Rice vs. North Texas Prediction, Game Preview
Rice vs. North Texas prediction and game preview. The Owls try to improve to 2-1 as they travel to the 0-1 Mean Green.
The Rice Owls and the North Texas Mean Green begin Conference USA play this weekend in Denton. We take a look at the West Division matchup below in the Rice vs. North Texas prediction and game preview.
Rice vs. North Texas Prediction & Preview
Broadcast
Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Apogee Stadium (Denton, TX)
Network: None
Why You Need To Care
Rice and North Texas kick off the Conference USA portion of the schedule, both looking for fast starts in the West Division. The Owls have split their first two games, pounding Wagner before being outclassed by Texas last Saturday. The Mean Green, meanwhile, squandered a fourth-quarter lead to SMU, dropping its first game of 2015, 31-13.
Why Rice Will Win
The Owls will control the clock on the ground, further frustrating an already limited North Texas offense. Rice amassed 462 yards on the Longhorns, a precursor of what’s to come this weekend. Driphus Jackson is a talented dual-threat quarterback, plus David Bailiff can call upon multiple players to shoulder the rushing load, including emerging rookie Samuel Stewart.
Why North Texas Will Win
Rice won’t defeat anyone if it continues to make costly mistakes, like penalties and the turnovers that hurt the team in the Texas loss. The Mean Green, paced by LB Blake Bean, was opportunistic in the opener, collecting three sacks, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.
Player Who Matters
If the opener was any indication, the North Texas offense is going stagger this year. The Mean Green managed just one touchdown versus a poor SMU defense. Now, it must worry about stopping a scrappy Rice, with players like DE Brian Womac and Graysen Schantz who can force QB Andrew McNulty into hurried throws.
What’s Going To Happen?
This could be a long season for North Texas. Rice plans to drive that reality home on Saturday. The Owls have the far better offensive talent, particularly now that Stewart is heating up. The blend of Jackson and the rushing attack will create a hill too steep for the Mean Green to climb.
Rice vs. North Texas Score Prediction
Prediction: Rice 37, North Texas 20, Line: Rice -7.5, o/u: 55.5
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