The Rice Owls and the Baylor Bears renew a rivalry that began back in the old Southwest Conference days. We break down the matchups below in the Baylor vs. Rice prediction and game preview.

Baylor vs. Rice Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 26
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Network: FSN

Follow and/or Contact @Rich Cirminiello  

Why You Need To Care

Longtime rivals Baylor and Rice meet in Waco Saturday afternoon. The two schools have gone in different directions since leaving the Southwest Conference two decades ago, with the Bears recently evolving into a national power. They’re rolling through another weak non-conference schedule, pasting SMU and Lamar before getting a week off. The Owls have been successful, too, though on a much smaller scale. They defeated North Texas a week ago to get a head start on Conference USA West title chase.

Why Rice Will Win

The Owls are led by a veteran quarterback, Driphus Jackson, and enough offensive firepower to trade punches with the Bears. Jackson can hurt defenses in multiple ways as the front man of a ground-based attack flush in potential feature backs. The Baylor D has been spotty in the early going, giving up 31 points to Lamar in Week 2.

Why Baylor Will Win

Rice is scrappy on defense. And scrappy doesn’t shut down Art Briles’ offense. The Bears will have too much speed and too many options at the skill positions for the Owls. And while QB Seth Russell and WR Corey Coleman will generate most of the headlines, Baylor will also move the pile with LT Spencer Drango and the rest of a terrific O-line.

Player Who Matters

For as long as it’s feasible, Rice will want to run the ball to slow down the game’s tempo. Baylor, though, is rugged up the middle with NT Andrew Billings and MLB Grant Campbell. If the Owls are going to establish the run on Saturday, they might need to occasionally bounce outside the tackles and get to the edge on the Bears.

What’s Going To Happen?

Rice is the kind of team that can be a nuisance to the Big 12 for a quarter or a half. See the Texas game a couple of weeks back. But the Owls won’t be able to score with Baylor beyond 20 or so minutes. In due time, the Bears will snap off a back-breaking 50-yarder or two that turns a competitive game into another lopsided affair.

Baylor vs. Rice Prediction

Final Score: Baylor 55, Rice 21, Line: Baylor -35, o/u: 76
Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 2.5

MORE: College Football Bowl Projections After Week 3