Stop scheduling Big 12

[WordUpBU]

I disagree. It's scheduling three or four tough games that is making your turnaround harder. If either Tech, A&M, or TCU was replaced with a win you guys would be bowling in a winnable game vs ECU. That would be half a decade straight of bowls vs no practice development and no recruiting benefit.



If we replace the UConn and Wake games with winnable games we go bowling and the Briles turnaround gets a huge recruiting boost early despite playing in a division with 4 top 10 caliber teams that year and playing 2 of the best in the north. That was a HUGE missed opportunity as many potential victories in recruiting were lost by giving the impression of "same old baylor".


The basic point is this- you build your program's attendance slow and steady by winning. Playing big teams will NEVER get you there unless your team develops. My team was exhibit A of this for much of the 2000's. Now our attendance is up significantly and where only 24-26k of the paid attendance was BU fans a decade ago it's now up to 43-44k once you estimate the visiting fans out of the numbers. That only comes by improving the home team's product.

Once a team is established, by all means go take on Bama, Oregon, or anyone you can get. Until it's established though it needs to be designed to yield consistent results. SMU is facing a talent issue right now and efforts to turn that around on the recruiting trail aren't helped by missing bowls and not having winning records.

You made a few good points about recruiting which is an area in which we should emulate Baylor. In fact recruiting is the primary reason why this turnaround has been so hard. Back when things were trending up no one was afraid of the schedule at all because it was assumed that June would get the talent to beat the teams that we needed to beat to be relevant. Now that June has been exposed as a fraud everyone is scared to death and wants us to play a Southland Conference schedule. If the talent problem gets fixed (by finally prioritizing recruiting) then we won't have a reason to run away from relevant competition. In this town no one will be fooled by fake wins and mediocre bowls, you have to actually accomplish something if you want to be relevant.

1- Your league SOS also went up heavily.
2- If Fort Worth can rally behind pattersons 2000-2007 era teams built on mostly "fake wins" as you describe them it isn't far fetched for Dallas to do the same. After some breaks and good recruits it builds to more.
3- SMU would still play 1-2 "power league" teams per year noncon, just not 3-4 which honestly does more harm than good.
4- The AAC will have 3-5 good teams on the schedule as well, similar to the Mwc slate TCU had.

[gostangs]

Could not agree more with wordup. That is clearly the recipe. And for those that say we don't have time, we don't have time to NOT do it that way.

[sbsmith]

That P5vsFCS jab wasn't directed at you. The first 3 points make sense but are all tied to recruiting which is only stunted by us not actually doing any recruiting. We made bowls 4 years in a row yet last year's recruiting class was a complete joke (as is this year's). The scheduling is just a red herring for June apologists/outsiders to excuse his poor recruiting. Our talent level is so bad right now (and getting worse) that softening the schedule would only replace P5 losses with G5 losses and we'd still be missing bowls or barely making it to .500 anyway. Copying Baylor's scheduling strategy doesn't make sense for us because we're not a P5 program that gets to play 9 P5 programs a year, we simply can't afford that much dead weight on the schedule. If recruiting improves then there won't be a need to run away from teams that matter.

[WordUpBU]

That P5vsFCS jab wasn't directed at you. The first 3 points make sense but are all tied to recruiting which is only stunted by us not actually doing any recruiting. We made bowls 4 years in a row yet last year's recruiting class was a complete joke (as is this year's). The scheduling is just a red herring for June apologists/outsiders to excuse his poor recruiting. Our talent level is so bad right now (and getting worse) that softening the schedule would only replace P5 losses with G5 losses and we'd still be missing bowls or barely making it to .500 anyway. Copying Baylor's scheduling strategy doesn't make sense for us because we're not a P5 program that gets to play 9 P5 programs a year, we simply can't afford that much dead weight on the schedule. If recruiting improves then there won't be a need to run away from teams that matter.

1- Scheduling is its own entity. Whether your coach is a good or bad recruiter isn't the question. That can be fixed or fired. The question is whether the schedule is helping or hurting and going past two big league noncon games is hurting right now.

