owl40
12-23-2013, 09:57 PM
Look forward to a good Liberty Bowl. Thought you would like a scouting report on Rice from Owl perspective. No smack talk..just some background as I'm sure Rice is not a program that many Miss St. fans know much about. Many Miss St. fans have gone over to Rice boards and have been posting info. I will say that all have been very friendly, informative, and civil. Most schools we play are not as classy (including one SEC school in Texas). It has been a pleasure to learn more about the State program and after this upcoming game, I think you have many Rice folks turned into Miss. St fans.
Overall, I understand that many are probably disappointed to play Rice as the upside of a W is not near the downside of a L. It probably feels equivalent to us playing a Sunbelt team in a bowl game. For us, it obviously helps our program to play a great program like Miss St. and start improving the brand of Rice football on the national stage. We have turned the corner as we are 16-4 in our last 20-games. Lots more talent than Rice teams of years past w/ guys now in NFL and many on this team who will get a shot as well.
Unfortunately, we could not control our schedule and played a lot of bad teams. It affected our rankings but good to see us get 33 votes for top-25 in most recent poll Poll w/ Jimbo Fisher voting us #19 and ahead of a lot of brand teams like Notre Dame, Nebraska, Va Tech, etc. who also received votes. For reference, we also got more than Bowling Green.
Here is how we breakdown by position
Offense
We run spread but want to run first, pass second. Will see a lot of zone read action and speed option. We use a lot of formations and confuse defenses to help open up holes. Owls ranked #16 in FBS in rushing and #7 in time of possession. Marshall found out that stacking the box proved problematic as we were able to execute on a few trick plays that changed complexion of game. Will also take a lot of shots down-the-field as teams load up to stop running game between the tackles. Our OC left for Kansas a couple weeks ago (he is from there and was on Mangino's staff earlier) and our Passing Coordinator/QB coach (Edmonson who coached at Miss. St in late-90's) will be calling the plays and auditioning for the OC job. So I do expect us to throw a bit more than we have shown earlier in season.
QB
Taylor McHargue (McH) is the starter and fifth-year senior. Solid, good kid who understands opposing defenses and calls a good game. He had a few bad games early where his decision making was a bit suspect, however, over past few months, it has improved. Not a 4.4 guy but fast and mobile enough to make plays with feet. Driphius Jackson (DJ) will get snaps and is future at QB. Quick and mobile but still a bit raw. Most Owl fans would like to see him get more involved as he has been hurt the last month or so. Was MVP of Armed Forces Bowl last year. Luke Turner is big kid who is former HS QB and will run the Wild Owl (Wildcat) package and won MVP for C-USA championship game.
RB
Four guys (Ross, Dillard, Turner, and Davis) will likely get touches. Ross is the best of the group and leading rusher w/ over 1000 yards and 15+ TD's. Big (240 lbs) who runs strong and patient but also has 4.5 speed. Unfortunately, the fifth guy in that group, Turner Petersen, got hurt in last regular season game which is loss for Owls as he is big guy who also catches balls out of backfield and is team leader. Davis is shifty true frosh who looks like he will be a good one.
WR
Jordan Taylor is the class of the group. Has four Sportscenter top-10 plays in last two-seasons. Makes plays and will line-up in different spots. Other guys (Parks, Moore) are fast to keep defenses honest. Moore has 4.3 speed but not shown the hands to match the feet. Parks has emerged of late with some nice plays and go-to-guy when Taylor is being double-covered.
TE
A big strength last season as the two primary guys are both now in the NFL (Willson on Seahawks and McDonald on 49ers). Young guy (Celia) and converted RB (Eddington) are there now. Have not done much this year.
OL
Historically a weakness for Rice and finally passing the eye test. Much improved from last year. Have played together and come together as unit. All big (300 lbs average).
Defense
Rice runs 4-2-5 and has graduated from a bad D to now has a D ranked #24 in FBS. Not going to make them out to be anything close to what you have already seen (we recognize the offenses they have been going against) but arguably the biggest improvement for the team. They play hard and are especially good at getting off-the-field on Third Down (16th in country). Only point this out as it seems to be weakness for Miss St ranked around 90th?.so assuming you are not running up/down field on first/second down.this could be important.
