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Expectations Rising for Mike Bloomgren, Rice Football

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Rice Football was projected to finish seventh in the AAC Preseason Media Poll, the highest preseason rank for the Owls under head coach Mike Bloomgren to date.

In recent memory, expectations have, quite literally, never been higher for Rice football. The 2024 AAC Media Poll, released during Media Days on Tuesday morning, projected Rice to finish seventh in the 14-team conference. Not only is that higher than the Owls’ were picked last year (12th), but it’s also higher than any team head coach Mike Bloomgren has coached at South Main thus far.

“To see us tied for seventh, I guess that’s improvement,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said. “But again, that’s not where I think we should be with our team and what this coaching staff and these players have built together collectively.”

Rice was never picked to finish higher than second from the bottom in the West in Conference USA’s divisional structure. In 2021, the Owls’ only year in the league without divisions, Rice was tabbed to finish 10th. For this program to overcome outside perceptions and get recognition in the middle of the pack is not insignificant. The five-spot rise is the second biggest of any team in the AAC. South Florida was the only other program in the league to climb more than two spots, moving from 13th to fourth.

Rice has been a program content to play the underdog role as they’ve built from a two-win season in 2018 to back-to-back bowl campaigns in their most recent seasons. They aren’t the favorites just yet, but those outside of South Main clearly don’t view this program as a perennial underdog any longer.

No longer is this a team expected to finish in the bottom view. First impressions might not change quickly, but something has certainly shifted when it comes to the perception of Rice football around the AAC.

The players inside the locker room have noticed the shift, too. “Talking together as a group, we feel like we should be in the championship conversation,” proclaimed veteran safety Gabe Taylor. “We can’t make no excuses this year. We have to learn how to win and make sure we take care of business one week at a time.”

At the end of the day, media polls are worth the paper they’re printed on. Outside prognostications don’t determine the actual order of finish, that’s what the games are for. And until you start winning those games with regularity, those polls will likely be a lagging indicator of the quality of the program you’ve built. Seventh is better than tenth, but it’s a far cry from first. There is work left to be done.

“I think that’s a good thing. I think the less eyes that are on us the better,” said running back Dean Connors.” We fuel off the underdogs. We have a lot of guys that weren’t highly recruited. The longer we stay like that, the better.”

If things go according to plan, Rice football might not be flying under the radar for much longer.

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“We’re Just Talking About These Things:” AAC’s Pernetti continues to dream big

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In his opening remarks at the AAC Kickoff, commissioner Tim Pernetti continued to challenge the status quo and push the envelope for college athletics.

Tim Pernetti made waves when he was introduced as the next commissioner of the AAC in April, championing bold ideals while relentlessly embracing a desire to challenge the status quo. Months later, as he began his introductory remarks in front of assembled media at the AAC Kickoff, the messaging hadn’t changed.

“From day one it’s been a priority to do a deep dive to understand the brand,” Pernetti said. “What makes us different? Where do we excel? How do we get stronger?”

Those questions have opened a door few in collegiate sports have been willing to walk through. Pernetti touched on a host of daring ideas to build value for membership institutions and student-athletes during his remarks. Commercial investment, conference naming rights, jersey patches with revenue flowing directly to student-athletes, private capital and an additional playoff for those who don’t qualify for the 12-team field were all talking points during his half hour on the mic.

One thing remained clear through it all. Pernetti will turn over every stone.

“It’s 100 percent possible to break free from the status quo, to embrace innovation,” Pernetti said, quickly reminding all in the room that “We’re just talking about these things. It’s time to modernize the business and preserve what’s special and college sports. This is what we’re doing.”

Pernetti announced a multi-year agreement with WSC Sports to create and distribute AI-generated, real-time and postgame video for football and men’s and women’s basketball. He also shared that the MVP trophy for the AAC Championship Game would be renamed to honor former commissioner Mike Aresco.

