RICE PLS

My Crystal Ball:

We look at a New OC because "Roper is in the running for Rice". We hire new OC. Rice "moves on from Roper."

Agree. I was on that wagon as well in dealing with injuries, youth, etc.. I've also been on the wagon that Bentley was not as good as we were sold this season and was criticized heavily for it on a few posts on 247. Regardless, both of those are on Roper. I do believe that Roper may be a brilliant offensive mind, but his adaptability in an in-game setting is subpar at best.

But Rice, Roper is yours. He will take the Owls to new heights. Please hire him!!

You know, if he doesn't have Bielema weighing him down Dan Enos can run a pretty good offense. I could see him being very effective at USC.

I was on the Support Roper train as well for most of the season. I was off it after the Tennessee game. I asked Conner Shaw about Roper after, or before I can't remember but it was probably before the game now that I think about it ... but anyways, Conner said, "So, he's a good QB coach. He really understands the mechanics and he is very organized ..."

... but what I didn't hear him say was that he was a good OC. Now, I didn't push him on it and just figured he was stating what he knew to be facts and since Roper was not his OC in Cleveland he couldn't say otherwise but - it's clear now that Roper is just not inventive enough, not enough imagination, not enough of a river boat gambler as we used to say about wiley OCs like Spurrier in his heyday.

We need someone who makes the game fun for our offense.

As far as Bentley's culpability in all of this ... there is such a thing as a sophomore jinx. It's real and we witnessed it this year. He'll be a great QB, finally, next year under a new OC hopefully.

Jay Ulrich is gonna be good as well and will get his first playing time under a new OC ... although, cudos to Roper for working with Ulrich a lot this season and really helping him with his passing game. He benefited from having Roper around this season.

Roper is, apparently, not a big time in-game play caller.

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We might well see an off season analyst hire as well. One who actually helps game plan the offense and who may have someone's ear in the box upstairs without actually calling the plays.

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Where do I apply?

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Wait, is this post saying Roper is gone without actually saying it?

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I defended Roper a lot this season, during the tater game.. I called out pretty much what we were going to run just by the lineup.

We have had success running AJ off tackle and outside but decided not to against the taters?

I can't defend the type of scheme that refuses to adjust to the in game climate at all.

Especially now that I have to wear a tater hat all week at work. I jumped off the roper train like a hobo looking for a hotdog.

Report on 247 stating that Roper has silently been left a position on Matt Luke's staff at OM should he not be able to land the Rice or Charlotte HC gigs.

I just hope it's a case of "where there's smoke there's fire"

One thing I've verified today is that Roper is out there recruiting right now and I was told it will be highly unlikely that he goes anywhere before the early signing period ... which is when Joyner is supposed to sign.

I was not told this but I can only suppose that the only way Roper would be gone before the 20th would be if Muschamp makes a homerun hire between now and then - one of epic stature. No idea who that would or could be.