SMU athletics is in for a sweet ride

[SMU_Alumni11]

BE may be a better choice than Big12. I agree that if all goes like it seems the BE will be an interesting mix. I see some interesting rivalry games forming. It could draw better press than B12. And, I'm not sure how long the Big12 stays together.

Would love to see SMU in the Big 12 much easier on the traveling, regain old rivalries, and ususally a stable conference.

[SoCal_Pony]

Sorry, I just can't get excited about joining the Big Least ... I'm sure I'm missing something but it has just never made any sense to me.

Ojai, what would you the possibly propose as an alternative to BE membership?

I guarantee you Houston would jump at BE membership regardless of what we did.

Do you really want to stand side-by-side with Rice as the last remaining SWC schools without BCS status?

[Dutch]

BE may be a better choice than Big12. I agree that if all goes like it seems the BE will be an interesting mix. I see some interesting rivalry games forming. It could draw better press than B12. And, I'm not sure how long the Big12 stays together.

Would love to see SMU in the Big 12 much easier on the traveling, regain old rivalries, and ususally a stable conference.

Call 'em up and tell them we want in.

[redpony]

It will have huge benefits for bball only if we can get a competent coach and some really good assistants to recruit. Otherwise if we continue 'as is' the BE teams will love playing us for their cupcake games.

GO PONIES!!!

[FriscoChuck]

I like the move to the BE. It increases the value of my SMU degree far more than the B12. Getting SMU publicized in all the new BE markets provides a lot more leverage then all the small B12 towns.

[redpony]

FC- what? you don't want to manage a grocery store in Ames, Ia. or the Payless shoe store in Stillwater, dumpahoma.

GO PONIES!!!

[Corp]

Add Notre Dame to the football mix and I will

say that TCU missed a good opportunity.

Seriously?

[CalallenStang]

Add Notre Dame to the football mix and I will

say that TCU missed a good opportunity.

Seriously?

40 - 33

Go home Frog/Fake Aggie

[Water Pony]

I like the move to the BE. It increases the value of my SMU degree far more than the B12. Getting SMU publicized in all the new BE markets provides a lot more leverage then all the small B12 towns.

Bingo, we have a winner. All of us.

[ponyscott]

Good[ point on the value of a SMU degree...we will get much more national attention now. AFA will be in, just not at the same announcement as the others. They are not dumb, just more detailed and anal than the others that are agreed upon. BYU is an addition to the BE, not a replacement for AFA.

[SMU_Alumni11]

BE may be a better choice than Big12. I agree that if all goes like it seems the BE will be an interesting mix. I see some interesting rivalry games forming. It could draw better press than B12. And, I'm not sure how long the Big12 stays together.

This has been debated a bunch. I think there are good arguments for both, but at the end of the day, IMO, the BE is better for SMU than the Big 12. I understand the arguments about closer travel and more meaningful Monday morning smack talk with co-workers. I even understand that SMU can get the more casual fan to come out to Ford to see a UT over say Cincy.

However, I personally believe that SMU is a better match to schools in the Big East. Plus, I believe the #1 purpose of an AD is to market your school. Who gives a [deleted] about spreading the SMU brand in Lubb, Stillwater, Ames, Kansas, etc. Getting more East coast exposure will be huge beyond words. Others have argued that with Big 12 inclusion, Ford will always be sold out. Sorry, if we need opposing teams to sell out Ford then SMU is sad and pathetic. Get the marketing machine rolling. In a good year TCU will likely go 7-5 or 8-4 in the Big 12 (watching the BCS bowls on TV); SMU will have a real chance for 10+ win seasons and going to a BCS bowl. Last, this will have huge benefits for non-football sports (especially basketball).

There is no doubt, big 12 is an idealistic dream, whereas the Big East is the realistic route. TCU will get demolish by the tier 1 schools and scramble for wins against Kansas, Baylor, Tech, K-state (usually). Whereas if we go to the Big East we are far more competitive, hitting new markets both for our academic status and sports branding. Its also a way to get our team up to BCS status so 10-20 years from now if Big 12 invited us we would be more prepared. However, Im perfectly fine with staying in the Big East, and just make our OOC schedule with Big 12 Teams (when we get to the level) and we can still have old rivalries. Hopefully Basketball will get a huge boost, losing to Fresno State sucked.

Regardless, I've just come to realize that this issue is one of personal preference. The only conference I hope for over the Big East is the ACC.

[smuuth]

Pumped if we are winners and bummed if we are losers in the BE. Of course what really counts is the BLVD and that will be good no matter what.

[rooster]

A move to the big east could really pay off if Texas drives off OU/OK. State to the SEC or Tex/OU/Tx Tech/Ok State somehow resurrect a move to the PAC12. We should be in a good spot if the Big12 experiences any losses.