jimmythegreek
The opening odds start here
Baylor -26 over Rice:
After a bye week, Baylor (2-0) visits Rice (0-3) continuing non conference play. The Bears on the strength of Charlie Brewer (12/16 163 3 TD) and 5 rushing scores from as many RB's throttled UTSA 63-14 a couple of weeks back at McLane Stadium. Baylor rushed for 368 yards and nearly 10 yards per carry led by Gerry Bohanon (7-93 13.3 1 TD) and Trestan Ebner (4-76 19.0). Denzel Mims (7-101) was the proud recipient of all of Brewer's TD passes as the Bears built a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised all game long. Baylor's defense also sacked Roadrunners QB Frank Harris (15/24 93) 5 times, including 2 from Clay Johnston, and forced 3 turnovers. No UTSA receiver amassed more than 23 yards, and Sincere McCormick (12-87 7.3 2 TD) provided all the offense. Last week Rice was obliterated by Texas 48-13 thanks to 509 total Longhorns offense and Sam Ehlinger (23/27 279 3 TD). 2 of them to Jake Smith (6-75). Keanotay Smith (13-74 5.7 2 TD) led a balanced rushing attack, while the defense sacked Tom Stewart (12/23 179 2 TD) 4 times. Texas came out a lot more aggressive than Rice's more laid back conservative tempo and failed to get the job done on defense.
Brewer (33/47 362 6 TD) is off to quite the efficient start through the first 2 games of this, his junior season. He's also fortunate to lean on a solid offensive line and a rushing attack that has produced 9 TD's thus far, and a dual headed monster featuring Bohanon (13-177 13.6 1 TD) and John Lovett (17-177 10.4 1 TD). Denzel Mims (12-147 3 TD) and RJ Sneed (8-97 2 TD) are a productive combination that thrive as Brewer's top 2 targets, making this offense look extremely versatile and potentially dangerous once Big 12 play does commence. That's not very good news for this Rice defense, which has allowed nearly 35 points per contest while Baylor outputted nearly 60 per thus far. After an inspired showing against Army which nearly resulted in a surprising upset, much of the focus has reverted back to previous seasons where the Owls have been unable to stop anybody. The stoppage of the run will be especially challenging, as DT Myles Adams and LB Antonio Montero will have their hands full. Rice allows 201 yards on the ground per contest, ranking just 112th in the nation while Baylor's rushing attack produces 318 and is sure to maintain or improve on their top 5 ranking. The offensive line will make holes big enough to drive trucks through, so I fully expect these running backs to be in for a big game.
If calling this Owls offense conservative is an understatement, so be it. Rice has scored just 16 points per game, and their average of 283 is 127th overall. That's not going to get it done against this Baylor bunch. Granted, the Bears' two opponents have been considered cupcakes early in SFA and UTSA, but there's no real further test that comes into play here. Stewart (31/53 364 3 TD) like Brewer, hasn't put up earth shattering numbers, but the pace of Rice is more methodical and in don't break mode. Aston Walter (42-170 4.0 1 TD) has been just mediocre to date and Stewart doesn't have much scrambling ability despite rushing for a score himself. Austin Trammell (16-204 1 TD) and Brad Rozner (8-150 1 TD) do have playmaking ability and have produced some key receptions in order to move along the Owl's offense, but again we stress even keeping up toe to toe with Baylor won't be desired nor likely according to Mike Bloomgren's style. It remains to be seen how efficient Baylor's defense is due to not much testing against early, Matt Rhule has gone to a three man front that has so far paid dividends. Junior Blake Lynch is versatile showing the ability to play both DT and DE. Johnston leads a veteran LB bunch and there's plenty of speed in the secondary to contend with for the opposition. The Bears have been especially instrumental against the pass giving up just 260 total passing yards, 8th in the country.
The on the field contrast between these two teams heavily favors high powered Baylor, who will look to overpower Rice with a high powered rushing attack and Brewer who continues to show maturity and poise in the pocket. As long as he doesn't make mistakes, Rice will be in for another long afternoon. You can only prosper for so long keeping Baylor's offense off the field with not providing much of a contrasting punch, and I see the Bears cruising to another lopsided victory even as a near 4 TD favorite deep in the heart of Houston.
