40 Acres Sports

If you haven’t been following them closely, the [tag]Rice[/tag] spread offense is a pretty impressive and efficient machine. Through three games Owls’ QB Chase Clement has already thrown for eight touchdowns and is averaging nearly 300 yards passing per game. He and wide receiver Jarett Dillard have already connected for five scores and are on their way to being the most prolific QB/WR duo in college football history.

Unless you somehow missed the first two Texas games you know that the young Texas secondary still has a lot of growing up to do. Can they handle that prolific Rice passing game? Will [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] and the Texas offense continue to put up big numbers on the scoreboard? Read our editors’ predictions below to find out:

Brian – Texas should win easily this evening versus the Rice Owls but there may be more important things to take away from the game than just the final score. With [tag]Oklahoma[/tag] and [tag]Missouri[/tag] dominating opponents the Longhorns need to show that they can do the same. The Horns need to and will show marked improvement on both sides of the ball from when they last played two weeks ago. The defense will still play it close to the vest but I think even without complicated blitzes the return of [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag] will mean much better pressure on the quarterback. Texas will struggle to get big running plays but McCoy will continue his impressive early season play with at least four TD tosses.

Rice 10 – Texas 45

Mike – Even before Hurricane Ike this looked like a blowout, add the distractions and circumstances the Rice team has faced all week and it appears doubtful this game has any chance not to get ugly. I expect Texas to try and establish an identity in the running game, and I expect that identity to come in the form of [tag]Foswhitt Whittaker[/tag]. After a week off, look for Will Muschamp’s defense to try and set the tone with big plays and pressure. Rice excels on third down, and needless to say UT does not. If Texas can limit those extra opportunities and avoid mistakes the Owls have no chance. This one is all Texas.

Rice 13 – Texas 52

Matt – Even though we have only allowed 23 points in our first two games, both opponents have been able to move the ball a little too easily against our young secondary. And the one thing Rice does well is throw the ball, so this should be a good test before getting into the meat of our schedule. Hopefully with the week off Muschamp has straightened some things out and we see that improvement on the field. I am definitely not worried about our offense, as we should put up at least 50 this Saturday. I am going with a high scoring game (so take the over).

Rice 23 – Texas 59

1. reply to  #1

   

   Josh

   September 20th, 2008 at 11:02 am

   I believe today goes along way on seeing how Texas’ season goes. I know it is Rice, but with their pass attack it could give Texas some fits. This is very good prep for what is ahead starting next week. I want to see running and I mean lining up in the I-formation and stop running that draw read run play. Texas will by far have a bigger offensive line than any defensive line they will face all year. They need to stop doing these read blocks and just fire off the ball and push them into the linebackers. Davis irritates me, so much with his play calling. I want to see the defense get some turnovers. I know sacks are going to be hard to come by, due to the fact that pretty much every team they are going to face this year are going to do a lot of 3 step drops and timing routes, to take advantage of a young secondary and and good defensive line. I want to see more pressure from the linebackers, and not watch them to drop into, so much pass coverage. I think if Muschamp has been holding back, I think this is the week he lets loose and shows the rest of the teams on the schedule what they have to look forward to.