With all the problems Rice has had over the last several years, I was amazed that Rice appeared to play so well for much of the game, and A&M appeared to be so average, with the exception of two or three big plays, considering all the pre-game hype.

Manziel has talent, but with all the short fields he had and the couple of free plays we gave him, (Seinfeld-esque running speed) it was hard to see his alleged greatness on this day.

Also of note, Rice suspended its two best players for the entire game, not just one half, for violating team rules, so Rice was severely undermanned and still held its own much of the game.

For Rice fans, it has been a long, long time since Rice played straight-up even for most of a game against a big school like yours. A couple of lucky bounces for Rice and against A&M and this would have been an upset on the level of Appy State vs Michigan, 'cept I think Rice might actually be good this year for a real change. We shall see.

Would be nice if we could see you in the Liberty bowl this year, before CUSA heads to completely Sun-Belt league next season. Enjoy the SEC and Alabama. Hope you were holding back this week. If not, will be a long season.

Rice and Texas A&M Return To Action in 2014
College Station in 2014, Reliant Stadium in 2019

from RICEOWLS.COM
Nov. 8, 2013

Rice and Texas A&M, two old foes who resumed a historic football series for the first time in 18 years when the schools opened the 2013 season, have reached agreement to continue the series for two additional games. The schools will return to the gridiron in College Station in 2014 with the return trip to Houston set for Reliant Stadium in 2019.

"Our fans eagerly anticipated the return of Texas A&M to our football schedule this year," new Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said. "The excitement that surrounded this year's game allowed fans of both teams to recall many of the glorious moments between the Owls and Aggies on the gridiron since we first met in 1914. There was a common desire to not have the game in August be a singular addition to that legacy and we began preliminary discussions on future games even before we played this year. We are thrilled to add these two additional games to the series, including a game in Houston," Karlgaard added.

The Owls and Aggies first met in football in 1914 and they met annually from 1920 until the final year of the Southwest Conference in 1995. The series was played annually at Rice Stadium from 1957-67. The two schools resumed the series to open the 2013 campaign, with A&M taking a 52-31 decision.

With the addition of Texas A&M, the Owls have completed their non-conference schedule for 2014 which features games at Notre Dame (August 30), A&M (September 13) and Army (October) 11 and a home game with New Mexico State on September 6. The Owls and the University of Houston will not meet for the first time since 1998.

Rice Senior Executive Athletic Director Rick Mello, who oversees the schedule negotiations for the Owls said the break in the series between Rice and Houston was inevitable.

"Both schools have known that once we were no longer members of the same conference, playing every year would be extremely difficult," Mello noted. "The Bayou Bucket has endured previous interruptions without losing any of its significance to both schools. We will explore future dates when we can resume the series with Houston." .
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