As mentioned elsewhere, we will not win by nearly the wide margin we had last Saturday.

Rice 22, Houston 21.

I think this game will be closer than many think. UH should still win comfortably, but I think Rice will keep it close for at least a half. The most anticipated feature of the game is seeing how Ed Oliver handles a power-rushing attack. I think Oliver could be swamped with bodies in the power-rushing attack. Oliver seems to need space to do his worst damage with his athleticism, and I don't think the Owls are going to give him much space. His billing as an interior power rusher could be largely nullified against this offense. I've certainly seen Stanford's power-rushing game just overwhelm top defensive linemen with a wall of bodies. Oliver will still have his moments, but I think he may be mostly frustrated and boxed in.

Rice's offense should move the ball against UH, but how well the Rice defense holds up will be key. Two years ago, Prairie View's WR Tristen Wallace was also a top recruit in Ed Oliver's class, so Rice already has some exposure to top talent this season. I think the difference is that Tristen Wallace could damage the Owls' weaknesses more than Ed Oliver. UH's receiving corps is a big unknown, so how well UH's passing game can take advantage of the Rice secondary will be critical.

These aren't Mensa's Cougars, and he's now basically two years removed. Their program regressed a bunch last year. We're still probably 3-4 TD's behind them, but part of being Cougar High is being able to Coog it.

I don't think so, but I wouldn't be shocked.

So Rice beat PVaTm and moved DOWN a spot in Massey. We are now 126 out of 130.

Still ahead of EOY 2017.

(08-27-2018 05:08 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  These aren't Mensa's Cougars, and he's now basically two years removed. Their program regressed a bunch las year. We're still probably 3-4 TD's behind them, but part of being Cougar High is being able to Coog it.

I don't think so, but I wouldn't be shocked.

As I said in another post Major is already feeling the heat and may be coaching for his job. Unfortunately for him the person that could help UH most to regain their swagger is the guy most UH fans want as their HC....Kendall.

51-10 UH. Mostly don't get everybody injured and survive to live another day. Hopefully as the losses pile up, the team continues to play hard and buy into the system, and we show incremental improvement from game to game.

Frankly, I think that CH could probably name the score, but I suspect that Major will hold back the hounds again. I can't remember which year it was but it was around 2010 or so. Was going to the game at Robertson and was late, looked up what the score was after the KO and two drives said to hell with it as I didn't want to deal with their fans during a complete blood bath. And to think at one time, we just about owned those clowns.

(08-27-2018 05:29 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  As I said in another post Major is already feeling the heat and may be coaching for his job. Unfortunately for him the person that could help UH most to regain their swagger is the guy most UH fans want as their HC....Kendall.

I don't think I've spoken to a single UH fan who would want Kendall as the HC. I'm sure they are out there. I think its mostly split between people who are happy to have his offense and are giving him a second chance mostly because he's not in charge or the camp I'm in, which is Kendall is a 1 or 2 year rental that will likely produce results and then become some other school's PR problem and hopefully we will have a new HC for 3-4 years who is talented enough not to have to take that type of risk to save his job. I do know people who did not renew their season tickets because Kendal was hired.

Major is definitely coaching for his job. We lost to Tulsa and Tulane last year because of Major's Greg Davis caca offense. Also, have you seen the list of transfers who came in this year?

Deontay Anderson - Ole Miss
Nick Watkins - Notre Dame
Darion Owens - Miami
Isaiah Chambers - TCU
Terence Williams - Baylor
Raelon Singleton - Utah
Quinton Dormady - Tennesee

Sure there are some talented kids in the group, but overall transfers typically aren't as good as you want them or need them to be. Signing that many reeks of desperation.

As for the game this week, I think Rice has a big advantage having 1 game under their belt. I don't think that the margin of victory matters much either. In 2015 we opened against Tennessee Tech and the team didn't look anywhere near a Peach Bowl winner in Herman's debut. We got much better the next week, and ended up squeaking out a win in Louisville. So, I think Rice having game reps to identify problems and fix them is certainly going to make a big difference.

