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Rice Football 2023 Game Preview: Tulsa

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Rice football visits Tulsa in an important conference game on Thursday. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

It was a good time for a bye for both Rice football and Tulsa. The Owls and Golden Hurricanes both fell to .500 last time out with Rice dropping a home game to UConn and Tulsa losing at Florida Atlantic. Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s matchup between Rice and Tulsa.

Kickoff time | 6:00 PM CT
Venue | Chapman Stadium – Tulsa, OK
TV | ESPN+ (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Audio / Visual Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs Tulsa on this week’s episode of the Blue and Gray Preview Show, streaming live on Wednesday at Noon on the Rice Athletics YouTube channel. Look for a recap of the game on the site afterward as well as on The Roost Podcast, which should be released early next week.

Sizing up the contenders

The middle of the pack is expansive in the AAC standings right now with Rice and Tulsa each sitting squarely in the midst of the mess. With games upcoming against some of the conference’s more formidable opponents, this midweek, prime-time matchup will be a golden opportunity to get back above .500 and notch a conference win before the games get tougher. It might not actually be a must-win for bowl hopes, but it sure feels like it for both sides.

Series History

All Time | Tulsa leads, 10-8-1
Last Five | Tulsa leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Away 2013, Rice won 30-27

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Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Daniels – 131/206 (63.6 percent), 1831 yards, 15 TD, 5 INT
Rushing | Connors – 51 carries, 180 yards (4.4 yards per carry), 1 TD / Otoviano – 38 carries, 127 yards (3.3 yards per carry), 2 TD
Receiving | McCaffrey – 30 receptions, 514 yards (17.1 yds/rec), 6 TDs / MacNeill – 18 receptions, 236 yards (13.1 yds/rec), 2 TD
Tackles | Wyatt – 43 / Conti, Morrison – 38 / Taylor – 32
Pass Breakups | Fresch, Taylor – 5 / Wyatt, Jean – 3
Interceptions | Devones, Conti – 1

Tulsa Stat Notables

Passing | Williams – 62/102 (60.8 percent), 955 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT
Rushing | Watkins – 93 carries, 367 yards (3.9 yards per carry), 2 TD / Ford – 58 carries, 240 yards (4.1 ypc), 1 TD
Receiving | Williams – 19 receptions, 274 yards (14.4 yards per reception), 2  TD / Shoulders – 16 receptions, 283 yards (17.7 yds/rec), 5 TD
Tackles | Ray – 56 / Simon – 30 / Oliver – 28
Pass Breakups | Oliver – 4 / Kulkin – 3 / Seven others tied with 1
Interceptions | Oliver – 3 / Four others tied with 1

Tulsa X-Factor | Keep moving the sticks

Tulsa leads the AAC with a blistering 46.7 percent conversion rate on third down, a mark that ranks among the best rates nationally. It’s been imperative for this team to be that efficient on offense, given a defense that has been vulnerable to the big play. So far this season, they’ve more or less delivered on their side of the bargain even without compiling as many points as they might have hoped.

Improving their time of possession, which is currently in the middle of the pack among AAC teams, would be nice, but continuing to rack up first downs is what will allow this team to be productive on both sides of the ball. In this game, it would also keep the Owls’ offense on the sideline, something that would absolutely be in the Golden Hurricanes’ best interest.

Rice X-Factor | Protect the football, please

Everything was going according to plan until a four-turnover disaster for Rice football last time out against UConn. The Owls had given the ball away six times all season, the second-fewest in the AAC, prior to that game. Had it not been for the myriad of mistakes, they probably would have beaten the Huskies and the discourse surrounding this team is different. 

Thus, holding onto the football because the unmistakable focal point for the team this week. Winning on the road is hard enough when you’re spotting opponents extra possessions. The good version of this team can probably overcome a mistake here or there, but the erratic version the Owls are currently fielding as they work through consistency issues simply has to hold on to the rock.

