The future of SMU football/conference affiliations

[East Coast Mustang]

Sorry to get off track with the ongoing coaching search, but this is always a topic that interests me. Where do you all see this program 10-15 years from now? Is there any remote possibility of SMU breaking out of its mid major status and joining a major conference such as the Big 12? LEts say Paul Johnson or someone else comes in here and wins consistently and fills Ford Stadium while Baylor continues to struggle, can we not make the case for their expulsion and our inclusion? I've always felt that SMU, because of its tradition and location, would be better suited to compete in the Big 12 than Baylor. Of course, TCU has done quite well for almost a decade now and there hasn't even been a hint of them replacing BU in the Big 12 to my knowledge.

Another scenario which is intriguing but highly unlikely would be a resurrected SWC...the current BCS contract expires in 2010 or 2014 or something like that and if there is enough public outrage with the current system, could everything get blown up in favor of a playoff or plus-one system, especially if the government gets involved? I know theres been talk that many schools in the Big 12 aren't happy with the current arrangement, and that the conference is, for the most part, a marriage of convenience. If five or ten years from now the BCS dissolved, would it not make sense for Texas, A&M, OU, and the rest of the Big 12 South to form a more regional conference with the likes of TCU, SMU, Houston, Rice, and maybe UTEP? (Although UTEP could probably make a better case for inclusion now than us and Rice) I understand that the powers that be at Texas aren't crazy about bailing out their former in state rivals, but could money (and the significant amount of money that could be saved on travel costs, etc) and public sentiment facilitate something like this? I realize it may be a pipe dream, but that conference would still get a premier bowl invitation for its champion every year with OU, Texas, and A&M involved, and with the Cotton Bowl moving to Jerry World it would perfect sense for it to be similarly resurrected as a major bowl again for the new SWC champ.

Thoughts? I know it may seem crazy, but its better than hearing people declare what their sources have told them about the new SMU coach.

[cs09viking]

Sorry to get off track with the ongoing coaching search, but this is always a topic that interests me. Where do you all see this program 10-15 years from now? Is there any remote possibility of SMU breaking out of its mid major status and joining a major conference such as the Big 12? LEts say Paul Johnson or someone else comes in here and wins consistently and fills Ford Stadium while Baylor continues to struggle, can we not make the case for their expulsion and our inclusion? I've always felt that SMU, because of its tradition and location, would be better suited to compete in the Big 12 than Baylor. Of course, TCU has done quite well for almost a decade now and there hasn't even been a hint of them replacing BU in the Big 12 to my knowledge.

Another scenario which is intriguing but highly unlikely would be a resurrected SWC...the current BCS contract expires in 2010 or 2014 or something like that and if there is enough public outrage with the current system, could everything get blown up in favor of a playoff or plus-one system, especially if the government gets involved? I know theres been talk that many schools in the Big 12 aren't happy with the current arrangement, and that the conference is, for the most part, a marriage of convenience. If five or ten years from now the BCS dissolved, would it not make sense for Texas, A&M, OU, and the rest of the Big 12 South to form a more regional conference with the likes of TCU, SMU, Houston, Rice, and maybe UTEP? (Although UTEP could probably make a better case for inclusion now than us and Rice) I understand that the powers that be at Texas aren't crazy about bailing out their former in state rivals, but could money (and the significant amount of money that could be saved on travel costs, etc) and public sentiment facilitate something like this? I realize it may be a pipe dream, but that conference would still get a premier bowl invitation for its champion every year with OU, Texas, and A&M involved, and with the Cotton Bowl moving to Jerry World it would perfect sense for it to be similarly resurrected as a major bowl again for the new SWC champ.

Thoughts? I know it may seem crazy, but its better than hearing people declare what their sources have told them about the new SMU coach.

the conference cartels won't allow it. they don't want anyone touching their money.

[Pony Soup]

Orsini has had a sit down with the Big 12 Commissioner. I think that is the next logical move, but there is much work to be done if we want to be a legitimate contender for the next spot that opens up. Take away is that we would certainly get a look, but, as of now, wouldn't get the nod. Moving to the Big 12 is certainly a possibility at some point in the future, just not in the near future.

[StallionsModelT]

There is absolutely ZERO chance of SMU being in a BCS conference in my lifetime....and I'm 24. Let's be realistic. We are what we are. A mid major. Granted I believe SMU has the potential to be the premiere non BCS program in the country with all its many perks, we just have to get the puzzle pieces together. But thinking that SMU will ever be in the Big 12, SEC, etc. is just silly.