2- You honestly think replacing Tech with UMass would give you the same record? Obviously some Go5 teams could beat you but if you are trying to schedule a win it isn't hard to find some likely ones. Try the Mac, NMSU, Idaho, etc.

3- As for copying BU's strategy I disagree. We had a tougher league slate which is true. However it bears mentioning that usually we'd get 1-2 easy games in there. So we'd have 7-8 tough games. SMU sees no benefits from a high SOS right now unless it either (a) pulls off a big upset or (b) is in bcs contention. A is iffy and b won't happen for a rebuilding team. Setting up for wins is exactly what you need. See KSU under Snyder.

4- How can you not afford that much dead weight on the schedule? It's 2 games buddy. It's not like you are replacing the majority of the schedule.

5- "If recruiting improves..."- Until it does you need to give it the best odds possible of improving even if it means ducking 1-2 teams a year.

[sbsmith]

1. The scheduling isn't hurting us at all, our lousy recruiting is what's hurting us. If the question isn't whether the coach is a good or bad recruiter then it should be because that's where our problems begin and end.


2. Replacing Tech with UMass might give us a better record but scheduling doesn't happen in a vacuum. Teams have to be willing to play you and a lot of times series are scheduled far in advance. The lousy team of today might not be so lousy in a few years when they come up on the schedule.


3. KSU under Snyder is another team that played in a power conference (Big Eight), if we were in the same situation then that would make sense. The benefits we see in a high SOS include full stadiums (which we'll never get playing AAC teams) and better media exposure. In today's CFB climate those are paramount for a G5 team to become relevant.

4. Those 2 games are games we can't afford because we play 8 dead weight games a year in conference. That's not a big deal for Baylor or Kansas State or any other P5 team but it's a huge deal for us because we don't get 9 P5 games later on in the schedule to make up for it.


5. Recruiting is the ballgame it needs to improve immediately or no amount of ducking teams will help us improve because our talent level will continue to get worse. We'll be trading P5 losses for G5 losses.

[feelthehorsepower]

1. The scheduling isn't hurting us at all, our lousy recruiting is what's hurting us. If the question isn't whether the coach is a good or bad recruiter then it should be because that's where our problems begin and end.


2. Replacing Tech with UMass might give us a better record but scheduling doesn't happen in a vacuum. Teams have to be willing to play you and a lot of times series are scheduled far in advance. The lousy team of today might not be so lousy in a few years when they come up on the schedule.


3. KSU under Snyder is another team that played in a power conference (Big Eight), if we were in the same situation then that would make sense. The benefits we see in a high SOS include full stadiums (which we'll never get playing AAC teams) and better media exposure. In today's CFB climate those are paramount for a G5 team to become relevant.

4. Those 2 games are games we can't afford because we play 8 dead weight games a year in conference. That's not a big deal for Baylor or Kansas State or any other P5 team but it's a huge deal for us because we don't get 9 P5 games later on in the schedule to make up for it.


5. Recruiting is the ballgame it needs to improve immediately or no amount of ducking teams will help us improve because our talent level will continue to get worse. We'll be trading P5 losses for G5 losses.

The AAC is a much stronger conference than CUSA was when we were there. Those weak UConn, Memphis and USF teams we played are going to get tougher these coming years. The SOS is a couple notches up from what we used to have so there is no need to schedule 4 strong OOC games when we have 6 tough in conference games already!

And your argument about not packing the house with AAC opponents is not true, because most AAC programs have good attendance. We had the lowest attendance in the conference which was expected since we are the only private school. We can increase attendance by racking up 9+ win seasons. That's how everybody does it. We have 10 years to get ready before the next realignment period so I strongly think that doing the following will help us get to a P5:

1) OOC schedule: open our season with an ACC or Pac12 team (like Cal, NC State, Clemson etc.) then UNT, Stephen F Austin and TCU (so you have 2 BCS teams and 1 FCS and 1 regional CUSA team)

2) Focus main recruiting efforts in DFW area, East Texas and Houston. We have enough talent in Texas and we can compete well for recruits. Secondary efforts should be in place in Florida, California and Louisiana.

