(08-24-2025 08:24 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2025 02:26 PM)Ourland Wrote:  Likewise. If I predict that Rice is going to lose, I'm still pulling for them to win.

Understood, but...

Why make a prediction that we will lose? To look smart, in case we lose? What is gained by that?

Let the opponents predict a win for their team. We don't need to abet them.

I don't think anyone gains much of anything from being right about a prediction. This is just a message board where such things are discussed.

I'm considering all the variables, and have come to the conclusion that we're in for a tough game. I'd be absolutely floored if we win, very pleasantly floored.

That being said, it's game week, and no one has given their score predictions, but me. I'll take Louisiana, 31-10. What say you Rice fans?

(08-26-2025 09:17 AM)Ourland Wrote:  

(08-24-2025 08:24 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-24-2025 02:26 PM)Ourland Wrote:  Likewise. If I predict that Rice is going to lose, I'm still pulling for them to win.

Understood, but...

Why make a prediction that we will lose? To look smart, in case we lose? What is gained by that?

Let the opponents predict a win for their team. We don't need to abet them.

I don't think anyone gains much of anything from being right about a prediction. This is just a message board where such things are discussed.

I'm considering all the variables, and have come to the conclusion that we're in for a tough game. I'd be absolutely floored if we win, very pleasantly floored.

That being said, it's game week, and no one has given their score predictions, but me. I'll take Louisiana, 31-10. What say you Rice fans?

Rice 21-17

If I were a (football) betting man, I would snap up Rice plus 21 in a NY minute.

My prediction is that we'll be so consumed with "thinking" the new offense that we'll put the ball on the ground. This will allow Louisiana to take the win even though we had a good chance in a close game.

(08-26-2025 01:29 PM)Barney Wrote:  My prediction is that we'll be so consumed with "thinking" the new offense that we'll put the ball on the ground. This will allow Louisiana to take the win even though we had a good chance in a close game.

Good point, but I am hoping the ULaLa defense is also "thinking" and thinking wrong.

I have a lot of confidence in Chase and Quinton. Looking forward to the game with positive anticipation.

The Rice way is to turn the ball over around five times and spend the last quarter and a half saving the equipment, then falling back on all the excuses: young team, new offense, new coaching staff, hostile environment, new quarterback, etc. This scenario is what I actually expect, with a final score approaching 16-41.
However, if we don't turn the ball over I predict we'll win. As a Rice fan I know those are long odds, though.

No game notes from the game yet (either for us or for Louisiana?).

I kind of feel neither team wants to show its cards. Other than releasing the QB starter.

Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

(08-26-2025 04:36 PM)ausowl Wrote:  Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

(08-26-2025 04:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:36 PM)ausowl Wrote:  Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

(08-26-2025 04:07 PM)wrysal Wrote:  The Rice way is to turn the ball over around five times and spend the last quarter and a half saving the equipment, then falling back on all the excuses: young team, new offense, new coaching staff, hostile environment, new quarterback, etc. This scenario is what I actually expect, with a final score approaching 16-41.
However, if we don't turn the ball over I predict we'll win. As a Rice fan I know those are long odds, though.

more important than the absolute number of giveaways will be the comparison with the number of takeaways.

(08-26-2025 04:51 PM)ausowl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:36 PM)ausowl Wrote:  Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

I was at both games. Ready to contribute to a moving van for bailiff at that point. And his entire staff, and the entire Rice admin.

(08-26-2025 06:41 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:51 PM)ausowl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:36 PM)ausowl Wrote:  Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

I was at both games. Ready to contribute to a moving van for bailiff at that point. And his entire staff, and the entire Rice admin.

I am drawing a blank about the Baylor game. What was particularly damning about the Baylor game?

(08-26-2025 11:48 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 06:41 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:51 PM)ausowl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:36 PM)ausowl Wrote:  Will be happy to avoid the 2007 one-two of Nicholls State and the Baylor debacle. Improve every game and we'll be set up nicely for future years. I like the hire and scheme.

I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

I was at both games. Ready to contribute to a moving van for bailiff at that point. And his entire staff, and the entire Rice admin.

I am drawing a blank about the Baylor game. What was particularly damning about the Baylor game?

42-17. They scored their first TD in the second minute. 521 yards of offense, mostly in three quarters. We scored last.

I'll channel my inner OptimisticOwl and say that Abell has Jenkins & Co ready enough to go w/a creative/surprising offensive package. We jump out to an early lead, then hold on for a 24-21 upset win to start the Abell era.

(08-27-2025 08:29 AM)picrig Wrote:  I'll channel my inner OptimisticOwl and say that Abell has Jenkins & Co ready enough to go w/a creative/surprising offensive package. We jump out to an early lead, then hold on for a 24-21 upset win to start the Abell era.

