How badly will we beat UCF?

[ponyinNC]

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.

You know why they wouldn't say that? Because we were relevant back then. We had a chance to win every game. Since I have been an SMU fan, we have not had that same luxury.

I'm sorry, but I am not a cynic in life - I am a very happy person. But my life and SMU football are two very different topics.

[ojaipony]

I'm sorry, but I am not a cynic in life - I am a very happy person. But my life and SMU football are two very different topics.

Very well said.

If you look at our history, it's pretty amazing. We have 5 NFL hall of famers (more than all of our former SWC mates combined with the exception of Texas who has 4 - still less than us). So way more than UH (who has zero), Baylor (1), TCU (2, maybe they'll have 3 soon with LT), TT (0), aTm (1).

This is great, but the problem is it's all in the past and our latest is over a generation ago. We DO have a history, though, and so to those who say it CAN'T be done here I think they go too far. I think it CAN but we are nowhere near committed to it at the moment (from what I can see).

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.aspx

[Charleston Pony]

depends on how much Burcham improves in what we assume will be his 2nd start. I agree with others who put blame on JJ for not having a backup more experienced than what we saw last week. Huge mistake to have not given Burcham some snaps in those early blowout losses when JJ left GG in and risked injury in games that were out of hand.

[redpony]

UCF 42-0. This one is on jj. You can't expect an inexperienced qb to come in and win against a team like UCF. I think NB will be okay in the future but definitely needs seasoning.

[JoeKidd]

Burcham was not the reason we lost the UH game. He will be a fine QB for us imo. If they shoot GG up with drugs just to win a game for a lower tier bowl and risk him getting injured even worse that would be unfair to GG.

Burcham was nearly the sole reason we lost the UH Game, he was awful and I have little hope for him in the future. Especially given the comments about his work ethic by the coaching staff.

[East Coast Mustang]

Burcham was not the reason we lost the UH game. He will be a fine QB for us imo. If they shoot GG up with drugs just to win a game for a lower tier bowl and risk him getting injured even worse that would be unfair to GG.

Burcham was nearly the sole reason we lost the UH Game, he was awful and I have little hope for him in the future. Especially given the comments about his work ethic by the coaching staff.

What were the comments about his work ethic? I missed that

[mustang addict]

UCF 42.
SMU 24. Without Gilbert

Or

SMU 29
UCF 28 With Gilbert

[RGV Pony]

55-7

[Stallion]

might be best to wait for weather conditions. Cold weather stopped Baylor's high-flying offense in its track. Problem is UCF is probably better positioned to take advantage of poor weather too.

[PonySnob]

Burcham was not the reason we lost the UH game. He will be a fine QB for us imo. If they shoot GG up with drugs just to win a game for a lower tier bowl and risk him getting injured even worse that would be unfair to GG.

Burcham was nearly the sole reason we lost the UH Game, he was awful and I have little hope for him in the future. Especially given the comments about his work ethic by the coaching staff.

What were the comments about his work ethic? I missed that

From the DMN last week:
Coach June Jones was asked by a reporter what the redshirt freshman had shown with extended repetitions.

“That he’s not ready to play,” Jones said. Awkward pause, then:

“I tell these guys all the time that they’re one snap away from playing and everybody is expecting them to know what they’re doing. He’s going to be a good player, but he hasn’t seized the opportunity.”

[SMUer]

Ah yes, it's Burcham's fault he doesn't have a clue how to run this offense ...I can see that now.

[well travelled pony]

Burcham was not the reason we lost the UH game. He will be a fine QB for us imo. If they shoot GG up with drugs just to win a game for a lower tier bowl and risk him getting injured even worse that would be unfair to GG.

Burcham was nearly the sole reason we lost the UH Game, he was awful and I have little hope for him in the future. Especially given the comments about his work ethic by the coaching staff.

What were the comments about his work ethic? I missed that

This thread makes me sad. I would never publicly say SMU would lose. While this is a likely outcome, on any day, it should not be a given. Anything could happen. I always hope for my team to win, and when they do not, my head hurts.

Against coog high, the team did pretty well. The D held better than expected, and the o line gave Burcham decent time. He just wasn't reading the d well, and made some poor decisions. This was not the kid I remember seeing on TV at the Elite 11. If that kid shows up, it should be a different story.

As for ucf, while it is likely SMU loses, I will remain as a long suffering fan, hopeful that the Mustangs can get the W.

Go Ponies!

[ponyinNC]

I agree WTP - I always hope for the Ponies to win. I always set aside time to watch the game, or to attend if I can. I root with my heart. But with my head, sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

This makes me think of a post I read a while ago from Stlhockeyguy02, a sentiment I couldn't have written any better myself:

"I will sit on the couch and, for reasons way beyond my own understanding, have a few beers and watch this likely debacle. I'd like to say I'm watching for Garret, because he really does deserve the support, but even if he doesn't start, I'm going to watch.

And it's going to upset me, and I'll be angry about the empty stadium, the dropped passes, the penalties, the seemingly indifferent attitude on the sidelines, the poor routes taken toward the ball-carrier, the porous secondary, the atrocious special teams."

[mustangxc]

I know the stadium will likely be empty, the weather bad, and the team is not likely to win, but for some reason I still want to make the drive from Houston to see SMU play. I am an eternal optimist and honestly think we have a good chance of winning the game. Call me crazy, but I always think we have a chance.

[EastStang]

I hope Burcham plays simply because whether we're 6-6 or 5-7 in the grand scheme of things doesn't matter. What matters is that he gets some game experience so that next year, he's not a deer in the headlights or if he stinks it up 2 weeks in a row, JJ knows he's got to look around for a replacement for next year.