Todd Graham and Hawaii. A story of differing philosophies.

I want to start this by saying I had positive feelings towards the Graham hire and I do believe in what he is currently doing. However that does not absolve him of much deserved criticism. I will lay out my points and be as fair as possible. However I wanted to share my current mindset before I begin.

January 21, 2020. The day Graham was hired to replace Nick Rolovich as Head Coach of the University of Hawaii football team. Rolovich would leave for Washington State alongside assistants Brian Smith, Craig Stutzmann, Michael Ghobrial and Director of Recruiting Jason Cvercko. Graham was set to begin what would be another exciting UH football season before COVID through a notch in said season. Despite this, Graham’s first season was a success. 5-4 with victories over rivals Fresno State and Nevada. The season was capped off with a victory over Houston in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl.

His second season was not as successful. A tough start with a daunting Pac-12 road schedule found UH at 1-2. UH began their conference schedule with a last second loss to San Jose State. A game for which UH should’ve won. They didn’t and a last second incompletion saw their record go to 1-3. A win at New Mexico State saw Hawaii welcome in arch rival Fresno State. A team ranked 18th in the nation and fresh off a victory over UCLA. Starting QB Chevan Cordeiro was out with an injury and Graham’s recruit Brayden Schager stepped in and stepped up. Combined with huge performances from Calvin Turner Jr., Dae Dae Hunter and Khoury Bethley saw UH’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2010 under Greg McMackin. Cordeiro would return two games later and start for the rest of the season, most likely to preserve Schager’s redshirt. UH would go 3-3 in their final six under Cordeiro to finish the season at 6-7. A disappointing season capped by a huge Senior night victory followed by a win against rival Wyoming, Hawaii’s first win in Laramie since the nineties. A Hawaii Bowl birth would be awarded to UH but they would have to drop out due to lack of players and COVID.

Now it brings us to our current situation. Rumors of displeasure in the locker room began to rise with all fingers pointed at Graham. A twitter space led by former UH offensive lineman RJ Hollis saw players express further displeasure, with some pointing to Graham’s attitude and claims of verbal beratement and abuse. In the following weeks, UH starters Chevan Cordeiro, Dae Dae Hunter, Justice Tavai, Darius Muasau, Jonah Laulu, Cam Lockridge and Nick Mardner all announced their intention to transfer. DB Kai Kaneshiro had announced his retirement and St. Louis (Hawaii HS) Quarterback AJ Bianco has held off signing his LOI to UH despite verbally committing to Hawaii earlier in the year. Bianco has also recently been offered by Nevada. Due to the loss of Hawaii players, noise has risen in the community and throughout the Bows fanbase with many people calling for UH AD Matlin to fire Graham. Here’s my thoughts.

The only UH coach in recent memory not to coach at least four seasons was Fred von Appen. His third season ended without a win and was replaced by June Jones. Graham deserves at least three full season to bring in his own players and his own system. Graham has also improved Hawaii in the transfer window with two recruits coming in from powerhouses Georgia and one from Oklahoma. Graham has made two bowl games in his first two seasons, the first UH coach to ever do that. Graham is 2-0 over Fresno State and he has won against every UH rival except Boise State where in his first game against Boise, Hawaii lost by eight, the closest margin of loss since June Jones left. Graham has had an impressive early signing window in 2022 capped by DB Chigozie Anusiem from Cal and Virdel Edwards II from Iowa State.

Graham has also had some failures. An inability to close out tough games, adapt to Hawaii culture and keep tenured starters in the program. The biggest controversy was giving his son Michael a football scholarship and promoting his other son Bo to Offensive Coordinator. I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable in the game of football, especially from the offensive side of the ball. My offensive philosophy is heavily influenced by the Run N Shoot offense. My main criticism of the Run N Shoot is the lack of a running game. Hawaii’s inability to run cost them dearly, especially in the 2008 Sugar Bowl where Georgia was able to drop eight defensive backs into coverage and dominate the ballgame. I like the fact that Hawaii’s current offense incorporates a run game, however the passing game has suffered dramatically. I am a big believer in horizontal routes and forward short gain passes. Graham believes in check downs behind the line of scrimmage and deep balls. Graham’s play calling for the most part has been atrocious. The only games for which I do not have criticism is the Wyoming game and Portland State. He calls plays scared, shown in the final drive against UNLV and he fails to establish proper route concepts. He does not utilize his receivers strengths and absolute weapons like Jared Smart have become shells of their former self. I do believe, along with the challenges presented by COVID that he needed to settle in and learn how to be a proper play designer and play caller. However if he continues to falter and Todd Graham doesn’t remove his son, that should be grounds for termination for both.

