owl at the moon
Eastern Screech Owl
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Good Morning Owl Nation!
Hello.
Like many of you, I spent much of last night in the depths of angst over last night's very tough loss to FIU.
While we all knew this would not be a "slam dunk" season for Rice, surely any bright lining of hope for a bowl invite had to start with wins at UTEP and at home against FIU.
What has last night's loss done to our postseason hopes? At first, I dared not even consider.
But early this morning, I woke with an epiphany. Party inspired by the notes from the FIU fans on the conference board, I considered the improvement in our defense this year (at least in conference play). And then I crunched some numbers, because that is what I do when I'm feeling down. (There's a country song in there somewhere, but I digress).
So: here's your good news, Owl Nation...
We have a defense!!
We just held our conference opponents to 2TDs or less (16 points or less) in back-to-back games.
In the last 35 years, this is only the third time Rice has done this. (and our first time in CUSA).
There have only been three seasons in that span where we've held conference opponents to 2TDs more than twice in one season:
1994 (3 times, SWC co-champions)
1998 (3 times, "nearly" WAC division champs)
2013 (4 times, C-USA champions)
Will we be able to hold all 6 remaining conference opponents to 16 points? Probably not. But our defense can keep us in ballgames (especially if we don't back them up to the wall like the UH game).
If we can pull off the same feat two or three more times, then we should be in position to win each one of the remaining games on the conference schedule. Keep everybody else in the 20s, and we could get hot and run the table.
Losing to FIU just means we have to beat ODU (not to mention the other 5). Will we win all 6? Ok, probably not. But with this defense we have a chance to win each one of those games.
I haven't given up yet. You shouldn't, either.
#OwlNation
#PoolSharks
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09-24-2017 10:06 AM |
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Bailiff_Lingo_Bingo
Special Teams
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
Thanks.
The defensive improvement has been noticeable. Stewart appears to know what he's doing.
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09-24-2017 10:23 AM |
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greyowl72
Heisman
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
OATM makes some good points.
Definite defensive improvement. We've had 1 deep pass TD against us in 2 games. Much improved over the past few years.
But it's early. From here on out our opponents offenses get much better. It's doubtful our improved defense is going to keep us close enough in games for our pitiful offense to come out on top.
But, hey...
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09-24-2017 10:38 AM |
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Tomball Owl
Hall of Famer
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
My only major criticism of the Owl defense I saw last night was the inability to put somebody on the running back coming out of the backfield. Over and over FIU was able to dump the ball to the RB with no Owl defender within 10 yards. Clean that up, and I'll get more excited about the defense.
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09-24-2017 10:42 AM |
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loki_the_bubba
Heisman
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
Our defense improved and we still lost at home to one of the ten worst teams in FBS. That is not cause for optimism but for wailing and rending of garments and gnashing of teeth.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using CSNbbs mobile app
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09-24-2017 11:03 AM |
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Frizzy Owl
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
All optimism is delusional at this point. Willfull self-deception of the flat-earth type.
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09-24-2017 11:17 AM |
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Bailiff_Lingo_Bingo
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 10:42 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote: My only major criticism of the Owl defense I saw last night was the inability to put somebody on the running back coming out of the backfield. Over and over FIU was able to dump the ball to the RB with no Owl defender within 10 yards. Clean that up, and I'll get more excited about the defense.
and same with UH
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09-24-2017 11:26 AM |
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davidw
Special Teams
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
well one thing's for certain - this is the first time in a long time I've seen our DBs actually cover people. Last couple years all the opposing qb had to do is drop back and throw long - didn't matter where, since the uncovered receiver would simply run under it and catch it. Perhaps I should say the "escorted" receiver - we didn't cover anyone last year, we simply escorted them to the catch.
despite all our other issues, this is huge for us.
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09-24-2017 11:47 AM |
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texowl2
All American
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 11:47 AM)davidw Wrote: well one thing's for certain - this is the first time in a long time I've seen our DBs actually cover people. Last couple years all the opposing qb had to do is drop back and throw long - didn't matter where, since the uncovered receiver would simply run under it and catch it. Perhaps I should say the "escorted" receiver - we didn't cover anyone last year, we simply escorted them to the catch.
despite all our other issues, this is huge for us.
not only cover, but attack the ball at least last night. I couldn't/didn't watch the first three games.
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09-24-2017 11:59 AM |
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Owl 69/70/75
Just an old rugby coach
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 11:59 AM)texowl2 Wrote: (09-24-2017 11:47 AM)davidw Wrote: well one thing's for certain - this is the first time in a long time I've seen our DBs actually cover people. Last couple years all the opposing qb had to do is drop back and throw long - didn't matter where, since the uncovered receiver would simply run under it and catch it. Perhaps I should say the "escorted" receiver - we didn't cover anyone last year, we simply escorted them to the catch.
despite all our other issues, this is huge for us.
not only cover, but attack the ball at least last night. I couldn't/didn't watch the first three games.
One of my (many) pet peeves does appear to have been addressed.
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09-24-2017 12:34 PM |
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Fort Bend Owl
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
Womac played great, but others had really nice defensive games like Ellerbee, both of the main two corners (Bickhan and Douglas-Dotson), and Wilkins to name a few. Getting a few dinged-up guys back would help the short coverage issues I think.
