Rice defense

[Ikus]

I don't see how Rice can hope to win. I don't mean today -- we all know how they've done against SMU in recent years -- I mean I don't understand how they can convince their fans, donors and recruits that they plan to win.

They hardly throw the ball at all (unless they get way behind, I suppose). That's fine, I suppose. If they honestly think their option offense is the way to go to move the ball and put up points, have at it. And to their credit, it's worked with some success over the years.

But if they never pass the ball, how do they defend the pass? I don't know, maybe they recruit passing quarterbacks just to run the scout team, with assurances that those players will never play in a game. But if they don't, how can their defense prepare? I'm not talking about their annual payday game with Texas -- Vince Young lights up everyone. And they're not playing David Carr and Fresno State anymore, but to their defense, Jordan Palmer and Darrell Hackney must look like Dan Marino and John Elway.

Are they designed to fail defensively? What am I missing here?