I do think Rice will be able to move the ball. Oliver is better against the run than the pass, but I think it's possible to scheme around one player. If we start putting 8 in the box with Garrett Davis, our secondary is probably not experienced enough to not give up a big pass play here or there. I would be surprised if we held Rice to under 20 points, but also surprised if you scored more than 30. The big question is if Briles can actually turn the offense around. Our offense had games last year where they were so inept we lost to very bad teams.

Glass Half-Full

- Early kick; Coogs sleepwalking. Owls get turnovers.
- Improvement from having one game under-the-belt
- Lots of opportunity for trickeration off the base formations showed against PVAM; play to Coogs not following assignments
- Major is a gentleman. Won't run it up if it gets to that. Needs to find players for later in season and test various line-ups in game one.
- Recent history better to Rice when playing at HRS
- Field Position; Fox forces Coogs to earn every TD w/ long drives

Glass Half-Empty

- Coog athletes > Rice Athletes 2x/3x greater compared to prior years
- Owls get overwhelmed early and snowballs into a bunch of quick Coog TD's in 1H (i.e., same as last year)
- When Owls have inferior QB (ie not McH or CC), results are bad; Rice QB's not shown strength
- Oliver disruption to 'pound the rock' creates countless 3 and outs.
- Houston QB and WR's vs. Rice LB's and DB's; We know the QB pass/option is coming to exploit their speed vs. our man-to-man. Owls lose track meet.

The 25 Point Line is a good one. Of course heart loves Owls and points but head takes Coogs for a 'name the score'. Heart wins. Owls score first with a FG to go up 3-0 and then Coogs outscore Owls 42-7 to gain control going into the 4Q making it 42-10. Owls get the backdoor cover with a couple late garbage time TD"s against Coog 3rd team.

Final 42-24.

(08-27-2018 05:48 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Frankly, I think that CH could probably name the score, but I suspect that Major will hold back the hounds again. I can't remember which year it was but it was around 2010 or so. Was going to the game at Robertson and was late, looked up what the score was after the KO and two drives said to hell with it as I didn't want to deal with their fans during a complete blood bath. And to think at one time, we just about owned those clowns.

‘09 maybe or ‘11? 73 to way less both times. Rice won in ‘08 and ‘10 at home.

I’m glad local news shows “UH” as the graphic for Saturday weather then at the bottom in tiny letters says “vs Rice”.

(08-27-2018 06:45 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(08-27-2018 05:48 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Frankly, I think that CH could probably name the score, but I suspect that Major will hold back the hounds again. I can't remember which year it was but it was around 2010 or so. Was going to the game at Robertson and was late, looked up what the score was after the KO and two drives said to hell with it as I didn't want to deal with their fans during a complete blood bath. And to think at one time, we just about owned those clowns.

‘09 maybe or ‘11? 73 to way less both times. Rice won in ‘08 and ‘10 at home.

Probably 2009. 59-0 at the half.
2011 was competitive for almost a half. Rice led for a good part of first half, then collapsed.

(08-27-2018 06:52 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  I’m glad local news shows “UH” as the graphic for Saturday weather then at the bottom in tiny letters says “vs Rice”.

Well, UH is Houston's academic cornerstone ....

I think all we can hope for is that the game is still competitive in the third quarter.

(08-27-2018 05:48 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Frankly, I think that CH could probably name the score, but I suspect that Major will hold back the hounds again. I can't remember which year it was but it was around 2010 or so. Was going to the game at Robertson and was late, looked up what the score was after the KO and two drives said to hell with it as I didn't want to deal with their fans during a complete blood bath. And to think at one time, we just about owned those clowns.

(08-27-2018 07:13 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-27-2018 06:45 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(08-27-2018 05:48 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Frankly, I think that CH could probably name the score, but I suspect that Major will hold back the hounds again. I can't remember which year it was but it was around 2010 or so. Was going to the game at Robertson and was late, looked up what the score was after the KO and two drives said to hell with it as I didn't want to deal with their fans during a complete blood bath. And to think at one time, we just about owned those clowns.

