Uphill Battle

expony18 · Post by **expony18** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:44 pm

JJ has a long road ahead of him if he really wants to turn this program around. He had a good class last year for CUSA, but it is going to take him some time to start really competing with the big boys... and big boys you can throw Tulsa and TCU in that category. kind of discouraging reading rivals today

SMU21TCU10 · Post by **SMU21TCU10** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:52 pm

I agree. Seems like every person they asked said "no, I have no interest"

San Antonio Mustang · Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:41 am

What I get out of reading the Rivals reports is that we are competing with all the big teams. Over and over the prospects are reporting interest from schools like Alabama, LSU, and other BCS schools. This staff is not afraid to go after the best players and I predict they will succeed with some. But, it absolutely will take time before the average junior realizes the great opportunity presented at SMU. For most of these players they will have a much better chance to play and be recognized by the NFL at SMU than being on the scout team at an Alabama. Plus you have the added benefit of a great education, a great campus, and a great college experience. Most don't realize this yet, but it is a long time until next February.

Alaric · Post by **Alaric** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:12 pm

Yea it's a little discouraging but on the other hand, I'd rather get a "no interest" comment from someone waiting on an offer from Alabama than having a staff that doesn't have enough confidence to ask

Mustang22 · Post by **Mustang22** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:24 am

Alaric wrote:Yea it's a little discouraging but on the other hand, I'd rather get a "no interest" comment from someone waiting on an offer from Alabama than having a staff that doesn't have enough confidence to ask

OR having to recruit a kid for eight months just because he didn't have the guts to step up and say - "SMU, I'm never coming to your place."

I applaud the kiddies that are straight forward and deject us.

George S. Patton · Post by **George S. Patton** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:30 am

A lot can change between now and the next signing period.

mathman · Post by **mathman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:34 am

It's an uphill battle because we made it that way. No one to blame but ourselves. This year is an excellent start. We are finally trying to be a "player" in the recruiting game.

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:07 am

To clarify slightly, we're becoming a player again. Cavan made some inroads for a class or two in the top Texas players as did Bennett.

Having said that, I'm convinced that JJ could win with me as QB -- he pulls in some top talent for two or three years in a row and we'll be smoking.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:28 am

ponyboy wrote:Having said that, I'm convinced that JJ could win with me as QB -- he pulls in some top talent for two or three years in a row and we'll be smoking.

Sounds like you're already smoking....

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:31 am

we've won one game vs a D1 opponent in the last two years. The fact that any of these kids even open the envelope with SMU on it is a remarkable feat accomplished by JJ. That said, the w's must come. When they do, we'll be in very good shape.

Just sucks that we're likely in for a 4-8 year. Or 5-7 with "we could've easily been 8-4" to talk about all year.

SMU21TCU10 · Post by **SMU21TCU10** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:33 am

I am worried that we will spend our whole spring going after guys we do not have a shot at. This may put us at a disadvantage with the guys who are non-bcs quality but still racking up the non-bcs offers. Since we wont be offering them until at least summer and wont be coming in until late in the recruiting game.

George S. Patton · Post by **George S. Patton** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:36 am

The greastest asset in life -- faith
The worst thing to be without -- hope
The most crippling disease -- excuses
The most worthless emotion -- self-pity
The most destructive habit -- worry

It's a clash of these ideals between fans. I think we'll be better next year. In fact, I EXPECT US TO BE BETTER NEXT YEAR!!

Stallion · Post by **Stallion** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:51 am

What's to [deleted] about? As far as I'm concerned the strategy has already paid off. Most years around here we don't even sniff a Top 100 type. This year we already got one 11 months before signing date. SUCCESS. Too many Nervous Nellies. We are better prepared and better positioned than in any year since the DP. Relax-its going to pay off with a better class as long as we can show some definite progress in the Win column.

davidpaul123 · Post by **davidpaul123** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:15 am

I have to agree with Stallion. We are still in the very early stages, throwing our names into the ring with top recruits, fighting it out with the big boys is the place to be at this point.

As we move forward in the recruiting process Im sure we will begin to target some of the other type players.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:22 am

George S. Patton wrote:It's a clash of these ideals between fans. I think we'll be better next year. In fact, I EXPECT US TO BE BETTER NEXT YEAR!!

Haven't you expected that every year for the last 20?