Which Conference?

[SMUstang]

In your opinion, which conference would be the best for the Mustangs; C-USA, MWC, or WAC?

[Guest]

Thats a loaded question due to all the variables possible. The MWC seems out of the question, because even if invited somehow, we still would not be in a division with BYU, Utah and New Mexico. That would be kind of like joining CUSA without playing Louisville and Cincy in hoops on a regular basis, which is what the Frogs have done. Who cares about playing Wyoming or South Florida? To me the best case would be if Louisville and Cincy break off from CUSA to go Big East. That would probably leave Tulane, Houston, TCU, Memphis and maybe UAB to join SMU, Rice, Tulsa, UTEP, La Tech and maybe New Mexico St. Down the road, I could envision changes that add Baylor and New Mexico to the mix. New regional Southwest Conference spanning from Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico with the core in Texas. Could be stable and viable.

[Guest]

Of the three choices, I think I would prefer to joing the c-USA. It is not the best confrence in the world, but it ain't bad. I would like to see some sort of new confrence formed as outlined by <B>Stangster</B>.

[jettison]

How can anyone come up with a solution in breaking up two or three conferences and forming some new conference with a core in Texas... and suggest that option could be stable and viable? This whole quick fix, jump to the money leagues trend.... there is no stable conference available. We like switching leagues and realigning our divisions and daytrading and fast food because, man, we must change, and change fast!! I'm a fan of the WAC, simply because I get to travel to diverse places watching the mustangs play... Northern California, West Texas, Gulf Coast, Hawaii... and until recently, you had the cross-town rivalry. It's not a bad league, just still a little shell-shocked from the MWC schools jetting last year.

[Guest]

Easy Jettison. I agree we should not simply jettison the WAC (sorry couldnt resist), but part of my assumption is we will be forced to make a move by Fresno and Hawaii leaving, which is very possible. At that point we are left with western partners San Jose State, Boise State and Nevada. I would say if the opportunity presented itself to realign with Houston, Tarrant County University, Tulane etc, would not be a bad move. I'd like to go to Reno and Pebble Beach (SJSU) myself but that is not compelling reason to avoid regional deal if opportunity presented itself. In fact, as much as I love Pebble Beach, I doubt I would try too hard to match up a trip there with a chance to see the Mustangs play the Spartans.

[SMUstang]

Stangster, I like your regional conference but I don't see Tulane, Houston, Memphis, etc. leaving C-USA any time soon unless something drastic happens.

I don't expect Fresno and Hawaii to leave the WAC anytime soon either. MWC is about the only place they could go and they have said they are not expanding before 2002.

[SMUPonyFan]

I don't think any of those conferences are a step up, I think they are a move to the same level. In the next two-four years, I am predicting a major conference shift, all around the country. I hear that A&M, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, Florida State, Arkansas, Ohio State, and several other major universities want to move. This would cause a domino effect of teams switching conferences. I could see a conference with, Baylor, Rice, SMU, OSU, Kansas, Iowa State forming. Basically, all the Texas schools, except UT and A&M, coming together. Filling in would be the strong WAC schools and other Big 12 schools.

But who knows, anything can or can’t happen. Talk is talk.

What I do know is Ford is looking AWESOME, can't wait!

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Go Red, Go Blue, Go Mustangs, S M U

[Guest]

SMUStang, I realize something drastic must happen for Houston et all to leave CUSA. My stated assumption was that Louisville and Cincy leave for Big East. They are the glue that holds the northern basketball schools with the southern football schools. If that were to happen Houston and company may not see the wisdom in partnering with South Florida, ECU and Army. By the way, one more that makes sense in the new Southwest Conf would be Southern Mississippi.

[Dukie]

Remember a few short years ago when everyone's pride was wounded that SMU would have to give up playing Texas and A&M every year in favor of a lesser conference that was led by BYU and Colorado State? The present WAC is now a far cry from what SMU thought it was joining in 1995, and SMU absolutely, positively must leave as soon as possible. As I see it, there is no reasonable choice but CUSA. In terms of media respect and interest, it's the only option that is both: (a) doable; and (b) an improvement. For now, pack Ford, win games, and do whatever you can to increase enthusiasm.

[Ponygrad]

I do not see CUSA a great option. They will want an arm and a leg and they have their own demons. They had an up year in football but that can be fleeting.

The best thing for us to do is make the best of our current situation, fill the stadium, and wait for the next major quake in major conference alignments.

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GO PONIES!!!

[THE ROCK]

THE ROCK SAYS...

I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, AND THEN HOPE TO GET PICKED UP BY A NEW CONFRENCE IN THE FUTURE. IF SMU CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. I DONT SEE ANY NEW CONFRENCES FORMING THAT ARE GONNA BE MUCH BETTER THAN THE ONE WE ARE CURRENTLY IN. I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, AND THEN THINGS WILL WORK THEMSELVES OUT!

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CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN'?

[Dukie]

That's a good point about CUSA's fees, but I still think the increased publicity, decreased travel costs, and generally more positive public perception are worth it. If TCU can come up with the donors to fund that move, then SMU should be able to as well. The important thing right now is improving the *perception* of SMU sports in any way, shape, or form possible. I don't think sitting tight in the WAC helps; every year that passes will make it that much harder to climb back up the hill.

[Guest]

Must admit an offer from CUSA would have been nice. I too think that you have to find the money to play ball and SMU could have. The thing is what guarantees do you get for that kind of money? Not only do I think TCU had to forego some revenue for a period of time, who is to say Louisville will not up and bolt? All I am saying is it would not take a major shift for us to find ourselves with some current CUSA schools in a confernence. Call it what you will, CUSA II, Southwest Conf II whatever. I don't think Houston, Tulane, Southern Miss and Memphis are calling the shots in CUSA and would be natural regional partners if the CUSA basketball schools or Louisville make a move.

[jettison]

Goodness!!! This page reads likes some crazy theory about quantum physics... how about we just concentrate on Kansas and winning the WAC in 2000!!!!!

[Dukie]

Agreed that it would not take much for SMU to be in a more regional conference with Houston, Tulane, USM, Memphis, and TCU. *My* point is simply that SMU needs to be doing everything it can to ensure that it wins out over other schools that are also vying for similar placements. In a way, I have to admit that the whole thing still sickens me. Trying to get into a conference with USM? Hell, when I was a youngster, SMU's star was so much brighter than USM's that it was a no-brainer to lure away their coach.