(07-11-2017 08:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-10-2017 11:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Of course you play all games to win. But we had this debate many times on other threads but IMO, a respectable performance of competitive game against a top P5 opponent > C-USA win(s) later in season.

When on national stage, more people are judging your program quality. I'd rather go 4-8 and beat a Stanford/lose a nail biter in 4Q compared to a 6-6 season that includes getting blown-out badly against Stanford but get a trip to whocares.com bowl game to play a MAC team.

This game matters even more than other early season body bag games as we will have national stage to ourselves and our brand/quality of play is being judged more than all the other games combined. Outside of Parliament, getting blown-out 56-17 or something to that effect make national/casual audience check-out for rest of season with 'same old Rice' takeaway. However, a 24-21 like game gets people to pay attention to Rice Football and bring hope back to a better lot in life.

We have shown ability to beat bad/mediocre FB teams. Have not shown ability to be even competitive against top competition. That matters more right now. Throw the kitchen sink at a W. Love to see all the tricks, gadgets, unconventional wisdom that we have at this game.....

Correction-- we have not shown the ability to be even competitive against any team ranked within the Top 75 (Top 60 percentile) of D1. It's not only top teams; it's any team with even a steady heart rate.

so back to my question - if we have no shot against a top 75 team, why show all our cards in a vain attempt to slay a dragon? why not save a surprise or two for the opponents in the bottom 40%? What is your opinion on how we should approach this Stanford game? Should we play the back ups as soon as we fall 14 behind?

Not saying this is my opinion. Just asking.

maybe somebody can ask the coach at the Caravan when is the right time to give up.