SMU football tries to get back on track

[Harry]

SMU is out to prove that last year was simply a bump in the road and not a sign of things to come.

In 2013, the Mustangs stumbled out of the gates, finished with a 5-7 record and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2008, when June Jones finished 1-11 in his first year with the program.

SMU still has plenty of question marks including who will be the starting quarterback in the opener at Baylor, but Jones, who is 36-41 in six years on the Hilltop is optimistic about his team, which has some young talent and five starters returning on both sides of the ball.

read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20140821-college-football-preview-smu-football-tries-to-get-back-on-track.ece

[TIgreen01]

This is not their year.

What will be interesting to watch, is that if/when FBS schools are allowed to openly pay players above board---do the monied private schools like SMU, TCU, Rice and Baylor emerge as massive powerhouses (ie: top 10 every year)? Or are they too far behind?

[ColoradoEagle]

SMU would be very lucky not to start the season at 0-6. Their out of conference schedule and first couple aack games this year are brutal.

[ColoradoEagle]

Didn't say that, if you're talking to me. That said, SMU under June Jones is awful on the road against decent teams (6-31 against teams with winning records). It isn't an automatic win, but it's a likely win.

[Harry]

If Jones crashes and burns -- crazy idea I know but would they consider getting Mack Brown to replace him? God knows they have the money to do it. Mack has stated he still wants to coach. Not this year as he will be in the booth for ABC/ESPN in Bristol.

[malonish]

I wouldn't say it's more probable that UNT wins that game. The only edge is that it's at Apogee. SMOOH has had the tougher schedule and better recruiting the last few years.

[MeanGreenTexan]

I wouldn't say it's more probable that UNT wins that game. The only edge is that it's at Apogee. SMOOH has had the tougher schedule and better recruiting the last few years.

I agree with this. However, this has proven to be a pretty nice advantage.

[malonish]

It's been nice to drive by it so I would like to see it IRL instead of just the vidya game version.

[meangreen15]

I think the June Jones system could be holding SMU back. It seems like their team should be built around the run, especially if they have Davis as their QB.

I saw Gresham play in HS and that kid is a freak. I was really surprised Strong extend him another offer to go to UT. He has to be regretting that now with all of the depth problems they're having in the backfield right now.

[untjim1995]

If Jones crashes and burns -- crazy idea I know but would they consider getting Mack Brown to replace him? God knows they have the money to do it. Mack has stated he still wants to coach. Not this year as he will be in the booth for ABC/ESPN in Bristol.

Actually, Larry Coker would probably be real high on the list to replace June at SMU, I bet...

Edited August 22, 2014 by untjim1995