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The Roost Podcast | Ep 115 – ’22 UAB Preview with Evan Dudley

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It’s preseason preview time at The Roost Podcast. We continue this week with a look at UAB football with Evan Dudley of AL.com.

The sudden retirement of Bill Clark sent shockwaves throughout the Conference USA universe this past week so naturally we went straight to UAB beat writer Evan Dudley to get his reaction and prognostication on what this means for the program moving forward. Is Bill Clark really done? What should we expect from the Blazers this season without him at the helm?

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 115.

Episode Notes

Announcements

The 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview was released on Wednesday, June. Get it for free as well as all preseason Rice football content when you subscribe to The Roost on Patreon. It’s that easy! You can get more information here.

2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview

Housekeeping

  • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
  • Please support us on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes updates from spring practices and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.
    Become a Patron!

Interview — UAB football with Evan Dudley

  • What is UAB football without Bill Clark?
  • Unpacking the Blazers’ quarterback battle
  • Which additional playmakers emerge outside of DeWayne McBridge?
  • Will the defensive line stay elite?
  • UAB’s place in Conference USA and (eventually) the ACC
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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Buy Now: 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview from The Roost

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The Roost is pleased to announce the release of the 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview. This digital magazine is a one-stop-shop for every Conference USA and Rice football fan.


Buy Now

The 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview

Conference USA Football

This publication details everything you could imagine about Rice Football including:

  • Roster analysis and depth chart projections
  • All-Conference picks and rising star projections
  • Insight on every Conference USA teams and commentary on the four incoming schools supported by plugged-in local experts

As one Rice administrator dubbed it:
it’s the bible for Rice Football fans.

Get answers to questions like “Has the quarterback problem been solved?” or “Which incoming players could make the biggest impact?” or “Who are the top returning players Rice will face in Conference USA?”

This year we’ve tailored the content toward the ever-evolving landscape of college football, discussing the changes to Conference USA, memories of fans and media members from the last several years and what the conference will look like in the future. That’s in addition to the five pages on each individual program.

What are people saying about the Previews?

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what people are saying:

  • “The Roost’s C-USA preview has been an indispensable resource for me as I make my preparations for this season.”
  • “I just spent 30 minutes going through it, but barely skimmed the surface. It’s a great way to learn the new players.
  • “I don’t know any preview that could be more detailed than that.”
  • “This is worth spending the money on. Best you will get for CUSA”

Want it for free?

We did this last year and received tremendous amounts of positive feedback so we’re bringing it back. Anyone who begins a subscription on the Starting Lineup tier or higher for their first time in the month of June or July will get a copy of our 2022 Conference USA Season Preview absolutely free.

Not a patron yet? Take advantage of this perk:

All first-time patrons on the Starting Lineup Tier that subscribe this summer (June 1 –> July 31) will receive a copy of the 2022 Conference USA Season Preview for FREE.

In addition to the season preview content you’ve come to expect, patrons all receive access to fall camp reports, practice notebooks, Q&As, recruiting analysis and more.

Become a Patron!

Interested? Take a look at these unlocked posts to get a feel for what content you’ll be getting access to:

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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 5: Slot School

Posted: April 6, 2025

There’s been a lot to learn with this new-look Rice Football offense during spring practices, including the introduction of a new position: slot. Keeping track of where players are lining up and where they go after the snap has been an adventure in the new offense Rice football is installing this spring. Head coach Scott […]

Rice Football Recruiting, Rice Football

Rice Football Recruiting: Breaking Down the 2025 Signees – Defense

Posted: February 7, 2025

The 2025 Rice Football Recruiting class includes several hand-picked impact players on defense and special teams. Here’s how those sides of the ball stacks up. The 2025 Rice football recruiting class began with 12 signees during the Early Signing Period, the first recruiting haul for new head coach Scott Abell. That group has since been […]

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2024 Rice Football Opponent Season Preview: Tulane

Posted: July 31, 2024

Under the leadership of a new head coach, Tulane aims to continue their winning ways. What can Rice Football expect from the Green Wave in 2024? Head Coach: Jon SumrallRecord at School: 0-0 (1 Yr) | Career FBS Record 23-4 (2 Yr)Offensive Coordinator: Joe Craddock | Defensive Coordinator: Greg Gasparato Jon Sumrall went 23-4 at […]

Rice Football, Dean Connors

2024 Rice Football Season Preview: Running Back

Posted: July 10, 2024

Next up in our 2024 Rice Football Season Preview: running back. Here’s our breakdown of the Owls’ plans for the group this season. Rice football has a bonafide star in the running back room, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a one-man show in the Owls’ backfield this fall. How will the coaching […]

Become a Patron!

