CBS: BE in talks w/ Fresno State, UNLV, and BYU

[StallionsModelT]

Potentially could be a 16 or even 18 team conference according to this article.

Western Division - SDSU, Fresno State, Boise State, Air Force, BYU, UNLV, SMU, Houston

Eastern Division - Tulane, Central Flordia, South Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, Temple, UConn

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... n-football

[covok48]

I remember CUSA & Mountain West considering a football alliance, but here it is for real. Sheesh!

[03Mustang]

Their football sucks but unlv would be a great road trip

[ponyinNC]

I think this gets done, but in reality I think it hurts SMU and UH. We get paired with basically the old WAC, which doesn't exactly bring out the fans in Texas. Of that list, only Boise would bring a bump in attendance. I don't think BYU comes in, but if they do, they would bump our attendance as well.

The point of joining the BE was east coast exposure and games against (perceived) better teams. While the football would be better in this western division, I just do not see it increasing support here at SMU. If anything, it makes us an outlier in the western division and garners no real interest from casual cfb fans in DFW.

It is likely the best we can hope for at this point, but it doesn't help move the needle.

[Prideful Pony]

Potentially could be a 16 or even 18 team conference according to this article.

Western Division - SDSU, Fresno State, Boise State, Air Force, BYU, UNLV, SMU, Houston

Eastern Division - Tulane, Central Flordia, South Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, Temple, UConn

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... n-football

That's not quite what the article says -- only that Fresno State and UNLV have been reached out to and at some point Aresco talked to BYU. Those conversations don't really give any indication of whether the BEast will end up at 12, 16, or larger, just that those schools may be the top candidates for expansion.

Not sure if it was intentional, but you also left out Cincinnati.

[gostangs]

there would be no reason to go above 16. That would suck even worse then having to go west (and have them come here) with all those WAC teams. YUK

[Stallion]

Air Force will attract more fans than Boise. Its been pretty obvious since Memphis and tulane were added that SMU and UH were heading west at least for Football

[Charleston Pony]

Potentially could be a 16 or even 18 team conference according to this article.

Western Division - SDSU, Fresno State, Boise State, Air Force, BYU, UNLV, SMU, Houston

Eastern Division - Tulane, Central Flordia, South Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, Temple, UConn

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... n-football

writing off Cincy already? All the more reason to go to 18 members, because this league will be the farm system for BCS conferences. I actually like the idea of 18 to keep divisions more regional and reduce travel; New Mexico has good hoops and could be considered in the west

[AusTxPony]

Yes, Charleston, add Nu Mex and keep Cincin, for all sports with an E/W split. This is the best we can do until the next realignment. This puts in the best revenue teams left out of the other 5. Should get us a fair contract from TV. At least much better than cusa or mwc.

[jpe747]

Whatever happens to the BE, whoever joins, we need to have about 3 or 4 years of 10+ wins. That's how we would get recognized. That is how we would get an invitation to another conference. It is nice that we are in Dallas, Texas. However, who in Dallas, Texas is going to watch the SM-also-ran-U Ponys play UNLV? We would draw more then the PONYS of 6 or 7 years ago. WHY, because we are a better team.

If we want to move up we need to start winning most of our games. (And putting butts in seats).

[StallionsModelT]

No question the path to glory for SMU will only come if we win consistently and actually look competitive when we play real programs. Getting blown out by every legitimate team on your schedule is not going to get anyone interested in watching a game at Ford.

We play Texas Tech and Baylor next year at home. Tech will be breaking in a new coaching staff and Baylor graduates a ton of guys. We need to be competitive in these two games. If we are down 28-3 at halftime everyone will be saying "same old SMU." No one will want to see us play our Big East schedule outside of the casual fan who might show up when we play Boise State.

[Treadway21]

Exactly. We gotta start delivering on the field. Blow outs on TV hurt whatever brand we have, which right now is a mediocre team in a bad conference. Boise's brand is exactly the opposite.

[NavyCrimson]

If you're going to make it worthwhile, it's got to be a big marketing campaign much like Mustang Mania. Charge a couple of bucks for tickets, easy transportation, & you're filling a stadium. Someone has to eat all that popcorn & all the other goodies that come with a game & there's your revenue. You have to start somewhere but we've never started.

[Treadway21]

Agree, but what made Mustang Mania successful was success on the field. You can't market chicken sht into chicken salad even with free tickets.

[StallionsModelT]

Maybe its a lame excuse but Ford Stadium is a nightmare to navigate as far as traffic/parking for people who are not used to being around the SMU campus. Add that to the massive construction right now and its a logistical nightmare for a big-time college football game. I can't keep track on my twitter feed of people complaining that they waited for 2 hours in traffic waiting to park for the high school playoff games at Ford these past two weeks.

I'm not sure what the solution would be other than partnering with some of the garages across from 75 in Mockingbird Station on the weekends.