(09-21-2018 03:23 PM)flash3200 Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 02:44 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Most of the people daring to pick Rice at all do so with tiny margins.

Be bold! We are going kick their ***!

With our lack of defensive prowess, I think our only way to beat someone is to win TOP and reduce the number of possessions in a game available to the opponent. Hard to blow-out even a wet paper bag if you only have 8 possessions a game.

I wouldn't be shocked if the defense resembles a top 75 defense. Houston and Hawaii give most defenses trouble, yet we had moments where we contained both of them. Southern Miss' offense is no slouch but a level below the other two, I'd think. If any improvement was made during the bye week, we can win this game with similar output from our offense (last 2 games). A question I have is our run game vs their linebackers. They haven't allowed a rushing TD yet, so may be a worse match up then we'd like there.

Here's a few "from the top row" stats/observations on our team (USM) and this is based off our 2 games (both home) vs Jackson St and UL Monroe:

- 1 rushing TD and that was by the 3rd string QB (now 4th string as Griggs was suspended first 2 games) in the 4Q vs JSU. Other scores have been 6 TD passes, 1 punt return, 1 fumble return, and 4 FG
- 7 turnovers...3 vs JSU (2 int by then backup QB/now 3rd string, 1 fumble) 4 vs UL Monroe (2 int by starter, 2 fumble)
- forced 6 turnovers...3 int and 3 fumble
- all 3 of ULM's touchdowns were short or quick drives...sacked our QB on the goal line he fumbled they recovered in endzone, second one was a 1 play 49 yard TD, and last one was a 3 play 65 yard drive in 57 seconds for score
- our punter has punted 5 times for a 45 yard avg and opponents have not had any returns...one punt went 70 yards so take that out and his avg is 38
- our kicker has 15 kickoffs with 11 touchbacks, 1 out of bounds and 3 returns. 2 of the 3 returns came out of the endzone and the remaining one landed at the 3.
- we've returned 5 kickoffs for a 21 yard avg. we've returned 7 punts for a 25 yard avg but that number is slightly skewed due to 1 return of 81 yards for a TD
- we've only sacked opposing qb twice while we've allowed our qb to be sacked 7 times
- defense allowing 19% on 3rd down conversions (5 of 26) and 2 of 3 on 4th down


Here's to a good game

(09-21-2018 03:41 PM)usm99 Wrote:  - our punter has punted 5 times for a 45 yard avg and opponents have not had any returns...one punt went 70 yards so take that out and his avg is 38

Is Ray Guy still helping coach punters?

(09-21-2018 03:23 PM)flash3200 Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 02:44 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Most of the people daring to pick Rice at all do so with tiny margins.

Be bold! We are going kick their ***!

With our lack of defensive prowess, I think our only way to beat someone is to win TOP and reduce the number of possessions in a game available to the opponent. Hard to blow-out even a wet paper bag if you only have 8 possessions a game.

Good idea! we could call it "Pound the Rock, Run the Clock".

Our defense did not play that badly against the UH twins. I think either UH would pound USM.

We have one QB, they have two. Advantage us.

We have a new coach.

We only lost by 9 last year.

I think we we get ahead. Big game for Cephus. then, as they play catch up, while they are telegraphing that almost every play will be a pass, our DBs will not get caught by surprise, and then we can Pound the rock to maintain it.

I could be wrong. happened once before.

We could get pounded by Unintellectual Brutes. But my pregame opinion on that is....No.

(09-21-2018 04:09 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Our defense did not play that badly against the UH twins. I think either UH would pound USM.

Giving up 43 and 45 points is "did not play that badly"?

Unprecedented.

We can be encouraged, optimistic and acknowledge that USM isnt that good, but lets be realistic about our own team too - 3rd last in Massey defensively. If this is not that bad, wonder what qualifies as bad.

(09-21-2018 04:13 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 04:09 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Our defense did not play that badly against the UH twins. I think either UH would pound USM.

Giving up 43 and 45 points is "did not play that badly"?

Unprecedented.

We can be encouraged, optimistic and acknowledge that USM isnt that good, but lets be realistic about our own team too - 3rd last in Massey defensively. If this is not that bad, wonder what qualifies as bad.

Computer rankings don’t mean much at the beginning of the season. We aren’t good but I doubt we’re anywhere near that low.

(09-21-2018 04:54 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 04:13 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 04:09 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Our defense did not play that badly against the UH twins. I think either UH would pound USM.

Giving up 43 and 45 points is "did not play that badly"?

Unprecedented.

We can be encouraged, optimistic and acknowledge that USM isnt that good, but lets be realistic about our own team too - 3rd last in Massey defensively. If this is not that bad, wonder what qualifies as bad.

Computer rankings don’t mean much at the beginning of the season. We aren’t good but I doubt we’re anywhere near that low.

Fair point. We did give up 30 to an FCS team and 40 twice to FBS teams though. So maybe not bottom 3, but not great either.

