Rice Owls 2022 College Football Preview
June 23, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 4-8
ATS – 3-9
The Owls booked their seventh losing season in a row but they did manage to win four games and SHOCK the WORLD with a road win at UAB (W 30-24). Rice lost two games in OT and note the vast majority of their losses were vs quality opponents (Hogs, Houston, Horns, UTSA, WKU, UTEP). That should be taken into account when assessing their 2021 season.
Is there reason for optimism heading into 2022? Let’s check in with the program.
Rice Owls 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Owls were mediocre on offense LY (#97 FBS total offense, #74 rush, #87 pass) but they got better as the season went along and scored 30,24,24,21,28,35 L6G. The battle for the starting QB gig appears to be between a pair of guys that got some work LY (Wiley Green, TJ McMahon) but it’s safe to assume that both of them (and maybe another dood or two) will get work under center. #2 WR Cedric Patterson returns (583, 6 TD) and they added a few wideouts through the transfer portal. Former CORN QB Luke McCaffrey is an interesting addition to the WR group. #1 RB Ari Broussard is back for duty but they’ve lost some quality depth at the position. Three starters and 90+ career starts return up front but they were mediocre up front LY (3.8 YPC, 28 sacks allowed). There are more weapons in the THROW GAME, and they’ll probably get better QB play, so it’s more likely than not we’ll see improvement in 2022.
DEFENSE
Rice didn’t do much of anything right LY (#108 FBS total defense, #83 run D, #109 pass efficiency D, #73 3rd downs) and allowed their worst PPG mark (36.2) since 2016 (37.3). The pass rush was decent tho and their 27 sacks was the most by an Owls’ defense since 2017 (28). Rice brings back seven returning starters but lose their top-three (!) tacklers including their excellent DT Elijah Garcia who led the team in tackles (!) whilst booking 6.5 TFL and 4 QBH. They don’t have much size up front but have a rising star at DT in Ikenna Enechukwu who tied for the team lead in TFL and QBH in 2021. The LB unit is a bit of a mystery but the secondary might be the strength of the stop unit as it’s CHOCK FULL of experience and boasts a rising star in sophomore CB Sean Fresch.
SPECIAL TEAMS
HOOT HOOT was #41 in the FBS in PR and #51 in KR but the kicking game was PURE FILTH. They’ll almost certainly roll with a new PK and P in 2022.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Owls have three tough non-conference foes (at USC, Cajuns, at Houston) and draw the four best teams (on paper) in conference play.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-heinous noted.
Season Win Total
Per BetOnline June 23
Over 3.5 +120
Under 3.5 -150
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
They don’t look that horrible to be honest but it’s hard to find four wins in there.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Mike Bloomgren is 19-23 ATS with the Owls and that record includes a stinky 0-6 (!) mark as home chalk. Bloomgren has been decent as a home doggie (8-6 ATS).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
If there’s such a thing as a RICE COACHING HOT SEAT we might be all viewing that elusive beast right now. Bloomgren is entering year five and hasn’t found a way to book more than four wins in a season as of yet. This looks like his best team but the schedule isn’t too helpful. Let’s hope they can find a way to pull an upset in the first half of the campaign or else things could go GLUG GLUG GLUG……..
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WEBSITE
https://riceowls.com/sports/football
FORUM
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NEWS
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/242/rice-owls