BigPonyFan

rjmunthe, you sound like you're firmly against playing SMU. Why don't you lead the charge (from the UNT side) to break off the series??

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree Harry!

I think we already hashed this out previously on a different thread. Orsini scheduled the UNT games well before the Big East developments to help drive attendance numbers. I honestly doubt he expected things to move so quickly, and he was hoping that UNT would help give the attendance numbers a bump (to build the schools case for BE inclusion). This was necessary since SMU has virtually no money for marketing. We're potentially in a completely different situation now. With six homes games, Baylor, and TCU, SMU doesn't need yet another North Texas game. TCU has a regional strategy, SMU does not. I would much rather have SMU play a team like Washington State (for example). My #1 point is that SMU needs to aggressively market and fill the stadium regardless of opponent. SMU needs to look to market the school outside of North Texas, which means not having another NT game.

This. I just wish SMU and UNT would walk separate paths and not begrudge the other for it. I have zero hate or ill feelings towards UNT, but I would be perfectly content with never playing them again...in any sport

This. It didn't take me long to learn that there are haters on both sides. Just offer a beer to those who won't pour it over your head...and move on!

Yes, 100% joke for many reasons. Really, it's just a defeated response to losing 7 recruits to other programs. Signing day can't get here fast enough. Good luck guys.

Lifer, I don't really understand your post, but losing Burton did hurt. When a kid (or his grandmother) wants him to stay closer to home we have to deal with it. It's what SMU gets for wandering so far away from Dallas.

Look, you either need to be angry SMU is going after your recruits or offended they aren't, but you can't have it both ways. My only point was that the average SMU fan doesn't sit back and think "geeze, what UNT recruit can we try and steal today" ... as the initial post implies.

Trust me when I say this was a "joke" post. Targeting UNT recruits is not perceived as a good thing by most. Sounds like Chase was visited by UNT coaches yesterday, and is really conflicted. It sounds like you may hold on to that one -- congrats!!

I guess he committed to SMU at some point over the last 72 hours. However, I don't believe he ever showed as a UNT commit on Rivals. Was he committed?

Sorry, didn't realized it was locked. In short, he likes UNT a lot but is torn between SMU and UNT. Plans to visit SMU, but he had a great time at UNT. For what it's worth, SMU hired a big time recruiting coach yesterday from Houston (Jason Phillips), so there may not be room for any more uncommitted guys if JP brings people with him. Any case, appreciate the input and good luck MG!

Looks like the SMU Rivals writers have put together a short piece (typos and all). Looks UNT bound to me. http://smu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1317741

LOL...that's funny (not that it happened, but your response). Please just kindly remember that nearly 1/2 of the SMU population today are graduate students that don't resemble anything close to that image. A few "fans" shouldn't sway popular opinion (good or bad).

Again, sorry you feel that way. Unfortunately, SMU was hot after 4-5 Juco guys and Chase wasn't really on the fan radar until recently. I do have a Rivals subscription, but not one for UNT. Was just trying to learn who the guy is. Trust me, SMU is no stranger to de-commits. You just roll with it. Would love to invite you out to the Boulevard this year so perhaps you can warm to SMU a bit. If the scheduling works, I would love to have you out as my guest.

I agree with your points here. Long before my time at SMU, the school made it a priority to build a national brand. There are certainly pro/cons to the approach (vs. a more regional name). My point is that after playing TCU, Baylor, and residing in Dallas, if a North Texas person doesn't know who SMU is, then how is playing one more North Texas team really going to help? I would much rather use the game and play a team like Temple if SMU is trying to build its brand in Philly (just as an example). IMO, that’s exactly what your athletics program is for!

I'm not wrong about the number of tickets scanned. I'm not sure how UNT's priority point system works (or if there is one), but at SMU each ticket scanned is 1 point. I know many at SMU will scan their tickets and then return to the Boulevard at some point before the game is over. My point was that SMU isn't lying about the numbers scanned. It's just that they have no way of realistically inventorying the attrition. I went to every game and for most games it was 18-19k by half (15-16k by end of game). To say that 22k didn't come into the stadium is false.

SMU fans like pie. Next question.

