Rice Owls - NCAA Football Odds, Lines & Betting

A season that saw the Owls finish second in the C-USA West was deemed a success in Dallas, but tiny Troy did not give a hoot about that. Rice, 7-6, was routed by the Trojans 41-17 in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, but they hope the return of quarterback Chase Clements can give the Owls another bowl shot in 2007. The junior pivot could have an even bigger year with the return of receiver Jarrett Dillard, who grabbed 91 passes for 1,247 yards and a sensational 21 scores.  Dillard made second-team All-America despite facing many double-teams, and he will probably face more with the exit of running back Quinton Smith (211 attempts, 1,096 yards, 10 TD).

Marcus Knox will get the first crack at replacing Smith, while Joel Armstrong and Taylor Wardlow will audition for No. 2 and No. 3 options.  The offensive line is also shaky, as they try to recover from a season in which Rice was 103rd in sacks allowed.  Defensively, the Owls were horrible in 2006, finishing 112th in total rushing and scoring defense.  Six starters are back, and coach David Bailiff has decided to use a 4-2-5 alignment to take pressure off of his ailing linebacking unit.  Brian Raines (118 tackles) missed much of the spring with injuries, and he is essential to the improvement of Rice’s defense.  Dietrich Davis and freshman James Casey will have to make up for the graduation of defensive lineman Courtney Gordon and his eight sacks. 

The Owls were 21st in the country in turnover margin, meaning that Clements will have to be equally careful with the ball.  They cannot afford to put their defense under more pressure than necessary.  A midseason stretch will determine Rice’s fate, as they host Texas Tech before visiting Texas, Southern Mississippi, Houston, Memphis, and Marshall.

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