Rice (0-0) vs. Texas (0-0), 7 p.m. on the Longhorn Network
On the line: Pride. This is the Longhorns’ first chance to get last season’s bitter taste out of their mouths. The game could serve as a barometer for how the rest of the season will go. Head coach Mack Brown admitted that after last year’s lackluster 34-17 win over Rice, he feared that his team might be lacking something. Texas fans will be keeping an eye on starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert, as well as the new offensive and defensive coordinators.
When Texas has the ball: Look for new co-offensive coordinators Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite to lean on the ground game early in order to control the ball and make sure Gilbert doesn’t have to do too much. When Gilbert does throw, he should have a selection of talented receivers to throw to, most notably Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley, the only true freshman starter on the team. Also of interest will be the debut of super frosh Malcolm Brown.
When Rice has the ball: Sophomore defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat praised Rice’s offense as “explosive,” adding, “They’ve got a great team, a great offense.” Jeffcoat and the rest of the front seven will have to keep track of the speedy Sam McGuffie, a former Michigan Wolverine who rushed for 883 yards last year, his first with Rice.
The Longhorns’ secondary could have its hands full with Owls quarterback Taylor McHargue, an adept passer and scrambler. In Rice’s two-game winning streak to end the 2010 season, McHargue threw for a combined 355 yards and four touchdowns and also added 155 yards on the ground.
Prediction: Texas has been too mad for too long to let this game get away. The Longhorns shouldn’t have too much trouble scoring on a Rice defense that allowed 29 points a game last season. The Owls’ up-tempo offense will put up a fight through the first quarter, but the game should be over by halftime.
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