(11-02-2026 04:37 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-02-2026 03:33 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(11-02-2026 02:25 PM)OwlWKIF Wrote:  Three yards and a cloud of dust would be a great improvement to our current situation, we are stopped in the backfield far too often. We should play Tresselball with dominant special teams and running game. It would work better if all of our runningbacks weren't 5'8" or 5'9" but maybe that's all we can afford.

I certainly don't think either of those coaches would be taking snaps out of the shotgun on 3rd and 1 or 4th and inches.

We're a shotgun offense. Snaps won't be taken under center, particularly on 4th and 1. It would only show our hand in short yardage situations.

Show our hand? As if Abell would call for anything other than a run?

It's nonsensical. Embarrassing.

It doesn't surprise me at all that you're fixated on something as trivial.

(10-31-2026 12:40 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I did not advocate firing Abell today. I just pointed out that Sam Houston decided enough was enough. I would want Abell to finish the season. Thus, the remainder of your hypothetical is moot.

Their coach took over a 9-3 team (that has gone like 90-30) and has gone 3-17 with it.
Our coach took over a 4-8 team (that has gone like 40-80) and went 5-8 and now 1-7.

While nobody is remotely happy with where we are, even if he finishes with just one win, those two situations are not the same... and our coach absolutely IS feeling heat, as he should.

Had he come in and gone 2-10 and now 1-7, they would be closer, but STILL not the same as we didn't go 9-3 just the year before or 90-30 over the last decade. It is also notable that he was the QB/OC for Sam for a period under the previous head coach... that he ran your preferred 'air raid' sort of offense... and that he was HIRED as a rather unsuccessful head coaching stint at LaSalle (7-17)

I think it also notable that places like Sam have huge player turnover these days... and we still don't want to do that. I feel as though you're looking for a quick fix... like your best idea is for us to 'rent' a team like so many others do. Because the alternative is to somehow 'discover' this overlooked talent and then have them be 'better than average' in their redshirt freshmen years.... because as you note, MOST everyone else, meaning most of the guys we might try and poach from other schools don't play in our style of offense.

I get that you prefer a different strategy, but I'm still waiting for some explanation of how/why you think that would be successful and repeatable for us. The old 'this school did it' is not enough of an explanation... unless you can tell me precisely what they did and how we can copy that. I want to know how/why players would chose Rice over these other places.

Year 3 will be his deal-breaker for me. Anything less than 4 wins and I'd strongly consider moving on. 4-6 gets him the next year. 7+ gets him an extension. Although the timing of hiring and firing matters incredibly these days, it is also notable that we are operating under an interim AD. Unless our next AD brings a coach along with him, I would be shocked to see something happen this year even if they decided to copy everyone elses gameplan

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I get that you prefer a different strategy, but I'm still waiting for some explanation of how/why you think that would be successful and repeatable for us. The old 'this school did it' is not enough of an explanation... unless you can tell me precisely what they did and how we can copy that. I want to know how/why players would chose Rice over these other places.

This is precisely my question about the option, and no one has given good answers. But you want me to defend a system that does not exist at Rice, while simply accepting the current system without any need for validation?

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Year 3 will be his deal-breaker for me. Anything less than 4 wins and I'd strongly consider moving on. 4-6 gets him the next year. 7+ gets him an extension. Although the timing of hiring and firing matters incredibly these days, it is also notable that we are operating under an interim AD. Unless our next AD brings a coach along with him, I would be shocked to see something happen this year even if they decided to copy everyone elses gameplan

And you don't believe that a 2-10 or 1-11 season would be a momentum killer, particularly at a time when the university would want the Gateway Project to focus on the football stadium? With attendance down at so many places around the country, patience is no longer a virtue.

It's a pointless debate. Abell's offense hasn't even been installed, and he has only signed two recruiting classes. The foundation of our program is being built the traditional way, by high school recruits, not transfers who "plug holes," and our underclassmen won't make an impact until 2027 and 2028.

I honestly can't understand why anyone is worried. We're better than we were last year, by far, and if QJ hadn't blown out his knee, we'd have three wins right now.

Bloom trashed the program for seven years. If anything, our performance is his fault. Get the hell off of Abell's back. The man can flat-out coach. He has won at places that never win, and he'll do it at Rice. Anyone who thought he'd turn the program around in two years is completely out of their mind.

Get a grip. Look up "realism" in the dictionary.