Graham has had some ups and downs, that is without a doubt. However to say he inherited a championship team is incorrect. Yes, the team in the previous season did go 10-5 with a birth to the Mountain West title game. Yes they did beat Arizona, Oregon State and Army. Yes, they did beat BYU (with future second overall pick Zach Wilson) in the Hawaii bowl. The 2020 team for which Graham inherited after the early signing window did not have multiple starters from that year. Starting Quarterback Cole McDonald, staring receivers JoJo Ward, Cedric Byrd and Jason-Matthew Sharsh, running backs Fred Holly and Dayton Furuta along with defensive backs Rojesterman Farris II, Ikem Okeke and Solomon Matautia. All of which left before Graham landed in Hawaii. That’s a lot of players, key players to replace.

Graham also has the most wins in a second season at UH since Bob Wagner along with two rivalry game trophies. Graham has Hawaii’s second ever mainland bowl victory. Graham was 4-2 against Arizona at ASU, hired Mike Norvell and Billy Napier as OC, both have gone on to become the Head Coaches of Florida State and Florida respectively. He also recruited NFL players N’Keal Harry, Kalen Ballage, Zane Gonzales, Matt Haack, Damarious Randall and Eno Benjamin.

Yet Graham has allowed top UH players to transfer out. It is a mark on his record. I do want to break down several transfers though.

Chevan Cordeiro: The two year starter and four year Hawaii man will spend the next two years at San Jose State. Let’s be real, Cordeiro would not have started in 2022. Shrager has clearly established himself as the next UH shot caller. Regardless of any Graham controversy, Cordeiro would’ve left for a better opportunity anyway.

Now lets talk about those who announced their desire to leave after the Hawaii Bowl was suppose to be played.

Jonah Laulu: The D Lineman was a havoc maker. Funny that less than 48 hours after he announced his intention to transfer, Laulu was offered a scholarship from multiple top programs including LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Miami and FSU.

Nick Mardner: UH starting receiver who has the frame to go to the next level. Offers from Cincinnati and Virginia Tech.

Darius Muasau: Chuck Bednarik award watchlist, Hawaii middle linebacker. Will get offers, none announced as of 12/29/2021

I think its funny that majority of players leaving are either leaving for better schools/ programs or would not be starters next year. Now I don’t believe that Graham did not use strong, possibly abusive language towards players. However from what reports were saying, whatever Graham had said seems mild to what I have personally witnessed on the field during Hawaii High School games. It sounds like Graham has a group of players he likes and if you are not in that group, you don’t receive special privileges. I haven’t heard anything said to corroborate such a story from stars like Calvin Turner or Khoury Bethley. Not saying it didn’t happen, perhaps I was anticipating something worse.

