5 Thoughts on CUSA

[PonyKai]

Richard Cirminiello, CFN

Q: 5 Thoughts on C-USA.

A: The transformation of SMU under June Jones enters Phase 2, with much better results expected than a year ago.

From the outside looking in, last season was a disaster as the Mustangs finished 1-11, beating just Texas State out of the FCS. To those close to the program, however, substantial growth occurred as the coach got acclimated to his surroundings and the players got used to a new sheriff being in town. Chaos filled the air like a summer cookout. Positions were changed, systems were slowly digested, and those not buying in got the boot. Jones knew he had to completely break it down before building it back up.

Jones and the Mustangs are a sweet fit for both sides. Unlike most marriages, though, the honeymoon will come on the back end, while these first few years will be marked by a lot of pain and heavy lifting. He will get to where he needs to be in Dallas. It’s just a matter of time and patience, and he’ll be given both by the administration. In the short term, SMU will be more competitive than a year ago. Despite the dismal record, this was a program that got markedly better as the season progressed, losing four games down the stretch by a touchdown or less. The offense figures to be vastly improved now that the quarterback is no longer a true freshman and the line has had a year to adapt to new blocking schemes. Sometimes in this league, a potent offense is all it takes to win a lot of football games. Rice went 10-3 in 2008 with one of the nation’s worst defenses, and Tulsa has won back-to-back division titles with a unit that couldn’t stop anyone. Much like his days in the WAC, Jones and Conference USA are made for each other.

The worst is behind SMU. Better days lay ahead. Give Jones some more time and a couple more recruiting classes and he’ll have the Mustangs playing like a Lone Star version of Hawaii, a scoring machine that finished 2006 and 2007 ranked in the Top 25.

[BUS]

Maybe we can be better than Hawaii and have a solid D to go along with the scoring.

[The PonyGrad]

Maybe we can be better than Hawaii and have a solid D to go along with the scoring.

Not for a couple of years at least.

Though remembering what Jones did at Hawaii is exciting after digesting another typical SMU disappointment last season.

[One Trick Pony]

Sometimes in this league, a potent offense is all it takes to win a lot of football games. Rice went 10-3 in 2008 with one of the nation’s worst defenses, and Tulsa has won back-to-back division titles with a unit that couldn’t stop anyone.