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!