(08-24-2022 09:51 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 09:42 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 08:41 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  So we are talking about Rice's announced starting QB, and the subjects are sacks, interceptions, and fumbles.
Bottom line: Beginning his fifth year, Bloomgren still has not found a QB who can run his offense. Maybe his offense is not runnable by the talent he has at Rice.

Maybe he needs to change his offense to meet the talents of the players.

You think?

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

I think your square pegs/round holes analogy better.

(08-24-2022 09:42 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 08:41 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  So we are talking about Rice's announced starting QB, and the subjects are sacks, interceptions, and fumbles.

Bottom line: Beginning his fifth year, Bloomgren still has not found a QB who can run his offense. Maybe his offense is not runnable by the talent he has at Rice.

Maybe he needs to change his offense to meet the talents of the players.

Do tell what offense Green would look good in?

(08-24-2022 10:43 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 09:42 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 08:41 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  So we are talking about Rice's announced starting QB, and the subjects are sacks, interceptions, and fumbles.

Bottom line: Beginning his fifth year, Bloomgren still has not found a QB who can run his offense. Maybe his offense is not runnable by the talent he has at Rice.

Maybe he needs to change his offense to meet the talents of the players.

Do tell what offense Green would look good in?

He has other players. This is not about Green - it is about Bloom.

(08-24-2022 10:47 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 10:43 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 09:42 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 08:41 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  So we are talking about Rice's announced starting QB, and the subjects are sacks, interceptions, and fumbles.

Bottom line: Beginning his fifth year, Bloomgren still has not found a QB who can run his offense. Maybe his offense is not runnable by the talent he has at Rice.

Maybe he needs to change his offense to meet the talents of the players.

Do tell what offense Green would look good in?

He has other players. This is not about Green - it is about Bloom.

No, it's about Bloom and his inexplicable ongoing commitment to Green. TJ looked damn good in this offense the final two games of last season.

I can't remember which, but one of the top two QBs I saw was sacked more than once (though they may have stepped out of a REAL sack) in the scrimmage, and the other seemed to be more eager to tuck and run... which looks fine on the stat sheet, but can also create lots of problems.... both good and bad... I wish I'd paid more attention to which was which.

I will say this... the corps or WRs has some talent if we can get them the ball. Our TEs are consistent but not flashy... and Broussard has some jets if we can get him past the first level.

So I can see how an effective scheme could work with the talent we have... but we won't know until we see it, what schemes we actually have.... and of course the first test is going to be a meat-grinder.

The OL seemed behind the DL... which was troubling to me...but it is/was still early.... I've always expected the OL to be a MAJOR source of strength for Bloom, and I haven't seen it yet.

(08-24-2022 12:04 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I can't remember which, but one of the top two QBs I saw was sacked more than once (though they may have stepped out of a REAL sack) in the scrimmage, and the other seemed to be more eager to tuck and run... which looks fine on the stat sheet, but can also create lots of problems.... both good and bad... I wish I'd paid more attention to which was which.

I will say this... the corps or WRs has some talent if we can get them the ball. Our TEs are consistent but not flashy... and Broussard has some jets if we can get him past the first level.

So I can see how an effective scheme could work with the talent we have... but we won't know until we see it, what schemes we actually have.... and of course the first test is going to be a meat-grinder.

The OL seemed behind the DL... which was troubling to me...but it is/was still early.... I've always expected the OL to be a MAJOR source of strength for Bloom, and I haven't seen it yet.

I've always expected to move in *any* form beyond the records of 3-9 and 1-11 to be even a MINOR source of strength for Bloom, and I havent seen it yet.

Beyond any of the plethora of micro-issues that seem to be a proverbial leap well beyond the guy's abilities.

(08-23-2022 07:24 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 07:17 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:33 PM)Barney Wrote:  I'm not as pessimistic. Green knows the offense like the back of his hand, and he's good when he's on.
I also thought McMahon might get the nod, just because of being Californian.
I think we're catching USC at the best possible time, as they should be much, much improved by the end of the season. They've got stellar talent, but it's all new.

He's horrendous when he's pressured, and you have to believe USC will easily win the battle of the trenches.