(11-05-2026 10:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  It's a pointless debate. Abell's offense hasn't even been installed, and he has only signed two recruiting classes. The foundation of our program is being built the traditional way, by high school recruits, not transfers who "plug holes," and our underclassmen won't make an impact until 2027 and 2028.

I honestly can't understand why anyone is worried. We're better than we were last year, by far, and if QJ hadn't blown out his knee, we'd have three wins right now.

Bloom trashed the program for seven years. If anything, our performance is his fault. Get the hell off of Abell's back. The man can flat-out coach. He has won at places that never win, and he'll do it at Rice. Anyone who thought he'd turn the program around in two years is completely out of their mind.

Get a grip. Look up "realism" in the dictionary.

Every team we've played with a top-100ish defense (not FAU) has either completely smothered our offense, or quickly adjusted to it and shut us down after giving up a few big plays from being out of position.

Good teams have solved how to stop us.

(11-05-2026 11:02 AM)OwlWKIF Wrote:  

(11-05-2026 10:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  It's a pointless debate. Abell's offense hasn't even been installed, and he has only signed two recruiting classes. The foundation of our program is being built the traditional way, by high school recruits, not transfers who "plug holes," and our underclassmen won't make an impact until 2027 and 2028.

I honestly can't understand why anyone is worried. We're better than we were last year, by far, and if QJ hadn't blown out his knee, we'd have three wins right now.

Bloom trashed the program for seven years. If anything, our performance is his fault. Get the hell off of Abell's back. The man can flat-out coach. He has won at places that never win, and he'll do it at Rice. Anyone who thought he'd turn the program around in two years is completely out of their mind.

Get a grip. Look up "realism" in the dictionary.

Every team we've played with a top-100ish defense (not FAU) has either completely smothered our offense, or quickly adjusted to it and shut us down after giving up a few big plays from being out of position.

Good teams have solved how to stop us.

Tell us why that is...

(11-05-2026 10:04 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I get that you prefer a different strategy, but I'm still waiting for some explanation of how/why you think that would be successful and repeatable for us. The old 'this school did it' is not enough of an explanation... unless you can tell me precisely what they did and how we can copy that. I want to know how/why players would chose Rice over these other places.

This is precisely my question about the option, and no one has given good answers. But you want me to defend a system that does not exist at Rice, while simply accepting the current system without any need for validation?

I'm literally laughing out loud right now. I can only presume that you define 'good answer' as one you agree with. I've given you answers... numerous times... in great detail... you simply disagree... which is fine, but that doesn't make you right NOR does it suggest that you haven't been given a good answer. A good answer is one that is logical and well thought out, as is mine... Chip (I think we can use his name now) also gave similar answers in great detail, as did RU Owls.

ALL of them involved doing 'something different' on offense that allowed us to recruit 'different' players than our competition. It also regularly involved a scheme that was at least ostensibly built around running clock in an effort to try and 'level the playing field' on defense by keeping our defense fresher. The FAU game (and the Hatfield game which shall not be named) represented games where we did not control the clock on offense, but the offense IN NO WAY was responsible for our loss. You can't blame an 'old, antiquated offensive scheme' for scoring too quickly.... unless you're suggesting that we should have 'slid' after every first down, even if we had open field ahead.

By doing something different, you not only might get a better player for that scheme than you would for 'similar schemes to everyone else', but you ALSO at least marginally reduce the demand for some of your players who perform well... because other coaches still have to wonder if your skills will transfer to their scheme.... because if you uncover a gem like perhaps a Dillard or Clement and they come in and perform exceptionally well... back in the day, you had almost no chance of losing them... today, that chance is WELL over 50%. Guys like that might not go to UH, but there are still numerous high quality academic schools that have better football reputations and deeper pockets than we do. If the offer is a Rice degree, 50k and the Wasabi Bowl after going 8-4 mostly playing on ESPNU and in front of an average of 25k fans.... vs a degree from one of the p5 academic schools or even a large state flagship school, 250k and in a big name bowl after going 8-4 mostly playing on network TC in front of an average of 60k fans.... We're going to lose 98 times out of 100. Hell, I know some guys that would rather ride the bench in front of 100k at DKR, collecting 100-300k/yr and having that experience and degree than be a star in the AAC.

Quote:And you don't believe that a 2-10 or 1-11 season would be a momentum killer, particularly at a time when the university would want the Gateway Project to focus on the football stadium? With attendance down at so many places around the country, patience is no longer a virtue.

I think you completely misunderstand what the gateway project is all about when it comes to the University... but that's another conversation.

