What can bowl do for SMU?

The Dallas Morning News asks, What can a bowl do for SMU?

Bennett said a bowl would mean validation.

It could also be a springboard to more consistent success.

Orsini said a bowl can influence everything, from recruiting, to more practice time, to fundraising to attendance (SMU averaged only 15,428 fans this season).

Orsini said he would love his new marketing staff to be able to run a campaign next season grounded by the statement, "come support your bowl-bound team."

A bowl would be a reward for the players, such as senior safety Joe Sturdivant, who said he bought into Bennett's recruiting promise that these Mustangs would do something special and leave something special behind.

"I think things could explode around here," Sturdivant said. "There's all the things needed for a top program."

A win today, and a bowl would reward all the long-suffering fans.

A win today, and SMU really could find new life. Coming close won't cut it.

"It's time to put all the past behind us," Orsini said. "I do believe going to a bowl this year would do that."