Rice at Western Kentucky – Preview and Prediction
WESTERN KENTUCKY 16.5 RICE (62.5)
Implied Projected Score: Western Kentucky 39.5 Rice 23
MEGALOCKS LINE – Western Kentucky 17
The Game
The Hilltoppers kick off their defense of the C-USA Title with a match-up vs the Rice Owls. Yes, this is a conference game, and it should have Western Kentucky’s full attention. The Owls are coming off a disappointing season in which they missed bowl season for the first time since 2011 finishing at a record of 5-7.
The Match-Up
Western Kentucky offense vs Rice defense
Western Kentucky has to be licking their chops. Rice gave up 36 TD passes and only picked off 2 (two) (deux) passes the entire season in 2015. That seems impossible, yet it happened. Now, the question is whether or not newly anointed starting QB Mike White will be able to move the offense at even close to the efficiency of former starting QB and all-world performer Brandon Doughty. The good news is that the Hilltoppers have one of the deepest RB collections in all of college football and also return their top two WRs who combined for over 2,400 yards and 23 TDs last season. The offensive line will be great. They have to get into the 40s don’t they ?
The Owls return 9 starters on defense including their leading tackler from 2015 (LB Alex Lyons) and four starters in the secondary. So despite their relatively poor performance last season, when you combine the new WKU QB with an more experienced Rice secondary, there is at least a BIT of optimism for Rice.
Rice offense vs Western Kentucky defense
Rice has a new starting QB in senior Tyler Stehling and he will be replacing the steady Driphus Jackson. Rice has a deep group of running backs and should be able to probe the SOFT UNDERBELLY of the Hilltopper defense. The Hilltoppers yielded 166 yards rushing per game last season and 4.4 yards per carry and only return one starter on the DL. WKU is fortunate they do not need to worry too much about the Rice passing game.
Tasty Tidbits
WKU is 7-3 ATS as a home favorite under HC Jeff Brohm who is doing quite the job with this squad….The Hilltoppers were 5th in the FBS in turnovers forced (31) last year and have the same DC and philosophy this season….WKU has Alabama on deck….Rice played WKU last year at home and lost 49-10.…..Rice has only two losing seasons ATS in the last 10 years in conference games (2009, 2015).
Summary
The spread feels about right. We do not know what to expect from Rice this year especially on defense. We are strangely confident that their offense can do enough in this game to not get pulverized. Will watch and try and learn something for later weeks.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Squat.