Rice is a club going through wholesale changes on both sides of the ball with the acquisition of new Head Coach Todd Graham this past off-season.
They're changing their philosophies on the defensive side of the ball, and forming what was once an option based attack on offense to a more pro style passing attack. It always takes time for a program to adjust to such major changes. Just take a look at Nebraska in its first year under HC Callahan if you don't believe me.
This might only be the first game of the season for the Houston Cougars, but it's a very important divisional game nonetheless. The Cougars belong to the CUSA Western division of which both Tulsa and UTEP reside. A win here today would put them on the fast track towards winning the division since they host both the Miners and Hurricane later on in the season.
Rice University is located in Houston, TX as well; so don't expect any sort of home field advantage for the Owls. Kevin Kolb and the Cougars mighty offense will just be too much for the Owls to keep up with in their first official game under the new regime.
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Houston -14.0
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