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One Final Thing

Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren is oft to say something to this effect: things are never as good as you think they are or as bad as you think they are. While it’s hard to see the optimistic, glass-half-full perspective coming off the loss to UConn, the underlying capabilities of this team don’t feel drastically different than they were two weeks ago.

JT Daniels is still the quarterback, and now he’s two weeks healthier than he was in that disastrous game. Luke McCaffrey is still poised for a ridiculous, clutch play at any moment. With both of those advantages, even more moderate improvements from the special teams and the defense should be enough to give Rice a chance against whoever lines up against them in the coming weeks.

Games like they played against UConn sap the faith of the fanbase, deservedly so. There’s no denying trust has to be rebuilt as the team begins the second half of their season.

Tulsa is far from the best the AAC has to offer, making this week’s test particularly important. If the team can find a way to win this one on the road, regardless of how impressive the victory looks, they’ll restore some of that faith and prove they can dictate, to some extent, their path in the AAC this season. But they’ve got to prove it first. 

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AAC Football 2023: Week 7 Roundup

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AAC Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 7.

Team Record  This Week Result Up Next
Charlotte 1-5 (o-2) vs Navy L, 14-0 at ECU
ECU 1-5 (0-2) vs SMU L, 31-10 vs Charlotte
FAU 3-3 (2-0) vs USF W, 56-14 vs UTSA
Memphis 4-2 (1-1) vs Tulane L, 31-21 at UAB
Navy 3-3 (2-2) at Charlotte W, 14-0 vs Air Force
North Texas 3-3 (1-1) vs Temple W, 45-14 at Tulane
Rice 3-3 (1-1)  —  — at Tulsa
SMU 4-2 (2-0) at ECU W, 31-10 at Temple
Temple 2-4 (0-3) at North Texas L, 41-14 vs SMU
Tulane 5-1 (2-0) at Memphis W, 31-21 vs North Texas
Tulsa 3-3 (1-1)  —  — vs Rice
UAB 2-4 (1-2) at UTSA L, 41-20 vs Memphis
USF 3-4 (2-2) at FAU L, 56-14 at UConn
UTSA 2-3 (2-0) vs UAB W, 41-20 at FAU

Notable Results (Standings)

The wave roll

Tulane edged out Memphis in a battle of AAC heavyweights on Friday night, outlasting the Tigers in a very close game, proving the Green Wave is still the team to beat in this league until further notice. That said, the performance from the Tigers was impressive. If they continue to play that well, a rematch in a few months is well within the range of possibilities.

The usual suspects

As recently as a few weeks ago, there looked to be some upheaval near the top of the standings. Entering the second half, though, it’s a not-so-surprising cast at the top of the standings. Tulane, SMU, FAU and UTSA are all undefeated in conference play. Add in Memphis, whose only loss was the aforementioned nailbiter to Tulane, and you have the top five teams of the AAC preseason media poll.

Charlotte is down bad

The 49ers became the first AAC team to be shut out this season, failing to score any points against Navy. The conference has faced a rigorous nonconference slate, but to this point, every team in the AAC had scored at least some points in each game… until Charlotte delivered the first goose egg. It was always going to be a tough transition for Biff Poggi in year one, but it’s looking even more arduous now.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

Finding the true contenders

At times it’s felt as if UTSA and FAU have had to scratch and claw their way to their respective 3-3 starts to the season. Tough schedules, injuries and poor play have taken some wind out of their respective sails, but both remain alive in the conference title hunt. Even though a loss wouldn’t be a full disqualifier, a win in their upcoming matchup next weekend would keep those aspirations alive.

Sifting through the middle

Rice and Tulsa sit smack dab in the middle of the conference standings at 1-1. They’ve both delivered more impressive outings than the winless teams (Charlotte, ECU and Temple), but they lack the consistency of some of the leagues’ better squads. This feels like a fairly even fight that could boost the winner ever so slightly and help keep bowl dreams alive.

