[Goose]

If Stanford doesn't smash Rice by at least 4 TDs it's hard to imagine it will be Under Stanford Control (again) much longer.

I really don't agree here. There are lots of things that affect the final score. What if Stanford does all kinds of experiments with all three QBs, lets the freshmen tackles play, etc. There are plenty of ways that the score could be kept in line that would mean nothing about the next game. Also, I am sure Shaw will not want to make Rice look bad. If we get ahead by a lot, the pedal will be off the metal in a big way.

Let's not pretend Rice is Northwestern.

Well, we didn't pretend that Northwestern was Northwestern, and that didn't end too well! I don't expect much from Rice, but I sure hope the team doesn't think like that. Furthermore, Rice has a history of being pretty good every so often. Are we REAL sure that this isn't one of those years? I don't want to test that assumption.

  It would be a canary in a coal mine if Rice can compete with Stanford in the trenches.

I completely agree here. If we can't run at will on these guys, it is not a good sign. Last year, we pretty much could as the game wore on. This year, it should be from the first play if we have improved as much as advertised. Ditto on defense, although the linebackers may be more the weapon than the DL.

[Goose]

If Stanford doesn't smash Rice by at least 4 TDs it's hard to imagine it will be Under Stanford Control (again) much longer.

I really don't agree here. There are lots of things that affect the final score. What if Stanford does all kinds of experiments with all three QBs, lets the freshmen tackles play, etc. There are plenty of ways that the score could be kept in line that would mean nothing about the next game. Also, I am sure Shaw will not want to make Rice look bad. If we get ahead by a lot, the pedal will be off the metal in a big way.

Let's not pretend Rice is Northwestern.

Well, we didn't pretend that Northwestern was Northwestern, and that didn't end too well! I don't expect much from Rice, but I sure hope the team doesn't think like that. Furthermore, Rice has a history of being pretty good every so often. Are we REAL sure that this isn't one of those years? I don't want to test that assumption.

  It would be a canary in a coal mine if Rice can compete with Stanford in the trenches.

I completely agree here. If we can't run at will on these guys, it is not a good sign. Last year, we pretty much could as the game wore on. This year, it should be from the first play if we have improved as much as advertised. Ditto on defense, although the linebackers may be more the weapon than the DL.