Okay everybody, here we go. This is a big one. We just came off an embarrassing loss and are hungry to make things right. This also is our third straight bowl game, which is historic. As far as Fresno State goes, they like to spread the field. They won their division and the WAC is a slightly better conference than CUSA. My guess is that they are as good as Louisiana Tech. So, how does it all play out? What are y'alls predictions? Who wants to start this thing?

I've been a homer all year. Why quit now?

Rice 31 Fresno St. 28

Rice 38, Fresno St 30

(12-23-2014 09:46 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  Okay everybody, here we go. This is a big one. We just came off an embarrassing loss and are hungry to make things right. This also is our third straight bowl game, which is historic. As far as Fresno State goes, they like to spread the field. They won their division and the WAC is a slightly better conference than CUSA. My guess is that they are as good as Louisiana Tech. So, how does it all play out? What are y'alls predictions? Who wants to start this thing?

It's a sad state of affairs when a defunct conference is still better than yours...

(12-23-2014 09:46 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  Okay everybody, here we go. This is a big one. We just came off an embarrassing loss and are hungry to make things right. This also is our third straight bowl game, which is historic. As far as Fresno State goes, they like to spread the field. They won their division and the WAC is a slightly better conference than CUSA. My guess is that they are as good as Louisiana Tech. So, how does it all play out? What are y'alls predictions? Who wants to start this thing?

Here we go again-- how in the world can you "guess" that Fresno State is as good as LaTech? You do realize one in ranked firmly in the Top 50 and the other is ranked behind us in every single computer ranking system, and no better than the high 70s (and as low as the mid-90s).

I do think Rice and Fresno St. are close enough this game should be a toss up. However, Fresno's offense matches up well against our biggest vulnerability in the secondary. I also am not convinced that we're taking this game seriously enough. From everything we've read and heard, it's being treated more as a vacation than as business. I hope I'm proven wrong.

Rice 42, Fresno State 41

Rice 33
Fresno 30

If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

(12-24-2014 12:59 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

That's assuming the lightning stays away and the game actually gets played....

(12-24-2014 03:25 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 12:59 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

That's assuming the lightning stays away and the game actually gets played....

at my place have not seen any lightning, or heard thunder. In general it MUCH less common than the gulf coast

(12-24-2014 12:59 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

Gusts favor owls. Floods favor rice.
Rice Owls win 49-42.

(12-24-2014 03:43 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 03:25 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 12:59 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

That's assuming the lightning stays away and the game actually gets played....

at my place have not seen any lightning, or heard thunder. In general it MUCH less common than the gulf coast

RICE 35

FRESNO STATE 14

Go Owls.

(12-23-2014 09:46 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  Okay everybody, here we go. This is a big one. We just came off an embarrassing loss and are hungry to make things right. This also is our third straight bowl game, which is historic. As far as Fresno State goes, they like to spread the field. They won their division and the WAC is a slightly better conference than CUSA. My guess is that they are as good as Louisiana Tech. So, how does it all play out? What are y'alls predictions? Who wants to start this thing?

"It doesn't get better than this" so therefore we should blow them out (Rice 44 Fresno St 20) however we either over worked the players or decided to make this another practice game. Not feeling confident. Fresno St. was taking it seriously based on what I read from their practices. Let's hope I'm wrong Fresno St by 6

(12-24-2014 10:23 AM)3-OwlsInTheNest Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 03:43 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 03:25 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2014 12:59 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  If the current gusts of up to 40 MPH and flood warnings last, their passing game should be negated. Hopefully our running gan]me will get into gear, and hold on to the ball.

That's assuming the lightning stays away and the game actually gets played....

at my place have not seen any lightning, or heard thunder. In general it MUCH less common than the gulf coast

RICE 35

FRESNO STATE 14

Go Owls.

I agree that we are 15+ points better but not feeling too good right now. Still having La Tech flashbacks

(12-23-2014 10:28 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(12-23-2014 09:46 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  Okay everybody, here we go. This is a big one. We just came off an embarrassing loss and are hungry to make things right. This also is our third straight bowl game, which is historic. As far as Fresno State goes, they like to spread the field. They won their division and the WAC is a slightly better conference than CUSA. My guess is that they are as good as Louisiana Tech. So, how does it all play out? What are y'alls predictions? Who wants to start this thing?

Here we go again-- how in the world can you "guess" that Fresno State is as good as LaTech? You do realize one in ranked firmly in the Top 50 and the other is ranked behind us in every single computer ranking system, and no better than the high 70s (and as low as the mid-90s).

I do think Rice and Fresno St. are close enough this game should be a toss up. However, Fresno's offense matches up well against our biggest vulnerability in the secondary. I also am not convinced that we're taking this game seriously enough. From everything we've read and heard, it's being treated more as a vacation than as business. I hope I'm proven wrong.

It's the Everyone Gets a Trophy Bowl... in Hawaii. It should be a vacation.

I hope I'm very wrong...

Fresno 34
Rice 17

Fresno 45, Rice 27

I hope they prove me wrong, but I don't think the teams are as even as it looks at first blush.

I wouldn't compare Fresno and La Tech. Major differences between the two. Fresno gives up a very high number of sacks while La Tech was very good in pass protection (top 20). Also, against the run La Tech was stout (top 20) while Fresno yields about 200/game. La Tech's QB is also better than Fresno, more prolific, more accurate. Rice will be able to do what it couldn't vs La Tech - control TOP, run the ball, pressure the QB. Should be a good game.

(12-24-2014 11:33 AM)Buho00 Wrote:  I wouldn't compare Fresno and La Tech. Major differences between the two. Fresno gives up a very high number of sacks while La Tech was very good in pass protection (top 20). Also, against the run La Tech was stout (top 20) while Fresno yields about 200/game. La Tech's QB is also better than Fresno, more prolific, more accurate. Rice will be able to do what it couldn't vs La Tech - control TOP, run the ball, pressure the QB. Should be a good game.

Given how evenly these two teams appear to match up on paper, the game is likely going to be won by the team that is better prepared and more highly motivated. I give that edge to Fresno State, and it could be a decisive edge at that.

Quickly learning about the micro climates here...can't get 2 different sites to give the same weather forecast.