Bottom Bowl

Charlotte and ECU were at the bottom of our midseason power rankings going into the weekend and that’s where they’ll stay until they show some life. That proof could come this week when they face each other in a battle that will likely be the best shot for either of these squads to claim a conference win this season.



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2023 Midseason AAC Football Power Rankings

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Half of the 2023 season is in the books and hierarchies are starting to form in the AAC Football standings. Which teams have separated themselves from the rest so far?

At the risk of stirring the pot, I’m releasing my weekly AAC Football power rankings at roughly the midseason mark, complete with some comments explaining my rationale. The top three spots feel pretty chalky, as do the bottom two. Ranks four through 12, on the other hand, were a mess to sort through. It’s one big middle class as we reach the midway point of the season.

1. Tulane

No Michael Pratt? No problem. The defending AAC champs held serve without their star quarterback on the field, potentially missing out on an upset against Ole Miss, but keeping their conference aspirations intact. They’re the frontrunner until someone can knock them off their perch.

2. Memphis

The only blemish on an otherwise sterling resume for the Tigers was a road loss against a very good Missouri team that entered the weekend 5-0. The Tigers look like a complete team and rank in the top three in the conference in scoring offense and scoring defense.

3. SMU

The Mustangs have more or less held serve through their first five games with their only losses coming against Power 5 opponents, Oklahoma and TCU. They might not be tested for a while longer, but they’ve looked the part thus far, even if its come against the likes of ECU.

4. UTSA

UTSA jumped up in these rankings this week by earning their first AAC win. With a healthy Frank Harris at quarterback, they’ll be able to trade touchdowns with anyone. It’s the defense that has question marks. The Roadrunners don’t look to be the same team they’ve been in years past, but they’re 1-0 in league play.

5. USF

There’s no doubt USF was playing ahead of schedule through their first five games. The Bulls hung with Alabama and won their first conference games of the year shortly after, but a blowout loss to UAB proves they have work to do. That said, the upside is evident.

6. Rice

The only AAC team with a Power 5 win, Rice checks in at six because the Owls’ lows have been as bad as their highs have been good. A loss to a previously winless UConn team at home as a double-digit favorite doesn’t erase the upset win over Houston, but it does lead to some questions regarding which version of this team will show up each week.

7. FAU

FAU kept their season alive with a win over Tulsa this weekend, but an injury to quarterback Casey Thompson earlier in the year keeps realistic expectations in check. They’ve got talent, but it’s going to be an uphill climb with a backup quarterback.

8. Navy

The Midshipmen notched their first AAC win under new head coach Brian Newberry, beating North Texas, but they also looked feisty against USF and Memphis. The defense is a liability at the moment, but the triple option is humming and should help them rack up at least a few more wins.

9. Tulsa

Tulsa is .500, which isn’t all that bad for their first year under head coach Kevin Wilson, but they don’t have any quality wins so far, posting victories over Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Northern Illinois and Temple. A win over Rice in their next game would be their best of the year, but its not as if the Owls have separated themselves too much from the pack.

10. UAB

Beating USF, one of the conference’s more impressive teams thus far, earned UAB some kudos this week, but it isn’t enough to erase a season that has been largely underwhelming. The Blazers have received more attention for the sideline antics of head coach Trent Dilfer than their wins, something that has to change for them to climb this list.

11. Temple

The offense is exciting. The defense is not. All that separates Temple from the team directly behind them in this rankings is more productive quarterback play. The Owls’ EJ Warner is third in the conference with 1,741 passing yards and second with 12 touchdown passes. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been enough to lead to wins.

12. North Texas

Just like Temple, North Texas is a team with a fun offense and not much to speak of on the other side of the ball. The Mean Green are allowing 39.8 points per game on defense, the worst mark in the AAC. It’s going to be hard for quarterback Chandler Morris to overcome that, even though he’s generally played well.

13. ECU

The departure of star quarterback Holton Ehlers has sent shockwaves through the ECU offense which remains dysfunctional through the first half of the season. Winners of eight games a year ago, the Pirates will be lucky to reach bowl eligibility at all after a terrible 1-5 start.

