Jacie
6/14/2009, 02:42 PM
. . . but don't expect miracles.
Last year I posted that June Jones' move from Hawaii to Dallas was not a good career move. Replies to that thread mostly disagreed with mine. Let's see how things went on The Hill.
COACH: June Jones (1-11 in one season; 77-51 in 10 seasons overall).
So until last year, his career stats were 76 wins and 40 losses in 9 seasons, a drop of 50 percentage points. Anyone think the Ponies will post a winning record in 2009?
LAST SEASON: 1-11 overall, 0-8 in Conference USA (sixth in C-USA West).
FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 118th.
Lost to Tulane and UTEP among others.
WEAKNESSES: The running game was horrible last season (41.4 yards per game, with three – three! – rushing touchdowns).
There's that word again! Still, with 8 sophomores projected as starters on offense, you'd think they have to get better than they were last year.
The defense was awful . . .
Unlike the offense, the defense, at least, has more seniors than sophomores among projected starters.
THE BUZZ: Growing pains were severe in Jones' first season,
Understatement
but better days should be ahead. This can be a tough offense to grasp, but Mitchell and his receivers should post solid numbers this season.
If not, then it will be another fruitless season for SMU fans.
After an easy opener, SMU goes on the road for three games in a row, with Game 2 against fellow league bottom-feeder UAB. That should be a good gauge for both teams. Starting Oct. 3 against TCU, SMU plays six games in a row against teams that went to bowls last season.
Doesn't mean that all six of those teams are as good or better than last year but any of them will have to experience a huge drop off to sink to the depths SMU inhabited in 2008.
Still, this could be a five- or even six-win team if things go well.
How often does that happen in college football?
Realistically, though, a four-victory season would be something to celebrate.
I say it again, June Jones left paradise where he was a king for mere money and a hopeless situation with zero job security at SMU.
Last year I posted that June Jones' move from Hawaii to Dallas was not a good career move. Replies to that thread mostly disagreed with mine. Let's see how things went on The Hill.
COACH: June Jones (1-11 in one season; 77-51 in 10 seasons overall).
So until last year, his career stats were 76 wins and 40 losses in 9 seasons, a drop of 50 percentage points. Anyone think the Ponies will post a winning record in 2009?
LAST SEASON: 1-11 overall, 0-8 in Conference USA (sixth in C-USA West).
FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 118th.
Lost to Tulane and UTEP among others.
WEAKNESSES: The running game was horrible last season (41.4 yards per game, with three – three! – rushing touchdowns).
There's that word again! Still, with 8 sophomores projected as starters on offense, you'd think they have to get better than they were last year.
The defense was awful . . .
Unlike the offense, the defense, at least, has more seniors than sophomores among projected starters.
THE BUZZ: Growing pains were severe in Jones' first season,
Understatement
but better days should be ahead. This can be a tough offense to grasp, but Mitchell and his receivers should post solid numbers this season.
If not, then it will be another fruitless season for SMU fans.
After an easy opener, SMU goes on the road for three games in a row, with Game 2 against fellow league bottom-feeder UAB. That should be a good gauge for both teams. Starting Oct. 3 against TCU, SMU plays six games in a row against teams that went to bowls last season.
Doesn't mean that all six of those teams are as good or better than last year but any of them will have to experience a huge drop off to sink to the depths SMU inhabited in 2008.
Still, this could be a five- or even six-win team if things go well.
How often does that happen in college football?
Realistically, though, a four-victory season would be something to celebrate.
I say it again, June Jones left paradise where he was a king for mere money and a hopeless situation with zero job security at SMU.