SMU/Rice reported attendance: 14,442

[smudubs]

If the weather scared off fans then we have a serious issue. And as most have noted the team struggled toward the end of the season but again, if we have only fair weather fans then we have serious issues. I stayed the entire game in short sleeves yesterday. Leaving the game never crossed my mind.

And yes, the picture was taken before the game. It got better midway through the first quarter. Sadly, the only way to fill the stadium is to play a team that travels and/or a Big 12 school. Those who get it and care will attend the games regardless.

[SMUer]

Our halftime shows say a lot about what type of fans we have

[ponyscott]

The games around the country that always attract the most fans on Thanksgiving weekend are the 'rivalry' games and we really only have one school that qualifies right now and that is TCU. They aren't in our conference anymore so that scheduling will be tough to ever schedule in the near future. We can only hope that Houston becomes another passionate real rival over the coming years and then becomes our Thanksgiving showdown game in the future.

[tristatecoog]

Just win baby! 7 wins is solid and now win the bowl game. A star QB helps in a big way and a supporting cast to get to a Top 25 ranking is key. Look at Houston and Baylor. TCU built up over a long period of time and won quite a few bowls.

[Mitch McConnell]

Our halftime shows say a lot about what type of fans we have

How many times are we going to hear the Academy award song from whatever movie that was? I think that was maybe the third or fourth?

Not arguing here, but I want to know what you mean. A lot of people bailed at halftime because it was so stinking cold and weren't dressed for when the front pushed through.

[RednBlue11]

Have to agree, the music selection blows and its too quiet

Sent from my Android HTC Rezound

[SMUer]

I don't know what the deal is with that Jai Ho/Slumdog Millionaire song. Someone please inform me also.

I was alluding to the fact that our halftime (and between quarters) entertainment is clearly targeted toward families with children <10 years old. I appreciate the fact that we have a lot of these kinds of fans but I really don't think they should be our primary target. Families with children <10 leave at halftime because it's hot, or it's late, or it's cold and Mom/kids can't handle that for very long. They will show up, they might cheer, awesome ones will even get their kids to cheer, but they aren't in it for the long-haul, they aren't going to attend uninteresting games in uncomfortable weather, they aren't going to travel far and they aren't attending post-game senior ceremonies. We need to make our game day presentation more professional and in-line with what is being done at B12 schools, TCU and even most high schools.

I saw droves of people who were leaving the Rice game mid-way through the first quarter (when the cold-front came through) and every family that was walking out had little kids or grandparents covering their ears. That's fine and I don't fault them at all. We're in real trouble if that is our most significant fan base.

[ponyinNC]

We should put the heat on younger alums living in D/FW area. The old school guys (and gals) have proven that they will stick with SMU through thick (Pony Express years) and thin (89-08). The current students have had nothing but bowl games and JJ, and I think we will see continued increase in attendance by students as we get better and play top teams.

For many of us younger alums (I graduated in 99, got my JD in 03), this is really the first taste of winning we have ever had. The "lost generation" of fans is a real issue IMO and these are the folks that we should be heavily targeting to come back to SMU and become fans of the team. Start there.

[Charleston Pony]

We should put the heat on younger alums living in D/FW area. The old school guys (and gals) have proven that they will stick with SMU through thick (Pony Express years) and thin (89-08). The current students have had nothing but bowl games and JJ, and I think we will see continued increase in attendance by students as we get better and play top teams.

For many of us younger alums (I graduated in 99, got my JD in 03), this is really the first taste of winning we have ever had. The "lost generation" of fans is a real issue IMO and these are the folks that we should be heavily targeting to come back to SMU and become fans of the team. Start there.

the problem is that many of the students that chose SMU during the post death penalty futility just don't care about football...and may never. They knew SMU didn't play quality football and they couldn't have cared less that their autumn Saturdays would not include football. You can see that the current students are turning out in larger numbers, but SMU has and always will attract a lot of spoiled rich kids who will only attend football games is/when it becomes the "cool thing" to do. Gotta move on because the alums that aren't supporting us now, after 3 consecutive bowl berths, are not our target market.

[SBR Pony]

I don't know what the deal is with that Jai Ho/Slumdog Millionaire song. Someone please inform me also.

As tired of that song as I am, the students pick the music for the last show. I think its only the second time they've played it at halftime, but they also play it in the stands.