SMU signs two-year deal with Arkansas State

[Webmaster]

SMU & Arkansas State agree to home-and-home series
Indians head to Dallas in 2006

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU and Arkansas State have signed an agreement for a home-and-home football series beginning with the 2006 season, SMU Athletic Director Jim Copeland announced today. The set will begin when the Indians visit Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas in 2006 and concludes with an SMU trip to Jonesboro in 2008.

"We're excited to add Arkansas State to our future schedules," said Copeland. "Along with our move to Conference USA next season, playing a regional opponent like ASU is just another logical step towards our goal of providing a fan-friendly schedule."

SMU opens spring practice Sat., Mar. 5, and will open its 2005 season Sat., Sept. 3, when SMU hosts old SWC rival Baylor at Ford Stadium.

For tickets to all SMU events, please call the SMU Ticket Office at 214-SMU-GAME.

[Corso]

I think this is a really smart move. It might not have the sizzle of a top-20 program, but it gives us a good chance (no guarantee, of course, but a good chance) at an out-of-conference win, which is something we haven't had in a while, and could do a lot for the guys' confidence entering the CUSA part of the schedule. I like this move by SMU.

[Hoop Fan]

what? I hate this move. Why? I dont really consider Ark State regional or relevant. They dont bring fans and few from SMU will be interested in going to Jonesboro or wherever they are. We already have North Texas, I like that move but cmon, CUSA isnt that hard that we should have to go Sun Belt crazy in our non conference schedule.

[leopold]

Thank God. A regional, winnable, possibly early non-conference game. Probably won't bring anybody from Jonesboro, but that's okay.

[Corso]

what? I hate this move. Why? I dont really consider Ark State regional or relevant. They dont bring fans and few from SMU will be interested in going to Jonesboro or wherever they are.

Your points certainly are valid. But at the same time, I'm tired of seeing non-conference opponents (see Oklahoma State) come in and tee off on us because they're bigger and stronger and faster. And I'd drive to Arkansas, especially if there's a good chance of a win.

When's the last out-of-conference road win the Ponies have picked up?

I think this is another step in building the program. Remember, when Kansas State was getting pounded every week for so many years, they started scheduling teams like Arkansas State, and it helped them add a few wins. (Granted, now that they're good, they should stop scheduling teams like this.) Considering where we are at the moment, I think this is a smart move. It gives better balance to our OOC schedule, and should help us get an win early in 2006.

Believe me, I see your points. But I think the positive greatly outweighs the negative here.

[Stallion]

likely a replacement for Northwestern series? Marginally acceptable because of the excellent non-conference schedule put together by Copeland over the next 7 years or so. Better than Division 1AA game but not by much. Jonesboro ain't exactly around the corner is it? I thought it was in Northeast Arkansas-a pretty remote road game.

[gostangs]

Hoop - what about our history suggests to you that we do not need to dramatically ease up on our out of conference schedule? - this is precisely how our friends to the west built a program leading to many bowl games - and a move we should have made at any costs several years ago.

[originaloverthehilltop1]

hoop fan, this isn't the 1980s. the way you build a program from where we are is:

1) win a few more than last yr (in part by scheduling appropriately)
2) improve recruiting
3) win a few more, go bowling
4) improve recruiting some more
5) win consistently
6) then, and only then, increase difficulty of schedule (and worry about attendance "draw" more)

trying to put number 6 before the others is (in part) how we extended our marginal competitiveness an extra decade. I said, in part.

[OldPony]

This is not a particularly good move. This could have a negative effect on Arkansas recruiting for SMU because no one in the state follows the Indians outside of Jonesboro and most don't think of it as being really D-1. U of A would never stoop to play them in any sport. You guys will love Jonesboro and the 500 mi. drive to get there. No you can't fly unless you fly to Memphis and take a 20 seat commuter. But when you get there, it is only 20 miles to the nearest bar. Suitcase college. This really makes me sad about how far we have fallen.

[Charleston Pony]

Ark St will probably bring 3 times the number of fans to Ford Stadium than we will take to their place. Hopefully those will be winnable games by the time we get there!

[originaloverthehilltop1]

what arkansas recruiting? that bevy of 8 blue chippers from arkansas every year will dwindle to....5?

[Grider]

......

[originaloverthehilltop1]

besides, how would not playing in arkansas at all help recruiting there?

[Hoop Fan]

Hoop - what about our history suggests to you that we do not need to dramatically ease up on our out of conference schedule? - this is precisely how our friends to the west built a program leading to many bowl games - and a move we should have made at any costs several years ago.

Maybe this is brilliant, but I dont remember the Frogs playing 1 for 1, home and homes with Arkansas State. Maybe they did, but thats not what got em where they are. I wouldnt mind buying a win and bringing a patsy to Dallas, but the road part of this is what is wrong with it in my opinion. It risks a loss to a bad program. Talk about risky with our fans. Its better to play Texas Tech or somebody similar and at least get a pay day or generate some gate on the their trip to Dallas.

There is no one way to build a program. I dont mind seeing some winnable games at all, I just think Ark State is one of the last schools anywhere I would choose to fill out my schedule with. Thats just me. Oh, and I guess this is an admission we cant compete with La Tech, a closer school who we supposedly already build a rivalry with.

[Diehard Pony]

Ark St will probably bring 3 times the number of fans to Ford Stadium than we will take to their place. Hopefully those will be winnable games by the time we get there!

CP I couldn't agree with you more, however, it will be a big game for them in a big, fun city. Such will not be the case going the other direction