I hate this cliche but....

[Hoop Fan]

saying must-win does not mean that you cannot recover from it or move on. I disagree that must win games are only playoff games. The Rice game was a must win in the context of hoping for a winning season and quick turnaround from last season. Those hopes are virtually dashed in everybodys book today, even those people who were the most optimistic about the year coming into fall practice. So, yes it absolutely was a must win game in that context. Having a must win game in my view does not mean you have to quit or fire your coach the moment you lose. The SWTS game is a must win in terms of saving face, fan enthusiasm, attendance the rest of this year, and yes recruiting. If you lose to SWTS, you move on and have to steal one elsewhere. Maybe TCU, but how likely is that? you guys must be kidding if you dont expect JJ to beat SWTS even if it is his second game. You know you do.

[Alaric]

If you have to put so many conditions on your terminology, maybe people are using the wrong terminology. How about saying would be an "important" win? It's just hyperbole. It's like saying today is the most important day of my life*






*but not really

[mrydel]

So it is an important game for the resurrection of a dying program. It is not a must win. If we do not win, the season will continue and we will have the same coach, same wishes, same desires, same [deleted], same gripes, etc. The first game after 6 losses last year was a must win for Bennett. He lost, he was fired. This is not a must win game.

[jtstang]

If you contrast the concept of must-win with the concept of must-lose, it's easy to see which is correct.

Personally I prefer must-not-expect.

[Ikus]

I didn't take Otto's post that way at all. Of course they WANT to win now. But the long-term structure of the team and the program in general is the bigger picture here, so it makes sense to do what's best in the long haul. The team is going to win some and lose some this year, either way, so this year is at least in part about long-term talent evaluation and teaching and getting the players more comfortable in the systems.

[Nacho]

I hope you are right about the "win some."

This would be a most pleasant win.

[ponyboy]

We will win soon enough. Stop whining and get on board.

[Nacho]

I'm with the program.