Rice Football: Is 2021 when Owls return to the postseason?

Tough early schedule could set the tone for the Owls

Rice does not have the country’s hardest schedule, but the Owls’ toughest games come right at the start of the season. If Rice can survive that early onslaught of games with the confidence intact, then the finish to the season could be massive.

• Game 1: At Arkansas (L)- Arkansas is still rebuilding, but will be able to take care of the Owls at home.
• Game 2: Houston (L)- I think Rice could win this one, but I also think Houston is primed for a pretty big bounce back season.
• Game 3: At Texas (L)- This will probably be a game to forget for the Owls and hopefully they can move on quickly.
• Game 4: Texas Southern (W)- This should be a big win for Rice at home.
• Game 5: Southern Miss (W)- Expect a close game here, but I will give the edge to the better defense in Rice.
• Game 6: At UTSA (L)- If the Owls want to win the west division, they are going to need to take down the Roadrunners and I don’t think they will have enough to win.
• Game 7: At UAB (L)- Rice gets some bad luck playing the top two teams in the division on the road in back to back games and that is tough to ask of a team.
• Game 8: North Texas (W)- Another tossup game for the Owls, their defense will be able to slow down the Mean Green.
• Game 9: At Charlotte (W)- Charlotte is going to be better this season, but I like the Owls on the road here.
• Game 10: Western Kentucky (W)- I think this will be a low scoring game and in those games, I lean towards the better defense.
• Game 11: At UTEP (W)- This should be one of the easier games on the schedule for the Owls and they will win comfortably.
• Game 12: Louisiana Tech (W)- I think Rice is going to end the season on a hot streak and their offense should be clicking by this point.

Final Record: 7-5, 6-2 C-USA

I think that if the offense can get going and the Owls can survive that early onslaught of games, this team can get to a bowl game. Their defense is more than good enough and I think their offense has to be better than in recent years. It is by no means a given, but I think this team could be in for a nice season.