CSNbbs

They are 3-1 and averaging approximately 575 total yards and 400 passing yards per game in the last three games after a slow start offensively in game 1 in a 14-12 win at Vandy. Wins are against La Tech, Vandy, and Miami (OH). Their loss was by 3 at Indiana two weeks ago. Their quarterback Brandon Doughty is a senior and one of the best QB's in the country.

Another tough test as they excel in the passing game. Early line is WKU -7

WKU 14 Vandy 12
WKU 41 La Tech 38
WKU 35 Indiana 38
WKU 56 Miami (OH) 14

Big game. Will make or break the season probably.

(09-27-2015 04:43 PM)Middle Ages Wrote: [ -> ]They are 3-1 and averaging approximately 575 total yards and 400 passing yards per game in the last three games after a slow start offensively in game 1 in a 14-12 win at Vandy. Wins are against La Tech, Vandy, and Miami (OH). Their loss was by 3 at Indiana two weeks ago. Their quarterback Brandon Doughty is a senior and one of the best QB's in the country.

Another tough test as they excel in the passing game. Early line is WKU -7

WKU 14 Vandy 12
WKU 41 La Tech 38
WKU 35 Indiana 38
WKU 56 Miami (OH) 14

I'm not sure how in the world we're going to slow down WKU's passing game with no pass rush and horrendous secondary play (due largely to awful scheming), but WKU's weakness is our strength-- they've given up something like 300 yards per game on the ground.

Let's just run the ball, eat clock, and keep their offense off the field. This is the biggest game of the year. If we can win it, I could realistically see us winning the division and hosting a championship game. If we lose, we'll probably go 7-5.

The line(s) open up with WKU as a 5-7.5 point favorite

Massey estimates WKU as a 5.2 point favorite. Even stranger, despite the low-scoring Vandy game, Massey also estimates that WKU may be the 2nd worst defense in the nation to date (at least based on his power rating). Rice is only the 9th worst. Their offense is top notch (top 25) while Rice is exactly middling (64th).

Just some things to think about. I'll probably predict a Rice win, but still want to think.

While they are likely the toughest opponent we will face, they are in the east. I believe we can still win the west if we lose this weekend. That will likely result in a rematch for the conference championship.

That having been said, I would prefer that we treat this as the biggest game of the year.

We are at home. Which is a BIG positive.

I'm worried about our starters and subs . Anybody have an idea what the Baylor game did to us injury- wise?

Thoughts:
(1) I'm worried about the injury situation as well. O-line hasn't looked the same since dominating UT. Driphus banged-up (seems like a perpetual thing for both him and McHargue before him). Stewart got hit hard.
(2) Turnovers will be key (as always). This hasn't been a strength for Rice in 2015 after being a strength in 2014.
(3) Nice to be returning to HRS after a tough 3-week road stretch.
(4) Doughty might be one of the best college QB's in the country, but no way his WR's and RB's are anything close to what Baylor had. And no way WKU's coaches are as good as Baylor's.
(5) Rice will be susceptible to the deep ball (as always). But even when we get beat, we'll be a step closer to the ball. God I wish we would play 4 CB's and 1 safety against teams like Baylor and WKU. Or maybe even 5 CB's, 1 safety, and 1 LB.
(6) Hope punt and kick coverage remains strong like the last 2 weeks. Hope punt and kickoff returns remain a strength.

Western Kentucky by 10.

(09-27-2015 08:20 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]Thoughts:
(1) I'm worried about the injury situation as well. O-line hasn't looked the same since dominating UT. Driphus banged-up (seems like a perpetual thing for both him and McHargue before him). Stewart got hit hard.
(2) Turnovers will be key (as always). This hasn't been a strength for Rice in 2015 after being a strength in 2014.
(3) Nice to be returning to HRS after a tough 3-week road stretch.
(4) Doughty might be one of the best college QB's in the country, but no way his WR's and RB's are anything close to what Baylor had. And no way WKU's coaches are as good as Baylor's.
(5) Rice will be susceptible to the deep ball (as always). But even when we get beat, we'll be a step closer to the ball. God I wish we would play 4 CB's and 1 safety against teams like Baylor and WKU. Or maybe even 5 CB's, 1 safety, and 1 LB.
(6) Hope punt and kick coverage remains strong like the last 2 weeks. Hope punt and kickoff returns remain a strength.

Doughty is a good west coast style QB; they'll move the ball some on us, but their best deep threat receiver is nothing compared to what we've seen the last three weeks.

Our stable of running backs should do well to carve them up. And if they stuff the box to stop it, I like our matchups on the edges as well. Let's protect the ball, grind it out, and ffs send in playcalls in under 30 seconds.

This will be two games in a row on Fox Sports North in Minneapolis. I think/hope this one will be more fun to watch.

Follow the line through the week here:

Sounds like injury report is not terrible serious. I hope the team gets their heads held up and don't let the Baylor game affect them. Hopefully they will be ready to take it out on WKU.

(09-27-2015 08:20 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]And no way WKU's coaches are as good as Baylor's.

I'll push back on this one. WKU staff has good chance to be in SEC or ACC or Big 10 in next 1-2 years

(09-30-2015 07:46 PM)MemOwl Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-27-2015 08:20 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]And no way WKU's coaches are as good as Baylor's.

I'll push back on this one. WKU staff has good chance to be in SEC or ACC or Big 10 in next 1-2 years

Baylor's coach built UH into a very good program and then Baylor into an elite program. I am not saying WKU's coaches aren't good (I have no idea). But very few coaches are as good as Baylor's. Very few.

They could be the next Louisville.

(10-01-2015 10:04 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]They could be the next Louisville.

Possibly. Although Louisville benefited from a tieup with ESPN that helped give them $$$ and exposure. I am sure you have read this, but if not (or anyone else), this is definitely taking a look

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/sports...d=all&_r=0

(10-01-2015 10:14 AM)Antarius Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-01-2015 10:04 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]They could be the next Louisville.

Possibly. Although Louisville benefited from a tieup with ESPN that helped give them $$$ and exposure. I am sure you have read this, but if not (or anyone else), this is definitely taking a look

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/sports...d=all&_r=0

While certainly not prime time and before the current need to fill lots of time slots the deal TCU had with ESPN was also very beneficial. In TCU's case as they began conference jumping they also paid ESPN to televise their football games on the expanded ESPN game schedule (the 700's for those with DTV). They felt it was worth it to showcase what was a program on the rise with national ambitions.

(09-30-2015 07:46 PM)MemOwl Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-27-2015 08:20 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]And no way WKU's coaches are as good as Baylor's.

I'll push back on this one. WKU staff has good chance to be in SEC or ACC or Big 10 in next 1-2 years

No way. Outside of Boise which is arguably a national program now, no G5 program from a small market will ever get an invite to a P5 program. Gotta be in a big market, not Bowling Green, KY. Not fair but reality.