I want to leave everyone with this. I understand Graham has left a sour taste in the mouth of UH fans. I am a UH fan and I can not say I’ve been satisfied with what Graham has done in his first two years. I also understand success takes time, especially in Hawaii and in a program whose stadium was just condemned and whose budget seems to be hemorrhaging money regularly. Here’s how I see it. There is only one local guy who I think could take UH to new heights and that is Rich Miano. Miano is a phenomenal recruiter and coach, shown by his time at Kaiser High School. However Graham is a phenomenal recruiter too with roads into the west coast, the south and his home state of Texas. UH will never keep the top prospects home, there’s too much opportunity, money, and better situations in the mainland. Hawaii has always had to supplement their rosters with JUCO and transfer talent. Graham has provided UH a gateway into the talents of Power Five schools. The shit has not hit the fan. No games have been lost. For the first time since at least Bryant Moniz but more likely Colt Brennan, Hawaii has a consistent Quarterback in Brayden Shrager (from Texas). If UH ever wants to win an outright division title and/or return to a NY6 bowl game, Graham gives Hawaii their best shot. Let’s be real, Hawaii was never going to win a title with the players that are leaving. There are multiple winnable games lost in the 2021 season due to Cordeiro’s inconsistent play and lack of an accurate arm. Graham is not Norm Chow. I lived through Norm Chow. There were only two bright spots in the Norm Chow era. Being undefeated on Senior Night and Marcus Kemp. I am tired of the notion Hawaii can only win with people who understand the culture. Dick Tomey landed in Manoa, fresh off the plane from UCLA and became a legend. June Jones did not have incredible success because he played and was a GA at Hawaii. He had success because he’s a former NFL OC and Head Coach, he’s a winner because he was a great recruiter, he was a winner because he had a phenomenal staff with the names of Jerry Glanville and Greg McMackin coaching up the team. Graham took an ASU team who didn’t win a thing since the 90’s and made them relevant again. I am tired of the same old, same old. Rolovich was never going to beat Boise, Rolo struggled constantly against Fresno and Wyoming. Rolo was struggling in the Pac-12 before he got fired. I want the team to be great and if Graham thinks he’s able to replace those guys with better talent then I say good luck and I hope you’re right. I’m willing to bet all the money in my pockets against all the money in your pockets that UH will not regress because these players are leaving. If Memphis coached by Graham’s former OC Mike Norvell can make it to the Cotton Bowl, we can’t we? Why can’t that beautiful green colored H be shown in the Rose Bowl?

The Revamped Southeastern Conference

Let me start with this. This article is not a criticism of the SEC. I love the SEC, it is the best brand of college football around. However the SEC championship has become slightly repetitive. The games itself are always a blast but we see the same teams every year. Since its inception in 1992, only six teams have won the contest along. In fact only 10 of the 14 SEC teams have ever made the championship game. Now I don’t want to mix things up to “be fair” or to “be equal” because this is football and not paddy cake. I want some freshness, some spiciness. Especially with the additions of both Oklahoma and Texas, I think conference realignment is in order.

This is how I would do it. Two divisions. Four games played in your division. Two games played between divisions, thus facing the same opponent every four years and two protected rivalry game. (Would have a couple exceptions for long standing traditions). I would have both the first weekend and last weekend of the season be rivalry week.

Here’s how I’d spilt the divisions.

In the SEC (A) side we have (I lack a name so we’ll call it A and B)

Auburn

Mississippi State

Texas A&M

Florida

Tennessee

LSU

Georgia

Arkansas

In the SEC (B), we have

Texas

Oklahoma

Kentucky

Missouri

Alabama

Ole Miss

Vanderbilt

South Carolina

In the first week of the season or more eloquently titled Week 0, we’d kick off the season with

Lone Star Showdown (Texas v. Texas A&M) @ Cowboy Stadium

Tennessee v. Kentucky

Arkansas v. Ole Miss

Oklahoma v. Auburn

In Week 1, we would have

Alabama v Florida @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

South Carolina v. Georgia

Exceptions (Game between conferences is grandfathered in)

Alabama v. Tennessee

Georgia v. Vanderbilt

Final day in the regular season.

Iron Bowl (Alabama v. Auburn)

Egg Bowl (Ole Miss v. Miss State)

Battle Line Rivalry (Missouri v. Arkansas)

Tennessee v. Vanderbilt

LSU v. Oklahoma

This would be a new world of football down south that put a smile on my face from ear to ear. This about the possibilities.

An Alabama v. LSU SEC championship or an Iron Bowl part 2. How about Oklahoma and Florida or Tennessee and Texas. These great football traditions, showcased in Atlanta.

How about the start of the season. For so long we’ve waited for college football and to kick it off is Texas and Texas A&M. This about the passion, the pageantry and phenomenal stories waiting to be written. Last but not least is the new rivalries waiting to form. The National Championships decided on the last day of the season. Senior night heartbreaks. Glorious victories. I’m foaming at the mouth thinking about it. This schedule is what SEC football is all about. Expecting the unexpected.

How to fix Texas Football

Quite frankly, the Texas Longhorns have been the joke of college football since Charlie Strong first walked through the doors of Austin. The big, bad Longhorns have been mediocre at best. With only one Sugar Bowl victory to their name, made bitter sweet by Sam Ehlinger’s incorrect assessment of the program with his famous “we’re back!” phrase, Texas needs some fire to re-light the flame of championship performance.

