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Schedule Game 1: N. Mexico St. Game 2: Arkansas Game 3: Rice Game 4: Tulane Game 5: K-State Game 6: Oklahoma Game 7: Iowa St. Game 8: Baylor Game 9: Nebraska Game 10: OSU Game 11: Texas Tech Game 12: Texas A&M Orange Bowl: vs. FSU • Index • Methodology • The Real Schedule • Talk UT Sports |
Breaking Down The Matchup
By Matt Thompson
Austin360
Rice Overview: The real Owls went 4-7 overall in 2002, 3-5 in the WAC.
A triple-option team, they don't look downfield all that often - indeed, their top two quarterbacks last year -- Kyle Herm and Greg Henderson -- combined to attempt just 151 passes on the season. (By contrast, Chris Simms alone put 396 up in the air.)
Both of those quarterbacks have returned, by the way. Also back is leading rusher Robbie Beck (608 yards in 2002) and top receiver Marcus Battle (26 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns).
In the real world, the team's had to deal with some unexpected defections, particularly in the defensive backfield, where starting safety John White, starting cornerback Jason Benjamin and Kevin Ford all bailed out before Spring Practice got underway.
The videogame version of the team had no such transfers, and hasn't suffered so badly on defense as a result, ranking a respectable 28th in the NCAA in yards against (166.3 yards per game) after a pair of games against service academies (wins over Navy and Air Force) and one against intra-conference foe UTEP (a 31-17 loss).
Henderson is the videogame version's starter (the opposite of the team's Spring depth chart, but why quibble?), with Herm playing backup under center.
Records and Rankings: Texas 3-0, No. 4 in coaches' poll, No. 3 in writers' poll; Rice 2-1, unranked in either poll.
Offensive Gameplan: I'm not anticipating much of a game, so I'm treating it like an extended scrimmage, especially at the quarterback position. Chance Mock starts and gets two series, Vincent Young comes in and gets two series and so forth. In the second half I'll defer more to Young, who needs more experience, but Mock will get some snaps then, as well.
I don't think they'll be able to stop Cedric Benson much at all, so he'll be pounding between the tackles all evening long. Expect Selvin Young -- who will not be suspended by me for his detention by authorities last weekend -- to get a decent amount of carries.
I'd also like to get Roy Williams more involved. He's been shut down a little, both by double-teams and my quarterbacks' shortcomings on the deep patterns he excels at.
Defensive Gameplan: Contain them on the option. Get up quickly so I can force them out of their comfort zone. Put more pressure on the quarterback and force a few more turnovers than we've been averaging.
Keys: I dunno - the bus gets there on time? Seriously, this isn't looking like much of a contest.
Outlook: Curse me if this is hubris, but - c'mon - this can't be much of a game. Can it?
On to The Game itself.
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» Bicycle Shops & Repair
» Boating
» Boat Dealers & Builders
» Boat Excursions & Charters
» Boat Repair & Detailing
» Boat Towing & Transporting
» Dock Builders
» Marinas & Storage
» Bowling
» Camps & Campgrounds
» Fishing Guides & Farms
» Fishing Tackle & Supplies
» Golf
» Guides
» Horse Boarding & Training
» Horse Saddlery & Supplies
» Ice Skating
» Martial Arts Instruction
» Recreation Centers
» Roller Skating
» Scuba Diving
» Shooting Ranges
» Skiing
» Skydiving & Parachuting
» Snowmobiles & ATVs
» Sports Clubs
» Sports Equipment
» Rental & Repair
» Sporting Goods Stores
» Sports Instruction
» Summer Camps
» Swimming
