Which is Worse for an SMU Alum?

[Dutch]

you don't honestly think for one second that A.D. would have even had SMU on his radar screen if the ticket and the DMN spoke of our losing program in at least a posative manner? c'mon. the guys that we would lose over negative pub are the kind of kids that would prefer to walk on at UT than take a scholorship from SMU (don't think for a second that they're not out there)

[mrydel]

That was not a smug response. I despise the Ticket. When I listen to the games, I log onto the opposing teams web site so I do not have to listen to the foul language, sarcasm and filth that is spewed during commercials on the internet site. I merely have read Sirtrollsalot demeaning the football team for a few weeks now and all of a sudden he comes up with a diatribe about what the Ticket said with no explanation. And then gasp...gasp... gasp...I made a joke. I attended SMU, played for SMU, coached at SMU, graduated from SMU and support my team with blind loyalty at every turn. Do not lecture me.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

Hear hear, DennisSimonGuy! It's a well known fact that Adrian Peterson's second cousin is a former Pony and was really pulling for AP to come here and be a big time baller with our program. Of course, AP never really considered it because of the negative coverage our university recieves at the hands of the DMN and certian radio stations in the state. Why would he come here anyway? Our own message boards are populated by media apologists and people with only the loosest connections to our university. It is truly a dark day to be a Mustang.

[PonySnob]

Mrydel,

The Hardline regularly speaks of how Southlake Carrol could beat our players

This is a disrespect to all of our players who work their tail off. You may listen to the pessimism of Mr.Mustang1965 (bad team, bad conference), but I would like our hometown media to start being a little bit more optimistic. No wonder all of the good Texas recruits (like Adrian Peterson), are no longer picking SMU.

Good Media Coverage=Good Recruiting, Disrespectful coverage=program changing players go to OU

Southlake Carrol probably could beat us right now. We have one of the worst offenses in D1 and our defense is not a whole lot better right now. At a minimum, SLC would give SMU a game.

With regards to Adrian Peterson, the last time we had a recruit of his caliber, SMU had a payroll higher that probably competed with some NFL teams.

What positive things can the media say about this program? Have we not had only one winning season in 15 years? Did we not just recently set the record for the longest losing streak in school history? Has our "savior" football coach not led this team to a 4-26 record so far? Does SMU not get blown out on a regular basis?

Much of the problems of the football team are due to the over-bearing faculty that until very recently had the athletic team by the short-hairs. SMU needs to start winning soon if it ever wants to be able to gain any positive press for the program.

[jtstang]

After seeing what went down last night, I think the ponies would be about 14-1/2 point 'dogs to the Dragons.

[Dooby]

Things I know:

1. We didn't win a game last year and it was noone's fault but our own.

2. The Ticket and the DMN didn't cost us a single game.

3. Southlake will have more nationally televised games then SMU this year.

So, basically, what you want is for the DMN and the Ticket to blatantly propogandize for SMU even though we suck. Unless you want the Ticket to start doing Socker features, all I can envision is the DMN putting "SMU ONLY LOSES BY 40 TO BOISE!!!" in three-inch type. Seriously, get a grip. Complain about something that matters.

[MrMustang1965]

You may listen to the pessimism of Mr.Mustang1965 (bad team, bad conference), but I would like our hometown media to start being a little bit more optimistic.

I think you have me confused with someone else, DSG.

[tmustangp]

i am getting SICK and TIRED of people saying that a high school team could beat a DIVISION 1 football team... are you kidding me... lets just look at the FACTS...
1.thierbest lineman in years is coming to play at smu, and they might have a another D1 lineman on that team. oh yah their best reciever weighs 150 soaking wet and our corners would completely smuther him and knock the living hell out of him
2. they have 22 starters and maybe 5 of them will play college ball... last time i checked rico harris, was all state, massey was all state, phillips was all state and the list goes on and on
3. the only way they would do anything against us is because they have a better o cooridinator, (i fear the day that UT brings dodge in as their o cooridinator)
4.size and speed always wins and southlake is all white except two guys that i saw
5.
ifyall would more interesting tid bits please throw me your bones and i will continue to tell you how wrong you are

[Really Fat Guy]

I'm with you man, I get so sick to my stomach when I hear people disrespecting us.

i am getting SICK and TIRED of people saying that a high school team could beat a DIVISION 1 football team... are you kidding me... lets just look at the FACTS...
1.thierbest lineman in years is coming to play at smu, and they might have a another D1 lineman on that team. oh yah their best reciever weighs 150 soaking wet and our corners would completely smuther him and knock the living hell out of him
2. they have 22 starters and maybe 5 of them will play college ball... last time i checked rico harris, was all state, massey was all state, phillips was all state and the list goes on and on
3. the only way they would do anything against us is because they have a better o cooridinator, (i fear the day that UT brings dodge in as their o cooridinator)
4.size and speed always wins and southlake is all white except two guys that i saw
5.
ifyall would more interesting tid bits please throw me your bones and i will continue to tell you how wrong you are

[SMU SPE]

While I have been away from the Hilltop for more than a few years, I do remember sitting in a journalism class with some editor or other from the DMN and this topic was raised. How could SMU's home town paper be more concerned with UT and A&M than what was in their own backyard.

The answer, "simple, there are more UT and A&M alumni in the metroplex than their are SMU alumni, so we cater to the people that buy and read the paper."

When I suggested that maybe a little "homer-ism" would be a welcome edition to the sports pages of the DMN the reply of, "it doesn't really matter because we are the only paper in town now" (Note this was about 2 years after the Times Herald folded).

I see things haven't changed much.

[Demented in Dallas]

The DMN has given SMU fair publicity for years. When the program was winning, it was getting the page 1 photos and stories. Heck, even two years ago with a 3-win team SMU's game stories would still be on the sports front.
What do you expect with a 1- and no-win team that only draws a questionable 13,000 fans to a game? I don't like the coverage either, but I must say it's suitable to the product.
And, the DMN travles a reporter to all the away games, which in this time of penny-pinching, is something they don't have to do. I know of other major dailies around the country that don't travel a reporter to cover the secondary college teams. And yes, in Dallas, SMU is a secondary school to UT, A&M, Tech and OU.

[DFW HOYA]

The answer, "simple, there are more UT and A&M alumni in the metroplex than their are SMU alumni, so we cater to the people that buy and read the paper."

That's the case in a lot of cities. Recently, the Washington Post announced that they have elevated Virginia Tech sports to #2 in its college coverage, behing Maryland but ahead of Georgetown, Virginia, or even Navy, a mere half hour from DC.

Tech is 260 miles from DC, or about the same distance as SMU and Houston. Why put them #2? There are over 40,000 Tech alumni in DC, most in suburbs where the Post needs to grow its circulation base.

Covering sports is a business, after all.

[PK]

Dooby, I know this doesn't pertain to SMU football, but your Kathy Bates avatar is a classic...as much as I want SMU to returning to a winning performance, I have somewhat mixed emotions, as I know it will be the end of the Kathy Bates avatar when we start winning. It's a classic man...when I see it I know who is posting...please don't let it die!!!!

OK, Ok Amy's a REALLY nice replacement, but should you change over, I've copied Kathy for future use as my avatar...just in case.