Texas takes the field on Saturday night against a Rice football program that has been beaten by the Longhorns twelve straight times. The Owls enjoyed a successful 2014 campaign, finishing 8-5 last season including a win over Fresno State in the Hawai’i Bowl. The Owls return eleven starters from last year’s roster and opened their 2015 season against Wagner (Division-I FCS, Northeast Conference) at home last week. The Owl offense racked up 543 total yards in their 56-16 dismantling of the Seahawks.
The Longhorns failed to execute on both sides of the ball last weekend in South Bend in a lopsided 38-6 loss to Notre Dame. Expect the offense, which totaled only 163 yards and no touchdowns against the Irish, to be under heavy scrutiny on Saturday against Rice.
On Tuesday Charlie Strong anointed receivers coach Jay Norvell as the offensive play-caller for the Longhorns. Norvell brings a skillset that is extremely familiar with spread offenses, which should help the Longhorns implement the true hurry-up spread – something they didn’t manage to do under Shawn Watson.
For the Longhorns to beat the Owls, the offense must find a way to score points and get Johnathan Gray touches. Vance Bedford’s defensive unit must stop the prolific rushing attack the Owls will throw at them.
Texas QB/WR/TEs vs. Rice Defensive Backs
The position of greatest concern on the Texas offense is quarterback. Incumbent starter Tyrone Swoopes lost the confidence of the fans and possibly the coaches after several poor outings against Arkansas and Notre Dame. Jerrod Heard played only one series in South Bend but the redshirt freshman is certain to see more snaps against the Owls on Saturday. Expect both Swoopes and Heard to play but don’t be surprised to see Swoopes take the field as the starter.
Texas receiver Marcus Johnson left the Notre Dame game early with an ankle injury and is listed as day-to-day. Johnson is a guy the staff thinks can produce dividends for the offense this season. The receiving corps is young, like most of the team, and guys like Jacorey Warrick, Daje Johnson and Ty Templin will need to step up and make plays. Freshman John Burt led all receivers at Notre Dame last week with 48 yards.
The Rice secondary returns two starters at cornerback from last season – J.T. Blasingame and Ryan Pollard. Last week Wagner used a tandem of quarterbacks to throw for 199 yards against the Owls, including lengthy gains of 50 & 34 yards. Owls senior safety Zach Espinosa had the Owls’ lone interception.
Texas will try and establish a consistent run game as the priority against Rice but should have success in the air if the quarterbacks have time to deliver mail where it belongs. Even with an inexperienced Heard and an under-performing Tyrone Swoopes, Jay Norvell will have Texas ready.
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/hornshelmet.jpg
Texas Running Backs vs. Rice Linebackers
Seven players for the Longhorns rushed for a total of only 60 yards last week against Notre Dame. Texas has the talent in heralded senior tailback Johnathan Gray, but they need to get him the ball – he’s the best player on the ‘Horns offense. If Norvell gameplans like we think he will, expect Gray to touch the ball 15-20 times on Saturday. While Gray is the elder at the position, D’Onta Foreman has the speed the break through holes and true freshman Chris Warren III has the size and power to punish Rice linebackers. The Texas running game has notched only 62 yards in its last two games -that’s a far cry from being effective. Wagner rushed for a mere 86 yards against the Owls last week but expect the Longhorns and Johnathan Gray to fare much better. While they occasionally mix in different schemes, the Owls play a base 4-2-5 nickel defense. They return only one starter from last season at the linebacker position, Alex Lyons (SLB).
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/hornshelmet.jpg
Texas Offensive Line vs. Rice Defensive Line
The Longhorns started two true freshmen in Connor Williams and Patrick Vahe on the offensive line last week in South Bend. Taking nothing away from Williams or Vahe, who have tremendous potential, it is evident how lacking Texas is at the position. The Irish sacked Swoopes only twice, which easily could have been more. The Texas o-line lost the battle in the trenches all night long. Notre Dame’s relentless defensive line pressure disrupted the Texas offense and rendered it useless.
Rice’s defensive line isn’t Notre Dame’s but they do have returning starter Ross Winship back at nose tackle. Winship, a senior, will anchor a Rice defensive line that lost playmaker Chris Covington to the H0uston Texans in the 6th round of the NFL draft earlier this year.
Until the Texas offensive line shows they are capable of more, it’s tough to give them the nod in this matchup.
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/ricehelmet.jpg
Texas Defensive Backs vs. Rice QB/WR/TE’s
Rice senior quarterback Driphus Jackson assumed the starting role for the Owls in 2014 and surpassed the 3,000 total yard mark. Last week, Jackson facilitated a Rice rushing attack against Wagner that amassed 400+ yards, and included 79 yards from his efforts. He coupled that with 123 yards passing, spreading the ball to 7 different receivers. After allowing Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire to throw for 313 yards, the Texas corners will need to play tight on the Rice receivers to avoid a repeat of last week. Rice junior WR Zach Wright has big play capability if left alone in coverage.
Duke Thomas, Dylan Haines, John Bonney and Jason Hall will were overmatched by the Irish receivers last week and need to focus on coverage/assignments this week to be successful against Rice on Saturday.
Driphus Jackson’s athleticism and offensive mobility gives the Owls the edge in this one.
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/ricehelmet.jpg
Texas Linebackers vs. Rice Running Backs
The Rice offense lives and dies by the efficacy of the rushing game. The Owls will run the option frequently, which Texas needs to be prepared for. Freshman running back Austin Walters (Crosby High School) surpassed the 100 yard mark last week against Wagner, and junior Darik Dillard almost hit the century mark, with a 93 yard performance. Driphus Jackson also added 79 yards on the ground. Texas linebackers Malik Jefferson and Peter Jenkins played fairly well last week against Notre Dame and led the team in tackles, respectively. They will need do more of what they did last week, since Rice will run the ball more than the Irish did. The Texas defense was gashed by the Irish last weekend, in which the unit as a whole should take responsibility for.
Advantage: Even
Texas Defensive Line vs. Rice Offensive Line
The Owls’ offensive line doesn’t possess the power the Notre Dame line does nor do they move as well. The unit allowed Wagner to penetrate the line on multiple occasions and gave up four sacks. Texas’ defensive line should bounce back this week and apply a fair amount of pressure on Rice quarterback Driphus Jackson. The talent on the defensive line is there for Texas, it is simply time for them to show it. This Rice game provides the perfect opportunity.
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/hornshelmet.jpg
Special Teams
Rice did not have an opportunity to kick field goals last week against Wagner, but kickers Jack Fox and Hayden Tobol, both true freshmen, went 8-8 in extra points. Texas kicker Nick Rose went 1-2 in South Bend, hitting from 41 and officially missing from 52 yards (Rose nailed the same kick twice but both kicks were nullified by timeouts called by Brian Kelly). Rose has the leg to hit long field goals, which Texas will need to take advantage of – particularly if the offense struggles. Daje Johnson will be a threat to the Owls on kickoff and punt returns, while freshman Austin Walters offers return burst potential for the Owls. Rose’s leg and Daje’s speed on returns gives Texas the nod on special teams.
Advantage: https://www.hornsports.com/images/hornshelmet.jpg
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