3 and out

[Sam I Am]

Apparently three years is the limit for football coaches to win in the big time conferences this year. The expense of losing is too great for some budgets. Guess Bennett is lucky to be at SMU where he kept his job for at least one more year. Then again, maybe three years is enough to see what you will get from a new coach. The inflated salaries for winners is staggeringly high. We are out of the bidding now when it comes to a multi-million dollar contract for a name coach. There are times when I am ready to chunk it all in favor of Div. III sports; but I really want to return to our former glory. It may be gone forever, and I am struggling with that conclusion.

[jtstang]

...but I really want to return to our former glory. It may be gone forever, and I am struggling with that conclusion.

Don't struggle, it is gone. Your lofty goal for SMU now should be to compete relatively evenly with TCU and C-USA members, and even that is far in the distance.

[Water Pony]

The three year rule of thumb is unwise, especially given our starting point. I have one example, Joe Novak of Northern Illinois. His results were worse that Phil's first three years.

We don't have the luxury of replacing coaches early. What quality candidate would be interested? But, I will the first to say the fourth year is critical for progress, e.g. a winning season and no less.

[jtstang]

But, I will the first to say the fourth year is critical for progress, e.g. a winning season and no less.

Careful out on that limb, buddy. Three more wins than this year? That is unlikely to happen.

[The PonyGrad]

Next year is really a wild card given the competition on our schedule. Having a winning season is very possible but I would not be using that as the make or break number. I would set that at five wins.

[Charleston Pony]

I agree with JT. Not likley we will see a winning season next year, but it is important that Bennett show continued improvement. With no gimme non-conference games and arguably a tougher conference slate (Houston, Tulane & ECU may be tougher than San Jose, Nevada & La Tech), I'd say 4 wins might be a big improvement.

There's no better example than Frank Beamer and Va Tech if you want to talk about being patient with a guy. I don't think Beamer won until his 5th or 6th yerar, but then Va Tech started winning, the Big East came calling and the rest is history.

[jtstang]

I agree. But I also think people need to realize that considering the move to the new conference and all the uncertainty that goes with it, we could show improvement as a team and not necessarily improve on the record. Although it sure would be nice.

[EastStang]

There are winnable games on the schedule. While we won't get UCF doggonit. We do have Baylor, Tulane, Tulsa, Rice (hopefully), TCU (hopefully). I think we need to go .500 against Baylor, Rice, TCU and UH. Preferably .750 If we can win a couple of those games, then our alums will not have to hear about having our butts whipped for another year by Bears, Frogs, Owls and Cougers. And if we go 4-0 agains those four, Bennett's back no matter what.

[Charleston Pony]

well, I'd say 44-0 suggests we aren't quit ready to beat TCU yet...but hopefully Baylor and Houston don't bring in competely new teams and thrash us as well. It is definitely getting to be time to beat Rice again. I'd be pleased to go 2-2 againt our in-state rivals. I guess I need to start including UTEP as an in-state rival. Realistically, 2-3 against that group wont be bad next year. Then we have to beat either Tulsa or Tulane and beat one of our CUSA east opponents. ECU, based on this year's results, offers the best hope...but watch Skip Holtz bring in a whole new team. When Stallion talks about the uneven playing field, this is another good example. ECU, as a public school, will have a broader cirriculum and the pool of JUCO players available to them is far greater than at SMU.

[Kiper]

I don't know what to make of next year, because frankly, I don't know much about C-USA's teams. I know A&M is going to be a load, and that TCU .... squeaked by us this year. And Baylor is better than the team we played in 2003 - they beat A&M this year, and I think they beat UNT, too. So I think we could win five next year, or go winless. Regardless of the record, I think next year's team will be better than this year's team, if only because of increased experience and better speed (Henderson, Haynes, etc.) and size (Lobo, Mouton, incoming linemen, etc.) I was ready to give up a few years ago. But there are more pieces in place now than ever.