Subscribers get access to our Rice Football season preview posts, which will be released over the course of the next several weeks leading up to the 2022 season.

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Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 114 – ’22 Louisiana Tech Preview with Ben Carlisle

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It’s preseason preview time at The Roost Podcast. We continue this week with a look at Louisiana Tech football with Ben Carlisle of Bleed Tech Blue.

Catching up for the last time in the preseason as Conference USA football foes, Carter and Matthew touch base with Ben Carlisle of Bleed Tech Blue this week and dive into Louisiana Tech football. The Bulldogs have new coach and somewhat reasonable expectations, but what will this team actually look like on the field in their first year under Sonny Cumbie? That’s the big question at the center of this episode.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 114.

Episode Notes

Announcements

The 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview will be released on Wednesday, June. Get it for free as well as all preseason Rice football content when you subscribe to The Roost on Patreon. It’s that easy! You can get more information here.

Housekeeping

  • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
  • Please support us on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes updates from spring practices and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.
    Become a Patron!

Interview — Louisiana Tech football with Ben Carlisle

  • Unpacking the somewhat surprising coaching transition
  • Who is going to play quarterback?
  • Who emerges in the backfield?
  • Will the offensive line do enough to support Cumbie’s new scheme?
  • Who else will help Tyler Grubbs on defense?
  • What should we expect from the all-transfer secondary?
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 113 – ’22 North Texas Preview with Matthew Brune

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It’s preseason preview time at The Roost Podcast and we get things started this week with a look at North Texas football with Matthew Brune of 247 Sports.

North Texas football had a wild ride last season, winning five in a row to reach bowl eligibility after a disastrous 1-6 start. Matthew Brune of 247 Sports joins The Roost Podcast this week to talk about the Mean Green, from their 2021 campaign to what we should expect from the program this coming season. This is the first of many team previews of the offseason.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 113.

Episode Notes

Announcements

The 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview will be released on Wednesday, June. Get it for free as well as all preseason Rice football content when you subscribe to The Roost on Patreon. It’s that easy! You can get more information here.

Housekeeping

  • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
  • Please support us on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes updates from spring practices and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.
    Become a Patron!

Interview — North Texas football with Matthew Brune

  • Unpacking a crowded quarterback room
  • Who will emerge as true playmakers in the North Texas offense
  • Thoughts on the running game and how balanced the offense will be this season
  • Replacing the Murphy brothers on defense
  • Taking stock of the secondary
  • What’s next for Seth Littrell at North Texas?
  • The Lightning Round!

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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Conference USA Football: Summer Transfer Portal Pickups

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Summer hasn’t slowed the Transfer Portal and several Conference USA Football programs have benefited from new additions over the past few weeks.

Players have come and gone this offseason with each and every Conference USA football program feeling the good and the bad enacted upon it by the Transfer Portal. Here are three new additions within the Conference over the course of the last few weeks who could play meaningful roles on the field this season.

North Texas – QB Grant Gunnell (Memphis)

The starter at Arizona in 2019, Gunnell transferred to Memphis last year but missed the 2021 season with a leg injury. Now healthy, Gunnell opted for the portal where he received a good amount of interest before landing in Denton with the Mean Green.

Gunnell threw for 1,864 yards in 12 appearances with Arizona, tossing 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions. A highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school, Gunnell will have a legitimate chance to win the starting job at North Texas this season and could be extremely productive in Seth Littrell’s system.

UTSA – RB Trelon Smith (Arkansas)

With no Sincere McCormick lining up in the backfield in San Antonio, it always seemed plausible UTSA would add another running back to the fold, but Trelon Smith isn’t just another body to pad the depth chart.

A former Cy Ridge product and Arkansas transfer Smith led the Razorbacks’ running backs in carries and yards in each of the past two seasons, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring 10 touchdowns. Smith will get plenty of work with the Roadrunners this season and could find his way into contention for a few Conference USA football offensive awards.

Rice – OL John Hughes (West Virginia)

A former starter at West Virginia, Hughes will compete for a starting job in Houston among a front five that ended spring on a high note. Rice started and finished spring with the same starting five and didn’t appear to be in the market for a proven transfer until now.

The Owls’ feelings on the matter clearly changed when someone with Hughes’ resume became available this late in the cycle. Hughes will join wide receiver Isaiah Esdale, a former WVU teammate, at Rice this coming season.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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