ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

When we caught up with new Rice coach Todd Graham in this space a few months ago, he wasn't coy about why he hired former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite, who had never been an offensive coordinator before.

"The bottom line is: Major is a winner," Graham said. "I watched him play."

OK, so he was somewhat coy. After being pressed, Graham added something that may not be self-evident. Unless, of course, you know Rice is located in Texas, where former Longhorns quarterbacks are fairly popular.

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