The question isn't, will 2-10 or 1-11 be a momentum killer... because we are where we are.... the question is, what do you think coach 'next guy' will do next year vs what you think Abell will do next year. If you think firing Abell will somehow result in numerous wins in these last few games that wouldn't otherwise have happened, I'd like to know how/why. If (as I suggested) our next AD has a coach in mind already who can bring along with him at least an entirely new offensive scheme to turn us on a dime next year, that's also another issue.

I think the most likely result of naming a new coach for next season with a different scheme is that we lose many of our best players and it is difficult if not impossible for the incoming coach to 'bring with him' enough talent to compete immediately.... meaning we not only go 2-10 this year, but we do similarly the next... He'd have to be an absolute WIZARD in the portal and that would require millions more in revenue than we have for that not to be the result. Can it be done? Sure.... but I don't see it happening. Do you? Worse though, you're now killing momentum into the year after THAT... which in my scenario at least would have the excitement of a new coach and scheme... unless you're suggesting that should coach new guy not do measurably better in his first year that he took might be fired... which I don't think you would.

So again... and really for the 100th time.... why do you think Rice would be 'above average' even in our weak conference in recruiting, coaching and retaining players (and coaches) than our peers running similar schemes WITHOUT having substantially more financial resources than those peers? AND if you ARE able to do that... how you would then repeat it when your coach and his best players get hired to a better gig? Please give me a logical, well thought out explanation of why you think that plan has a higher probability of success.

Seems like a good time and place to note that last night, the team that put 51 points on us and won by 2, put 60 points on the league leader and won by 31.

(11-06-2026 01:32 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Seems like a good time and place to note that last night, the team that put 51 points on us and won by 2, put 60 points on the league leader and won by 31.

That same league leading team that beat us by two.

(11-06-2026 01:32 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Seems like a good time and place to note that last night, the team that put 51 points on us and won by 2, put 60 points on the league leader and won by 31.

Florida Atlantic's team defense is atrocious (135th of 138).

Reminder - in all other FBS games, Rice is averaging 17 points/game. That also is atrocious.

(11-06-2026 12:57 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(11-05-2026 10:04 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I get that you prefer a different strategy, but I'm still waiting for some explanation of how/why you think that would be successful and repeatable for us. The old 'this school did it' is not enough of an explanation... unless you can tell me precisely what they did and how we can copy that. I want to know how/why players would chose Rice over these other places.

This is precisely my question about the option, and no one has given good answers. But you want me to defend a system that does not exist at Rice, while simply accepting the current system without any need for validation?

I'm literally laughing out loud right now. I can only presume that you define 'good answer' as one you agree with. I've given you answers... numerous times... in great detail... you simply disagree... which is fine, but that doesn't make you right NOR does it suggest that you haven't been given a good answer. A good answer is one that is logical and well thought out, as is mine... Chip (I think we can use his name now) also gave similar answers in great detail, as did RU Owls.

I also am laughing at your tepid response. Of course, you feel that your answer was "good". Asserting that doing something "different" etc. is a "good answer" is ridiculous. The proof is in what we all see on the field - 1 win and 7 losses (0-7 against FBS). That is not hypothetical. And, except for the Florida Atlantic game against the 4th worst defense in college football, this offense has been putrid against FBS competition.

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  By doing something different, you not only might get a better player for that scheme than you would for 'similar schemes to everyone else', but you ALSO at least marginally reduce the demand for some of your players who perform well... because other coaches still have to wonder if your skills will transfer to their scheme.... because if you uncover a gem like perhaps a Dillard or Clement and they come in and perform exceptionally well... back in the day, you had almost no chance of losing them... today, that chance is WELL over 50%. Guys like that might not go to UH, but there are still numerous high quality academic schools that have better football reputations and deeper pockets than we do. If the offer is a Rice degree, 50k and the Wasabi Bowl after going 8-4 mostly playing on ESPNU and in front of an average of 25k fans.... vs a degree from one of the p5 academic schools or even a large state flagship school, 250k and in a big name bowl after going 8-4 mostly playing on network TC in front of an average of 60k fans.... We're going to lose 98 times out of 100. Hell, I know some guys that would rather ride the bench in front of 100k at DKR, collecting 100-300k/yr and having that experience and degree than be a star in the AAC.

Okay, just recruit crappy players to run a crappy scheme so that you won't risk losing them. Just end the football program, if that is your idea.

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

Quote:And you don't believe that a 2-10 or 1-11 season would be a momentum killer, particularly at a time when the university would want the Gateway Project to focus on the football stadium? With attendance down at so many places around the country, patience is no longer a virtue.