DL
Two best DL are lost (Shahin and Moustanef). Covington is all C-USA guy and class of group . A bit undersized. Bauer on DE is a playmaker. Group is thin but has played hard. Would not be surprised to see you try to line-up and run it straight at us.
LB
Average as best, All-CUSA LB (Nwosu) has redshirted after knee surgery. Others have stepped-in (Radcliffe, Elder, Lyons, Kutzler) and play hard but not a 'dominate' area
DB's
The strength of the D. Both CB's will get NFL looks (Callahan and Gaines). Gaines was pre-season player of year in C-USA. They will lock down on outside. The safeties are decent but have been known to get beat deep/over-the-top. Porras is best tackler but in schemes, Rice safeties find themselves in man covering faster receivers and 4.6 cannot cover 4.4?so getting QB pressure will be important.
Special Teams
Punting has been a pleasant surprise this season w/ Farrimond. Coverage teams are much improved but nothing special. Return teams have not shown anything special. The strength of the group is at kicker. Boswell has NCAA record for most FG's greater than 50-yards. Amazing leg. All kickoffs will be touchbacks unless designed otherwise. Will get a shot to kick on Sunday. If you have not seen his Sportscenter on-side kick, YouTube it...lots now trying to do it as well.
Coaching/Intangibles
Bailiff is in year-7. He is a likable guy, gets Rice, graduates almost 100% of his players, and finally is winning. Many Owl fans still criticize in-game adjustments, preparation, and the 'killer' instinct and 'hard' edge that he does not bring but overall things are improving. We don't turn ball over much. When we do, we let crappy teams play us close (UAB) or lose (Houston) and when we don't we have blown people out (Marshall, La Tech, UTEP). This will be the key to the game. We are a completely different team when losing vs. winning turnovers. Have had some stupid penalties this year which is uncharacteristic.
We get criticized for travel but that is not true for bowl games. Last year we sold more tickets for our bowl game than any other team in C-USA. We put over 50K in the Texas Bowl vs. a MAC team a few years ago. We will clearly be in the minority on New Years Eve, but we should have ok turnout. So far, ticket sales are a bit below expectations as getting to Ft. Worth, Houston, and New Orleans (prior three bowl games) is a bit easier/cheaper than Memphis but we will have a vocal minority there. There is plenty of excitement for Rice football and been decades since that has been the case. All at Rice looking to build a program that gets mentioned in same breath as Stanford, Duke, Vandy, and Northwestern as we see those as our 'peer' schools. Look forward to a great game.
Overall, I understand that many are probably disappointed to play Rice as the upside of a W is not near the downside of a L. It probably feels equivalent to us playing a Sunbelt team in a bowl game. For us, it obviously helps our program to play a great program like Miss St. and start improving the brand of Rice football on the national stage. We have turned the corner as we are 16-4 in our last 20-games. Lots more talent than Rice teams of years past w/ guys now in NFL and many on this team who will get a shot as well.
Unfortunately, we could not control our schedule and played a lot of bad teams. It affected our rankings but good to see us get 33 votes for top-25 in most recent poll Poll w/ Jimbo Fisher voting us #19 and ahead of a lot of brand teams like Notre Dame, Nebraska, Va Tech, etc. who also received votes. For reference, we also got more than Bowling Green.
Here is how we breakdown by position
Offense
We run spread but want to run first, pass second. Will see a lot of zone read action and speed option. We use a lot of formations and confuse defenses to help open up holes. Owls ranked #16 in FBS in rushing and #7 in time of possession. Marshall found out that stacking the box proved problematic as we were able to execute on a few trick plays that changed complexion of game. Will also take a lot of shots down-the-field as teams load up to stop running game between the tackles. Our OC left for Kansas a couple weeks ago (he is from there and was on Mangino's staff earlier) and our Passing Coordinator/QB coach (Edmonson who coached at Miss. St in late-90's) will be calling the plays and auditioning for the OC job. So I do expect us to throw a bit more than we have shown earlier in season.
QB
Taylor McHargue (McH) is the starter and fifth-year senior. Solid, good kid who understands opposing defenses and calls a good game. He had a few bad games early where his decision making was a bit suspect, however, over past few months, it has improved. Not a 4.4 guy but fast and mobile enough to make plays with feet. Driphius Jackson (DJ) will get snaps and is future at QB. Quick and mobile but still a bit raw. Most Owl fans would like to see him get more involved as he has been hurt the last month or so. Was MVP of Armed Forces Bowl last year. Luke Turner is big kid who is former HS QB and will run the Wild Owl (Wildcat) package and won MVP for C-USA championship game.
