OFFENSE

The Owls should again have a productive unit, even though they are making a switch under center. Sophomore Taylor McHargue moved past two-year starter Nick Fanuzzi, thanks to his ability to run and throw, and should give the Owls a little more diversity from their spread attack.

He has a passel of backs at his disposal, led by junior Sam McGuffie, who made his first year after transferring from Michigan count by rushing for 883 yards and scoring six times. Sophomores Jeremy Eddington and Turner Petersen are former prep quarterbacks who will run the Wild Owl quite well, and senior Tyler Smith is a reliable ball-carrier.

The Owl line has five returning starters once guard Eric Ball is healthy. He missed spring drills. Senior tackle Jake Hicks didn’t and is a mauler on the left side. Keshawn Carrington is a mobile center.

McHargue has plenty of targets with whom to work. Junior Luke Willson is a top-shelf tight end who gets up the seam well. Look for converted quarterback Taylor Cook, who goes 6'7", to make an impact at that spot, too. Leading the wideouts is big (6'5", 230) Vance McDonald, who is tough near the goal line. Sophomores Donte Moore and Klein Kubiak are also capable pass-catchers.
 

DEFENSE

Last year, the Owls were next-to-last nationally in pass defense, so they will abandon their Charmin-soft approach and press more on the outside. That means corners Chris Jammer and Phillip Gaines get to be more aggressive, and safeties Travis Bradshaw and Paul Porras along with hybrid Corey Frazier won’t be backing up immediately after the snap. Gaines, however, is facing some legal issues after his mid-April arrest for possession of marijuana.

After posting only 14 sacks last year, Rice needs to boost things up front, too. That may be tough if end Cody Bauer, who is expected to start, misses the year due to a knee injury. Dylan Klare hurt his shoulder during the spring, muddling the end picture more. Seniors John Gioffre and Michael Smith should handle the inside.

There is experience at the Owls’ two linebacker positions, thanks to the return of Trey Briggs, who missed the spring with an injury, and Justin Allen. Look for sophomore Cameron Nwosu and LSU transfer Kyle Prater to make impacts in reserve roles.

SPECIALISTS

Senior punter Kyle Martens averaged 46.0 yards per boot last year and put 22 of 52 tries inside the 20-yard line. He is a prime Ray Guy Award candidate. Sophomore Chris Boswell made a pedestrian 11-of-17 placement tries last year, but he was 6-of-10 from 40 or more yards and nailed a pair of 50-yarders. He has a big leg and should improve. Four different Owls suffered season-ending injuries returning kicks last year, so that job is open. Expect sophomore receiver Andy Erickson to get first crack at the jobs after showing well last year.

FINAL ANALYSIS

After losing 18 of their last 24 games, the Owls are looking for a turnaround. Three new coaches, a new quarterback and a different outlook on defending the pass should help. So should a hefty group of returnees on the offensive side of the ball.

Rice won its first bowl game in 54 years in 2008, but things haven’t gone so well since. Coach David Bailiff needs to shore up the defense to bring Rice back into Conference USA contention.