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The defensive side of the ball will need to make tremendous strides if Rice wants to return to a bowl game. Opponents gashed this defense for over 43 points/game and 464 total yards. They had a hard time stopping both the run and pass. Nine starters are back for defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach and this should be one of the most improved defenses in the conference. DE Cheta Ozougwu is a difference maker in the trenches and accounted for 10.5 tackles for loss in 09'. Scott Solomon lines up opposite of Ozougwu. He contributed 6.5 sacks a season ago and was third on the team in tackles with 63. LB Travis Bradshaw actually led the Owls in tackles with 121. That was almost double the amount of tackles collected by departed FS Andrew Sendejo (64). Justin Hill returns to start at the other outside backer position. The secondary should be much improved with their 7 of their top 8 returning. Chris Jones has to replace Sendejo at free safety and this is a position to keep an eye on. Chris Boswell takes over the field goal kicking duties following a red shirt season. He had a decorated high school career in Texas connecting on 39-43 field goals and not missing an extra point.
Rice will play their opener in Reliant Stadium against the Texas Longhorns. The Mean Green of North Texas will host the Owls in Week 2. Three straight home games follow with games vs. Baylor, Northwestern and their conference opener against SMU on Oct. 2nd. The Bayou Bucket will go down on Oct. 16th when Houston hosts Rice. These two schools are just over 6 miles apart and have played each other since 1974. They begin a three game road trip the following week that could play a large role on how their season plays out. I predict a 5-7 finish for the Owls.