They hoped to find that in Steve Sarkisian. With his experience at Washington and USC, along with his success at Alabama culminating in Devonta Smith’s Heisman win and another Nick Saban National Championship, the idea was that he’d bring a championship mindset to Texas. It looked promising as Sark was 4-1 headed into Red River. Then with a 28-7 lead over their arch rivals, Oklahoma made a change. Bringing in Caleb Williams, the Sooners would come back to beat Texas 55-48. Texas and Sark couldn’t handle and would lose their next six ball games, finishing the season at 5-7 ( a senior night win against K-state provided their fifth win). Quite frankly, I was unsure of Sark when he decided to start true freshman Hudson Card over experienced Casey Thompson. I mean I had just watched Thompson light up Colorado in the 2020 Alamo Bowl when he came in for injured Sam Ehlinger less than eight months before. I didn’t like the move and turns out I was right. It’s not that I don’t like Sark, I don’t believe in him. He falters when things get tough. It’s easy to win at Bama when you usually got a 21 point lead by half. It isn’t when you’ve been punched in the mouth. Can we name one moment this season where Sark has outcoached another team? Or a moment when Texas has outscored their opponents in the second half? Even at Washington, Sark won eight games in his best season. Chris Petersen took Washington to the college football playoffs. Sark won nine games in his only full season at USC, Clay Helton for whom I do not hold in the top echelon of coaches at least won a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl. To put it simply, if Texas wants to actually be back, they need to move on from Steve Sarkisian.

As of right now, Texas is closer to Texas State then Texas A&M in terms of championship aspirations between in state colleges. For the state of Texas, here’s how I rank the schools in probability of getting to the playoff. 1. Baylor 2. Texas Tech 3. Texas A&M 4. TCU 5. Houston 6. SMU 7. UTSA 8. Texas. Yes, that’s how bad it’s gotten. At least all the other teams are able to post above .500 records. However with their move to the SEC looming and with NIL, the Texas brand is still attractive to a lot of people. I mean Texas has produced some NFL talent in the likes of Devin Duvernay, D’onta Foreman, Lil Jordan Humphrey, Sam Cosmi and Jordan Hicks. The top Quarterback recruit of 2021 is from Texas in Quinn Ewers so the Longhorns have a relative ease with recruiting local talent alongside the fact that bordering states of Louisiana and Arkansas provide a pipeline to out of state talent as well. However in my opinion, kids want to play for a leader. Someone who inspires confidence and provides them an opportunity to be great. If I’m the Texas AD, I’m paying Sark’s buyout clause and spending every dollar of Texas booster money to bring in Marcus Freeman from Norte Dame. Texas was best when Will Muschamp was their defensive coordinator. The Texas defense was hard hitting, aggressive but most importantly, intelligent. His defense was allowing an average of 19.5 points a game and was one of the top rushing defenses in the country that year. Freeman in his last four games has averaged a total 5.75 points a game. Not bad for his first season. His coaching has propelled starting safety Kyle Hamilton from a first round prospect to a top five pick. Plus Freeman’s youth will be a point of relatability that has served coaches like Lincoln Riley and Dave Aranda well in recruiting. Along with the fact that Freeman’s experience in the Midwest and Great Lakes area in terms of recruiting could bring some far and wide talent to Texas.

From an offensive perspective, they need to get Bijan Robinson the ball. Texas has a wonderful roster of running backs and wide receivers to complement Thompson but the workhorse that is Bijan Robinson will take Texas to great new heights. Early in the season, Sark was lining up Bijan in the slot, throwing screen passes to him and putting him all over the field. It seems like towards the end of the season, Sark was only running the ball with Bijan. That would be fine if the current state of Texas’ offensive line wasn’t a state of disrepair. Texas has a long history of great running backs. Greats like Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson and Jamaal Charles took Texas to wonderful heights. Bijan is that talent but even Derrick Henry isn’t great when he’s stopped at the line.

They also need a new offensive playcaller, one name comes to mind immediately. Joe Brady. There’s a lot of rumors that the Carolina Panthers are gonna move on from him and the one time LSU passing game coordinator, responsible for Joe Burrow and the electric 2019 LSU offense could find financial stability and inspiration at Texas. I think its time to to let the ball rip and become the offensive juggernaut of the south like they were in the 2000’s.

