Texas vs. Rice Odds & Pick: September 4th 2010

Texas vs. Rice
Pick: Rice +31.5 -110 odds
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I’m taking the points with the Rice Owls on Saturday afternoon (3:30 PM ET @ Reliant Stadium). The Longhorns will be a “player” in the Big-12 South again this season, which means they’ll be in the BCS title picture, at least for a while. But I don’t believe Texas will steamroll through the experienced Owls. At least not enough to cover the big number.

Rice had practically nobody back on offense when they began last season. In fact, no less than 14 underclassmen started on both sides of the line of scrimmage. But this year’s edition returns eight starters on offense and nine more on the defensive side of the football, although that number decreases to eight due to an injury. Of course, the offense will be led by RB Sam McGuffie, a transfer from Ann Arbor, part of a duo-RB approach. I expect a decent running game behind a veteran o-line. The Owls will also be able to pass the ball and run the ball from the QB position this season, with a much improved QB corps, if you will. I say “corps” because we could see three different QBs under center before this one goes final. They have a pass-first QB and a couple of signal-callers who can also create with their feet. Added to the mix is former Kansas WR coach David Beaty, who takes over the OC position. Beaty was an assistant here in 2006.

Defensively, David Bailiff’s squad returns no less than 24 of their top 26 tacklers from a season ago. Texas will be potent once again, but I don’t believe they’ll “have their way” quite so easily in the opener. The offensive line starts a new center, ORG, and ORT. And while Mack Brown normally just reloads, it will take a game or two to get this unit where he wants it.

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Will Rice win outright? Not likely, obviously. But I do believe they’ll land comfortably inside the posted number. I’m taking the points with Rice on Saturday. Thanks! GL! Scott.