What has caused this team to lose its swagger? Get it back!

[BRStang]

Does anyone have any concrete, inside information as to what has caused this team to fall flat on its face? SOMETHING had to have happened in that locker room for the worldbeaters that knocked off TCU to come out uninspired in their last 4 outings and ultimately lose to a mediocre Navy team. What???

And, what is it going to take to overcome this? THE SEASON IS NOT OVER. The team has the chance to get back into the media spotlight in a positive way if it can pull itself together and BEAT HOUSTON!

Geaux Mustangs!

[CalallenStang]

Could it possibly be the same thing that prompted a walk-on to trash the university for not supporting the team?

[The PonyGrad]

What happened to one and clear??

Having said that, I expect them to show up for Houston.

[ponydawg]

Fire has been gone ever since Padron got injured and stopped traveling with the team. Could be nothing, but........

[High Horse]

Fire has nothing to do with Padron. He is completely disconnected to the team when he is on the sidelines. We are newbies in feeling empowered. Lost confidence after loosing to a good Southern Mississippi team , which has gone to 9 straight bowls, and don't know how to find it after a loss to Tulsa.

[High Horse]

Padron being connected to "swagger" makes almost as much sense as the striped pants post. We lost to A&M in those pants which should be a good enough reason to retire them.

[smu diamond m]

Having said that, I expect them to show up for Houston.

They better find some mojo, then... Houston is on a mission. I'm not sure the team that beat TCU could match UH right now

[LHS81]

I think SMU would get their swag back, if they knocked Keenum out of the game on the first series. Not that I'm wishing an injury

[San Antonio Mustang]

I have posted elsewhere what I think may be a possible explanation. The coaches have worked hard to dispel the notion that the team is made up of losers and have succeeded. But, now the team thinks they are better than they are. They have taken all four of these games for granted. Fortunately Tulane really wasn't good enough to beat us. Perhaps they will believe they have to work to beat Houston and will do so.

[ponyfanman]

http://cbsksfm.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/old_spice_385x240.jpg?w=385&h=240

[ponydawg]

Padron being connected to "swagger" makes almost as much sense as the striped pants post. We lost to A&M in those pants which should be a good enough reason to retire them.

I don't think it is the reason, just pointing out he hasn't been on the sideline from the USM game thru last sat. Same timeline as the missing swagger.

[huskerpony]

I don't know, but I don't like it when there are players standing around, looking disengaged, and laughing on the sidelines when their team is losing.

I realize that sometimes this is just a moment that gets caught on camera, but it looks bad, and it hasn't been just one instance. The coaching staff's laid back attitude may have some positive attributes to it, but to get a team to the next level, there needs to be some fire too.

I also don't know how much the team is practicing in full pads these days, but I am always 100% against the no contact practice theory that has been used here in the past few years.

[78pony]

San Antonio, interesting thoughts. I'm glad you used the word 'possible.' Otherwise, I would kindly ask you to send me whatever you are eating, drinking or smoking, please.

[NomAnor]

Its the new locker room

[Charleston Pony]

There is no question that this team is not playing with the same determination and fire they showed against TCU. My thinking is that after beating TCU and UCF, they got a little full of themselves and then traveled to play a very tough USM team in a hostile environment, got punched in the mouth and did not respond very well. Followed that with another tough road trip and got kicked in the teeth by Tulsa, eliminating any chance of returning to CUSA Championship game so season's goal was shot. Lack of motivation since falling behind early to Tulsa seems pretty obvious, but keep in mind that guys are nicked up this time of year and that makes it even more difficult for them to bring maximum effort. Would be nice to have more depth