I think you completely misunderstand what the gateway project is all about when it comes to the University... but that's another conversation.

The university has made one boneheaded investment after another. But, you are right - it's another conversation.

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  The question isn't, will 2-10 or 1-11 be a momentum killer... because we are where we are.... the question is, what do you think coach 'next guy' will do next year vs what you think Abell will do next year. If you think firing Abell will somehow result in numerous wins in these last few games that wouldn't otherwise have happened, I'd like to know how/why. If (as I suggested) our next AD has a coach in mind already who can bring along with him at least an entirely new offensive scheme to turn us on a dime next year, that's also another issue.

I think the most likely result of naming a new coach for next season with a different scheme is that we lose many of our best players and it is difficult if not impossible for the incoming coach to 'bring with him' enough talent to compete immediately.... meaning we not only go 2-10 this year, but we do similarly the next... He'd have to be an absolute WIZARD in the portal and that would require millions more in revenue than we have for that not to be the result. Can it be done? Sure.... but I don't see it happening. Do you? Worse though, you're now killing momentum into the year after THAT... which in my scenario at least would have the excitement of a new coach and scheme... unless you're suggesting that should coach new guy not do measurably better in his first year that he took might be fired... which I don't think you would.

So again... and really for the 100th time.... why do you think Rice would be 'above average' even in our weak conference in recruiting, coaching and retaining players (and coaches) than our peers running similar schemes WITHOUT having substantially more financial resources than those peers? AND if you ARE able to do that... how you would then repeat it when your coach and his best players get hired to a better gig? Please give me a logical, well thought out explanation of why you think that plan has a higher probability of success.

I do not want to continue with a coaching staff (except for John Kay) that seems to be over its head. This head coach came from a glorified Division III program (FCS but no scholarships) and I believe that the jump was too great. He will NEVER change his ideas because they are HIS. Maybe I am wrong and that magically something will change and Rice will go 8-4 next season. That would be wonderful. Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.

(11-06-2026 04:31 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 01:32 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Seems like a good time and place to note that last night, the team that put 51 points on us and won by 2, put 60 points on the league leader and won by 31.

Florida Atlantic's team defense is atrocious (135th of 138).

Reminder - in all other FBS games, Rice is averaging 17 points/game. That also is atrocious.

Giving up 29 points to the league leader and CFP candidate does not seem atrocious.

Maybe one reason their defense seems so bad is that they gave up 49 points and 608 yards to an Abell team, which some think to be among the worst of the worst.

But i guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.[/i]

Speaking only for myself, no amount of progress will "satisfy" me. If we go xx-1, I will want improvement. If we go undefeated and wi the NC, I will want a better year next year and another NC. I will never be satisfied. I think too many here would be happy to go 8-4 or 9-3 - they have said so. But in my view, with every step we take up the mountain, I want to go another.

But I wonder, and ask: What degree of progress would be satisfactory to you? Or are you like me, never satisfied?

(11-06-2026 05:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.[/i]

Speaking only for myself, no amount of progress will "satisfy" me. If we go xx-1, I will want improvement. If we go undefeated and wi the NC, I will want a better year next year and another NC. I will never be satisfied. I think too many here would be happy to go 8-4 or 9-3 - they have said so. But in my view, with every step we take up the mountain, I want to go another.

But I wonder, and ask: What degree of progress would be satisfactory to you? Or are you like me, never satisfied?

If he returns next year, Abell should be at least 7-5.

Non-conference next year:

August 28 Duke
September 4 Lamar
September 11 Fresno State
September 25 at Western Michigan

I would say 3 winnable games among these - then 4-4 in conference. That would be my minimum.

(11-06-2026 05:53 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 05:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.[/i]

Speaking only for myself, no amount of progress will "satisfy" me. If we go xx-1, I will want improvement. If we go undefeated and wi the NC, I will want a better year next year and another NC. I will never be satisfied. I think too many here would be happy to go 8-4 or 9-3 - they have said so. But in my view, with every step we take up the mountain, I want to go another.

But I wonder, and ask: What degree of progress would be satisfactory to you? Or are you like me, never satisfied?

If he returns next year, Abell should be at least 7-5.

Non-conference next year:

August 28 Duke
September 4 Lamar
September 11 Fresno State
September 25 at Western Michigan

I would say 3 winnable games among these - then 4-4 in conference. That would be my minimum.

I would be OK with that - for next year.