My last improvement for Texas is the fans. A rebuild won’t be overnight and expecting it to be is insanity. Its the same expectations put on the end of Mack Brown’s time in Texas, Charlie Strong and Tom Herman. Give the new guy some time because it turns out Mack Brown wasn’t the problem, it was the lofty expectations on him. There’s a reason North Carolina played in a New Years Six game last season and Texas didn’t. Be patient with the new coach and in due time, the rewards shall be so fruitful, you’ll have a handful to shove in Oklahoma’s face.

The Eight Team College Football Playoff

If you love college football as much as I do, then you hate the NCAA. More importantly the inability for the sport and its governing body to find a solution to a problem which has plagued the sport since it’s inception.

The year, 2004. The state, Alabama. The team, Auburn. Coached by now U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, the Auburn tigers hosted one of the most prolific running offenses in collegiate history, powered by running back duo Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. Quarterback Jason Campbell led a team which would finish the season 13-0 with 5 top 25 victories along with an SEC championship with a win over Tennessee, their second win over the Vols that year. They would end their season with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl but what Auburn really wanted was a National Championship. However their season would be overshadowed by the National Championship game between USC and Texas. An instant classic which saw Texas capture it’s first and only national title of the 21st century via a Vince Young scramble. A beautiful ending to an incredible year of college football except for Auburn. Why weren’t they there? Because Texas and USC were both undefeated and Auburn was the casualty of politics. See for many years the National Championship was based off a vote from so called electors, then a championship game was created. Then the BCS was created where the teams playing in the championship game was decided based off a computer calculating various numbers which is still hard to explain till today and finally a playoff was introduced. A four team tournament decided with a semi-final and a final. The team selections are based off select committee members and this was suppose to be the fix all solution but in it’s first year, it became painfully clear it wasn’t.

The year was 2014, January sprung four teams to compete on New Years Day. Alabama vs Ohio State and Oregon vs Florida State. Heisman winner Marcus Mariota led the ducks to a rout of fellow Heisman winner Jameis Winston in the Rose Bowl while Urban Meyer, Cardale Jones and the Ohio State Buckeyes upset the Alabama Crimson Tide. In the championship game, a Buckeyes team filled with talent smoked the Ducks to capture the first CFP national championship. On paper, a squad made up of names like Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Taylor Decker, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Michael Thomas and many more future NFL pros looks like a shoe in for the playoff except entering the final week of the season, Ohio State was engaged in a fierce debate. Alabama, Oregon and Florida State all clinched their spots in the playoff, barring an upset in their respected conference championship games. However the race for fourth was hot between TCU, Ohio State and Baylor. They all had one loss and all deserved to be number four but thus an issue. Unlike Ohio State, TCU and Baylor play in the Big 12 and in the 2013-2104 season, the Big 12 didn’t have a conference championship game. Ohio State in the Big 10 did and thus they got the final spot. To make a long story short, too often times in college football, a team or teams get left out of the playoff for various and most often dumb reasons. Teams like Baylor, TCU, UCF and Oregon have been left out of the playoffs in the following years after Ohio State’s win with barely a half decent explanation. Here’s my solution to fix this.

College football is driven by sponsorships and money. Currently six bowl games are on a rotating schedule to host the semi-final games. The Sugar, Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Cotton and Peach bowl are locked in so I suggest this. An eight man playoff.

1 v. 8 2 v. 7 3 v. 6 4 v.5

A quarterfinal matchup which uses four bowl games and a semi final which uses the remaining two. Here are my rules for qualification. A committee selection will select and rank each team. A conference can only have a maximum of two teams in the playoff and one must be the conference champion. An undefeated, undisputed conference champion from a group of five school will have automatic acceptance into the playoff. The quarter final shall take place on New Years Day. The semi-final a week after and a National Championship game the week after that.

For those who say this is too taxing on colligate athletes, I offer a solution. Each school receives roughly 30-40 million per appearance in a playoff game. Five million should be set aside in bonuses. One million for coaches and four million to be divided upon the players. The more you advance, the more you get paid.

No one will argue if a 9th or a 10th seed should be in because typically only six teams per year have the resume to compete for a National title but I suggest eight teams just to make things even. This way, those teams left out have an opportunity to prove they belong on the biggest stage.

