had I not.. you know.. already gone to SMU.

[Peruna2001]

I thought he did a fine job. If I was trying to be an unbiased announcer on a national broadcast, I would try to be like CJ last night. He spoke about his glory days with ED and the Holiday Bowl. He gave a hopeful view of SMU football. While I haven't always like his comments during other games, I thought the all of his comments were appropriate for last night. Great facilities, great stadium, great student bodies, etc. He stated that he could possibly see us being a dominating force in the conference. Put yourself in his shoes for last night's game. How would you have announced the game while trying to be unbiased? The game prep stuff is nitpicking. He didn't call Martin by name. He didn't praise every single aspect of SMU football like a local radio announcer. Give it a rest.

I've criticized CJ as much as anyone for comments made about SMU during other games, but you're nitpicking.

[DiamondM]

I was not too concerned about the announcers last night. Of course, I didn't watch the whole thing start to finish, but fast forwarded through after I got home from the game. My earlier complaint about CJ was not just about him being negative, but about him taking pot shots out of the blue when they had little relevance to the particular game he was covering. Obviously, everything about SMU was relevant last night, and from what I listened to, he was sometimes complimentary and sometimes cautious and sometimes critical, just as an announcer should be.

I have never thought his comments should be unqualified praise, but he should give credit where it's due and when it's due. And for the most part, he did it last night.

[OC Mustang]

Didn't care one iota about what Craig James did or didn't say.

I was AT the game! And though it was ugly, we are still 5-4 one game into the stretch, one game from being bowl-eligible (not guaranteed, but bowl eligible has happened exactly once since 1987), and w/ 2 out of 3 games at home, where we are undefeated this year.

James can either get on board or not. Don't care. He has had 20+ years to "represent". Sometimes he does; sometimes he doesn't. Pretty much like everybody else at SMU (thank you to those students and alumni who wear USC, Notre Dame, and UT hats at the game).

[J.T.supporta]

I'm sure CJ called players by their numbers instead of their actual names because he probably doesn't want these kids to get national recognition. I am sure CJ still has some hate in the bottom of heart for SMU. I doubt he wants the kids here now to get the attention that he got in the 80s. He only puts his school down by doing little stuff like that.

[MustangIcon]

I'm sure CJ called players by their numbers instead of their actual names because he probably doesn't want these kids to get national recognition. I am sure CJ still has some hate in the bottom of heart for SMU. I doubt he wants the kids here now to get the attention that he got in the 80s. He only puts his school down by doing little stuff like that.

I'm sure that you have no idea what you are talking about.

[mrydel]

I'm sure CJ called players by their numbers instead of their actual names because he probably doesn't want these kids to get national recognition. I am sure CJ still has some hate in the bottom of heart for SMU. I doubt he wants the kids here now to get the attention that he got in the 80s. He only puts his school down by doing little stuff like that.

Yeah. I hear he calls his daughter size 6.