Quote:You said "SMU is not an AAU member or a "Tier One" Research school because SMU puts more of a focus on teaching than research..
Look at the AAU member schools. It's a collection of schools that excel at both teaching and research - which are BOTH part of the selection metrics. Just because you emphasize teaching doesn't mean research necessarily has to be deemphasized. SMU is not a member of the AAU because they have not been invited, per the guidelines which are: "based on the high quality of programs of academic research and scholarship and undergraduate, graduate, and professional education in a number of fields, as well as general recognition that a university is outstanding by reason of the excellence of its research and education programs."
1) I'm aware of the requirements to become an AAU member. Unfortunately, due to budgetary reasons, SMU cannot sink as much money into research as, say, Rice. That's why SMU's emphasis on teaching causes research to be de-emphasized. I guess they don't teach basic business at Rice - oh, that's right, they don't - unless you are in grad school.
Quote:Again, those were your words, not mine. There is some good research that occurs at SMU. But I would expect the "we're not more highly rated because we're an undergraduate teaching school" from a TCU fan, not from an SMU fan. Universities generate and propagate knowledge - the best universities do both.
I never once said that SMU neglects research. De-emphasize, sure. "Neglect" is a word you used. I agree with you about what the best universities do, and I think that you and I both attended schools that can be considered among the best in the world.
Quote:I guess basic arithmetic is not a requirement at SMU. The "percentage of alumni giving" is weighted at 5%. The University of Texas, who comes in at #47 on the USNWR report has a score of 57 - SMU has a score of 47. 57 minus 47 is greater that five, indicating it is not just percentage of alumni giving that is keeping SMU from being ranked up there with UT.
I meant the 50s, not 40s - hit the wrong key and didn't proofread.
Quote:Outside of Texas though, the first thought that springs to most people's minds when they think SMU football is "Death Penalty"
The only people who would use that to keep SMU out of a large conference are people who are afraid of a strong school in Dallas keeping the Metroplex talent home (i.e. UT, OU, etc.)
Quote:Rice has had a season average of 36K (i.e. averaged more than your stadium holds) since the breakup of the SWC. You give people a reason to come to the stadium and they will show up. They won't come as long as the brand of football being played is viewed as second tier.
Was that before the Texans came to town? I believe so, but not sure. I'd like more info, i.e. the year, the home opponents, etc. if you could please provide that for me.
I believe that the Cowboys' move to Arlington is the best thing to happen to SMU's chances to get higher attendance totals in a long, long time.
Quote:More selected stadium capacities:
1. Penn State 107,282
2. Michigan 106,201
5. Texas 94,113
7. LSU 92,400
8. Alabama 92,138
9. USC 92,000
11. Florida 88,548
13. Texas A&M 82,600
15. Oklahoma 82,11
21. Arkansas 76,728
36. Oklahoma State 62,000
42. N.C. State 55,571
51t. Baylor 50,000
Nice list. Looks like SMU will fit in well with an (expanded to) 45k on campus stadium and a 92k stadium just down the road for big games.
Look, I'm not claiming that SMU is a better school academically than Rice - it isn't and I'm the first to admit that. I will say that SMU will be invited to a BCS conference before Rice, and the reasons for that are very simple.
1) SMU doesn't have a huge state school less than 10 miles away that will be invited first.
2) SMU has proven that it will invest in athletics if the results justify the investment. Rice could very easily do it, but many Rice fans say that they don't think that will ever happen.
3) DFW is a larger media market than Houston and is also growing at a faster rate than Houston.
That being said, if the Big Ten comes calling for SMU and Rice, they will take Rice first because of AAU membership. That's foolish, though, because the Big Ten isn't going to invite either school.