AMERICAN

37. U.T.S.A. (7-1)
53. Memphis (6-2)
55. Army (5-2)
57. North Texas (5-2)
69. South Florida (5-2)
81. Florida Atlantic (5-2)
86. Tulane (3-4)
91. U.A.B. (4-3)
96. Tulsa (4-4)
103. East Carolina (3-4)
105. Navy (2-5)
117. Temple (2-5)
125. RICE (1-7)
130. Charlotte (1-6)


OTHERS:

2. Notre Dame (6-1)
70. Western Michigan (6-2) *
84. Fresno State (4-3)

*I consider WMU as defeating Michigan

For comparison, here is how the conference finished last year's regular season. And, no, Rice is not better in 2026.

The American

21. North Texas (11-1)
35. South Florida (9-3)
36. Tulane (10-2)
42. Navy (9-2)
46. East Carolina (8-4)
50. Memphis (8-4)
72. Army (6-5)
75. U.T.S.A. (6-6)
92. Temple (5-7)
104. RICE (5-7)
109. Florida Atlantic (4-8)
110. U.A.B. (4-8)
116. Tulsa (4-8)
129. Charlotte (1-11)

(10-26-2026 12:59 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  For comparison, here is how the conference finished last year's regular season. And, no, Rice is not better in 2026.

The American

21. North Texas (11-1)
35. South Florida (9-3)
36. Tulane (10-2)
42. Navy (9-2)
46. East Carolina (8-4)
50. Memphis (8-4)
72. Army (6-5)
75. U.T.S.A. (6-6)
92. Temple (5-7)
104. RICE (5-7)
109. Florida Atlantic (4-8)
110. U.A.B. (4-8)
116. Tulsa (4-8)
129. Charlotte (1-11)

If 2026 Rice is better than 2027 Rice, then presumably they would have at least 2 more victories now, maybe more.

Where would a 3-5 or 4-4 Rice rank? I am guessing higher than 130. Maybe higher than 104?

(10-26-2026 12:59 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  For comparison, here is how the conference finished last year's regular season. And, no, Rice is not better in 2026.

The American

21. North Texas (11-1)
35. South Florida (9-3)
36. Tulane (10-2)
42. Navy (9-2)
46. East Carolina (8-4)
50. Memphis (8-4)
72. Army (6-5)
75. U.T.S.A. (6-6)
92. Temple (5-7)
104. RICE (5-7)
109. Florida Atlantic (4-8)
110. U.A.B. (4-8)
116. Tulsa (4-8)
129. Charlotte (1-11)

Yeah I stopped believing this Rice team was better than last years after the ECU game. The QJack/Daelen Alexander duo was better than Byars/Hardeman Jr., Jacurri's a better runner than Chase but his decision making and lack of passing ability are a net negative, Aaron Turner was a better slot than anybody on the current roster, and we still haven't completed a reception to a tight end.

But if we could get any amount of continuity going into next year we might be pretty good. Our slot room this year is entirely new, our running backs were the 3rd/4th strings last year, and obviously our QB was new. Pray the transfer portal lets us keep Ochoa and Crayton Jr., at least two of Hardeman Jr./Byars/Morgan, and at least two of Lane/Grice/Mosey, and I'll feel good.

One caveat: while the overall conference is worse than last year, 3 of 4 of Rice's conference opponents are better. But, that fact, by itself, should not result in a winless effort thus far.