Those seem to just be the begging for Pernetti, who seems to be flourishing in the turbulent environment surrounding college athletics today.

“If collegiate athletics is in such bad shape, do you really think we’d be experiencing this accelerated growth and outside entities would want to invest in us?” Pernetti asked. “The fact is, the enterprise is worth investing in.”

From AI-driven content to even larger aspirations, one thing is clear. The AAC will be at the forefront of change in collegiate athletics, right where Pernetti wants it to be.

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American Athletic Conference Media Days Roundup

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American Athletic Conference Media Days were held this week in Arlington, Texas. Here’s a roundup of important news, quotes and insights from the event.

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Preseason Media Poll

Rank Team Points
1 Memphis (23) 409
2 UTSA (4) 368
3 Tulane (2) 362
4 South Florida 339
5 Army (1) 236
6 Florida Atlantic 228
T7 East Carolina 219
T7 Rice 219
9 North Texas 216
10 UAB 192
11 Navy 150
12 Tulsa 95
13 Charlotte 77
14 Temple 40

Mike Bloomgren and the Owls react to preseason projections

Expectations Rising for Mike Bloomgren, Rice Football

AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti makes his opening comments

“We’re Just Talking About These Things:” AAC’s Pernetti continues to dream big

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Rice Football readies for new conference, new challenges at AAC Media Days

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Rice football attended its first-ever American Athletic Conference Media Day this week, marking the unofficial beginning of a much-anticipated 2023 season.

Myron Morrison couldn’t hold back a smile. One of four representatives selected by the Rice football coaching staff to attend media days for the American Athletic Conference, Morrison glanced down at the newly embroidered “A” on the chest of his blue and gray jersey and tried to take it all in.

Morrison and the Owls unofficially kicked off their inaugural season as members of the AAC this week during the conference media days, a gathering of 14 programs in Arlington, Texas, some new to the Owls and others very familiar.

“It’s still what happens between those lines, it’s still the same [game],” Morrison said. “But it’s always nice to have a fresh change of scenery.”

The new scenery includes a slue of new logos and new faces with some familiar foes mixed in for good measure. Like, Rice everyone is adjusting to their new environment, but the messaging was consistent from top to bottom. The Owls, like everyone else, are here to compete and AAC commissioner Mike Aresco was quick to point out the lengthy history of successes that have come out of this conference in recent seasons.

Along with Morrison, head coach Mike Bloomgren, quarterback JT Daniels and edge rusher Joshua Pearcy took their turns in front of the microphones and cameras. Much of the traditional preseason topics were discussed, ranging from offseason routines to anticipation for the upcoming campaign. Through it all though, an underlying current of anticipation was palpable.

Bloomgren said as much during his scheduled time at the podium.

“I’m excited to be bringing this team into the American Athletic Conference,” he said. “I have all the respect in the world for the great players and coaches in this league.”

McCaffrey echoed as much in his remarks soon afterward. “I think this is so special for us,” he said. “It’s a great step in the right direction for Rice Athletics altogether.”

There’s a lot at stake for Rice in 2023. They have expectations of another bowl berth and reiterated their expressed goal of contending for a conference championship. Following years of building, both the program and its fans would love nothing more than for those dreams to come to fruition. Now all that’s left is to play the games.

Hear more from each of the players, Bloomgren and coaches and players from around the league on our AAC Media Days Live Show with JP Heath.

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Conference USA Football Media Days 2022: Live Updates

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The 2022 Conference USA Football media days have arrived. Bookmark this post for updates throughout the week regarding releases, quotes and more.

There’s already a lot to unpack from Conference USA Football Media Days. The full releases can be found on the league website, this thread is for the big rocks and some up-to-date analysis and reaction from the week.

