more evidence

[03Mustang]

The Big 12 will never add SMU if they add TCU...there is absolutely no need. Our only chance will be in another conference if they get in.

[StallionsModelT]

03Mustang,

Agreed. Houston, Boise, and Air Force would be ahead of us in that discussion. I really, really hope that Turner, Orsini, Circle of Champions, etc. are aware of just how serious this situation is. The reason I am so hyper-sensitive to realignment is b/c it literally is now or never for SMU. We might have a couple of more years to get our house in order so that the next round of realignment is more favorable to us than this one. However, if we continue to dilly-dally around with 7-7 or 6-6 seasons with 20K in the stands every game we will not get into a major conference. Period. Tell me if this is an athletic conference SMU would want to be associated with?

SMU, Rice, Tulsa, Tulane, North Texas, Arkansas State, UT-San Antonio, UTEP

How will attendance be for those games? What will attendance or buzz be like if C-USA loses Houston, UCF, and/or ECU? How big of fools will our university administration look like after we puff out our chest about our BCS credentials only to watch the upper crust of our existing conference position itself for AQ? There are dire consequences in store for SMU if we don't make huge strides to pad our resume. Saturday is a great opportunity. This TCU game is huge for the program.

[ponyboy]

Unless one of the AQ conferences decides it has to get to 16 and needs bodies, I believe our best and only shot in the next twelve months are for the combined CUSA/MWC game with the winner getting a BCS slot. My hope as far as TCU is concerned is Big East implosion and that they rejoin the CUSA/MWC universe. However, if they get at Big12 invite or remain in a auto qualifying Big East, I'll harbor no grudge. They have earned it.

[StallionsModelT]

I know it sounds beyond stupid, but if we are in a vastly depleted CUSA/Sun Belt could and would SMU persue independence? I'm guessing that would virtually bankrupt the athletic department though right?

[2ndandlong]

Orsini explored aligning ourselves with ND to keep revenue flowing, but I think that avenue hit a dead end pretty quick. Probably budget reasons.

[ponyboy]

I sure as hell hope so, T. I've been a fan since birth, but if we take a conference step down I am out of here. Signs sure seem to be pointing to an improvement in our situation, though. Even as much as I like the idea, I just wish we'd create a new conference instead of simply combining CUSA and the MWC. Let's drop dead weight and get to the best available 16 teams.

[StallionsModelT]

I wish we would create a new conference as well but it sounds like the odds of that happening are slim.

[smupony94]

I wish we would create a new conference as well but it sounds like the odds of that happening are slim.

But there is a chance.

[mathman]

I totally agree. I think a new conference, less dead weight, is the only way to go at this point.

[Nacho]

best case scenario for smu is for big 12 to add byu tcu smu and uoh.

do loserville and cincy really offer more than the three texas schools? really?

we have them beat in the all important tv sets .

is ut willing to see the light? they still get to recruit every single player they want.

[RGV Pony]

I think UT sees it as though anything with SMU & UH would dilute their brand. They want to be THE university of Texas, a transcendent brand like the Cowboys are America's team. It doesnt stop with the recruiting advantages..it continues with the LHN everywhere. They want to be a media powerhouse like the Braves/TBS once were.

[SMU 46]

I just said our best chance for SMU getting into the Big 12 is for the conference to go to 16 teams at some point in the future... might be a small chance, but certainly better than our chances today.

The Big 12 surviving and a trend towards four 16 team conference gives us a better chance IMO (especially with Missouri to the SEC)... certainly better than if the Big 12 imploded and the Big East survived.

Odds are on a MWC/CUSA super conference at this point. However, with a BCS bid it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Not optimal, but it would be an easier road to a BCS game IF there the conference can get a BCS bid.

[Nacho]

http://www.sportstvjobs.com/resources/l ... s-dma.html

with dfw at 5 and houston at 10 we have a good case.

[mr. pony]

I know it sounds beyond stupid, but if we are in a vastly depleted CUSA/Sun Belt could and would SMU persue independence? I'm guessing that would virtually bankrupt the athletic department though right?

Not stupid. Ron Meyer thinks that's the way to go. Bring in Notre Dame, Penn State. They all want to come to Dallas, he said.

[RGV Pony]

how would you guys feel about an arrangement where if either the MWC or CUSA champ was not ranked higher than 5th, those two champs would meet in one of the BCS bowls each year?