We are less then a week away from the kickoff of the 2016 C-USA season, when Rice travels to WKU. I'm sure everyone is pulling their division's representative. Who wins this game, and why?

Wrong. Go Owls!!!

I agree... Rooting for Rice! Lol!

Hoot hoot!

Why would I want anyone to win a non division game. The more games they lose the better chance my Herd has to play in the title game again.

Cheer for Rice but WKU wins by 17.

I'm feeling the love in the air tonight

Last I checked the Tops were favored by 16.5

Defending champs from the previous year will always have a target on their back going into the new season in any sport.

Western has a new QB. Rice is still Rice. Should be an interesting game. I predict WKU's 5 returning O lineman are the difference

(08-26-2016 10:29 PM)topper1296 Wrote:  Last I checked the Tops were favored by 16.5

Defending champs from the previous year will always have a target on their back going into the new season in any sport.

Never say never in any sports contest.

We should win.

It's at home. Opening night. We have the same coach we had last year. He didn't leave even though every time we drilled someone's @$$ last year the first thing out of the opposing fans mouths was 'oh well....you're losing your coach'. A bunch of ya'll ran your pieholes about that but no way you'd admit to it now.

Replacing Brandon Doughty is a huge undertaking. Mike White has been named the starter. He has a TON of weapons. Top 2 receivers back. Top 2 running backs back. Entire O-Line back and they were one of the best in the league last year.

So we really should win. But I've seen a lot stranger things happen in college athletics. I never count a win before it happens.

I will be there. Can't wait.

Brohm is a superstar coach in the making. So fun to watch.

Of course we have a target on our backs. We did something that had never been done in the history of CUSA. Ran the table AND won the championship game. Put up video game numbers on folks. I don't blame folks for hatin' and pulling for Rice.

It's WKU for the win, but if Rice pulls this rabbit out of the hat, there will be some awfully upset Hilltoppers going home after the game.

(08-27-2016 12:29 AM)dahbeed Wrote:  Never say never in any sports contest.

We should win.

It's at home. Opening night. We have the same coach we had last year. He didn't leave even though every time we drilled someone's @$$ last year the first thing out of the opposing fans mouths was 'oh well....you're losing your coach'. A bunch of ya'll ran your pieholes about that but no way you'd admit to it now.

Replacing Brandon Doughty is a huge undertaking. Mike White has been named the starter. He has a TON of weapons. Top 2 receivers back. Top 2 running backs back. Entire O-Line back and they were one of the best in the league last year.

So we really should win. But I've seen a lot stranger things happen in college athletics. I never count a win before it happens.

I will be there. Can't wait.

Brohm is a superstar coach in the making. So fun to watch.

Of course we have a target on our backs. We did something that had never been done in the history of CUSA. Ran the table AND won the championship game. Put up video game numbers on folks. I don't blame folks for hatin' and pulling for Rice.

Well said.

WKU should win.
Rice could win.

I am not sure about the point spread's accuracy. It is just the odds as set by the bettors, and a lot of that is based on perception, and a lot of that is based on last year's result and location.

To me, it largely comes down to whichever new QB performs up to or beyond expectations the best.

I won't be there, but I will be in front of my TV.

If WKU cannot handle Rice in BG it is going to be a long season for the Toppers. Last season it was 35 to 10 at half on the road in Houston. The second half WKU was basically just running the ball with a freshman tailback.
Rice will be improved no doubt but the Toppers have Taywan Taylor, Ace Wales, Nacarius Fant, DeAndre Ferby and possibly Leon Allen back and the 13th best O line in the nation. White is no Doughty but should not be that much of drop to make me think Rice will win in Bowling Green.
I say Toppers win but not 49-10, Rice better not turn it over like last season or it could be. I say 42-24.

(08-27-2016 09:43 AM)Franko Wrote:  If WKU cannot handle Rice in BG it is going to be a long season for the Toppers. Last season it was 35 to 10 at half on the road in Houston. The second half WKU was basically just running the ball with a freshman tailback.
Rice will be improved no doubt but the Toppers have Taywan Taylor, Ace Wales, Nacarius Fant, DeAndre Ferby and possibly Leon Allen back and the 13th best O line in the nation. White is no Doughty but should not be that much of drop to make me think Rice will win in Bowling Green.
I say Toppers win but not 49-10, Rice better not turn it over like last season or it could be. I say 42-24.

If your new QB can exploit our secondary like so many previous QBs have over the years then Rice loses. If the new QB has first game issues (always possible) Rice has a chance.

Toppers manhandles hooties. Mark it down.

I'm pulling for Rice. They are my second favorite program C-USA, behind North Texas. But, even if they were not, I usually cheer for the teams in C-USA West in head match-ups between our divisions.

WKU is replacing a very good QB. That isn't the easiest thing to do. The Toppers could certainly struggle in their first game this season. I could see Rice winning.

(08-27-2016 10:47 AM)Colonel Angus Wrote:  Toppers manhandles hooties. Mark it down.

Ne need to be sexist.

I am admittedly very petty and hold grudges against sports teams. When MTSU beat us as time expired 3 years ago and we gave them a game last year it really solidified me not liking them. As for WKU, when he who wall not be named throat slashed in what seemed like was right at me,(Obviously it wasn't, but I swear we made eye contact) after the big upset I immediately hated all WKU sports teams past, present, and future. So I root against WKU and MTSU in everything unless it benefits my Herd in some way.

I also now hate the Dolphins unless he gets cut.

(08-27-2016 05:53 PM)MU42 Wrote:  I am admittedly very petty and hold grudges against sports teams. When MTSU beat us as time expired 3 years ago and we gave them a game last year it really solidified me not liking them. As for WKU, when he who wall not be named throat slashed in what seemed like was right at me,(Obviously it wasn't, but I swear we made eye contact) after the big upset I immediately hated all WKU sports teams past, present, and future. So I root against WKU and MTSU in everything unless it benefits my Herd in some way.

I also now hate the Dolphins unless he gets cut.

This is what I love about college football. The hundred miles of hate goes in a northeastern direction. See you guys on Thanksgiving weekend