Pat Forde: American Athletic Conference determined to slug i

[East Coast Mustang]

Well, we lucked out not having to play Louisville and getting Rutgers at home.

[PonySnob]

Who knows - this may be the breakout year we have been waiting for. The year where everything clicks and the bounces go our way. It happened at Hawaii - it could happen at SMU.

Check that Hawaii schedule the year Hawaii had a perfect regular season......this has to be one of the hardest non-conference schedules a JJ coached team has played.......

[Charleston Pony]

we have 3 great opportunities with Tech, A&M and TCU on the schedule and of course...we had a 4th with Baylor...to gain some credibility. We can talk all we want about whether we have better athletes on the field this year and whether having guys in the program for a couple of years before they are forced into action is a good thing or a bad thing...but let's face it, the AAC really needs all it's members to step it up and start beating BCS programs or we will never be considered anywhere near the same level as the big boys.

[ponyboy]

amen brother. amen

[jpe747]

Assuming we have a good year. If this is the end of Jones' contract why do you think he would stay at SMU? He would most certainly have other opportunities. (He took the worst team in football and turned them around leading them to five bowl games in a row.)

With that kind of progress he cannot put fans in seats? Why would he want to keep coaching for a 15 to 20 thousand game day crowd? What looks bad to so many here must look good at many other schools. So many want him gone. Why stay?

[sbsmith]

Assuming we have a good year. If this is the end of Jones' contract why do you think he would stay at SMU? He would most certainly have other opportunities. (He took the worst team in football and turned them around leading them to five bowl games in a row.)

With that kind of progress he cannot put fans in seats? Why would he want to keep coaching for a 15 to 20 thousand game day crowd? What looks bad to so many here must look good at many other schools. So many want him gone. Why stay?

Honestly at this point of his career he's better off at some backwater non AQ (probably the only type of FBS job he could get) where his disdain for recruiting can be masked by the program's remote location and lack of resources.

[StallionsModelT]

June's last hope for a BCS caliber job was Arizona State.

[PK]

June's last hope for a BCS caliber job was Arizona State.

BTW, we are a BCS team this year...I know that probably is not the same as BCS caliber, but then whose fault is it if he doesn't have a BCS caliber job here at SMU.

[East Coast Mustang]

Seeing as how we avoid Louisville, if they slip up and we take care of business in the conference beat all the teams we should and get out of the AAC with a 5-2 or 6-1 record, we could potentially back into a BCS bowl. Not having to play Louisville was a Godsend IMO.

[StallionsModelT]

East,

I agree. We really couldn't have received a better draw unless by chance we were able to get Cincy in Dallas. IMO, that is the only conference game that we probably should lose. Every other game in the American is a toss-up or a game we should win. If somehow we can get through conference play with one loss (VERY optimistic) then we stand to have a great shot at a BCS bowl. Those extra millions certainly wouldn't hurt.

[East Coast Mustang]

East,

I agree. We really couldn't have received a better draw unless by chance we were able to get Cincy in Dallas. IMO, that is the only conference game that we probably should lose. Every other game in the American is a toss-up or a game we should win. If somehow we can get through conference play with one loss (VERY optimistic) then we stand to have a great shot at a BCS bowl. Those extra millions certainly wouldn't hurt.

My God that would be incredible. I assume we'd end up in the Fiesta this year, I believe that's where the BE champ used to go usually. I think the bowl affiliated with the BCSNG usually gets the last pick, although this year that's the Rose so barring no Big 10/Pac 12 tie ins I can't see the American winner going there. Who knows though? Any of them would be incredible for us as fans and the program as a whole. LA, Phoenix, New Orleans, Miami...count me in for wherever.

[PonyKai]

...but then whose fault is it if he doesn't have a BCS caliber job here at SMU.

OOH I KNOW! TURNER'S!