2015
Rice
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Rice had a successful 2014 finishing at 8-5, culminating with a big win over Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl. The Owls were second in the C-USA’s West division, but were outmatched in two late road Games against top teams. They aren’t expected to take too big of a fall this year and have an over/under of 7.5 wins, with the Fourth-best odds to win the Conference at +700.
Rice doesn’t return much from last year, with only eight starters coming back on offense and defense combined. However, quarterback Driphus Jackson returns for his senior year and second season as the team’s starting QB. He did exactly what was asked of him last year, throwing for 24 TDs and only 8 INTs to go with 401 yards on the ground. Jackson loses his favorite receivers from 2014 that combined for 15 of his touchdowns, which could be a factor. Dennis Parks (29 receptions, 389 yards, 1 TD) will look to fill the No. 1 wideout gap with Temi Alaka and Zach Wright (25 receptions) also becoming starters.
The good news for Jackson is that the backfield remains intact with both Jowan Davis (956 yards) and Darik Dillard (12 TDs) returning. The problem for them will be a fresh offensive line that only brings back two starters, with two of the expected 2015 starters being underclassmen. Rice wasn’t over-the-top good last year, but Jackson continually did enough en route to eight wins. He’ll need to do the same this season.
The Owls were average on the defensive end last year, controlling weaker teams, but then getting beat up easily by better teams like Marshall and LA. Tech. With only three starters returning to the group, they could only hope for those results. Not only do they lack returning talent, but there will also be a lot of underclassmen, most notably in the secondary where multiple starting spots are still being sorted out.
Tackle Ross Winship, linebacker Alex Lyons and cornerback Ryan Pollard are the only returning starters, but at least there is one guy at every level. The line was a strong suit last year, but that may not be the case again. Senior tackle Stuart Mouchantaf will be important after missing last season due to injury.
Considering Rice only reached seven regular-season wins last year, reaching more than that with a lot of new faces is going to be difficult. Their non-Conference Schedule is similar to 2014’s with road Games at Texas and Baylor likely ending in losses. To surpass 7.5 wins, the Owls will need six C-USA wins. The reasoning for that over/under is likely based on a rather easy Conference road slate. However, with a worse defense, road wins are never a certainty. This season, Rice gets to host Louisiana Tech, which is nice, but they did lose in that Game 76-31 last year. Another boost is drawing Charlotte and FAU in crossover play.
Sure, the Owls have an easier Conference Schedule this season, but with a lot of underclassmen on both sides of the ball moving into starting spots, this probably isn’t a team to bet the over on, even with Jackson at QB.
2015 Rice Football Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Wagner
Sept. 12 at Texas
Sept. 19 at North Texas
Sept. 26 at Baylor
Oct. 3 vs. Western Kentucky
Oct. 10 at Florida Atlantic
Oct. 24 vs. Army
Oct. 30 vs. Louisiana Tech
Nov. 6 at UTEP
Nov. 14 vs. Southern Miss
Nov. 21 at UTSA
Nov. 28 vs. Charlotte