If We Go 6-6 Again This Season

[StallionsModelT]

I think it will be Jones' best coaching job since he's been here. Given that we will most likely start off the season 1-3, we will need to win 5 out of our next 8 games in the new AAC. The positives are Gilbert/Shead, but we still have very shaky WR play to go along with three new starters on the offensive line. Defensively we lose quite a bit as well with the departures of Margus, Grenier, Tank, and JG. We will be young and inexperienced up front, although I like what we have. So assuming we start 1-3, where will these five wins come from?

Rutgers - 50/50
Memphis - Should be a win
Temple - Should be a win
Cincinnati - Likely a loss
Connecticut - Should be a win
South Florida - 50/50
Houston - 50/50
UCF - 50/50

If Jones can get us to 6 wins with this schedule and our young team I think it will be his best season here at SMU. I feel good that we have Rutgers and UCF at home. I think we have a great shot at winning those games. Honestly, the only conference game that I think we will be significant underdogs is Cincinnati.

[RyanSMU98]

If we go 6-6 this year, we seriously need to part ways with JJ. Don't get me wrong, SMT, I think your analysis of the schedule is pretty much spot on; it just really irks me to feel that way. We shouldn't at this point expect to come out of OOC 1-3 while all the while having the nerve to publicly state "we belong with the big boys". This is no doubt a tougher conference than where we were, but if the challenge to compete at or above that level is too much for our coaching staff to handle then it is time to cut 'em loose.

[Bergermeister]

if the challenge to compete at or above that level is too much for our coaching staff to handle then it is time to cut 'em loose.

...and then what?

[StallionsModelT]

Ryan,

In all honesty we should've parted ways with JJ after the Arizona State debacle. That didn't happen so all we can do is work with what we have. Lets say we go 6-6 and we then go to another mediocre bowl and we win that game, could SMU really fire a coach that would've taken the program to 5 straight bowl games with four bowl game wins? I'm not saying that its illogical or even wrong, but you have to really understand the battered wife syndrome of the SMU administration and big money boosters. If Jones takes us bowling for the 5th straight season, I just don't see SMU having the nutsack to can him. Besides if we do go bowling in year one of the new conference, he will have likely done his best job since he's been here. I think it would take a 3-9 type season for Jones to be shown the door.

[PonySnob]

Hard to believe that in year 6 of a pass happy offense, there should be any concern with having solid WR play...........the joys of "diamond in the rough" recruiting.

[StallionsModelT]

What's really disappointing about the WR recruiting is that it is the one position SMU has done a good job of getting our guys to the NFL. Sanders, Robinson, and Beasley in three straight seasons and (hopefully) DJ3 makes it four in four years. That's pretty damn good. Jeremy Johnson looks like he can play, Der'rikk Thompson has shown flashes but is far too inconsistent, and the rest is a gaggle of spares. There are some highly recruited guys in that mix as well like Kyle Guinyard, Daijuan Stewart, and Arrius Holleman who all had BCS offers out of high school. I'm not sure if its the recruiting that has been as disappointing as the on-field production.

[East Coast Mustang]

Agree with SMT's assessment of WR recruiting. It seems that some of our more highly regarded recruits have been WRs, but they havent transitioned well (so faR). Would've been nice to have held onto Gabriel Marks, that's for sure. I think JaBryce Taylor is a guy who could make an impact as a freshman this season. We shall see.

[StallionsModelT]

I still maintain that if Jones is able to win 6 or 7 games there is no way we can fire him. He will have taken a program that hadn't been to a bowl game in 25 years to 5 consecutive bowls and elevated the program into a better conference. I think Jones stays here through 2014 or 2015 then he retires to Hawaii.

[sbsmith]

If Jones can get us to 6 wins with this schedule and our young team I think it will be his best season here at SMU.

The real question is, does 6-6 warrant a contract extension? With his contract ending after the 2014 season, we're rapidly approaching the point where the decision makers need to either commit to him or let him go. Letting June serve out a lame duck season won't do any favors for our recruiting efforts.

[PonySnob]

What's really disappointing about the WR recruiting is that it is the one position SMU has done a good job of getting our guys to the NFL. Sanders, Robinson, and Beasley in three straight seasons and (hopefully) DJ3 makes it four in four years. That's pretty damn good. Jeremy Johnson looks like he can play, Der'rikk Thompson has shown flashes but is far too inconsistent, and the rest is a gaggle of spares. There are some highly recruited guys in that mix as well like Kyle Guinyard, Daijuan Stewart, and Arrius Holleman who all had BCS offers out of high school. I'm not sure if its the recruiting that has been as disappointing as the on-field production.

Two of those were not brought to SMU by JJ.......................interesting that the Bennett recruits were selected in the draft while JJ's were not.

[Harry0569]

When I went to Birmingham for the SMU/UAB bball game I spoke to one of the higher-ups in the Athletic Department. I asked him point blank about JJ's future at SMU, and he said in a round about way that he's GONE after his contract is up in 2014.

[Bergermeister]

When I went to Birmingham for the SMU/UAB bball game I spoke to one of the higher-ups in the Athletic Department. I asked him point blank about JJ's future at SMU, and he said in a round about way that he's GONE after his contract is up in 2014.

Laugh Out Loud

[ponyboy]

You don't believe that, Berger?

[mrydel]

When I went to Birmingham for the SMU/UAB bball game I spoke to one of the higher-ups in the Athletic Department. I asked him point blank about JJ's future at SMU, and he said in a round about way that he's GONE after his contract is up in 2014.

I could believe that. He seems like he is ready to retire to the Islands. If he is gone at the end of 2014 it may be because he chooses to go.

[ojaipony]

I'd be disappointed with a 6-6 season. Less so than a losing season of course.

I completely agree with the frustration at the WR position. I think Taylor and Gaines will be special for us, but probably not next year. The bottom line is we have to get creative in the play calling. When you look at the WR/scatback positions, we have no one dominant player but you have players who may have some big play capability like JJ, Stewart and heck, even Ronnell Sims if you have can get these guys set up properly in open space with running lanes. I think we can chip away at defenses and every once in a while throw the long ball. The bottom line is that you have to be willing to rotate in lots of receivers and get creative in a fast paced offense. (JJ, Thompson, Joseph, Stewart, Holman, Holleman, possibly Gaines and Taylor, Guinyard, Sims, and don't forget about Lagasse). It has to be a WR as a committee approach and mix it up. Then, we should get some good production. Then, once the defense is all spread out and on their heels, you unleash Shead and game over!