I'm not being facetious, but I don't think Taylor McHargue, Driphus Jackson, or Chase Clement would see much success with this match-up at the line. Can you imagine any other QB on the depth chart taking fewer than five sacks in LA without throwing a half dozen interceptions in panicked heaves? There's not going to be a pocket to throw from. It's going to be a bloodbath no matter who takes the snaps.

If we see anything useful from QB out of this, it would be whether Green has grown out of that poor decision making in the off season. I'm not expecting so, but that's where expectations need to be set. I'd love to be wrong and wake up Sunday to a "September Heisman" story about Green in the Chron, but I have just as good of odds of landing a date with Margot Robbie as this Rice team has of beating USC.

I'm not concerned about the sacks. And not even the interceptions. Green has a history of fumbling almost every time he's hit. We've seen it for 3+ years now.

Not saying we have a realistic chance of winning -- I'll just be surprised if it's a bloodbath.

(08-24-2022 09:58 PM)Barney Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 07:24 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 07:17 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:33 PM)Barney Wrote:  I'm not as pessimistic. Green knows the offense like the back of his hand, and he's good when he's on.
I also thought McMahon might get the nod, just because of being Californian.
I think we're catching USC at the best possible time, as they should be much, much improved by the end of the season. They've got stellar talent, but it's all new.

He's horrendous when he's pressured, and you have to believe USC will easily win the battle of the trenches.

I'm not being facetious, but I don't think Taylor McHargue, Driphus Jackson, or Chase Clement would see much success with this match-up at the line. Can you imagine any other QB on the depth chart taking fewer than five sacks in LA without throwing a half dozen interceptions in panicked heaves? There's not going to be a pocket to throw from. It's going to be a bloodbath no matter who takes the snaps.

If we see anything useful from QB out of this, it would be whether Green has grown out of that poor decision making in the off season. I'm not expecting so, but that's where expectations need to be set. I'd love to be wrong and wake up Sunday to a "September Heisman" story about Green in the Chron, but I have just as good of odds of landing a date with Margot Robbie as this Rice team has of beating USC.

I'm not concerned about the sacks. And not even the interceptions. Green has a history of fumbling almost every time he's hit. We've seen it for 3+ years now.

Not saying we have a realistic chance of winning -- I'll just be surprised if it's a bloodbath.

??? Everything points to a bloodbath. I'd be shocked if the game time odds are not 24+ points for USC.

(08-24-2022 10:47 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-24-2022 09:58 PM)Barney Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 07:24 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 07:17 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  He's horrendous when he's pressured, and you have to believe USC will easily win the battle of the trenches.

I'm not being facetious, but I don't think Taylor McHargue, Driphus Jackson, or Chase Clement would see much success with this match-up at the line. Can you imagine any other QB on the depth chart taking fewer than five sacks in LA without throwing a half dozen interceptions in panicked heaves? There's not going to be a pocket to throw from. It's going to be a bloodbath no matter who takes the snaps.

If we see anything useful from QB out of this, it would be whether Green has grown out of that poor decision making in the off season. I'm not expecting so, but that's where expectations need to be set. I'd love to be wrong and wake up Sunday to a "September Heisman" story about Green in the Chron, but I have just as good of odds of landing a date with Margot Robbie as this Rice team has of beating USC.

I'm not concerned about the sacks. And not even the interceptions. Green has a history of fumbling almost every time he's hit. We've seen it for 3+ years now.

Not saying we have a realistic chance of winning -- I'll just be surprised if it's a bloodbath.

??? Everything points to a bloodbath. I'd be shocked if the game time odds are not 24+ points for USC.

It's 34.5 and has been +/- one point of that since odds came out.

I'd expect a 4 TD loss at a minimum.

The first half could be good. A lot of these big schools take us lightly until they come out with some focus in the second half.
I do expect a loss, but not by more than four touchdowns. This is Lincoln Riley's first game at USC. It may not 'click' right away. At least I hope it doesn't.

(08-25-2022 12:28 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  It's 34.5 and has been +/- one point of that since odds came out.
I'd expect a 4 TD loss at a minimum.

That sounds about right.


i would not be surprised by something like what happened at Notre Dame in 2014. Competitive for a quarter plus, but gave up two TDs in the last 2:33 of the first half, and the rout was on--ended up 48-17.

