College Football Predictions – Rice Owls 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 3-9
2016 ATS – 6-5-1
The Owls sputtered to a 3-9 record in 2016 and that marked the first time since 2011 that Rice had suffered back-to-back losing campaigns. It was pretty awful from start to finish and they could only manage victories over Charlotte, UTEP and something called Prairie View A&M. HC David Bailiff looks to lead the Owls back to a bowl game and that mission starts on August 26 with a date vs Stanford in AUSTRALIA. Crikey !
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Conference USA – TBD
West Division – TBD
OFFENSE
The Owls’ QB play was spotty last season and they have a three-way battle for the starting role as we go to press. MEGALOCKS RICE INSIDERS have noted that sophomore Jackson Tyler has a narrow lead in the competition but it is really anyone’s guess how things play out. Whoever is under center is not going to have a set of dangerous targets as far as we can tell. Rice only returns one WR who had more than 300 yards receiving last season (Kylen Granson – 381) and they are probably going to have difficulty MATRICULATING in the passing game.
The running game could surprise this year as Rice brings back 5/5 starters on the offensive line and that is always something we like to see. Last year’s leading rusher Sam Stewart returns this season but only had 481 yards rushing in 2016.
DEFENSE
Defense has been optional the past couple of seasons as the Owls have allowed over 35 points per game on each occasion. Rice finished dead last in the FBS in 2016 allowing an impossible 7.4 yards per play (!). The unit returns 8 starters this year and we expect the statistics to be improved despite, technically, having many of the same characters back on the field. There are too many juniors and seniors to expect otherwise. The defensive line returns all three starters and the LB unit features first team CUSA performer Emmanuel Ellerbee who tallied 118 tackles last season. Our two biggest concerns are the pass defense (63% completions, only 5 INT) and ability to get PENETRATION (21 sacks last season in 12 games).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Things look decent here. All the key components return including their very good punter Jack Fox.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
September 30 – at Pittsburgh. This is their 4th game away from home including a trip to Australia. Crickey !
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Rice made three consecutive bowl games just a short time ago (2012-2014) and won two of them.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 4.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the OWLS a 4.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season.
The Owls have an experienced enough team to sneak their way into bowl season but they cannot afford many (if any) missteps. The non-conference slate includes games vs Stanford, Houston and Pitt. Thankfully the conference is not full of JUGGERNAUTS and anything can happen. It will take a surprise at QB and a big improvement on defense.
When you consider participating in Owls’ games against the spread, keep in mind that Rice is often a tough cookie vs Vegas and are most often the “value” side as they are pretty much the furthest thing from a “name” team. They are scrappy enough to give teams fits so don’t go into full fade mode. Just use caution if you dip in the pool.
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