2003 FB Schedule

[SMUFinns]

SMU will not play Hawai'i for two seasons. "http://wacsports.com/article.asp?articleid=37997"
MISSED OPPONENTS – Since the WAC plays an eight-game conference schedule, each team missed one league opponent last year and again this season. The five missed matchups are Boise State-SMU, Fresno State-UTEP, Hawai‘i-Louisiana Tech, Nevada-Tulsa and Rice-San Jose State. In 2003 and 2004, the missed matchups will be Boise State-Rice, Fresno State-Tulsa, Hawai‘i-SMU, Louisiana Tech-San Jose State and Nevada-UTEP.

Let's see for the 2003 season
TCU - Home / OSU - Home / Navy - Away / Texas Tech - Away
Plus our regular conference opponents which should now include Boise State.

[SMUPonyFan]

No Navy next year, instead Baylor away

[PerunaPunch]

That's going to be an excellent schedule. Great local non-conference oponents... All within easy travelling distance.

Will be nice to take on Boise State at home.

[gostangs]

Does anyone else think we could use a couple of sure win or at least maybe win games instead of OSU and Tech? Baylor and TCU are also not likely wins - We need to win over some fans with a few wins before the conference season starts - I know we need butts in the seats and I am as optimistic as anyone, but give us something to hang onto here!

[SmooPower]

Hmm, I don't know about that. We played Tech and TCU fairly close this year. OSU lost to Louisiana Tech, so why can't they lose to us? Baylor? Hmm...

[SMUFan]

I agree, I think that's a perfect out-of-conference schedule. We hung tough with TCU and Tech (playing next year in Lubbock will be a little different than playing in Ford Stadium, but then again, Kingsbury - thankfully - is gone). We stuck up the joint in Stillwater this year, but we showed we can play better than that. Peruna Punch is right in saying that if LaTech can beat OSU, then there's no reason we can't at least play with them.

I think the Baylor game is a dangerous match-up. We can certainly play with them. But if we lose to them, what does that do to team morale? You can make the claim that Baylor is a Big 12 team -- but they're a really BAD Big 12 team. Winning that would be a terrific way to head into the WAC schedule.

I see us going 2-2 in non-conference games next year.

[SmooPower]

Hey now, watch who you are quoting there.

[PerunaPunch]

Hey, gimme credit where it's not due. LOL

My wife is certainly someone who thinks that we should not be so gung-ho to schedule tough non-conference games. But we started this past season with a patsy and look what it got us.

I say that if we're ever going to start swimming with the sharks again, we have to learn how to bite back. Our boys really do, in many cases, seem to rise to the occasion. Besides, it's so much more exciting to see our guys battling the Klingsburys and Woods of the world, and the LTs, Carrs, Lelies and Peppers last year. Plus, growing up as a Southwest Conference brat, I feel compelled to squish froggies, bears, red raiders and so on whenever the opportunity presents.

In all seriousness though, I think playing against good competition makes us better, and I think that at some point, playing these teams tough and perhaps winning a few will put us in a favorable light if conferences realign in the future.

On a less positive note, OSU, Baylor, Tech and TCU should all draw good crowds which really help our overall attendance figures.

[gostangs]

the problem is of late we have been the squishees, not the squishers. I understand the attendence arguement, I just want to see one or two Southeastsouthwestnorthwhatever Lousiana's on there so we can be 500 going into conference - in a year or two it will be different, but right now you can't look at our out of conference with any realism and think better then 1-3 - just think what Bennett could do recruiting wise with a little momentum.

[Nacho]

Schedule NTSU if you want an easy win.

[SMUFan]

Woah - sorry about the mix up, Smoo Power!

[gostangs]

Hey nacho - No need to go that far down the rung - Don't think we need to do any 2A schools.

[JustAFriend]

OK State also beat OU, and I dont think that necessarily means that SMU can play with OU. OSU is a good team and they will only get better next year. I wouldnt consider that one a maybe win.

[Charleston Pony]

I thought we skipped a year and the return trip to TTech was in 2004. Anyone know for sure?

[SmooPower]

"The game with Texas Tech is the first in a four-year contract with the Red Raiders. The Mustangs will travel to Lubbock in 2003 and 2006 and host Tech again in 2004."

From smumustangs.com.