If you exclude the last 22 games since the DP, they are up 10 games on us (16 wins vs. 6 losses). However, we can't just arbitrarily exclude periods. They could do the same and exclude the 15-year butt-kicking we did when we won 15 games in a row. College football is cyclical. We should realize that. If they don't choose to realize that and believe that they are too good to keep this rivalry, then that is their problem because they are short-sighted and ignorant. They're going through their best period in their history right now. They should enjoy it. We beat them last year and I expect to beat them at Ford this year. I hope last year was the beginning of a new trend in SMU football. Go Mustangs!
You all had the DP but we went on probation for 3 years, that drained our program into the 90s. We both sucked in the late 80s and 90s. We invested and picked up our program sooner then SMU, that is the major difference. Take in mind that many rivalries are ceasing or are on hold for the time being. UT and aTm and possibly KU/MU are good examples. I'm not saying that TCU doesn't want to or does want to keep the Skillet going but currently its really not a big deal to us like it is at SMU. And yes football is cyclical but we've built and invested in this thing to last, I really don't see us ever going back to 2-10, nor do I see SMU going back to that either. I can see some seasons where we lose maybe 4-6 games but nothing like the old days after our probation and us getting left out of the Big 12.
I will agree that there is a paradigm shift when it comes to how rivalries are viewed. It just doesn't seem like they're valued as much anymore because everyone has their own interest in mind with all the tv money being thrown around. As you pointed out that is what's happening with A&M and UT. It's a shame but that is how things are progressing now. It tcu fans don't believe this is a rivalry game anymore, then that is not our problem. And, as I said before, SMU fans probably didn't feel it was much of a rivalry during the 15-straight years when we won. Regardless, we're both in new conferences and new rivalries will develop.
Last edited by Mustangs_Maroons on Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.