What’s next for Spencer Rattler?

Dubbed a pre-season All American, a future first round pick and a Heisman trophy candidate, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler now finds himself as the second string QB of the Sooners following a benching in the Red River Rivalry against Texas, precluded by a lackluster performance throughout the season. This isn’t the first time he’s been benched as a similar moment happened in the 2020 edition of the Red River Rivalry where Rattler was benched for Tanner Mordecai. Difference is Rattler came back to beat Texas and this year his replacement Caleb Williams has hit the ground running with Lincoln Riley’s offense and in the dust lies Rattler. Like Mordecai, it’s painfully clear Oklahoma is no longer a suitable home for Rattler. Mordecai transferred to SMU where he has thrived with the Mustangs and now Rattler will soon have to enter the transfer portal. Here’s some suggestions for where Rattler could go to revitalize his career.

1. Tennessee. For years the Vols borderlined on obscurity, constantly losing ground in the SEC and failing in their ability to replace National Championship winning coach Phillip Fulmer. Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley, Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt have all tried and failed. However, new head coach Josh Heupel and his pass heavy spread offense has revitalized rocky top and with a broken roster, Heupel’s Vols are making noise once again. Starting quarterback Hendon Hooker looks to be headed to the NFL as he is a senior and backup Joe Milton continues to perform below his above average expectations. With the ability to start right away and throw the ball constantly along with the use of his legs, Rattler could be the missing piece to what takes the Vols back to the top of college football.

2. Ole Miss. Another SEC school with a similar situation to Tennessee, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss will need to replace future first round pick Matt Corral. With an offense similar to Oklahoma, the constant use of passing patterns and RPO plays, Rattler would be right at home in Oxford. Keep in mind, Kiffin has not only taken Matt Corral’s game to the next level but his work with Heisman trophy winners like Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart along with NFL pros Matt Barkley and Jalen Hurts could be the key to unlocking Rattler’s obvious potential.

3. LSU. I know what you’re gonna say. Another SEC school? And yes. The only difference between Alabama and LSU is that Alabama recruits solid quarterbacks and LSU doesn’t. Names like Tua, Hurts, Jones and McCarron have all guided the talented Crimson Tide to various National Championships and eventually all made their way to the NFL. LSU has had similarly talented rosters without the quarterbacks to lift them over the top. Then comes in Joe Burrow from Ohio State and bingo! An undefeated season, a national championship and one of the most legendary teams of all time. Since 2010, LSU has had top players who have become NFL stars. Names like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Leonard Fournette, Russell Gage, Jamal Adams, Tredavious White, Tyrann Mathieu, Jalen Mills, La’ei Collins, Trai Turner, Kwon Alexander, Danielle Hunter, Deion Jones, D.J. Chalk and so many more have electrified Death Valley but no Quarterback. Yes, Max Johnson has solidified his position as starter but I personally don’t believe he’s better than Rattler and with a loaded roster along with a new coaching staff coming in, Rattler could be the key for a repeat of 2019.

4. Texas. Could he really? Leave the Sooners for their arch rival? Well quite frankly the relationship between Rattler and Oklahoma ended when fans started chanting Caleb Williams name during the Sooners game against West Virginia. Texas could provide the fire for which Rattler can start his revenge tour. A talented receiving core outlined with speed, a top running back in Bijan Robinson if he stays for another year and offensive ingenuity from Coach Steve Sarkisian (who saw Mac Jones ascend from Tua’s backup to a first round pick) could see Rattler thrive. Quite frankly, Casey Thompson and Hudson Card haven’t done anything to solidify their place as the starter for the Longhorns and with Texas use of RPO and pistol formations, Rattler would fit in easily. If Rattler comes and Texas can sure up it’s offensive line, Rattler might find the last laugh across Red River.

5. Nevada. Perhaps a move out of the power five conferences is just what the doctor ordered. If Nevada’s head coach Jay Norvell and OC Matt Mumme (Son of Air Raid innovator Hal Mumme) stays for another season, Rattler would slide into a system which has allowed Carson Strong to both thrive and rip apart opposing defenses. Along with the offensive similarity to Oklahoma (he was co-OC under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma) and a strong recruiting base, Rattler could be the piece which could help Nevada finally claim an undisputed conference championship.