College Football Week 1 this afternoon and we will see the Rice Owls travel to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. The start time is 1:00 pm (Eastern) and the game will be televised on ESPN. Current Odds have Texas A&M listed as 27 point favorites, while the total sits at 67.
Analysis: Rice returns 18 starters and hopes to carry the momentum from last season, when it won its final five games and destroyed Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Offensively, Rice was highly effective a season ago, ranking fourth in C-USA in scoring (31.8 ppg) and yardage (421.1 ypg), and with the return of nine starters on that side of the ball, they should have another strong offensive showing this year. Taylor McHargue is one of the better dual-threat QB's in the nation, after throwing for 2,209 yards and running for 667 yards, while accounting for 23 total touchdowns. Running back Charles Ross is back after, gaining 800 yards a season ago on an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. The defense, among the nation's worst over the first half last year, made marked strides during the winning streak. This year 10 starters return to that group so even more improvements re on the way.
Year 2 in the SEC may not go as good as year one did, especially if Manziel is suspended for any length of time. No matter what I just don't see A&M having the same success as last year, because now teams have film on how to defend this unique offense that the SEC hadn't seen before. QB Manziel, who will sit out the first half of this game, returns after putting up 5.116 total yards, while amassing 47 touchdowns (26 passing) and directing an upset of national champion Alabama in Tuscaloosa.Wide receive, Mike Evans, is back for Manziel following a magnificent 82-catch, 1,105-yard freshman campaign. Lost in the shuffle of all the points that the Aggies put up last year was the fact that their defense was very good as well, allowing just 21.8 ppg and 390 ypg. This year the may find it hard to duplicate that as they have just 5 starters back and 4 of their top 6 tacklers, including DE Damontre Moore who led the team in tackles (85) and had 12 sacks last year. The defensive backfield is solid with Mathews and Everett teaming up to break up 13 pass last year, while combining for 114 tackles, 4 TFL and 2 INTs. Texas A&M has not lost a non-conference home game to an in-state opponent since September 1954 - the school's first game under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Pick: Going with the Aggies in this one. No Manziel will not play in the first half, but I expect highly touted Matt Joeckel to come in an have a good showing and then when Johnny comes back in he will look to have a big 2nd half, even if A&M is already up big. The Rice Owls will have a fine year in conference USA, but this is just not a good spot for them to keep the game close.
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