How badly will we beat UCF?

[ponyinNC]

I'm not against bringing up the issue. At all. At all. But think for a second about the title of the thread. I sure as hell hope the coaching staff and team don't think this way. It's a foregone conclusion we'll lose, the only question is how badly. Wow. I need to go look up the definition of fan again, I seem to completely misunderstand.

If the coaches or players read ponyfans or think like me, then they shouldn't be playing D1 football. I'm not a player. I don't practice or suit up for games. I am a fan of SMU and its athletic programs, as an alumni and a financial (in a small way) supporter. In no way do I affect the results on the field.

There are different types of fans - those that will support whatever product is out there whether we field competitive teams or not, whether we recruit or not, whether our admin is behind the program or not, etc etc etc. Those are kool-aid drinkers. Sheep.

Then there are fans that demand accountability, effort and results. I won't blow sunshine or say that everything is okay when it clearly is not.

Real life vs. Fantasy land - we can all choose where we want to live.

[ponyboy]

I agree we should demand accountability, effort and results. That's not the subject. The subject is the post title's seething cynicism. I found this quote from a Longhorn fan interesting:

How does one become a cynic? Cynicism is a defense mechanism; a way of separating ourselves from reality and a way to preserve our sanity and dignity. By detaching ourselves from the bitterness of life, rather than accepting it, we become a jaded and cool.

Cynicism is taught to us by life as we age. We start off young and hopeful. Life will be good to us, and things will work out. As we age, we learn that is not always true. Things don't always work out. Often times, these things seem hopelessly beyond our control; we learn that we simply cannot control everything.

When these failures are small, we can shrug and move on. But when they are big, it isn't so easy. We start out angry, but we cannot stay that way forever. Eventually, anger transforms to something else. For some, for people who are better at life than me, it is possible to eventually grow to accept these failures. For the rest of us, the best we can do is calm resignation. We build a shell of cynicism to protect us for the very real setbacks and failures -- particularly for those that we cannot hope to influence or prevent. All we can control is ourselves, and how we respond.

[ponyinNC]

I will respond to that quote with one of my own (one of my favorite quotes actually):

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
-George Bernard Shaw

[ponyboy]

That's called self congratulation where I come from. You don't have a monopoly on accurate observation. It's not about that. It's about knowing what you do and don't say publicly. As a fan you NEVER publicly admit that you'll probably lose a game. And NEVER, NEVER publicly assume losing is a foregone conclusion. You've taken that second step. I find that sad, particularly because we've forgotten what it means to be an unconditional fan.

[Pugilistic Pony]

I think it is sad that one has to pretend for the public that one thinks SMU has a chance against UCF. I'm not sure I'm that good of an actor. If I were to give it a try and go for the unconditional-fan thing, could there be any risk of my ending up in a straight-jacket for delusional episodes?

[SMU2007]

As a fan you NEVER publicly admit that you'll probably lose a game. And NEVER, NEVER publicly assume losing is a foregone conclusion.

What exactly is the point of that? Why have a discussion if you "have to" have certain opinions?

[feelthehorsepower]

They're probably laughing at us at the UCF boards...what a bunch of losers we have here talking about how "Bad" UCF will beat us...
Game's on Saturday...leave your crying til after the last second of the 4th quarter...

[East Coast Mustang]

They're probably laughing at us at the UCF boards...what a bunch of losers we have here talking about how "Bad" UCF will beat us...
Game's on Saturday...leave your crying til after the last second of the 4th quarter...

Are you going to leave at halftime? I think there might be a TCU women's bball game in Ft. Worth that afternoon

[feelthehorsepower]

They're probably laughing at us at the UCF boards...what a bunch of losers we have here talking about how "Bad" UCF will beat us...
Game's on Saturday...leave your crying til after the last second of the 4th quarter...

Are you going to leave at halftime? I think there might be a TCU women's bball game in Ft. Worth that afternoon

Shut the [deleted] up ECM. TCU's season ended last Saturday. And do not question my attendance or me leaving at half time. I will be there. Will you?

[ponyboy]

As a fan you NEVER publicly admit that you'll probably lose a game. And NEVER, NEVER publicly assume losing is a foregone conclusion.

What exactly is the point of that? Why have a discussion if you "have to" have certain opinions?

It's not about having certain opinions. I wonder about our current culture's capacity to even understand the alternatives to deep cynicism. Try to imagine those of Doak Walker's generation saying in effect, why even try? We're going to lose. They'd NEVER say such a thing. Ever.

[feelthehorsepower]

As a fan you NEVER publicly admit that you'll probably lose a game. And NEVER, NEVER publicly assume losing is a foregone conclusion.

What exactly is the point of that? Why have a discussion if you "have to" have certain opinions?

It's not about having certain opinions. I wonder about our current culture's capacity to even understand the alternatives to deep cynicism. Try to imagine those of Doak Walker's generation saying in effect, why even try? We're going to lose. They'd NEVER say such a thing. Ever.

Especially with a UCF team that is beatable.

[soccermom]

They will beat us badly.....VERY, VERY BADLY.

[East Coast Mustang]

They're probably laughing at us at the UCF boards...what a bunch of losers we have here talking about how "Bad" UCF will beat us...
Game's on Saturday...leave your crying til after the last second of the 4th quarter...

Are you going to leave at halftime? I think there might be a TCU women's bball game in Ft. Worth that afternoon

Shut the [deleted] up ECM. TCU's season ended last Saturday. And do not question my attendance or me leaving at half time. I will be there. Will you?

Yes, I've been to almost every home game since I've lived in Dallas. The only games I've missed have been because of weddings or because I was on crutches. And unlike you I've never left an SMU game to attend a TCU game, nor will I ever do so.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Yeah, UCF will drop the hammer on us. Burcham is not ready for prime time. Not that he doesn't have the ability. . .but he is clearly a work in progress. June Jones' offense requires very high level QB play or else it goes nowhere. Burcham isn't ready to provide that high level yet.

Our defense is not strong enough to keep us in the game if the offense is not producing. D has been a huge disappointment this year. . . in particular the secondary, which was supposed to be a major strength. UCF will chew us up. Season over.

[SMUer]

SMU Wins: 35- 31. UCF barely beat South Florida. UCF locked up BCS Bowl. SMU has a lot to play for, bowl, 6-6 record, coaches jobs. GG Will absolutely play! Could be his last college game. Not serious injury and wants to dress and make attempt to start game.

We had a lot on the line last week...and we took that pummeling with zero fight and emotion...we are so deflating to watch...ineffective, no heart
, no earnesty, no visible game plan....barf.