Projected Order of Finish

  1. UTSA (14)
  2. UAB (8)
  3. WKU
  4. Florida Atlantic
  5. North Texas
  6. UTEP
  7. Charlotte
  8. Middle Tennessee
  9. Louisiana Tech
  10. Rice
  11. FIU

I was one of the media members polled for this list and like the majority, I voted UTSA as the predicted champion this year. (My entire ballot was discussed in detail in a microcast for our Booster Level subscribers). Stay tuned for our next episode of The Roost Podcast where we’ll digest the results of the poll in detail.

Preseason “Watch” List

Conference USA continued its unique and bizarre tradition for its preseason player recognition. In most conferences, this is an all-conference team selected by the league’s head coaches or members of the media. In Conference USA, it’s a Top 5 list for every program strung together. In doing this, nobody gets left out. But to pretend that FIU and UAB have an equal number of deserving preseason honorees is unconventional at best.

That said, once again each of the conference’s head coaches submitted five players on his team to be recognized as “key players to watch ahead of the 2022  season”.

These five players were honored from Rice:

  • WR Bradley Rozner
  • SAF George Nyakwol
  • OL Shea Baker
  • DL Ikenna Enechukwu
  • PR Sean Fresch

Rozner and Baker were both preseason honorees last year as well. The complete watch list is available here.

2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview

Coaches Preseason Awards

  • Offensive Player of the Year: Frank Harris, QB, UTSA
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Rashad Wisdom, Saf, UTSA
  • Special Teams Player of the Year: Brayden Narveson, PK, WKU

Team notes

  • Western Kentucky — Head coach Tyson Helton mentioned he’d previously recruited quarterback Jarrett Doege the last time he’d elected to transfer. Helton said that relationship — along with the success of Bailey Zappe at WKU last season — helped land Doege this time around.
  • FIU — Wide receiver Tyrese Chambers was confident “talent was not the problem” at FIU last season. He believes better organization and some small adjustments will help the Panthers get back on track.
  • FAU — Head coach Willie Taggart said the team was missing “competitive depth” last fall was part of what contributed to the late season slide. He says new reinforcements and an improved culture (“less babysitting”) will go a long way toward righting the ship in 2022.
  • Louisiana Tech — The quarterback battle should be a good one in Ruston this year. Head coach Sonny Cumbie said experience in the scheme was the driving factor in bringing in transfers quarterbacks Matthew Downing and Parker McNeil. He praised Downing’s “ability to extend plays a little bit more” while saying McNeil “has the ability at times to see things over the middle of the field.” This will be a battle throughout fall camp.
  • North Texas — Linebacker KD Davis said his experience in the Transfer Portal taught him the “grass isn’t always greener on the other side”. He said he believes you can get the same exposure in Conference USA as at other places.
  • Middle Tennessee — It’s officially a wide open quarterback battle for the Blue Raiders. Last year’s initial starter Chase Cunningham, who was injured midseason, will battle Nicholas Vattiato for the starting job. Head coach Rick Stockstill has not named a starter at this time.
  • UTEP — Head coach Dana Dimel says returning starter Gavin Hardison has “complete freedom” to check any play and will enable UTEP to lean more heavily on the passing game this season.
  • UTSA — Head coach Jeff Traylor seems aware of the increased scrutiny placed on the team this season. “The climb up is always fun, because nobody expects you to do anything,” he said. “But once you get there, staying there is the hardest part.”
  • Rice — The Owls believe they finally have the depth they’ve been searching for along both lines. Guard Shea Baker said it would be “really good for the body and really good for the soul” to not have to take every rep and being able to help push the younger players behind him.
  • UAB — Offensive lineman Will Rykard doubled down on comments from interim head coach Bryant Vincent, saying the goal of the offensive line this year is “to go out there this year and prove that we’re the best in the conference, best in the country.” Vincent maintained the UAB front five was the best o-line unit in the conference.
  • Charlotte — Chris Reynolds intimated it was a no-brainer when it came to his decision to return to Charlotte this season, expressing gratitude for the coach Will Healy, the program and the culture. Then he said this:

From the Conference USA Football office

From Rice football…

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