You cannot say that if the run were 2:11-2:12 is the winning time that Ryan Hall would even make the team not to mention win. When running a time as to were five or six guys are capable of running allows individuals who may be having a stellar day into the race.
No doubt Ryan is the fastest in the field and definitely has heart; however, in the past several fast marathoners have had terrible runs and stated, "the pace was too slow and their bodies didn't respond well or when the pace picked up they couldn't changed gears off the slow pace."
Why take a chance? If Hall stated last month he think he could run 2:05-2:06 on Houston course and I don't see why he would want the pace to go out slower then 2:08. Even at that pace he would have alittle company definitely Meb, Galen if he runs, and Dathan to keep him from running solo.
Going out in 1:04:00 would probably be the best strategy for both Ryan Hall and Mebrahtom Keflezighi. As both are capable of running that on a course such as Houston.