But my minimums are not solely based on W-L, and of course, I have no maximum.

(11-06-2026 05:53 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 05:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.[/i]

Speaking only for myself, no amount of progress will "satisfy" me. If we go xx-1, I will want improvement. If we go undefeated and wi the NC, I will want a better year next year and another NC. I will never be satisfied. I think too many here would be happy to go 8-4 or 9-3 - they have said so. But in my view, with every step we take up the mountain, I want to go another.

But I wonder, and ask: What degree of progress would be satisfactory to you? Or are you like me, never satisfied?

If he returns next year, Abell should be at least 7-5.

Non-conference next year:

August 28 Duke
September 4 Lamar
September 11 Fresno State
September 25 at Western Michigan

I would say 3 winnable games among these - then 4-4 in conference. That would be my minimum.

I would personally accept 4-8 or 5-7 if the offense showed serious signs of improvement. If the ball gets rolling and we're averaging 30 ppg but our defense lets us down I would simply want a new defensive coordinator. On the other hand if we went 6-6 because we had an incredible defensive year and yet again a sputtering offense, I'd be done or close to it. I figure reaching a bowl game in any capacity would cloud my judgement.

(11-06-2026 07:27 PM)TheOwl84 Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 05:53 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 05:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.[/i]

Speaking only for myself, no amount of progress will "satisfy" me. If we go xx-1, I will want improvement. If we go undefeated and wi the NC, I will want a better year next year and another NC. I will never be satisfied. I think too many here would be happy to go 8-4 or 9-3 - they have said so. But in my view, with every step we take up the mountain, I want to go another.

But I wonder, and ask: What degree of progress would be satisfactory to you? Or are you like me, never satisfied?

If he returns next year, Abell should be at least 7-5.

Non-conference next year:

August 28 Duke
September 4 Lamar
September 11 Fresno State
September 25 at Western Michigan

I would say 3 winnable games among these - then 4-4 in conference. That would be my minimum.

I would personally accept 4-8 or 5-7 if the offense showed serious signs of improvement. If the ball gets rolling and we're averaging 30 ppg but our defense lets us down I would simply want a new defensive coordinator. On the other hand if we went 6-6 because we had an incredible defensive year and yet again a sputtering offense, I'd be done or close to it. I figure reaching a bowl game in any capacity would cloud my judgement.

6 or 7 wins was my preseason goal this year. Part of that was based on high expectations for Jacurri Brown, and while he has produced in some ways, in others, not so much. But he was always a one year fix. I feel good at QB with Ochoa/Crayton/Wilhelm. Need better talent at slot or at least less injuries. Need more OL.

Every scheme works better with more talent. I will be watching the transfer portal, both in and out, with particular interest this off season.

This was a dumb hire in the first place. Thank goodness Purdue hired our AD. Hiring a head coach from the lowest ranked division(Pioneer Division) in the Div 1 with no scholarships was stupid. We wasted our money on a search firm to find this new coach. Let the football alumni be more deeply involved in this type of search.

(11-06-2026 04:50 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I also am laughing at your tepid response. Of course, you feel that your answer was "good". Asserting that doing something "different" etc. is a "good answer" is ridiculous. The proof is in what we all see on the field - 1 win and 7 losses (0-7 against FBS). That is not hypothetical. And, except for the Florida Atlantic game against the 4th worst defense in college football, this offense has been putrid against FBS competition.

The fact that you have to ignore what I actually said tells me that you're really laughing at the straw man that you built for me.... which is the best evidence I could possibly give that you're not engaging in rational or intelligent discussion.

FTR, I said that nobody is remotely happy with our results... I didn't think I needed to specify that I included 'everybody, including myself' in the context of 'nobody'.
Second, this is not my first time to state my case... and even here I defined it pretty clearly. My use of the much more broad 'something different' was in direct response to your support of similar schemes to everyone else.... running offenses that most high schools in the state run. That's about as far as I've seen you dig. Not ONCE have you suggested how we are going to outperform our peers doing this. YOU STILL avoid that question like the plague.

But to demonstrate the lack of sincerity in your response here... I have previously supported the wishbone, the flexbone, RUs vertical option AND the gun choice as meeting my criteria of being 'something different'. The PROBLEM comes in finding someone who is running it.... precisely BECAUSE most every coach in the state wants to get hired on to a college team... so they want to run what the colleges are running. THEY of course don't have to deal with the portal or NIL or really even recruiting... they simply get what their community produces.