Harry, I really appreciate your comments. I actually know a number of really good UNT fans (and there are a few good ones that come over and post of PF). I am certainly in the small minority of SMU fans that don't like the SMU/UNT series. There are a number of reasons why SMU fans like the series, but none of them are compelling to me. Frankly, I would love for SMU to buy it out. Please understand, my position doesn't come from a point of hate or "superiority" over UNT. When I sit here TODAY, I don't see how the series makes sense for SMU. Attendance: The one big argument in favor of keeping the series is that fans from both schools will travel to the nearby school and boost attendance. I for one think it's pathetic that you have to use visiting fans to fill your stadium (and I'm directing that towards SMU). Kudos to TCU in this area. SMU needs to get to the point where they can sell 10k more tickets, and then the visiting team fans will be virtually irrelevant. Almost any team SMU schedules will fill the remaining spots (except for the those UCF guys, what in the world??). You mentioned that Orsini thought this was a good idea, which is why he scheduled it for four years. I would bet $1,000 that SO scheduled this to help SMU build its resume to get into a BCS conference. Nobody knew the World would change so quickly and that spots would open when they did. I have doubts he would schedule it today. SMU Travel Convenience: One of the reasons some SMU fans like the series is because they'll be able to travel up to Denton for the game. When they go to the Big East and only have Houston as a "travel partner", regional OOC games will be popular to "feed the fans". Two SMU games per year are already committed in NTx: TCU and Baylor. I personally don't believe SMU needs a 3rd game in the NTx area. There are many other good regional options: Rice, A&M (which we have for 3 years – at this point), UT, Tech, La Tech, the Ok schools, Tulane, etc. The "no-win" Scenario: This is the one I'm sure will send passionate UNT fans into a fit of rage, so I saved it for last. I honestly don't wish ill will towards UNT, so I do wish that you get your chance to move up in the conference ranks. For now though, there is a rather large gap between the Big East and Sunbelt. Who knows what's going to happen going forward so the gap may close substantially. HOWEVER, for NOW there is a gap and certain expectations that accompany the gap. Like you said, if SMU wins the response is "so?". If SMU loses is "bahahahahah". In any case, I understand this will likely receive 20 "negative" marks. Just know it's honest and it's exactly would I would say to your face if we were sitting in a bar having a beer. While I don't have a single drop of hate in my heart when it comes to UNT, the school is still a competitor -- one that SMU does and should take seriously.

I'm talking about as a school, not as a football team. If you don't understand that a significant % of SMU's students come from outside of Texas, then you don't understand SMU's demographics. Honestly, it's one of the big reasons SMU struggles with attendance -- the students go back to CA, NY, etc. after graduating.

Being as objective as I can, I would say 22k scanned (including student #), 21k made it to their seats (as opposed to just leaving), 19k by half, and 16k by end of game. SMU has to do a better of job of not only getting fans, but getting them to stay (which includes allowing re-entry). In any case, I'm not looking for love on a UNT board. You've not been shy about your hate, and I'm not one to try and change your mind. I came on here to learn about a recruit SMU is recruiting. The fact is, I honestly feel many UNT fans look for a fight when one isn't there (not to suggest that there aren't some real idiot SMU fans). SMU is trying to build its brand outside of Texas. Playing NTx teams doesn't help with that. It's just that simple.

It's a fair point Glick. SMU essentially dropped teams like UAB, UTEP, Marshall, Memphis, etc. and added Boise, Louisville, Cincy, etc. Sure, if you pit the least popular Big East school (Rutgers) against a top CUSA draw (So Miss), then the spread may not be all that different. On a net basis, it will be very significant. SMU has to get its alumni to care. However, even if a larger number of alumni all of a sudden become fans, SMU is going to need local fan support. Hopefully the new generation of SMU alumni are more inviting.

There are so MANY reasons to poke at SMU, but saying there are "10,000" fans make you look ridiculous, Lifer. This year the average will be around 22k, and that's without a "big game" on the schedule. The home side is almost always full (which is 13,000 +/-). Plus, there are students, visitors, Stadium Club, and the grassy knoll (which is popular and usually pretty full). You're just flat out wrong! There are two things that lead to the misinformation about numbers. 1) Those numbers are tickets scanned + students. Now, SMU (unfortunately) doesn't allow re-entry so some do scan his/her tickets and then return to the boulevard before the game is over (how do you remove them from your numbers??). 2) They always show the visitor side on TV, which is usually somewhat empty. Ford looks strangely unbalanced as half is packed and the other is pretty empty (unless we're playing TCU, Navy, etc.). I understand why SMU haters on the UNT board propagate this lie (and it is a LIE). You just lose all credibility when you repeat it over and over and over. Get some new material.

Speculation has it that he'll make a final decision in January. From comments that I've read, he seems really torn. Good kid.

He seems like a great young man, so the school that ends up with him should be very thrilled.

LOL...yes, that was my original question. Seems like he has a lot to ponder.