3) Develop an offensive and defensive identity that we will be known for everywhere: Aggy and Tech are known for their air raid, TCU is known for its defense. We have to focus on something that people will know us for. If it's June's "Run and Raid" then we have to stick to it and make it exciting and recruit the best talent for the positions we need.

4) Special Teams: Football games are won when you control 2 of the 3 sides of the ball; Offense, Defense and special teams. Having this one on our side is half the battle...and will make it easier instead of having to depend on our defense to bail us out of crappy punts/kickoffs and our offense striking out.


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[sbsmith]

The AAC is a much stronger conference than CUSA was when we were there. Those weak UConn, Memphis and USF teams we played are going to get tougher these coming years. The SOS is a couple notches up from what we used to have so there is no need to schedule 4 strong OOC games when we have 6 tough in conference games already!

And your argument about not packing the house with AAC opponents is not true, because most AAC programs have good attendance. We had the lowest attendance in the conference which was expected since we are the only private school. We can increase attendance by racking up 9+ win seasons. That's how everybody does it. We have 10 years to get ready before the next realignment period so I strongly think that doing the following will help us get to a P5:

1) OOC schedule: open our season with an ACC or Pac12 team (like Cal, NC State, Clemson etc.) then UNT, Stephen F Austin and TCU (so you have 2 BCS teams and 1 FCS and 1 regional CUSA team)

2) Focus main recruiting efforts in DFW area, East Texas and Houston. We have enough talent in Texas and we can compete well for recruits. Secondary efforts should be in place in Florida, California and Louisiana.

3) Develop an offensive and defensive identity that we will be known for everywhere: Aggy and Tech are known for their air raid, TCU is known for its defense. We have to focus on something that people will know us for. If it's June's "Run and Raid" then we have to stick to it and make it exciting and recruit the best talent for the positions we need.

4) Special Teams: Football games are won when you control 2 of the 3 sides of the ball; Offense, Defense and special teams. Having this one on our side is half the battle...and will make it easier instead of having to depend on our defense to bail us out of crappy punts/kickoffs and our offense striking out.


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1. Doesn't matter how much stronger the AAC is, it's filled with teams that don't matter in Dallas and thus won't help us fill Ford (as we've seen this year and in years past when we've taken on many of the same teams). It's just 8 dead weight games a year that we can't get rid of.


2. So what if other AAC programs have good attendance, we're not a bloated state school so we can't draft off a huge enrollment to fill seats. We have to build a product to attract casual Dallas fans by beating the teams they care about (Texas P5). We're in a unique situation and what works for everyone else won't necessarily work for us (especially if it includes ducking relevant competition).


3. Playing ACC or Pac-12 teams does little for us. Those teams won't bring anyone to Ford nor will they excite our fanbase and none of our fans will travel for the return game. Playing teams like that will just depress season ticket sales. NTSU makes slightly more sense because they're a bloated state school that's close by but it remains to be seen how much actual interest that series will generate. We should avoid FCS schools at all costs from now on because too little is gained from playing them.


4. You have some interesting points regarding strategy but none are actionable until we get a real staff in here. June won't be doing anything cutting edge recruiting or strategy-wise.

[WordUpBU]

1. The scheduling isn't hurting us at all, our lousy recruiting is what's hurting us. If the question isn't whether the coach is a good or bad recruiter then it should be because that's where our problems begin and end.

1- Whether its the primary reason for any shortcomings or not the tougher SOS isn't helping your quest for bowl eligibility. Honestly playing Tech or ATM over a cupcake cost you a bowl.

Scheduling is its own entity, regardless of the recruiting prowess of the HC.

2. Replacing Tech with UMass might give us a better record but scheduling doesn't happen in a vacuum. Teams have to be willing to play you and a lot of times series are scheduled far in advance. The lousy team of today might not be so lousy in a few years when they come up on the schedule.