Quote:Okay, just recruit crappy players to run a crappy scheme so that you won't risk losing them. Just end the football program, if that is your idea.

SOmething you're happy to write on a forum like this, but would likely never say to my face. It's easy to be rude to people when they don't know who you are. We know each other... pretty well I think. I don't appreciate this level of comment from you. You know very well (or you should ) that this isn't remotely what I said. You honestly make yourself and not me look bad when you say things like this.

Yep... Chad Nelson, Benji Woods... I could go on for days.... crappy players (not)

Quote:The university has made one boneheaded investment after another. But, you are right - it's another conversation.

Just a moment ago you seemed very concerned about us 'blowing the momentum' of this 'boneheaded investment'.

Quote:

(11-05-2026 09:47 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  So again... and really for the 100th time.... why do you think Rice would be 'above average' even in our weak conference in recruiting, coaching and retaining players (and coaches) than our peers running similar schemes WITHOUT having substantially more financial resources than those peers? AND if you ARE able to do that... how you would then repeat it when your coach and his best players get hired to a better gig? Please give me a logical, well thought out explanation of why you think that plan has a higher probability of success.

I do not want to continue with a coaching staff (except for John Kay) that seems to be over its head. This head coach came from a glorified Division III program (FCS but no scholarships) and I believe that the jump was too great. He will NEVER change his ideas because they are HIS. Maybe I am wrong and that magically something will change and Rice will go 8-4 next season. That would be wonderful. Unfortunately, too many on here seem to be content with an "improvement" over the next few seasons to 3-9, 4-8, etc. I do not know if that kind of glacial "progress" would satisfy you.

So you STILL refuse to answer the most direct and straightforward of a question as I can think of. Its truly mind-boggling.

I'll go ahead and answer yours... even though I've also said this numerous times...

STart with this... I've met very few head coaches at ANY level who don't see value in their schemes. If they don't, they shouldn't be running them... and last year was Abell's FIRST losing season. Just because they worked there doesn't mean they will work here... but they were obviously not looking for 'more of the same' and they found someone who has had some success doing something different.

Like others who responded, I ALWAYS want for us to improve. Unlike some (including it seems you) I think about some of the ways to actually get there as opposed to simply wishing and hoping. It should be obvious that I'm not just looking to go 10-2 next year... but I'm looking to figure out how we can consistently win more than we lose. I can't even get you to answer how Rice is going to compete with everyone else for exactly the same players and yet somehow beat them with guys who turned down offers from them (or schools just like them)

ALthough records can be telling and are by far the most common means of evaluating teams, I have long expressed more of an interest in rankings. There was one year when iirc, Marshall had a chance to go undefeated and get into the CFP without beating a single team ranked above 90 with a few weeks to go in the season. I recall that vividly. iirc, that was the year we beat them in the conference championship, but I could be wrong about that part.... so while it is useful in conversation, it isn't really a great barometer... and you yourself explained exactly why. You expect 7-5 from next years team, based on the schedule. I didn't bother to look at the schedule and certainly not to project any teams strength when I made my comment, in part because ANY school these days can lose their stars and/or hire a brand new team.... so I use schedules and records somewhat euphemistically.... though you may not know that about me.

With that in mind, I THINK (don't want to bother looking it up) I said that 3-6 wins or something like that was going to force some thinking. If we only have 3 wins but lead the nation in rushing, have 100+ ypg passing and average 35+ points/game... OFFENSE might not be the problem... If our defense is averaging 5ppg and we're losing every game by an average score of 10-7, I'm promoting Kay to HC and letting HIM pick whatever offense he wants. Let me add, I think the odds of both of those are close to zero, but I'm giving extremes. I'm betting Kay likes ball control offenses... but maybe not. Bottom line, the record will of course be an indicator, but it is not the ONLY factor... especially for 1-2 game swings. That said, if they win 6+, no matter how they do it or against whom... It's going to be all but impossible to not at least extend him for a few more to see if that is his peak or merely an indication that his first recruited freshmen are now Juniors... so let's see how they do as Seniors.

(11-06-2026 07:27 PM)TheOwl84 Wrote:  I would personally accept 4-8 or 5-7 if the offense showed serious signs of improvement. If the ball gets rolling and we're averaging 30 ppg but our defense lets us down I would simply want a new defensive coordinator. On the other hand if we went 6-6 because we had an incredible defensive year and yet again a sputtering offense, I'd be done or close to it. I figure reaching a bowl game in any capacity would cloud my judgement.

Very close to my position.... much more succinct.