I like your thinking. Lots of positive stuff coming out of this week’s presser, as well as some of the detailed coverage from The Roost. But as one of our posters said…it will be a lot easier to read this team and it’s real potential in a couple of weeks.
OO has a few more seasons than I do when it comes to Rice football, but I guess I’m less optimistic because I’m a lot more jaded …I’ve seen too many Rice losses as a result of fumbles, deep passes and just not being prepared.
So…. The last lines I saw had Louisiana favored by 11-14. With the O at about 42-47. I’ll pick the Owls to cover the spread but lose the game. 21-24.
But I’m hoping that on Sunday morning we have proved the betting sites wrong.

(08-27-2025 08:29 AM)picrig Wrote:  I'll channel my inner OptimisticOwl and say that Abell has Jenkins & Co ready enough to go w/a creative/surprising offensive package. We jump out to an early lead, then hold on for a 24-21 upset win to start the Abell era.

I'm driving up to Little Woodrow's for this one. If anyone wants to join me, come on. I'm looking to watch this with other Rice fans

(08-27-2025 09:00 AM)greyowl72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2025 08:29 AM)picrig Wrote:  I'll channel my inner OptimisticOwl and say that Abell has Jenkins & Co ready enough to go w/a creative/surprising offensive package. We jump out to an early lead, then hold on for a 24-21 upset win to start the Abell era.

I like your thinking. Lots of positive stuff coming out of this week’s presser, as well as some of the detailed coverage from The Roost. But as one of our posters said…it will be a lot easier to read this team and it’s real potential in a couple of weeks.
OO has a few more seasons than I do when it comes to Rice football, but I guess I’m less optimistic because I’m a lot more jaded …I’ve seen too many Rice losses as a result of fumbles, deep passes and just not being prepared.
So…. The last lines I saw had Louisiana favored by 11-14. With the O at about 42-47. I’ll pick the Owls to cover the spread but lose the game. 21-24.
But I’m hoping that on Sunday morning we have proved the betting sites wrong.

I've read some articles this week reporting that Louisiana is also breaking in a lot of new players on offense, including a new QB. Their offense may not move as smoothly as they hope. It's all new personnel for them on that side of the ball.

(08-27-2025 01:32 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 11:48 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 06:41 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:51 PM)ausowl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:44 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I don't think the 2 seasons are analogs. While Rice has a new coach in both scenarios, Nicholls State is FCS, while Louisiana is a G5 team favored to win its conference. Also, we're playing that game away from home.

That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

I was at both games. Ready to contribute to a moving van for bailiff at that point. And his entire staff, and the entire Rice admin.

I am drawing a blank about the Baylor game. What was particularly damning about the Baylor game?

42-17. They scored their first TD in the second minute. 521 yards of offense, mostly in three quarters. We scored last.

I was there. I drove up from Galveston. We made their bad QB look like an NFL prospect. He only hit the turf one time, and that was midway through the fourth quarter. Then I drove all the way back home by myself. My worst memory as a fan.

(08-27-2025 07:24 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(08-27-2025 01:32 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 11:48 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 06:41 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-26-2025 04:51 PM)ausowl Wrote:  That's fair but I'm focused less on outcome more on organization and execution.

The Baylor game was surreal.

I was at both games. Ready to contribute to a moving van for bailiff at that point. And his entire staff, and the entire Rice admin.

I am drawing a blank about the Baylor game. What was particularly damning about the Baylor game?

42-17. They scored their first TD in the second minute. 521 yards of offense, mostly in three quarters. We scored last.

I was there. I drove up from Galveston. We made their bad QB look like an NFL prospect. He only hit the turf one time, and that was midway through the fourth quarter. Then I drove all the way back home by myself. My worst memory as a fan.

I was there as well. Their O-Line was massive and played really well. Their D was not do great but our offense looked like a bunch of guys who just met in the parking lot before the game. Good old Mensa. My most distinct memory was looking at the concessions and really really wishing there was something harder than Dr Pepper to put out the flames.

(08-27-2025 09:00 AM)greyowl72 Wrote:  OO has a few more seasons than I do when it comes to Rice football, but I guess I’m less optimistic because I’m a lot more jaded …I’ve seen too many Rice losses as a result of fumbles, deep passes and just not being prepared.
So…. The last lines I saw had Louisiana favored by 11-14. With the O at about 42-47. I’ll pick the Owls to cover the spread but lose the game. 21-24.
But I’m hoping that on Sunday morning we have proved the betting sites wrong.

Just a few more seasons, but what hair I have left is still brown. Some of my facial hair is grey.

I've seen all those losses too, so, IF in fact your 24-21 prediction comes true, I will go a step further and say it ends on a last play 37 yard FG, set up by a fumbled punt. Now THAT is how Rice loses a game.

Looking forward to another Owl football season - my 63rd.