True but the odds of Eastern Michigan sucking are greater than A&Ms.

3. KSU under Snyder is another team that played in a power conference (Big Eight), if we were in the same situation then that would make sense. The benefits we see in a high SOS include full stadiums (which we'll never get playing AAC teams)

Full of the opposing fanbase isn't the goal. If you want sustainable growth it has to be your own people.

and better media exposure. In today's CFB climate those are paramount for a G5 team to become relevant.

Not if it costs you bowls or stunts your likelihood of winning 9+ games consistently.

4. Those 2 games are games we can't afford because we play 8 dead weight games a year in conference.

3-5 are good, 3-5 are bad. You will always have some decent teams in there that are tough opponents but probably not elite brands.

That's not a big deal for Baylor or Kansas State or any other P5 team but it's a huge deal for us because we don't get 9 P5 games later on in the schedule to make up for it.

You are rebuilding, you don't need nine tough foes for anything other than maybe pride.

5. Recruiting is the ballgame it needs to improve immediately or no amount of ducking teams will help us improve because our talent level will continue to get worse. We'll be trading P5 losses for G5 losses.

What I agree with:
Your recruiting MUST improve or else its shuffling deck chairs on the titanic as far as taking the next step is concerned.

What I disagree with:
The idea that scheduling wins can't at least give better odds of bowls and recruiting success over time.

"Trading P5 losses for Go5 losses", this one is downright silly.

The idea that attendance depends more on opponent than the home team.

[feelthehorsepower]

The AAC is a much stronger conference than CUSA was when we were there. Those weak UConn, Memphis and USF teams we played are going to get tougher these coming years. The SOS is a couple notches up from what we used to have so there is no need to schedule 4 strong OOC games when we have 6 tough in conference games already!

And your argument about not packing the house with AAC opponents is not true, because most AAC programs have good attendance. We had the lowest attendance in the conference which was expected since we are the only private school. We can increase attendance by racking up 9+ win seasons. That's how everybody does it. We have 10 years to get ready before the next realignment period so I strongly think that doing the following will help us get to a P5:

1) OOC schedule: open our season with an ACC or Pac12 team (like Cal, NC State, Clemson etc.) then UNT, Stephen F Austin and TCU (so you have 2 BCS teams and 1 FCS and 1 regional CUSA team)

2) Focus main recruiting efforts in DFW area, East Texas and Houston. We have enough talent in Texas and we can compete well for recruits. Secondary efforts should be in place in Florida, California and Louisiana.

3) Develop an offensive and defensive identity that we will be known for everywhere: Aggy and Tech are known for their air raid, TCU is known for its defense. We have to focus on something that people will know us for. If it's June's "Run and Raid" then we have to stick to it and make it exciting and recruit the best talent for the positions we need.

4) Special Teams: Football games are won when you control 2 of the 3 sides of the ball; Offense, Defense and special teams. Having this one on our side is half the battle...and will make it easier instead of having to depend on our defense to bail us out of crappy punts/kickoffs and our offense striking out.


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1. Doesn't matter how much stronger the AAC is, it's filled with teams that don't matter in Dallas and thus won't help us fill Ford (as we've seen this year and in years past when we've taken on many of the same teams). It's just 8 dead weight games a year that we can't get rid of.


2. So what if other AAC programs have good attendance, we're not a bloated state school so we can't draft off a huge enrollment to fill seats. We have to build a product to attract casual Dallas fans by beating the teams they care about (Texas P5). We're in a unique situation and what works for everyone else won't necessarily work for us (especially if it includes ducking relevant competition).


3. Playing ACC or Pac-12 teams does little for us. Those teams won't bring anyone to Ford nor will they excite our fanbase and none of our fans will travel for the return game. Playing teams like that will just depress season ticket sales. NTSU makes slightly more sense because they're a bloated state school that's close by but it remains to be seen how much actual interest that series will generate. We should avoid FCS schools at all costs from now on because too little is gained from playing them.


4. You have some interesting points regarding strategy but none are actionable until we get a real staff in here. June won't be doing anything cutting edge recruiting or strategy-wise.