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09-24-2017 03:17 PM |
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wiessguy
1st String
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
Just like the Texans losing to the Patriots today, if you only have half a team leaning on that half too much usually won’t end well
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09-24-2017 03:36 PM |
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waltgreenberg
Legend
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
I'm not ready to sing praises for our defense. Sure, we looked good against UTEP and decent against FIU, but those are two of the absolute worst teams in the FCB division. STanford and UH pulverized our defense. UH could have and would have scored 70 against us had Applewhite not called off the wolves just before the end of the first half...and the Coogs have struggled a bit on offense this year (save for our game).
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09-24-2017 03:43 PM |
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Fort Bend Owl
Legend
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
That's probably fair Walt. Although some of the 1st half defensive woes (against UH) were caused by incredibly weak offensive turnovers.
Here's another strange but probably true optimistic note.
It's quite possible virtually no one in Houston gives a rat's you-know-what about Rice football in the next month or two (and possibly not many more care about UH football - they seem to have some issues too). First off, if the Astros make a significant postseason run, that will dominate the local sports world. If they somehow win the World Series, there is no room for Rice athletics in the media market until maybe November.
Secondly, the Texans may now have a rookie QB who is legitimate. Add in a rookie RB (from UT) with potential, and their defense and a poor division, and they too will continue to dominate the football media market in this city for the rest of 2017. I'm not saying Rice football can't get some attention if we're worthy of it, but I doubt anyone outside of the players families and a few diehard fans will notice how this year's team ends up doing.
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2017 05:10 PM by Fort Bend Owl.)
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09-24-2017 05:10 PM |
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RiceLad15
Hall of Famer
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 03:43 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: I'm not ready to sing praises for our defense. Sure, we looked good against UTEP and decent against FIU, but those are two of the absolute worst teams in the FCB division. STanford and UH pulverized our defense. UH could have and would have scored 70 against us had Applewhite not called off the wolves just before the end of the first half...and the Coogs have struggled a bit on offense this year (save for our game).
To be fair, or offense gave UH the ball twice within our own 10 yard line (or right around that) and could never sustain a drive.
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09-24-2017 05:36 PM |
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waltgreenberg
Legend
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 05:36 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote: (09-24-2017 03:43 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: I'm not ready to sing praises for our defense. Sure, we looked good against UTEP and decent against FIU, but those are two of the absolute worst teams in the FCB division. STanford and UH pulverized our defense. UH could have and would have scored 70 against us had Applewhite not called off the wolves just before the end of the first half...and the Coogs have struggled a bit on offense this year (save for our game).
To be fair, or offense gave UH the ball twice within our own 10 yard line (or right around that) and could never sustain a drive.
UH moved he ball at will every time they had the ball until Applewhite put in the scrubs. I suggest you take a look at UH's first half offensive stats.
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09-24-2017 05:38 PM |
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RiceLad15
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 05:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (09-24-2017 05:36 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote: (09-24-2017 03:43 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: I'm not ready to sing praises for our defense. Sure, we looked good against UTEP and decent against FIU, but those are two of the absolute worst teams in the FCB division. STanford and UH pulverized our defense. UH could have and would have scored 70 against us had Applewhite not called off the wolves just before the end of the first half...and the Coogs have struggled a bit on offense this year (save for our game).
To be fair, or offense gave UH the ball twice within our own 10 yard line (or right around that) and could never sustain a drive.
UH moved he ball at will every time they had the ball until Applewhite put in the scrubs. I suggest you take a look at UH's first half offensive stats.
So you're disagreeing with what I'm saying?
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09-24-2017 05:44 PM |
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OldOwl
1st String
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
Yes true. Why is Lynch still here? (09-24-2017 10:36 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote: Thank you. If we can improve on offense a bit, we will have a shot. As usual, I will take it one game at a time, and hope for a good outcome each time.
Are you wanting to take over as Parliament Optimist? I warn you, it is not an honored position, finding silver linings.
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09-24-2017 05:56 PM |
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gsloth
perpetually tired
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RE: Good Morning Owl Nation!
(09-24-2017 05:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (09-24-2017 05:36 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote: (09-24-2017 03:43 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: I'm not ready to sing praises for our defense. Sure, we looked good against UTEP and decent against FIU, but those are two of the absolute worst teams in the FCB division. STanford and UH pulverized our defense. UH could have and would have scored 70 against us had Applewhite not called off the wolves just before the end of the first half...and the Coogs have struggled a bit on offense this year (save for our game).
To be fair, or offense gave UH the ball twice within our own 10 yard line (or right around that) and could never sustain a drive.
UH moved he ball at will every time they had the ball until Applewhite put in the scrubs. I suggest you take a look at UH's first half offensive stats.
The coverage in the first half was bad. Allen missed only 2 passes all game. That open middle was beyond frustrating. But let's also be honest about this - the UH starters on offense and defense were in for most of the 3rd quarter. Allen wasn't pulled until the middle of their second series of the 3rd quarter, with over half of the quarter done. And UH had defensive starters making almost every tackle until the end of the third quarter. Even in the 4th quarter, there are starters making tackles.
Box score can be found here: http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...l#GAME.PLY
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09-24-2017 09:20 PM |
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