I think Rice is worse than that Rice team was, and USC may be better than that ND team was (8-5), but they have new coaches and a lot of new players, and it may take them some time to get it all sorted.

(08-25-2022 04:55 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I think Rice is worse than that Rice team was, and USC may be better than that ND team was (8-5), but they have new coaches and a lot of new players, and it may take them some time to get it all sorted.

Time to get it all sorted out? You mean like Bloomgren, 4 years and counting?

A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

(08-25-2022 09:14 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 04:55 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I think Rice is worse than that Rice team was, and USC may be better than that ND team was (8-5), but they have new coaches and a lot of new players, and it may take them some time to get it all sorted.

Time to get it all sorted out? You mean like Bloomgren, 4 years and counting?

There is no sorting in Bloom-ball.

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

(08-25-2022 10:01 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

Actually, I'm betting we come out throwing.... We have a pretty talented group of WRs and if they go zone, we can get open and move the ball. I'd bet on 3 or 7 points on our first drive.... with a close second bet being 3 and out if we drop the ball. They will change to man and bring some pressure and things will get ugly quickly, so we will try and come back running...

That's my prediction. I hope I'm wrong about the pressure... not that they won't bring it, but that it will get ugly quickly. That's why we need the OL. If they can get pressure without bringing an extra player, it will be a very long day.

(08-25-2022 10:37 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:01 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

Actually, I'm betting we come out throwing.... We have a pretty talented group of WRs and if they go zone, we can get open and move the ball. I'd bet on 3 or 7 points on our first drive.... with a close second bet being 3 and out if we drop the ball. They will change to man and bring some pressure and things will get ugly quickly, so we will try and come back running...

That's my prediction. I hope I'm wrong about the pressure... not that they won't bring it, but that it will get ugly quickly. That's why we need the OL. If they can get pressure without bringing an extra player, it will be a very long day.

What would you care to bet on 3 or 6 (even) on our first drive?

How about, if they dont score on their first drive -- you buy me the ingredients for a batch of beer. Roughly 50 bucks. I save some for you the next time I see you.

If they do, a decent bottle of style of booze your choice, my choice on brand. 50-ish dollars or so.

Honestly, this might be the only reason to tempt me to watch or listen to the first quarter, mind you..... Hate to say it but this FB season is shaping up to be an apathetic 'Oh good grief' thingy for me now. Yes, I am prejudging and all that jazz, but I am close to being just absolutely tapped out looking out on a 4 year pile of smoldering dumpsters.

Playing USC on game 1 doesnt add any excitement, just a sense of 'helluva way to start a season I have simply a shudder about even if we started out by playing Princeton or some other Div 2 or even Div 3 team.' Maybe include some high school programs in that.

(08-25-2022 10:37 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:01 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

Actually, I'm betting we come out throwing.... We have a pretty talented group of WRs and if they go zone, we can get open and move the ball. I'd bet on 3 or 7 points on our first drive.... with a close second bet being 3 and out if we drop the ball. They will change to man and bring some pressure and things will get ugly quickly, so we will try and come back running...

That's my prediction. I hope I'm wrong about the pressure... not that they won't bring it, but that it will get ugly quickly. That's why we need the OL. If they can get pressure without bringing an extra player, it will be a very long day.

The reason and it won't be close

(08-25-2022 11:22 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:37 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:01 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

Actually, I'm betting we come out throwing.... We have a pretty talented group of WRs and if they go zone, we can get open and move the ball. I'd bet on 3 or 7 points on our first drive.... with a close second bet being 3 and out if we drop the ball. They will change to man and bring some pressure and things will get ugly quickly, so we will try and come back running...

That's my prediction. I hope I'm wrong about the pressure... not that they won't bring it, but that it will get ugly quickly. That's why we need the OL. If they can get pressure without bringing an extra player, it will be a very long day.

What would you care to bet on 3 or 6 (even) on our first drive?

How about, if they dont score on their first drive -- you buy me the ingredients for a batch of beer. Roughly 50 bucks. I save some for you the next time I see you.

If they do, a decent bottle of style of booze your choice, my choice on brand. 50-ish dollars or so.

