Amidst all the wailing, gnashing of teeth, and renting of garments, I have wondered just where we stand with our preseason projections.

I predicted 8 wins, +/- 1, somewhere (on the conference board?). I remember that I predicted losses to ND, A$M, Marshall, and one random upset loss against a team we should beat.

The plus one is out the window, but the rest of it remains in play. So how are everybody's predictions coming?

This was the only prediction thread I could find.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-698340.html

We look on track to exceed my expectations, thought as I said before, many people felt Rice would do better than 6-6, and I think they've been proven right.

(12-30-2013 01:36 PM)I45owl Wrote:  I think 6-6 would be a promising mark for next year, given the number of seniors that Rice loses this year. Anything less would be unacceptable.

(12-30-2013 03:07 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(12-30-2013 02:38 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Major question for us will be a) kicking game/Boz replacement and b) up-front on offense where you have lost your OC who had specific expertise w/ OL blocking schemes (one of the strengths of this team), loss of three OL starters, and the lack of the new 'unit' playing together like this year. I think other key guys will fill key skill replacements for seniors (e.g, healthy DJ, Davis, etc.) and key Jr's back (Taylor, Callahan, etc.) for leadership. I don't think the dropoff will be as great as many are forecasting...and in some cases the ceiling may be higher than what we saw this year.

This is really why I think that next year will tell a lot about how coach Bailiff can do in the long term. If next year comes around as a positive season (and I think 7 wins would qualify, at least to me), then that would make 4 of 8 winning seasons under coach Bailiff with the expectation of more successful campaigns to follow than not. That would greatly increase my confidence in having him here for the long term, and that would validate your comments below.

(12-30-2013 02:38 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Back to the thread title...that to me is one of the keys and biggest positives DB has accomplished in building a program vs. just a good team. He has assembled depth where in prior years..you lose the trio and dropoff is huge. Now we can reload vs. rebuild.

(12-30-2013 05:40 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  i thnk next year we need to see 8 wins. we lose a lot, but we return a lot too. with success comes expectations of more success. Rice people are not immune from winneritis, nor should we be. Depends primarily on whether we can identify a QB and he can deliver on his promise.

On another board I said 8-4 for both Rice and Notre Dame. I see no shame if I'm wrong.

I applaud your timely reminder, OO.

(11-17-2014 08:42 PM)Barney Wrote:  I applaud your timely reminder, OO.

9-3 so I'm out of the running. Had losses to ND, AM and Marshall. Did not see ODU happening.

(11-17-2014 11:59 PM)Lumberjack99 Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 08:42 PM)Barney Wrote:  I applaud your timely reminder, OO.

9-3 so I'm out of the running. Had losses to ND, AM and Marshall. Did not see ODU happening.

If we win the last 2, you will be close enough for government work. But they are both looking tougher now than they did in august.