Houston / Rice - Thoughts?

[acehistr8]

Thoughts from our Texas brethren on this game?

Is Rice really good enough to warrant 9 points in this game?

Is Houston really that bad?

I'm leaning a play on Houston here but wanted to get some input.

 

[hellah10]

Houston is the worst fawking team ever...no wait..the 2nd worst ever right behind Georgia Tech....these guys cant cover...they cant hold on to a lead...they cant even wipe they own ass...Houston cost me bigg so many times last year. Be veryyyyy wierrryyyy of Houston....

 

[bjfinste]

i think in this particular spot, Houston at +8 is a solid play. But I do agree, Houston does suck. But I like them here.

 

[TCSN]

Houston is coming off a winless season & I expect to see them try their damn best to beat Rice as this is a game they can win outright.

They are quicker on defense, more athletic, & have great depth on the defensive line as this will be a strength for them this year & they might rotate 11-12 guys in this game.

Rice hasn't even covered this # in the last 3 meetings in this rivilary. Houston lost by 7 last year, by 3 in 2000, & won by 25 in 1999.

Rice also has only 4 starters back on each side of the ball. As you know they are an option team & the fact their offensive line is rebuilt doesn't help the cause.

 

[CrazyHorse]

Had this posted as one of my 3 leans on monday. Think TCSN hit the nail right on the head: If this were the line in the last 3 meetings Rice would not have covered any of them. Houston should be improved, even though I admit there is nowhere to go but up. And Rice does not return many starters so to me the line value is with Houston. I think their strength is their OL and WR corps, which I think will be problems for Rice who is extremely weak in their secondary. Also read where the Houston LB corps could be the most improved unit on the defense, and that should help with the Rice option. I will definitely make a play on the line and a small ML play. But also keep in mind that despite only winning by 7 last year the stats showed Rice shouldv'e won by more. They had 354 rush yds at a 5.1 yard per carry clip(sure hope HOU LB's are improved) and held Houston to 192 total yards. But I still look at it as Rice hasn't covered this # in the last 3 and (on paper) Houston should be improved and Rice should be a little weaker.

 

[Unicorn]

To use or lose...Northcoast's Power Sweep 4 star is Houston, and they've pretty good on those the last few years. Their reasoning was a lot of what was said in this thread. Mainly, a hungry Houston team looking to get off the snide, against a team they're comparible with. GLTA...

 

[hawkeye]

houston

 

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Took Hou(+8.5). Houston can't be much worse than last yr. And Rice is not a solid fav here. Young team, and program w/o great tradition.