ESPN lists UH and SMU as top candidates for power 5

[smumustang1980]

Well Cougar King, it's about time UH brings back a live mascot. If you want to roll with us and Peruna, you need a real kitty.

[SMUfrat]

Thanks Houston for posting.

I think it is true. We are a top candidate left. Thats why we will be fine.

I doubt the PAC invites criticism by staying at 12 when all their "peer" conferences are going to 14/16.

I think they do expand and we are lucky enough to be attainable.

But time will tell. Eventually we will be in a top 5. Eventually...

[WordUpBU]

Thanks Houston for posting.

I think it is true. We are a top candidate left. Thats why we will be fine.

I doubt the PAC invites criticism by staying at 12 when all their "peer" conferences are going to 14/16.

I think they do expand and we are lucky enough to be attainable.

But time will tell. Eventually we will be in a top 5. Eventually...

SMU's best chance is for the ACC to get raided with several schools and then slide in with the top Big East teams. The PAC isn't likely at all and they will happily stay at 12 even if everyone else goes to 30 teams. Without Bevo or Boomer they don't expand. Nobody else that remotely fits geographically can make the money work right so the PAC will pass.

[ColoStang]

It all boils down to whether there are 4 or 5 power conferences. If 5, then we are in. Not with 4.

[PonyPlayer4]

Based on viable options, I think it is realistic we can position ourselves to be 1 of the 4 teams the PAC will add to get to 16. Along with Houston, we are the only we the PAC can expand in to Texas. I know this has been said before. We are just lucky there isn't much to the west.

[StallionsModelT]

FACEPALM....


There will be no PAC expansion UNLESS they are able to convince the Texoma 4 to leave the Big 12. Their seat at the table is secure with 12 teams regardless of what other conferences do in respect to expansion. The Big 10 could expand to 20 and it wouldn't matter to the PAC. They will be strategic in their methods of expansion and will only add "WOW" universities. SMU and Houston do not fit that criteria.

The only way, and I do mean the only way, that the PAC invites SMU/Houston is if there is a mandate among the four top conferences (PAC, Big 12, Big 10, SEC) that each conference MUST have sixteen members. If the PAC is unsuccessful in luring the Texoma 4 away from the Big 12 then yes I could see them adding SMU and Houston simply because they don't have many quality options outside of Boise State, BYU, and maybe San Diego State.

The best case, and IMO most likely scenario, is for SMU to end up in a bastardized version of the ACC along with the Big East schools who make the cut. The conference will look like the following:

UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pitt, Wake Forest, Duke, Miami, Boston College, SMU, Houston, Central Florida, South Florida

This would be an exceptional conference for us in basketball and one that we could compete in with football. It may take 4-5 years but this is where I see SMU ending up.

[ReedFrawg]

They have Boise way too high. They have had a great run in football but what else can they offer? I would put SMU, SDSU and Navy ahead of Boise. Also think these schools could be ahead of Cincy.

[StallionsModelT]

Reed,

Cincinnati is probably above SMU simply b/c of previous conference affiliation and both football and basketball have been good in recent years.

SMU really needs a breakout season in football and for Larry Brown and company to bust through and make it to an NCAA tournament ASAP. Get a little national buzz going around SMU.

[ReedFrawg]

Reed,

Cincinnati is probably above SMU simply b/c of previous conference affiliation and both football and basketball have been good in recent years.

SMU really needs a breakout season in football and for Larry Brown and company to bust through and make it to an NCAA tournament ASAP. Get a little national buzz going around SMU.

I hear ya on Cincy but just don't think they have a ton of upside. Attendance is nothing great in football. Hoops have always been good but I think the San Diego and Dallas markets have a lot more upside than Cincy. Like you said though...it doesn't matter if SMU doesn't make something happen - and fast.

[Treadway21]

The good news is LB will have bball up to speed possibly next year. The bad news is fball is stuck in neutral.

Every time I think of realignment all I can think is that SMU and the powers that be were always one step behind. We were reactionary not forward thinking re: Pye, Copeland and Turner, though at least Turner has shown a little sign of life. And SMU just accepted the status quo rather than fight for its best interest. Too passive in a cut throat environment.

[StallionsModelT]

Football hopefully won't be stuck in neutral for very long. Jones is gone after next year. Given that we avoid Lousville, Cincinnati, and Rutgers we should still have a shot at qualifying for a bowl game which would be our 5th straight. That is progress irregardless of the fact our record has stagnated around .500.


We have to kill it in a similar way to getting Larry Brown when we go after our next football coach. I don't care who it is but it has to be someone is will TIRELESSLY sell SMU to recruits, fans, alumni, frats, sororities, Dallas, and anyone who will give him the time to listen. If we can find that individual, surround him with a coaching staff of aggressive and relentless recruiters, and break out with a nice 9 or 10 win season and a top 25 finish you will see some buzz around SMU when the next dominoes fall.

We MUST get it right. I can't stress that enough.

[DiamondM75]

I don't care who the new FB coach is, just make Ron Meyer the recruiting coordinator.

[PK]

Football hopefully won't be stuck in neutral for very long. Jones is gone after next year. Given that we avoid Lousville, Cincinnati, and Rutgers we should still have a shot at qualifying for a bowl game which would be our 5th straight. That is progress irregardless of the fact our record has stagnated around .500.


We have to kill it in a similar way to getting Larry Brown when we go after our next football coach. I don't care who it is but it has to be someone is will TIRELESSLY sell SMU to recruits, fans, alumni, frats, sororities, Dallas, and anyone who will give him the time to listen. If we can find that individual, surround him with a coaching staff of aggressive and relentless recruiters, and break out with a nice 9 or 10 win season and a top 25 finish you will see some buzz around SMU when the next dominoes fall.
We MUST get it right. I can't stress that enough.

Time is not on our side if we have to wait another year or two.

[ReedFrawg]

Football hopefully won't be stuck in neutral for very long. Jones is gone after next year. Given that we avoid Lousville, Cincinnati, and Rutgers we should still have a shot at qualifying for a bowl game which would be our 5th straight. That is progress irregardless of the fact our record has stagnated around .500.


We have to kill it in a similar way to getting Larry Brown when we go after our next football coach. I don't care who it is but it has to be someone is will TIRELESSLY sell SMU to recruits, fans, alumni, frats, sororities, Dallas, and anyone who will give him the time to listen. If we can find that individual, surround him with a coaching staff of aggressive and relentless recruiters, and break out with a nice 9 or 10 win season and a top 25 finish you will see some buzz around SMU when the next dominoes fall.
We MUST get it right. I can't stress that enough.

Time is not on our side if we have to wait another year or two.

I agree...I wouldn't be surprised if the next dominos are ready to fall as soon as the Maryland legal issues are resolved. That will set the precedent and who knows how advanced the talks are behind closed doors. Anyone know how long we might be waiting on Maryland???

[gostangs]

ACC knows what is happening - they will slow play this as much as possible. It will be quiet through Easter - then look out!