SMU2006

If we can close on a couple big time prospects we will likely have the highest rated transfer class in the nation. The kids we're "losing" in the portal are largely depth pieces or have rightly made the determination that they will be recruited over either with HS signees or the portal. The only significant contributor to transfer is Mordecai who was not coming back regardless given the situation with Preston Stone. As far as our record this year I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't close out the fourth quarter lead we had at Maryland. But that's a tough opponent on the road early in the season. We lost to TCU by 8 and Cincinnati by 2. Losses are losses but for a first year head coach I think it was a decent transitional year with big wins over Houston and Memphis. With the influx of transfer portal talent there is absolutely no excuse SMU should be anything less than 9-3 next year and playing in the AAC championship game. Lashlee knows this. The team knows this. The two NIL groups know this. We will have vastly superior talent to every team in the AAC next year. Doesn't mean anything until you play the games but I'll take my chances with a two deep full of P5 talent at every position.

I agree that aspect of it does feel a bit dirty but you can see what they're trying to do trying to emulate Sport Trac and some of the other algorithmic websites to assign "value" to players and their contracts. I think its a pretty neat and intuitive tool to be honest.

Yep saw that. Hard for a kid from Norman to turn down a chance to play for his hometown team. We're taking a swing. He's on campus and has a pretty sweet NIL. BTW, SMU has the #3 transfer portal team ranking according to On3. https://www.on3.com/transfer-portal/team-rankings/football/2023/

What can you guys say about Jake Roberts? He's at SMU today. Deciding between Arkansas, Baylor, and SMU.

He's gonna get a bag from NIL but I would certainly think North Texas makes a ton of sense for him.

Love Tanner but it was time for him to move on. Tough kid that played pretty well, especially this year with a new coaching staff that he didn't envision having to deal with when he transferred here from OU. That said, its Preston Stone's time now. He is easily the most highly regarded prospect to sign with SMU since the Death Penalty and has patiently waited his turn (even when Sonny and TCU NIL tried to get him to transfer last year). I'm anxious to see how he pairs with 4 star transfer RB Jaylon Knighton (Miami), 4 star transfer RB LJ Johnson (A&M), and last year's five star transfer RB Camar Wheaton (Bama). I clearly think we'll be more of a true Power Spread offense next year as Preston hopefully grows into being the starter. Wish Tanner nothing but the best at Wisconsin.

Really like this hire for North Texas. O is a very well connected and highly regarded guy in DFW. Outstanding!

If they aren't good enough to play at SMU I don't think Sonny really wants them in Fort Worth but more power to them if that's where they want to go!

I mean it kind of is isn't it? Would be nice if you guys could make this is a game once every seven or eight years. Hoping the next coach can make it a bit more competitive.

Obsession is a stinky cologne.

Scoreboard.

This was anticipated based on the four game rule and the fact that these four young men were not making much (if any) contributions on the field. They can now transfer without losing a year of eligibility and opens up SMU's second NIL group that specifically targets transfers to start thinking about where to best allocate our resources. We wish them the best of luck and yes they will continue to be paid their NIL until they've left campus. That's the least SMU can do for them.

We are literally announcing today that we've fully funded a $100m plus expansion and renovation of Ford Stadium. It took all of five months to fully fund the project. We've also fully committed to paying every player on our roster as well as a separate grassroots NIL that will specifically target transfers. This all while undergoing a near $2b capital fundraising campaign for the university as a whole. The money isn't going anywhere. If anything Sonny was probably the catalyst to get the athletic department, billionaire donors, and grassroots donors all aligned and rowing the boat in the same direction. There will be no G5 school (and many P5's) that will be able to match up financially with what is on the horizon at SMU.

You mad bro?

shhh. Don't ruin the surprise! Its a pretty big announcement that should make quite a bit of news both here and nationally. 100% agreed on the concourse area. Its incredibly cramped. Ford was great when it first opened in 2000 but there have been minimal upgrades. Thanks to the $100m (already fully funded) renovation it should remedy a lot of those issues.

It won't be close.

Expecting 38-40k with standing room only.

We had 26k (4,500 students) show up to watch a game against Lamar. Pretty sure we'll do just fine with the $100m renovation and a national marquee program like OU in 2027.

Patterson would be a good hire if he could put together a similar support staff like he had during his TCU halcyon days. Don't know if that's doable at UNT but it would be an interesting hire.

Wrong. OU has a pretty long tradition of doing home and homes with regional schools like Tulane, Tulsa, etc. They obviously recruit heavily in DFW. With no TCU this game just makes a lot of sense for both schools.

No. UNT is genuinely outmatched at virtually every position on the field and the score reflects that significant talent gap. Doesn't matter if its at Ford or Apogee. Better players typically win the game.

This guy gets it.

lol. Hype up this game. Please. SMU is UNT's Super Bowl.

I'm clearly not as close the situation as some of your longtime fans/alums but it seems like North Texas has made significant strides towards being competitive. I'd argue that UNT's facilities are in the top ten among G5 programs nationally. Financially the institution and program have the infrastructure to succeed in the new AAC. It seems like UNT is committed to putting together a pretty decent NIL collective too. This will serve you well in the transfer portal. Just comes down to hiring the right coaches and holding them accountable. Really that's the only missing piece. I think a big problem is seeing SMU as the bar. That is just not realistic moving forward. SMU is going to be one the leading NIL/transfer destinations in the country regardless of conference affiliation. I do think UTSA, UAB, and Memphis should be good measuring sticks for North Texas. Absolutely no reason the Mean Green can't be right up there with those programs.

Siggers is starting until we get our 5 star running back transfer from Bama up to speed. Then our primary backup TJ McDaniel (offers from Clemson, Oregon, etc.) also is coming back from injury. Nice try though!