College Football Predictions – Rice Owls 2020 College Football Preview
August 19, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 6-5-1
Did we witness a turning point last year?
The Owls started off year two of the Mike Bloomgren experiment in brutal fashion losing their first nine (!) games. Then they got on a bit of a HEATER a won each of their final three games (at MTSU, North Texas, at UTEP) whilst scoring 30+ points on two of those occasions. Yes, miracles can happen.
Let’s check out the roster and see if they have a chance to keep the momentum going in 2020.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #5
Conference USA – #11
Rice Owls 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Owls achieved the near-impossible last year and booked their 3rd straight season scoring fewer than 20 PPG (17.9, #13 C-USA). They were equally brutal from a rushing standpoint (#12 C-USA) and in the THROW GAME (last C-USA, #118 FBS). Only 5 starters return on this side of the ball and it’ll be interesting to see if they can start to resemble a functioning offense. It’s anyone’s guess who will get the starting QB when the season opens but it’s certain to still be a BIG QUESTION MARK. We’ll keep tabs on things but it will be a complete unknown under center in week one. The RB group is also a mystery as we approach press time given the departure of leading rusher Aston Walter (771, 8 TD) and note that no returning player booked more than 200 yards rushing in 2019. The only piece of good news were able to come across is the return of their top-two WRs Austin Trammell and Brad Rozner who combined to catch 115 balls for over 1,400 yards and 9 TDs LY. Two starters return up front.
This looks like one of the worst offenses in the conference once again.
DEFENSE
The Owls played acceptable defense last year, particularly down the stretch when they allowed 20 points or less in four of their final five games. They were pretty good vs the run (#6 C-USA) and weak vs the pass (#11 C-USA pass efficiency D, 64%, 18-6 TD to INT). A whopping 10 (!) starters are back on this side of the ball so there’s definitely potential for improvement. The run D should be stout with so many returning starters including star LB Blaze Alldredge who booked an impossible 21.5 TFL LY (#2 FBS, Hamilcar Rashed Jr. – Oregon St) whilst leading the team in tackles. In fact, the projected starting linebacker trio was 1-2-3 in tackles a season ago. They could use more PENETRATION as they only bagged 15 sacks and were #9 in the conference in TFL/game LY. The secondary improved as the 2019 season went along and returns essentially intact.
We look for a slight to moderate improvement on defense this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game is a bit of a mystery given that they must break in a new punter and PK. They could use some additional spice at KR and PR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – One non-conference opponent has been set (Lamar, Sept 26th) as we near press time. They miss Western Kentucky and FAU in crossover action but have to play Marshall on the road.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at North Texas (November 21st)
This will be their 3rd road game in four weeks and the Mean Green will have revenge on their minds.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number. <and full schedule>
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number. <and full schedule>
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The last man to have served as HC of the Owls for more than one season AND leave with a winning record is Jess Neely who led the team from 1940 to 1966 (144-124-10, .536).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This looks like a really imbalanced team, unless there is something special lurking in the QB room that our CONFERENCE USA INSIDERS don’t know about. They’re going to struggle on offense once again but WHOA NELLIE that defense might be pretty good. We’ll call for them to slug out a few wins but fall short of bowl eligibility.
Want more Rice Owls Football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/rice-m-footbl-body.html
FORUM
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NEWS
https://www.chron.com/sports/rice/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/242/rice-owls
TWITTER
Hashtag – #IntellectualBrutality, #GoOwls
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