[East Coast Mustang]

There is absolutely ZERO chance of SMU being in a BCS conference in my lifetime....and I'm 24. Let's be realistic. We are what we are. A mid major. Granted I believe SMU has the potential to be the premiere non BCS program in the country with all its many perks, we just have to get the puzzle pieces together. But thinking that SMU will ever be in the Big 12, SEC, etc. is just silly.

What does Baylor have that SMU doesn't, besides an alumni governor at the right time in history (early 90s)?

[StallionsModelT]

Baylor has a VERY strong athletic department (even in the Big 12) outside of their football program. Their baseball team is consistently a winner and they have highly competitive women's sports. The only advantage SMU would have over Baylor is the Dallas media market which is already split between Texas, OU, A&M, and Tech. Not a chance. No way. No how.

[Charleston Pony]

SMU will forever remain where we are in the athletics food chain unless/until we can build a demand for this product OUTSIDE the SMU community.

The only chance SMU has to truly play with the big boys again is for Dallas area sports fans to adopt SMU as their own. That's one heck of a challenge for any private school. Notre Dame is an exception, but by and large, most private schools participating at BCS level are second class citizens within their conferences.

I wish I had the answers, but I think right now we have to hope we can build a program that will attract 20-25k regulars to Ford and 5-6,000 to Moody with an occasional sellout of either venue when a "name" opponent visits. College athletics have been changed dramatically since cable TV hit the scene.

[SMUMan02]

I'm very intrigued by this topic as well. I think, given our history, we deserve the opportunity to be in a BCS conference if we can resurrect this thing. Search this list of past national championships from the NCAA website and tell me who appears more, SMU or Baylor, or Texas A & M for that matter. Doak Walker attended this university for goodness sake.

[Pony Soup]

We will get a look when the opportunity arises...its up to us to build a program that should be considered

[mrydel]

How do you guys survive making the leap from potentially good new coach to BCS conference. SMU could some day end up in one, we have the media market for sure, but no fan base, student or community support, or ability to compete. I would have a heart attack if I made the jump from the heights you guys reach sometimes.

[Pony Soup]

How do you guys survive making the leap from potentially good new coach to BCS conference. SMU could some day end up in one, we have the media market for sure, but no fan base, student or community support, or ability to compete. I would have a heart attack if I made the jump from the heights you guys reach sometimes.

My point is simply that A) Orsini has looked into this, and B) He wasn't totally blown off.

I absolutely did not say that we were anywhere close to the possibility of this happening

[East Coast Mustang]

How do you guys survive making the leap from potentially good new coach to BCS conference. SMU could some day end up in one, we have the media market for sure, but no fan base, student or community support, or ability to compete. I would have a heart attack if I made the jump from the heights you guys reach sometimes. :lol:

Like I said, its a pipe dream, but if we can bring someone in who turns the football program and Doherty can do the same with basketball, and some changes happen in the broader college football landscape, its not a completely ridiculous subject, and certainly nowhere near as implausible as the number of "sources" being cited on this board right now. You mentioned little student and community support, well no one likes a loser, and if we continue losing its a moot point. But if we turn things around, students, alumni, and fans outside of the SMU community will show up

[jtstang]

How do you guys survive making the leap from potentially good new coach to BCS conference. SMU could some day end up in one, we have the media market for sure, but no fan base, student or community support, or ability to compete. I would have a heart attack if I made the jump from the heights you guys reach sometimes.

Look at me mrydel, I have us playing for the National Championship next year under the watchful eye of Lloyd Carr, who for some reason just walked into my office and emptied my trash can....

It's all about high expectations.

[davish75]

Unfortunately, it's all about political power, money and influence. If SMU's very wealthy alums put serious funds behind the athletic program, then we could be in a BCS conference in the future. With a BCS conference, the fans and city support would come.

It is logical for SMU and TCU to unite in some way to push the issue. A move to the MWC would make sense in the right circumstance as part of a plan to force the issue with the BCS cartel.

[SWC2010]

With the oncoming playoffs, no conference can have Conf Champ Game. CUSA and other dissolve or reorg to create more regionally aligned conferences, thus forming the 'new' SWC 2010 (9 total teams):

TCU
SMU
UofH
TULSA
UTEP (might bolt for NM/CO/NV like conf)
UNT

maybe RICE, if their still playing FB
OR
maybe TULANE, if their still playing FB

"Bubble teams"-

Ark St, or
Texas State, or
La Tech


2012, Baylor enters the fray after Briles leaves with another losing record & BCS/Big XII tells 'em bye.