After each game, I will grade Houston's performance, Offense, Defense, Special Teams, Coaching and Overall. I am borrowing a concept I read in the Birmingham paper, Plus on the Houston boards, I am Professormump, so it goes with my other handle.

Offense: F
We were unable to run at all. Rices defense was all over the place. They did their best Memphis impersonation and it worked to perfection. Our offensive line did not give Kolb enough time to throw or our running backs enough time to run. Kolb was running for his life much of the game, but when he did have time to throw he often made incorrect reads trying to force the ball or throwing it out of bounds when he had receivers wide open. His accuracy was off as well. I believe he was believing to much of his preseason hype. Get your head back in the game kid.

Defense: A
Normally when you hold an offense under 200 yards of total offense and they only score 10 points, you win the game. Rice's option is too good to shut down for the entire game. The defense did an excellent job of limiting their production. The defense played with heart and earned my yearlong respect when they stopped Rice's fourth and goal attempt at the end of the game. They could have easily given up since the chance of us scoring 10 points in under 2 minutes was slim.

Special Teams: F
Punting was atrocious. We missed two field goals. Our kickoff coverage was poor.

Coaching: F
It was obvious, the we were not well prepared for Rice's defense. The offensive line was not prepared to handle their blitz and our QB was making incorrect reada. The play calling was horrible. Why were we running on every last first down. Rice would stuff the run and then blitz on second and third down and kill us. Coach Briles is going to have to do a better job adjusting his game strategy in the middle of the game.

Overall: D-
the only bright spot was the defense, Our offense and special teams were poor at best.