How does Aggy and TCU taking us to the woodshed every year "excite" our fanbase? Texas "P5" programs pack our house with their fans and yes it might make our attendance look better, we will still bring 15-20k fans to those games so you want to put a band aid to a much bigger problem (attendance from our fans).

I don't get that argument about "Teams Dallas fans care about". We want to build a following for OUR team, not for the teams that come play against us. Granted those Texas P5 schools have some fans in Dallas, they do not represent the majority of the city that did not go to Texas schools or even college. You are basing your point on the assumption that our brand is weak, therefore we have to attract Dallas area fans by bringing strong brands to play in our stadium. TCU built a following by consistently beating teams "no one cares about". They averaged around 35k to watch them play while in CUSA-MWC. Granted, their attendance hit 45k in Rose Bowl year and now in the Big 12 they bring that amount, but its fans that want to watch TCU play, not necessarily UT or OU or other Big 12 teams. They bring 40k of their fans and the rest are TTU, OU or Texas fans. We need to build a following and fanbase so that we can have 30k fans show up during AAC games and when Aggy and Baylor come play, we still bring our 30k and they can bring the rest and we sell out the standing room only.

What you say about Pac 12, ACC coming to play is not entirely correct. The reason we play one of their teams is because it gives us a higher chance to upset them than we would playing Big 12 which is a stronger football conference than the ACC in my opinion. This is where you get those marquee wins that build up your rep. Let's get away from the Texas big boys while we build up the program. Let's just have TCU as the only Big 12 team we play because of our rivalry and avoid Aggy and Baylor FOR NOW. The Frogs would play a Big 12 team every now and then and they did come out with some remarkable wins such as their upset of OU in 2005 and beating Tech.


I see some really good upside and excitement that can be built with our conference mates just like TCU did in MWC and their rivalries with Boise, BYU and Utah.

I can see us having good rivalries and people getting excited from us having Cincinnati, UCF and Houston coming to play us at home. UNT will be a good series in which we should be able to bring a decent amount of fans to their stadium and they will travel well too. TCU will always be a sellout and we can get to the point where we bring 10k fans or so to watch SMU play them in Fort Worth.

It's all about our product on the field, I agree with you. June needs to get his [Deleted] together or we will be eaten alive. Recruiting should always be a program's top priority and it doesn't seem so in the JJ regime.

[sbsmith]

What I agree with:
Your recruiting MUST improve or else its shuffling deck chairs on the titanic as far as taking the next step is concerned.

What I disagree with:
The idea that scheduling wins can't at least give better odds of bowls and recruiting success over time.

"Trading P5 losses for Go5 losses", this one is downright silly.

The idea that attendance depends more on opponent than the home team.

Yes the odds of Eastern Michigan sucking are greater than A&Ms but even if we could get them on the schedule (they’re actually filled up through 2016) we’d gain nothing from playing them. A game like that is very likely to alienate fans (much like us dropping Baylor for Montana State did). As I said before, limping to bowl eligibility by loading up on fake wins has done very little for us so far so why should we expect to gain more from that strategy in future seasons?

True, the goal isn’t to be full of the other team’s fans but the only way we’ll get that sustainable growth from our own fans is to beat teams that they care about (which has always been Texas P5 teams). No amount of Eastern Michigans is going to help us reach sustainable growth.

You’re right about recruiting needing to improve but we don’t need to wait for a bunch of seasons filled with fake wins to happen. The improvement starts when we decide to make it a priority and until it does these 9+ win seasons are unlikely to happen no matter what teams we schedule. For us the attendance depends more on the opponent than the home team and that’s something only someone familiar with SMUs history will know.

[ReedFrawg]

What I agree with:
Your recruiting MUST improve or else its shuffling deck chairs on the titanic as far as taking the next step is concerned.

What I disagree with:
The idea that scheduling wins can't at least give better odds of bowls and recruiting success over time.

"Trading P5 losses for Go5 losses", this one is downright silly.