14. Charlotte

Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi was irate at AAC Media Days and scolded the assembled media for picking the 49ers to finish last in the league. Here we are halfway through the season and Poggi has already had at least one explosive postgame presser while his team ranks… last in the conference.



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Rice Football 2023: State of the Special Teams Practice Report

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Rice football is off this week with plenty to address on special teams before heading to Tulsa. Here’s what we learned from practice this week.

Practice marches on for Rice football through the bye week. Rather than jam everything into a length report heading into game week, we’re going to split things up and address a topic that’s front of mind first: special teams.

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What did head coach Mike Bloomgren and special teams coordinator Pete Alamar have to say about the state of the unit? Let’s dig in.

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First, the disclaimers

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“This is Who We Are”: Rice Football wrestles with inconsistency

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Wildly inconsistent from week to week, Rice football enters the bye week in search of a steadiness that has eluded this program thus far in 2023.

It would prove challenging to find many college football teams more inconsistent than the 2023 Rice Owls, who suffered the ying to a previous yang on Saturday with a disappointing loss to the previously winless UConn Huskies. Rice football was a 10-point favorite. They lost by seven in a game in which they committed four turnovers, missed a field goal and turned it over on downs once.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren didn’t shy away from the painful reality. “This is who we are. We are a 3-3 football team who’s 1-1 in our conference with six games ahead of us, all conference games,” he said. “We can when them all. If we do things to beat ourselves like we did today, we won’t. That’s factual.”

Whether or not one buys into Bloomgren’s assertion of the road ahead, it’s undeniably true the path to get there has been uneven, to say the least. Rice is the only team in the AAC with a Power 5 victory this season. They’re also the only team to lose to UConn. Owning both mantles simultaneously creates a dissonance that is still reverberating around South Main.

In the early years of the Bloomgren era, getting the team to play up to their potential was the primary challenge. Eventually, though, they began to reach those apex moments, posting big wins over UAB (twice) and an undefeated, Top 15 Marshall squad. Now that those peaks have been reached, the challenge has remained staying on the mountain.

As Bloomgren acknowledged, this is too often a team that beats itself. Since Bloomgren arrived, Rice is 7-5 as a home favorite, seventh worst in FBS football. Limiting that scope to the 2022 and 2023 season, when this team started to come into its own, Rice is 4-2. Oddly enough, Rice’s 3-1 record since 2022 as a home underdog is the second-best mark in the nation among teams that have played four such games.

More: Mistakes doom Rice Football vs winless UConn

Is it the pressure? A lack of focus? No obvious throughlines underscore these erratic moments. Sometimes it’s the defense. Sometimes it’s the offense. On Saturday against UConn, the biggest culprit was probably the special teams.

“I knew for this to transpire there would have to be events done by the Rice Owls to allow it to,” Bloomgren said.”

Until further notice, it’s time to take Bloomgren at his word. This is who the Rice Owls are. They’re a team capable of posting the most impressive win in the conference on any given week and a team capable of floundering as a double-digit favorite. They’re both at once, and it’s maddening.

The real question now is how will this team respond.

“Everything that we want out of this year is still attainable and in our control ahead of us,” team captain Myron Morrison said on Saturday. “I don’t think what happened today is necessarily the story of our team this year, but it definitely is a time and a wake-up call to show what we need to fix to accomplish what we want to accomplish because it’s all still there.”

Rice needs three more wins to secure a bowl trip for the second consecutive season, a feat that has only happened twice in program history, dating back now 110 seasons. There’s that mountain top, again.

Getting there would do a lot to quell frustrations stemming from this zig-zag season, but it’s going to take the good version of the Rice Owls showing up more often than not. As fellow captain Luke McCaffrey said on Saturday night, “It all starts with our next game.”

Following a bye week, Rice visits Tulsa on Thursday, October 19.



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