Rice Owls Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Rice Owls Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 4-8 C-USA Record: 3-5 (T-4th, West) 2011 Returning Starters: 18; 9 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter

Coach: David Bailiff, 19-30 (4 years)

Offensive Coordinators: John Reagan Defensive Coordinators: Chuck Driesbach

2011 Rice Players to Watch: RB Sam McGuffie, QB Taylor McHargue, DB Travis Bradshaw, P Kyle Martens, DL Scott Solomon, WR Vance McDonald

2011 Rice Strengths: Rice, even while adjusting to a new offensive coordinator, should be able to score big numbers more consistently this season behind the talents of McGuffie and McHargue. The return of defensive lineman Scott Solomon, who broke a foot and missed all of 2010, could boost the defense.

2011 Rice Weaknesses:
Only a handful of teams last season allowed more points than the Owls, and Rice’s offense probably isn’t powerful enough to overcome that No team in the FBS had fewer tackles for loss than Rice.

2011 Rice Offense:

The Owls should again have a productive unit, even though they are making a switch under center. Sophomore Taylor McHargue moved past two-year starter Nick Fanuzzi, thanks to his ability to run and throw, and should give the Owls a little more diversity from their spread attack. He has a passel of backs at his disposal, led by junior Sam McGuffie, who made his first year after transferring from Michigan count by rushing for 883 yards and scoring six times. Sophomores Jeremy Eddington and Turner Petersen are former prep quarterbacks who will run the Wild Owl quite well, and senior Tyler Smith is a reliable ball-carrier. The Owl line has five returning starters once guard Eric Ball is healthy. He missed spring drills. Senior tackle Jake Hicks didn’t and is a mauler on the left side. Keshawn Carrington is a mobile center. McHargue has plenty of targets with whom to work. Junior Luke Willson is a top-shelf tight end who gets up the seam well. Look for converted quarterback Taylor Cook, who goes 6’7″, to make an impact at that spot, too. Leading the wideouts is big (6’5″, 230) Vance McDonald, who is tough near the goal line. Sophomores Donte Moore and Klein Kubiak are also capable pass-catchers.

2011 Rice Defense:

Last year, the Owls were next-to-last nationally in pass defense, so they will abandon their Charmin-soft approach and press more on the outside. That means corners Chris Jammer and Phillip Gaines get to be more aggressive, and safeties Travis Bradshaw and Paul Porras along with hybrid Corey Frazier won’t be backing up immediately after the snap. Gaines, however, is facing some legal issues after his mid-April arrest for possession of marijuana. After posting only 14 sacks last year, Rice needs to boost things up front, too. That may be tough if end Cody Bauer, who is expected to start, misses the year due to a knee injury. Dylan Klare hurt his shoulder during the spring, muddling the end picture more. Seniors John Gioffre and Michael Smith should handle the inside. There is experience at the Owls’ two linebacker positions, thanks to the return of Trey Briggs, who missed the spring with an injury, and Justin Allen. Look for sophomore Cameron Nwosu and LSU transfer Kyle Prater to make impacts in reserve roles.

2011 Rice Special Teams:

Punter Kyle Martens was one of the best in the nation last season. He set a school record in punting average and was a semifmalist for the Ray Guy Award. Likely to see the field more often is kickoff returner Charles Ross, who ranked 10th nationally with a 29.1-yard average per return last season. This unit is going to have to make critical plays and create turnovers if the Owls are to win, because they might not be strong enough to simply shut down opponents.

2011 Rice Football Schedule | Rice Football Sportsbooks

2011 Rice Predictions:

After losing 18 of their last 24 games, the Owls are looking for a turnaround. Three new coaches, a new quarterback and a different outlook on defending the pass should help. So should a hefty group of returnees on the offensive side of the ball. Rice won its first bowl game in 54 years in 2008, but things haven’t gone so well since. Coach David Bailiff needs to shore up the defense to bring Rice back into Conference USA contention.

2011 Rice Betting Odds:

Rice Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

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