RB
Four guys (Ross, Dillard, Turner, and Davis) will likely get touches. Ross is the best of the group and leading rusher w/ over 1000 yards and 15+ TD's. Big (240 lbs) who runs strong and patient but also has 4.5 speed. Unfortunately, the fifth guy in that group, Turner Petersen, got hurt in last regular season game which is loss for Owls as he is big guy who also catches balls out of backfield and is team leader. Davis is shifty true frosh who looks like he will be a good one.
WR
Jordan Taylor is the class of the group. Has four Sportscenter top-10 plays in last two-seasons. Makes plays and will line-up in different spots. Other guys (Parks, Moore) are fast to keep defenses honest. Moore has 4.3 speed but not shown the hands to match the feet. Parks has emerged of late with some nice plays and go-to-guy when Taylor is being double-covered.
TE
A big strength last season as the two primary guys are both now in the NFL (Willson on Seahawks and McDonald on 49ers). Young guy (Celia) and converted RB (Eddington) are there now. Have not done much this year.
OL
Historically a weakness for Rice and finally passing the eye test. Much improved from last year. Have played together and come together as unit. All big (300 lbs average).
Defense
Rice runs 4-2-5 and has graduated from a bad D to now has a D ranked #24 in FBS. Not going to make them out to be anything close to what you have already seen (we recognize the offenses they have been going against) but arguably the biggest improvement for the team. They play hard and are especially good at getting off-the-field on Third Down (16th in country). Only point this out as it seems to be weakness for Miss St ranked around 90th?.so assuming you are not running up/down field on first/second down.this could be important.
DL
Two best DL are lost (Shahin and Moustanef). Covington is all C-USA guy and class of group . A bit undersized. Bauer on DE is a playmaker. Group is thin but has played hard. Would not be surprised to see you try to line-up and run it straight at us.
LB
Average as best, All-CUSA LB (Nwosu) has redshirted after knee surgery. Others have stepped-in (Radcliffe, Elder, Lyons, Kutzler) and play hard but not a 'dominate' area
DB's
The strength of the D. Both CB's will get NFL looks (Callahan and Gaines). Gaines was pre-season player of year in C-USA. They will lock down on outside. The safeties are decent but have been known to get beat deep/over-the-top. Porras is best tackler but in schemes, Rice safeties find themselves in man covering faster receivers and 4.6 cannot cover 4.4?so getting QB pressure will be important.
Special Teams
Punting has been a pleasant surprise this season w/ Farrimond. Coverage teams are much improved but nothing special. Return teams have not shown anything special. The strength of the group is at kicker. Boswell has NCAA record for most FG's greater than 50-yards. Amazing leg. All kickoffs will be touchbacks unless designed otherwise. Will get a shot to kick on Sunday. If you have not seen his Sportscenter on-side kick, YouTube it...lots now trying to do it as well.
Coaching/Intangibles
Bailiff is in year-7. He is a likable guy, gets Rice, graduates almost 100% of his players, and finally is winning. Many Owl fans still criticize in-game adjustments, preparation, and the 'killer' instinct and 'hard' edge that he does not bring but overall things are improving. We don't turn ball over much. When we do, we let crappy teams play us close (UAB) or lose (Houston) and when we don't we have blown people out (Marshall, La Tech, UTEP). This will be the key to the game. We are a completely different team when losing vs. winning turnovers. Have had some stupid penalties this year which is uncharacteristic.
We get criticized for travel but that is not true for bowl games. Last year we sold more tickets for our bowl game than any other team in C-USA. We put over 50K in the Texas Bowl vs. a MAC team a few years ago. We will clearly be in the minority on New Years Eve, but we should have ok turnout. So far, ticket sales are a bit below expectations as getting to Ft. Worth, Houston, and New Orleans (prior three bowl games) is a bit easier/cheaper than Memphis but we will have a vocal minority there. There is plenty of excitement for Rice football and been decades since that has been the case. All at Rice looking to build a program that gets mentioned in same breath as Stanford, Duke, Vandy, and Northwestern as we see those as our 'peer' schools. Look forward to a great game.