‘09 maybe or ‘11? 73 to way less both times. Rice won in ‘08 and ‘10 at home.

Probably 2009. 59-0 at the half.
2011 was competitive for almost a half. Rice led for a good part of first half, then collapsed.

Yup it was 09. That one and the 12 game at nrg hacked me off no end. Left in disgust from the second early in the third. That was went it finally sunk him just how far we had collapsed......

(08-27-2018 06:12 PM)sacoog06 Wrote:  

(08-27-2018 05:29 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  As I said in another post Major is already feeling the heat and may be coaching for his job. Unfortunately for him the person that could help UH most to regain their swagger is the guy most UH fans want as their HC....Kendall.

I don't think I've spoken to a single UH fan who would want Kendall as the HC. I'm sure they are out there. I think its mostly split between people who are happy to have his offense and are giving him a second chance mostly because he's not in charge or the camp I'm in, which is Kendall is a 1 or 2 year rental that will likely produce results and then become some other school's PR problem and hopefully we will have a new HC for 3-4 years who is talented enough not to have to take that type of risk to save his job. I do know people who did not renew their season tickets because Kendal was hired.

Major is definitely coaching for his job. We lost to Tulsa and Tulane last year because of Major's Greg Davis caca offense. Also, have you seen the list of transfers who came in this year?

Deontay Anderson - Ole Miss
Nick Watkins - Notre Dame
Darion Owens - Miami
Isaiah Chambers - TCU
Terence Williams - Baylor
Raelon Singleton - Utah
Quinton Dormady - Tennesee

Sure there are some talented kids in the group, but overall transfers typically aren't as good as you want them or need them to be. Signing that many reeks of desperation.

As for the game this week, I think Rice has a big advantage having 1 game under their belt. I don't think that the margin of victory matters much either. In 2015 we opened against Tennessee Tech and the team didn't look anywhere near a Peach Bowl winner in Herman's debut. We got much better the next week, and ended up squeaking out a win in Louisville. So, I think Rice having game reps to identify problems and fix them is certainly going to make a big difference.

I do think Rice will be able to move the ball. Oliver is better against the run than the pass, but I think it's possible to scheme around one player. If we start putting 8 in the box with Garrett Davis, our secondary is probably not experienced enough to not give up a big pass play here or there. I would be surprised if we held Rice to under 20 points, but also surprised if you scored more than 30. The big question is if Briles can actually turn the offense around. Our offense had games last year where they were so inept we lost to very bad teams.

I’m assuming that, if UH were to fire Applewhite after this year, they would just use 2 of the $2.5mm they got from Herman’s buyout to buy out Applewhite? I ask because $2mm is not a small chunk of change to pay someone not to coach.

Seems like UH might have growing pains with all the personnel movement they've had - it may take them a few games to carve out an identity. It's also odd that they've closed off many of their practices and scrimmages from the media. I wonder if a few other guys aren't there (or will be ineligible for a bit) that people aren't aware of. We also may be getting a break if some of their better skill guys have to sit out an early game or two for academic (or other) reasons.

Applewhite is not getting fired after year two.

That's just old fashioned over-the-top, always impatient, gimme instant gratification fan talk.

(08-28-2018 07:26 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Seems like UH might have growing pains with all the personnel movement they've had - it may take them a few games to carve out an identity. It's also odd that they've closed off many of their practices and scrimmages from the media. I wonder if a few other guys aren't there (or will be ineligible for a bit) that people aren't aware of. We also may be getting a break if some of their better skill guys have to sit out an early game or two for academic (or other) reasons.

The also didn’t release a 2 deep. Duarte at the chronical noted that.

(08-28-2018 07:30 AM)Hymie Weiss Wrote:  Applewhite is not getting fired after year two.

That's just old fashioned over-the-top, always impatient, gimme instant gratification fan talk.

So he doesn’t occupy the “Tony Levine Head Coach Chair For Football”?