24-31 and 19-8

[Mitch McConnell]

The first number is the combined record of the six teams SMU has defeated, NW St., UTEP, Memphis, TCU, Tulane and UCF. That's a winning percentage of .436. NW St. (5-4) and TCU (7-2) have the only winning records.

The second number is the combined record of the three teams SMU has lost to, Texas A&M, So. Miss and Tulsa. A&M is 5-4, So. Miss is 8-1 and Tulsa is 6-3.

Here's what I think this means:

SMU has reached a point in the Jones era where it is/it has separated itself from the bottom rung programs and can usually beat the .500 teams and can find a way to pick off a traditional power (TCU -- rivalry and emotion filled game). That's good. SMU's influx of better talent in recruiting is revealing itself. SMU is minus 6 in the turnover ratio in those game but the other teams are so poor, the Mustangs can overcome the miscues.

SMU is still not there yet in terms of consistently in big-time games. That means the talent is not there yet. Now, all 3 losses were blowouts and were on the road. I would have thought this group was capable of picking off Tulsa but that didn't happen. The turnover ratio is minus 5 in those games. And the Mustangs are paying for it when they give it up.

In essence, the program is in that middle ground. Good enough to be competitive and occasionally get the big win. Not good enough to really contend for a conference title. However, the recruiting services recent ratings would suggest the inflow of student-athletes can potentially get the program to that next level. Maybe 2 years is what I'm thinking.

Everything is relative. Sure, we want to be winning as many games as possible. But the evidence doesn't support 9-3 - 11-1 every year -- YET. I think what we should understand is that when you come into a program in 2008 and find it a bit of wastland, the journey north demands patience.

In August, I suggested this team is capable of winning of at least 8 games. That goal still exists. The program is bowl eligible. Regardless of whether it's in Hawaii, Dallas, New Orleans or St. Petersburg, watching your team practice in December (always remember how important those extra practices are) it reveals how far it has come.

I've taken the approach of appreciating the journey, which all of us (a time or two) are guilty of not doing.

And this is coming from someone who is no fan of the current head coach.

Food for thought.

[ponyboy]

We contended for a conference title last year. But all in all a good analysis.

[redpony]

Dammit Mitch- I was sure we had another panic thread. What a disappointment.

GO PONIES!!!

[SMU2007]

start out losing to everyone.

then you win against the bad teams occasionally.

then you win against the bad teams consistently and occasionally take down a good team.

then you consistently compete with the good teams.

then you are a top dog.


Reminds me of the Mavs' progression as they started to get better and transitioned from the team that sometimes took down a good team, but also sometimes dropped the ball against a bad team, to the team that you didn't have to worry about when they played an inferior opponent.

we're getting there.

[ojaipony]

Agree exactly. Enjoy the journey. It's going to be fun to watch and sometimes very disappointing to watch (Tulsa) but all in all it's night and day from when I was there (1992-1996).

[ojaipony]

Based on that progression (which I think is exactly correct), here's where I think the program is ... certainly the last 2 can go back and forth with some #3 sprinkled in). I think 2014 is going to be THE year (last year of June's contract? and a couple of more recruiting classes to develop plus in a strong conference by then ... NOT BE).

1- start out losing to everyone. (post DP-2008)

2 - then you win against the bad teams occasionally. (2008-2009)

3 - then you win against the bad teams consistently and occasionally take down a good team. (2010-2013)

4 - then you consistently compete with the good teams. (2014-??)

5 - then you are a top dog. (??)

[smubrooks]

So last year was "The climb" this year is "The stampede" will next year be "The journey"?

[2ndandlong]

Vote for Adam Still today. He's close and your vote could put him in the lead.

[Charleston Pony]

let's see how SMU looks in year 6 under Jones as that will be entirely his roster with the guys having had an opportunity to mature

[skyscraper]

Some good perspective.
8 wins before the bowl game would be another good step for the program.

[SMU2007]

9 wins and the opportunity for a 10 win season would be even better!

[redpony]

let's see how SMU looks in year 6 under Jones as that will be entirely his roster with the guys having had an opportunity to mature

Hopefully the QB situation will be solved by then. Would really love to see the real r&S.

GO PONIES!!!

[Mustangs_Maroons]

I don't think there's a talent discrepancy between us and tulsa or usm. Against TAM, yes, but not the other 2 teams. The players didn't seem ready for those games and it cost them dearly. And for our system to be fully utilized, we need a top-tier QB, which we don't have. That is where the problem is in my opinion because receivers have been open but we just haven't been hitting them as we should. Too many mistakes as well...many unforced.

[SoCal_Pony]

no doubt our QB has dropped off and is the main reason we are not taking it to the next level. Seems we have yet to completely overcome that 2nd half funk we experienced at Navy.

If Padron was everything we thought he would be in Hawaii, I could easily see this team 8-1 now.

but I agree, it will take at least a couple more years before we can play the A&M's of the world and have any real expectations of winning.

[Topper]

It means we are more likely to beat a bad team than a good one.