From first to Southworst

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 1993 by Kirk Bohls

June 1987: Texas is put on probation for NCAA violations that include small financial favors to players and sale of complimentary tickets by players. The Longhorns lose five scholarships and 10 paid recruiting visits.

'87 season recap: The SWC is 21- 15 (.583) against non-conference opponents. Texas beats Pittsburgh in the Cotton Bowl, and Texas A&M beats Notre Dame in the Bluebonnet. Texas A&M (10-2) is the only SWC team ranked in the final A.P. poll. The Aggies are No. 10.

September 1988: With his program already on NCAA probation, Coach Jackie Sherrill resigns under pressure after the NCAA opens new investigations. The Aggies are banned from postseason play for one year, lose five scholarships and half of their share of the SWC bowl revenues, about $200,000 to $300,000.

December 1988: Houston begins a three-year probation after the NCAA finds 250 violations of 27 rules, including recruiting violations and cash payments to players. Sanctions include the loss of 15 scholarships.

'88 season recap: The SWC is 17-18 (.486) against non-conference opponents. Arkansas loses to UCLA in the Cotton Bowl, and Houston loses to Washington State in the Aloha. Arkansas (10-2) finishes No. 12 and Houston (9-3) finishes No. 18.

September 1989: SMU fields its first team since the 1986 season. The Mustangs lose to Rice in the season opener and finish the season at 2-9. It is their first losing season since 1979.

'89 season recap: The SWC is 18- 11-1 (.617) against non-conference opponents. Arkansas loses to Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl, Texas A&M loses to Pittsburgh in the Hancock and Texas Tech beats Duke in the All-American. Arkansas (10-2) finishes No. 12; Houston (9-2) finishes No. 13; Texas Tech (9-3) finished No. 19 and Texas A&M (8-4) finishes No. 20 in the final A.P. Poll.

'90 season recap: The SWC is 18-12 (.600) against non-conference opponents. Texas loses to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, and Texas A&M beats Brigham Young in the Holiday. Houston (10- 1) finishes No. 10, and Texas (10-2) finishes No. 12.

November 1991: Arkansas defeats Rice, 20-0, in the Razorbacks' final SWC game.

'91 season recap: The SWC is 15- 15 (.500) against non-conference opponents. Texas A&M loses to Florida State in the Cotton Bowl, Arkansas loses to Georgia in the Independence and Baylor loses to Indiana in the Copper. Texas A&M (10-2) finishes as the SWC's only ranked team (No. 12).

'92 season recap: The SWC is 19- 15- 1 (.557) against non-conference opponents. Texas A&M loses to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, and Baylor beats Arizona in the Hancock. Texas A&M finishes No. 7.

November 1993: The NCAA conducts hearings on the latest set of SWC violations. Texas A&M is under investigation after several players are suspended for accepting money from a Dallas booster for work they did not do.