Honestly, this might be the only reason to tempt me to watch or listen to the first quarter, mind you..... Hate to say it but this FB season is shaping up to be an apathetic 'Oh good grief' thingy for me now. Yes, I am prejudging and all that jazz, but I am close to being just absolutely tapped out looking out on a 4 year pile of smoldering dumpsters.

Playing USC on game 1 doesnt add any excitement, just a sense of 'helluva way to start a season I have simply a shudder about even if we started out by playing Princeton or some other Div 2 or even Div 3 team.' Maybe include some high school programs in that.

I'm in.... like you, to make it worth at least paying attention to for a bit. I'd ask you what you're going to call the beer, but it might give some secrets away. Some form of flying bug juice.

Just as an aside though... please note that I put the odds that we score 'something' about equal to the odds that we go 3 and out. I've just seen this for so many years... under so many coaches... that I'm going with the odds. I remember my favorite chant at Rice... 'We scored first' as I was quite often (almost always?) involved in that. If we win the toss and defer, we won't score first. If I were Coach, I might want the ball to start regardless.

Teams like USC can sometimes make mistakes by being over-anxious against teams like ours.

Based on what I saw at the scrimmage, we have a few new wrinkles on offense and this is our chance to get our 15 seconds of fame to start the season which is about all we can really hope for... A respectable showing in what will likely be a bad loss...

It all depends on the OL... IMO.

(08-25-2022 01:55 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 11:22 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:37 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 10:01 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:18 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  A new coach will want to win this game handily, but he will also want to keep things close to the vest to save some tricks for later. Whereas our coaches will very much have the first two drives mapped out. I suspect it will be very much like the ND game.... or Bailiff's A&M game. Start off with things that weren't in our game films... and then an adjustment.

An adjustment. Like reverting to the between the tackles hand off on 2nd and 12 *and* 3 and 9, instead of just the former by itself.

If he really wants to go whole hog wild and get seriously into that OODA loop disruption, go three and out on that pitch between the tackles 3 drives in a row. That'll really throw USC into a tizzy that they cant think their way out of.

Actually, I'm betting we come out throwing.... We have a pretty talented group of WRs and if they go zone, we can get open and move the ball. I'd bet on 3 or 7 points on our first drive.... with a close second bet being 3 and out if we drop the ball. They will change to man and bring some pressure and things will get ugly quickly, so we will try and come back running...

That's my prediction. I hope I'm wrong about the pressure... not that they won't bring it, but that it will get ugly quickly. That's why we need the OL. If they can get pressure without bringing an extra player, it will be a very long day.

What would you care to bet on 3 or 6 (even) on our first drive?

How about, if they dont score on their first drive -- you buy me the ingredients for a batch of beer. Roughly 50 bucks. I save some for you the next time I see you.

If they do, a decent bottle of style of booze your choice, my choice on brand. 50-ish dollars or so.

Honestly, this might be the only reason to tempt me to watch or listen to the first quarter, mind you..... Hate to say it but this FB season is shaping up to be an apathetic 'Oh good grief' thingy for me now. Yes, I am prejudging and all that jazz, but I am close to being just absolutely tapped out looking out on a 4 year pile of smoldering dumpsters.

Playing USC on game 1 doesnt add any excitement, just a sense of 'helluva way to start a season I have simply a shudder about even if we started out by playing Princeton or some other Div 2 or even Div 3 team.' Maybe include some high school programs in that.

I'm in.... like you, to make it worth at least paying attention to for a bit. I'd ask you what you're going to call the beer, but it might give some secrets away. Some form of flying bug juice.

Just as an aside though... please note that I put the odds that we score 'something' about equal to the odds that we go 3 and out. I've just seen this for so many years... under so many coaches... that I'm going with the odds. I remember my favorite chant at Rice... 'We scored first' as I was quite often (almost always?) involved in that. If we win the toss and defer, we won't score first. If I were Coach, I might want the ball to start regardless.

Teams like USC can sometimes make mistakes by being over-anxious against teams like ours.

Based on what I saw at the scrimmage, we have a few new wrinkles on offense and this is our chance to get our 15 seconds of fame to start the season which is about all we can really hope for... A respectable showing in what will likely be a bad loss...

It all depends on the OL... IMO.

Easy call on the name. Hambone's Lost Bet Ale.