I'll have a second week 4 play up shortly.
After a bye week, Baylor (2-0) visits Rice (0-3) continuing non conference play. The Bears on the strength of Charlie Brewer (12/16 163 3 TD) and 5 rushing scores from as many RB's throttled UTSA 63-14 a couple of weeks back at McLane Stadium. Baylor rushed for 368 yards and nearly 10 yards per carry led by Gerry Bohanon (7-93 13.3 1 TD) and Trestan Ebner (4-76 19.0). Denzel Mims (7-101) was the proud recipient of all of Brewer's TD passes as the Bears built a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised all game long. Baylor's defense also sacked Roadrunners QB Frank Harris (15/24 93) 5 times, including 2 from Clay Johnston, and forced 3 turnovers. No UTSA receiver amassed more than 23 yards, and Sincere McCormick (12-87 7.3 2 TD) provided all the offense. Last week Rice was obliterated by Texas 48-13 thanks to 509 total Longhorns offense and Sam Ehlinger (23/27 279 3 TD). 2 of them to Jake Smith (6-75). Keanotay Smith (13-74 5.7 2 TD) led a balanced rushing attack, while the defense sacked Tom Stewart (12/23 179 2 TD) 4 times. Texas came out a lot more aggressive than Rice's more laid back conservative tempo and failed to get the job done on defense.
Brewer (33/47 362 6 TD) is off to quite the efficient start through the first 2 games of this, his junior season. He's also fortunate to lean on a solid offensive line and a rushing attack that has produced 9 TD's thus far, and a dual headed monster featuring Bohanon (13-177 13.6 1 TD) and John Lovett (17-177 10.4 1 TD). Denzel Mims (12-147 3 TD) and RJ Sneed (8-97 2 TD) are a productive combination that thrive as Brewer's top 2 targets, making this offense look extremely versatile and potentially dangerous once Big 12 play does commence. That's not very good news for this Rice defense, which has allowed nearly 35 points per contest while Baylor outputted nearly 60 per thus far. After an inspired showing against Army which nearly resulted in a surprising upset, much of the focus has reverted back to previous seasons where the Owls have been unable to stop anybody. The stoppage of the run will be especially challenging, as DT Myles Adams and LB Antonio Montero will have their hands full. Rice allows 201 yards on the ground per contest, ranking just 112th in the nation while Baylor's rushing attack produces 318 and is sure to maintain or improve on their top 5 ranking. The offensive line will make holes big enough to drive trucks through, so I fully expect these running backs to be in for a big game.
If calling this Owls offense conservative is an understatement, so be it. Rice has scored just 16 points per game, and their average of 283 is 127th overall. That's not going to get it done against this Baylor bunch. Granted, the Bears' two opponents have been considered cupcakes early in SFA and UTSA, but there's no real further test that comes into play here. Stewart (31/53 364 3 TD) like Brewer, hasn't put up earth shattering numbers, but the pace of Rice is more methodical and in don't break mode. Aston Walter (42-170 4.0 1 TD) has been just mediocre to date and Stewart doesn't have much scrambling ability despite rushing for a score himself. Austin Trammell (16-204 1 TD) and Brad Rozner (8-150 1 TD) do have playmaking ability and have produced some key receptions in order to move along the Owl's offense, but again we stress even keeping up toe to toe with Baylor won't be desired nor likely according to Mike Bloomgren's style. It remains to be seen how efficient Baylor's defense is due to not much testing against early, Matt Rhule has gone to a three man front that has so far paid dividends. Junior Blake Lynch is versatile showing the ability to play both DT and DE. Johnston leads a veteran LB bunch and there's plenty of speed in the secondary to contend with for the opposition. The Bears have been especially instrumental against the pass giving up just 260 total passing yards, 8th in the country.
The on the field contrast between these two teams heavily favors high powered Baylor, who will look to overpower Rice with a high powered rushing attack and Brewer who continues to show maturity and poise in the pocket. As long as he doesn't make mistakes, Rice will be in for another long afternoon. You can only prosper for so long keeping Baylor's offense off the field with not providing much of a contrasting punch, and I see the Bears cruising to another lopsided victory even as a near 4 TD favorite deep in the heart of Houston.
I'll have a second week 4 play up shortly.