The idea that attendance depends more on opponent than the home team.

Yes the odds of Eastern Michigan sucking are greater than A&Ms but even if we could get them on the schedule (they’re actually filled up through 2016) we’d gain nothing from playing them. A game like that is very likely to alienate fans (much like us dropping Baylor for Montana State did). As I said before, limping to bowl eligibility by loading up on fake wins has done very little for us so far so why should we expect to gain more from that strategy in future seasons?

True, the goal isn’t to be full of the other team’s fans but the only way we’ll get that sustainable growth from our own fans is to beat teams that they care about (which has always been Texas P5 teams). No amount of Eastern Michigans is going to help us reach sustainable growth.

You’re right about recruiting needing to improve but we don’t need to wait for a bunch of seasons filled with fake wins to happen. The improvement starts when we decide to make it a priority and until it does these 9+ win seasons are unlikely to happen no matter what teams we schedule. For us the attendance depends more on the opponent than the home team and that’s something only someone familiar with SMUs history will know.

I agree with BU and have said the same things previosuly here. What you get by playing EMU is a win. Ws matter...who cares if tech brings in 10k fans to boost attendance. You have to look long term and i think you do have time...there is no other good alternative. Build with easy Ws for the next 4-5 yrs and then bulk up the OOC.

[sbsmith]

How does Aggy and TCU taking us to the woodshed every year "excite" our fanbase? Texas "P5" programs pack our house with their fans and yes it might make our attendance look better, we will still bring 15-20k fans to those games so you want to put a band aid to a much bigger problem (attendance from our fans).

I don't get that argument about "Teams Dallas fans care about". We want to build a following for OUR team, not for the teams that come play against us. Granted those Texas P5 schools have some fans in Dallas, they do not represent the majority of the city that did not go to Texas schools or even college. You are basing your point on the assumption that our brand is weak, therefore we have to attract Dallas area fans by bringing strong brands to play in our stadium. TCU built a following by consistently beating teams "no one cares about". They averaged around 35k to watch them play while in CUSA-MWC.

What you say about Pac 12, ACC coming to play is not entirely correct. The reason we play one of their teams is because it gives us a higher chance to upset them than we would playing Big 12 which is a stronger football conference than the ACC in my opinion. This is where you get those marquee wins that build up your rep. Let's get away from the Texas big boys while we build up the program.


I see some really good upside and excitement that can be built with our conference mates just like TCU did in MWC and their rivalries with Boise, BYU and Utah.

I can see us having good rivalries and people getting excited from us having Cincinnati, UCF and Houston coming to play us at home. UNT will be a good series in which we should be able to bring a decent amount of fans to their stadium and they will travel well too. TCU will always be a sellout and we can get to the point where we bring 10k fans or so to watch SMU play them in Fort Worth.

Playing Aggy and TCU excites the fanbase, getting taken to the woodshed may deflate the fanbase but taking those games off the schedule deprives the fans of the opportunity to see teams they actually care about. Replacing them with junk will deflate the fanbase as well and there's no guarantee that the junk you replace them with will result in wins.


You don't get the argument about "Teams Dallas fans care about" because you don't get this town. The majority of people in Dallas are caught up in the orbit of Texas P5 teams (alums, T-shirt fans, friends and relatives of alums, etc), you want to get their attention then we need to beat the teams they care about otherwise they'll keep ignoring us. How much traction have we gained the past few years from all our wins over UAB, Tulane and other junk? How many times do we need to play teams like that in front of tumbleweeds before you get that no one cares about seeing us play them (even our own fans)?


Our brand is weak, that's not an assumption (check attendance, merchandise sales, ratings, etc for proof). TCU has been far ahead of us in attendance even when they sucked, their alums/city just care more than ours do. Part of the reason why TCU was able to build a following is due to how well they recruited during their rise. We're not on that level and won't even approach it until we fix they way we recruit.


