(07-14-2017 04:12 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(07-14-2017 02:58 PM)ESE84 Wrote:  

(07-13-2017 11:41 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  So we're up to post #85, and only three people think Rice doesn't belong in the bottom third.

1. MU Guy whose poll didn't count.
2. UAB Guy didn't do a ranking
3. Rice Guy (moi) who hasn't done his yet.

It'll take me a while, I'm doing a projection of each game and crunching the standings/rankings from there.
I will tip that I've already got Rice with 7 regular season wins against a tough schedule which should put us in the top third of the conference.

We'll talk more in a few days... meantime - just remember that FIU and Rice have the most returning starters in the league (both bringing back almost everyone) and both programs have upgraded their coaching staffs with NFL experience.

Here goes. After reading about the Coaches Caravan stops, the defensive changes coming with Stewart, and the unexpected 3-star QB who had committed to Mississippi State, I have decided it is our lot in life to be tormented Rice fans. Bailiff and Stewart pull off six wins (@UTEP, @UAB, FIU, Army, Southern Miss and North Texas), go to the New Mexico Bowl, and we debate the contract extension.

Louisiana Tech
Western Kentucky
UTSA
Middle Tennessee
Old Dominion
Florida Atlantic
Rice
Southern Miss
North Texas
Florida International
Marshall
Charlotte
UTEP
UAB

Don't see Rice beating Army, Southern Miss, or North Texas.

I was at the North Texas/Rice game last season. I know we return to Rice Stadium, but home field didn't seem to be a real advantage. If Rice couldn't beat the Mean Green last season, when we were breaking in a new coach, and systems on both sides of the ball, I don't see them winning this year. North Texas has more experience and talent this season. Just saying.

Rice was a young inexperienced team last season and will be returning a lot of starters this season. They should be somewhat improved this year. I think it's a coin flip considering both teams were pretty bad last season.