My point of objection was related to the extreme rose tint being applied to the description glasses. I like the Bloom hire a lot, but we should be realistic about where we are. Giving up 40 in 2 games wasnt considered good for the last regime and shouldnt be now either. Obviously, 3 games into year 1 we don't need to panic, but its still fair to call a spade a spade .

(09-21-2018 03:41 PM)usm99 Wrote:  Here's a few "from the top row" stats/observations on our team (USM) and this is based off our 2 games (both home) vs Jackson St and UL Monroe:

- 1 rushing TD and that was by the 3rd string QB (now 4th string as Griggs was suspended first 2 games) in the 4Q vs JSU. Other scores have been 6 TD passes, 1 punt return, 1 fumble return, and 4 FG
- 7 turnovers...3 vs JSU (2 int by then backup QB/now 3rd string, 1 fumble) 4 vs UL Monroe (2 int by starter, 2 fumble)
- forced 6 turnovers...3 int and 3 fumble
- all 3 of ULM's touchdowns were short or quick drives...sacked our QB on the goal line he fumbled they recovered in endzone, second one was a 1 play 49 yard TD, and last one was a 3 play 65 yard drive in 57 seconds for score
- our punter has punted 5 times for a 45 yard avg and opponents have not had any returns...one punt went 70 yards so take that out and his avg is 38
- our kicker has 15 kickoffs with 11 touchbacks, 1 out of bounds and 3 returns. 2 of the 3 returns came out of the endzone and the remaining one landed at the 3.
- we've returned 5 kickoffs for a 21 yard avg. we've returned 7 punts for a 25 yard avg but that number is slightly skewed due to 1 return of 81 yards for a TD
- we've only sacked opposing qb twice while we've allowed our qb to be sacked 7 times
- defense allowing 19% on 3rd down conversions (5 of 26) and 2 of 3 on 4th down


Here's to a good game

There will probably be a battle of punters to see which one impresses more... this should give you something to look at if the game turns boring.

I think you will be well impressed by this Rice coaching staff. The defense is not great, but they seem to get a lot out of the talent, and this staff will adjust, and will adjust quickly. This Rice team will fight to the end.

USM 35, Rice 24.
As much as I want to, I can't predict a win until we begin winning, especially if our talent level is deemed below that of our opponent. Hope I'm wrong and we begin to turn the corner tomorrow.

We have improved from each previous game thus far. I am expecting that trend to continue this week.

(09-21-2018 03:23 PM)flash3200 Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 02:44 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Most of the people daring to pick Rice at all do so with tiny margins.

Be bold! We are going kick their ***!

With our lack of defensive prowess, I think our only way to beat someone is to win TOP and reduce the number of possessions in a game available to the opponent. Hard to blow-out even a wet paper bag if you only have 8 possessions a game.

You got it.

good luck tomorrow, my friends. I always enjoy a matchup of our 2.0 brethren.

Today’s pre-game video.

https://twitter.com/ricefootball/status/...16096?s=21

In Houston for the day... Anyone know of a Houston game-watching gathering?

(09-21-2018 04:13 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(09-21-2018 04:09 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Our defense did not play that badly against the UH twins. I think either UH would pound USM.

Giving up 43 and 45 points is "did not play that badly"?

Unprecedented.

We can be encouraged, optimistic and acknowledge that USM isnt that good, but lets be realistic about our own team too - 3rd last in Massey defensively. If this is not that bad, wonder what qualifies as bad.

Given the expectations/fears that were rampant before facing those two high powered offenses, I think the defense played better than most people expected. Some people were expecting a rout by halftime. Also, we were in both games to the end, and the offense did not do that alone.

I think the defense we had against UH will be strong enough to seriously slow down USM, Our offense should score. We win.

But there is a reason we play the games instead of poring over stats and taking a vote. I hope our guys prove me right. Do you differ?

(09-22-2018 10:52 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  In Houston for the day... Anyone know of a Houston game-watching gathering?

Duncan College (if you're on campus)

Jake's sports bar supports taking your device and hooking it up via hdmi to one of their TVs in the backroom if you call ahead. And of course based on availability. I am going to explore having watch parties there again later this year depending on interest, how the season goes, and if i get espn+, but i have obligations today and won't be able to do it.

(09-22-2018 11:20 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(09-22-2018 10:52 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  In Houston for the day... Anyone know of a Houston game-watching gathering?

Duncan College (if you're on campus)

Then that's where I'll be. Thanks!

(09-22-2018 01:47 PM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  

(09-22-2018 11:20 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(09-22-2018 10:52 AM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  In Houston for the day... Anyone know of a Houston game-watching gathering?

Duncan College (if you're on campus)

Then that's where I'll be. Thanks!

Question: How practical would it be to open the stadium or Tudor fieldhouse for away games? The summer movie series got me thinking about the possibilities.

The ESPN+ thingy has me rankled. They essentially gutted ESPN3, threw a new logo on the 'moving pile', and now market it for an upcost.