Beating whatever meager ACC or Pac-12 programs that would play us will not be consider marquee wins by anyone. Did anyone give a [deleted] when we beat Washington State? There won't be any building of relevance unless we play Texas big boys, avoid them now and they might not be amenable to playing us in the future. Remember that scheduling doesn't happen in a vacuum, we can't just pick and choose when we're ready to face these teams and expect them to hold spaces for us.


You're dreaming if you think we'll be able to build any real rivalries in the AAC. Our fans have never been excited about playing other left-behinds and they never will be. Those teams don't matter in this town and many don't even matter in their own towns.

[newshound]

Completely agree. 100 percent. National university should play a national schedule, not a regional schedule.

Oh, and we are 0-46-1 vs. Big 12 "South" since returning to football. Take a hint. Numbers don't lie.

(Big 12 "South" being Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech).

[WordUpBU]

What I agree with:
Your recruiting MUST improve or else its shuffling deck chairs on the titanic as far as taking the next step is concerned.

What I disagree with:
The idea that scheduling wins can't at least give better odds of bowls and recruiting success over time.

"Trading P5 losses for Go5 losses", this one is downright silly.

The idea that attendance depends more on opponent than the home team.

Yes the odds of Eastern Michigan sucking are greater than A&Ms but even if we could get them on the schedule (they’re actually filled up through 2016) we’d gain nothing from playing them. A game like that is very likely to alienate fans (much like us dropping Baylor for Montana State did).

You gain a win and in the case of 2013, a bowl that helps the program build toward taking the next step. Missing a bowl hurts more than a brand name loss helps. The alienate your own fans thing happens only if you cancel it short notice to where expectations are mismanaged.

As I said before, limping to bowl eligibility by loading up on fake wins has done very little for us so far so why should we expect to gain more from that strategy in future seasons?

It took you from a laughingstock to a decently perceived team. It plateaued at that level but its foolish to think less frequent bowls is going to increase your odds of success. It's still the way to go as its shortcomings as you mentioned weren't tied to the philosophy schedule wise but rather recruiting issues with your staff.

True, the goal isn’t to be full of the other team’s fans but the only way we’ll get that sustainable growth from our own fans is to beat teams that they care about (which has always been Texas P5 teams). No amount of Eastern Michigans is going to help us reach sustainable growth.

Don't tell that to TCU. Fact is you build your program to the level it needs to be to play in and win relevant games by consistently winning small and then gradually building up. Beating EMU won't win over dallas on its own but beating them en route to year after year of 9+ wins and bowls will eventually help land recruits to pull off the marquee games.

You’re right about recruiting needing to improve but we don’t need to wait for a bunch of seasons filled with fake wins to happen. The improvement starts when we decide to make it a priority and until it does these 9+ win seasons are unlikely to happen no matter what teams we schedule.

Other things need to happen, but that doesn't excuse attempting a dumb scheduling strategy.

For us the attendance depends more on the opponent than the home team and that’s something only someone familiar with SMUs history will know.

When your team isn't strong it's true but when the team is strong it isn't. In 2007 people would have said the same about us.

SMU has more living alumni in DFW (39,000) than is needed to sell out Ford. Compared to BU (12k undergrad and 20k local alumni in a 59k stadium) or TCU (7k undergrad and 25k local alumni) SMU has all the numbers it needs. If those two can generate support via winning its very likely SMU can.

Local alumni and undergrads are the most likely attendees. A winning team helps draw local non-grads and out of town alumni in larger numbers. There is no reason a successful SMU program couldn't draw the 30k+ that the Pony Express teams did against SWC teams other than Bevo or Aggy.

[ponyinNC]

I agree with Baylor fan and reedfrawg - couldn't disagree more with sbsmith.

Give me wins. Give me bowls. Give me steady increase in attendance due to growing our own fan base- not by filling up half our stadium with Aggies and raiders t o watch their team kill us.

You guys have to start living in reality - in 2014. Not 1984. SWC is dead. SMU is not a national powerhouse program. We are basically starting over like a new brand---and we have to build it up by continuing forward momentum. Wins. Bowls. Extra practice. Recruiting.

Hopefully our next coach takes care of the recruiting part.