Texas vs. Rice Prediction, Game Preview
Texas vs. Rice prediction and game preview is hot off the press. Can the Longhorns bounce back against the Owls in week two?
Did the Texas Longhorns hit rock bottom in South Bend, or will the Rice Owls drag them to a new low? We evaluate Charlie Strong’s team below in the Texas vs. Rice prediction and game preview.
Texas vs. Rice Prediction & Preview
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Broadcast
Date: Saturday, September 12
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Network: Longhorn Network
Why You Need To Care
How low will you go, Texas? The Longhorns became a Week 1 punchline after getting embarrassed by Notre Dame, 38-3. Nothing, save for maybe the play of rookie LB Malik Jefferson, went well for UT, raising worries on campus that Charlie Strong’s second team could worse than his first. Former Southwest Conference rival Rice, which last beat Texas in 1994, would love nothing more than to add to the Horns’ misery.
Why Rice Will Win
The Owls smell blood in the water, and this could be their best chance in years to compete with Texas. David Bailiff’s team is well-coached, with a backfield of QB Driphus Jackson and runners Darik Dillard and Austin Walker to play ball-control. Considering the state of the Longhorn offense, Rice might actually be able to keep pace in a low-scoring affair.
Why Texas Will Win
A visit from Rice should be the perfect antidote for the sagging Longhorn offense. QB Tyrone Swoopes is mediocre, and the line is undergoing growing pains. But Rice is middling defensively, even by the Conference USA ruler. Texas will spring RB Johnathan Gray this weekend after the senior was thoroughly bottled up a week ago.
Player Who Matters
The Texas O-line is a serious work in progress, with LT Connor Williams and RG Patrick Vahe starting as true freshmen. The Horns will lock up with a scrappy Rice front that always produces overachievers. The latest might be sophomore DE Brian Womac, who had four stops for loss in his first career start.
What’s Going To Happen?
Texas is bad, but not quite as bad as they played last Saturday in South Bend. After being read the riot act from Strong for six days, the Horns will execute better in Week 2. Rice is going to compete, because it always does for Bailiff, but Gray and Swoopes on the ground will be too much for the Owls.
Texas vs. Rice Score Prediction
Drum roll, please … the Texas vs. Rice prediction is …
Final Score: Texas 33, Rice 20
Must See Rating: 5: Ferrell Takes the Field – 1: A Walk in The Woods … 2
