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Rice Football vs UTSA: Q&A with UTSA Insider’s JJ Perez

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Rice Football squares off with UTSA this weekend. UTSA Insider JJ Perez tells us what to expect from the Roadrunners on Saturday.

1. What’s the plan for UTSA at quarterback this week?

It has been tumultuous at quarterback for the Roadrunners this season. The day one starter Frank Harris suffered a knee injury in the third game of this 2020 campaign. Since then, it’s been up and down. At various points this season, UTSA has gone through all four of their experienced signal callers.

Josh Adkins suffered a broken collar bone against BYU. Lowell Narcisse suffered a break in his leg against Army. And Jordan Weeks was unavailable to play in the two games prior to last week. Harris returned to the starting role several weeks ago. He’ll get the start this week against Rice.

Last week against FAU, Harris and the entire offense struggled at times. Weeks came into the game late. It’s likely UTSA will stick with Harris for much of the game. But with Weeks going through a normal practice workload for the first time is several games, you have to wonder how much rope Harris will have if the offense continues to struggle.

2. Which UTSA offense will Rice see? The One that scored 50 against Texas State or the one that scored 3 against FAU?

UTSA offense has struggled in the last two of the last three games. FAU stacked the box last week and didn’t let All-American running back Sincere McCormick get going. The Roadrunners were forced to try to pass the ball the down field and they simply could not connect on any of those attempts. They were close on a few tries. Both Harris at QB and the wide receivers would tell you that they should have landed a few big passing this past week.

That, along with the play of the offensive line, is the difference is the up and down play of the offensive unit. Last week’s game vs FAU was probably the worst offensive performance of the season. While I don’t look for UTSA to put up the numbers they did early in the season, I do believe we’ll see an offensive uptick this week.

3. What’s been the biggest reason for UTSA’s successes on defense this year?

It starts with the defensive line. That unit has been dominant at times this season. The Roadrunners play 3-4 base scheme. UTSA rotates those three down linemen aggressively. And that unit has been able to apply pressure and stop the run. That’s allowed the linebackers to stay home and do their thing.

The biggest surprise of the defensive is the pass coverage in the secondary. Early in the season, that was the biggest weakness of the team. Through eight games, UTSA’s defensive backfield has improved and are now solid against the pass.

Defensive Coordinator Tyrone Nix came to UTSA from Mississippi. His pedigree and experience as a coordinator has been noticeable this season. And his defensive unit has adopted his hard-nose demeanor.

4. Following the hot start, UTSA has lost four of five. What’s the confidence level in the program right now?

Last week was a big opportunity for UTSA to take the next step against FAU, the defending league champion. But it didn’t happen. The Roadrunners’ schedule the last five games have been a gauntlet. UTSA hung tough against top opponents. And they even won a game against La Tech they probably wouldn’t have won in the past.

The team is also banged up. Playing eight straight games without a bye week has taken a toll. So while the record isn’t as good as they may want, the 4-4 record is probably an accurate reflection of where they are right now, which is a decent team that has done some good stuff and done some bad stuff, and are still adapting and learning under a first-year coaching staff.

5. What’s your prediction for the game? Can UTSA extend their winning streak over Rice?

UTSA has won five straight matchups against Rice. But this series has always felt more close than all-time series records indicate. The Roadrunners and Owls have played some classics throughout the years. UTSA has played more games but are also more injured while Rice is more fresh but would probably like a little more game reps than they’ve had at this point in the season. I think we’ll be in store for a barn burner Saturday. I think it’s too close to call but I will predict UTSA wins a one score game.

Give JJ a follow on Twitter and check out the great work by UTSA Insiders as we get ready for Rice Football vs UTSA this weekend.

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Is this Rice Football offense for real? All-American Q&A

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All-American Level subscribers on Patreon get access to a monthly Q&A with me. The October edition focuses on the sustainability of the Rice football offense.

Q. Rice football scored 34 points against Middle Tennessee. Was the offensive “explosion” caused by how bad MTSU’s defense was or because the Rice offense has actually figured things out?

A.  The story almost writes itself, doesn’t it? Journeyman quarterback transfers to a small school for one last ride. He steps onto the field and leads the team to more points in his debut than the school had scored in the previous 27 contests.

Rice last scored at least 34 points in a losing effort against Southern Miss in 2017. With the Owls set to face the Golden Eagles the weekend after this new offensive outburst, it’s only fitting this question arises.

So, can the Rice offense keep it up?

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Who are your breakout picks for Rice Football in 2020? All-American Q&A

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All-American Level subscribers on Patreon get access to a monthly Q&A with me. The September edition focuses on Rice football breakout picks.

Q. Who are one or two of your sleeper picks for impact players for Rice this year?

A. First, I referenced a few names to watch in the Season Preview — WR, Zane Knipe, RB Khalan Griffin and DE Jalen Reeves. Those were the trio I tagged as “rising stars” who could make big waves on the team in 2020. I’m going beyond the names most likely to be listed in the two-deep. Here’s one from each side of the ball.

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How will new NCAA testing requirements impact Rice Football? All-American Q&A

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All-American Level subscribers on our Patreon page get access to a monthly Q&A with me. The August edition focuses on new NCAA testing requirements.

Q. How will the NCAA’s relaxed eligiblity standards impact Rice football during this recruiting cycle? Are there any players on the fringes of eligiblity the Owls will be able to sign that they might not have been able to otherwise?

A. This is a timely topic and one which might generate some buzz when the calendar when players starting signing with schools in December. For those who hadn’t seen the news, the NCAA announced earlier this month they would waive standardized testing requires for student-athletes enrolling in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Their statement was somewhat lengthy, but here’s the important snippet:

“Students who initially enroll full time during the 2021-22 academic year and intend to play NCAA Division I or II athletics will not be required to take a standardized test to meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.”

GPA requirements would still be in place, as well as qualifications for core classes. But regardless of the level of relief instituted by the NCAA, the requirements at Rice will always be the higher hurdle for potential recruits to clear.

The academic standards at Rice are rigorous. Even if omitting a test score would be enough to get them into school, staying in school and bearing the workload of a Rice football student-athlete is non-negotiable. Head coach Mike Bloomgren always says he’s looking for young men that want the “best of both worlds”.

For those reasons, Rice isn’t likely to cut any corners and “reach” for an athlete that might not have gotten in during a non-pandemic recruiting cycle. Rice is going to continue to stick to their recruiting playbook and recruit the players that fit their vision for this program, and that means they’ve got to measure up in the classroom as well as on the football field.

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Rice Football: Behind enemy lines with UAB expert Evan Dudley

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UAB is the next team up on the 2019 Rice football schedule. To get to know a bit more about the Blazers we go behind enemy lines with Evan Dudley of AL.com.

Rice Football is still looking for its first win of the season and figures to have another big test this weekend on the road against UAB. To get the inside scoop, we talked with Evan Dudley of AL.com.

Q. How does the 2019 team compare to the one that won last season’s 2018 C-USA Championship? Are expectations in Birmingham still set on another title?

Evan – It’s still very much a work in progress.

The Blazers have demonstrated proficiency in the passing game – despite Tyler Johnston having his worst game as UAB’s starter with four picks against Western Kentucky – but are still working out the kinks in the rushing attack.

The offensive line play has been pristine when it comes to pass blocking and decent in run blocking this season, but there are some concerns with senior center Lee Dufour after sitting out the last game with an undisclosed injury. UAB head coach Bill Clark said in his weekly press conference that they’re “hopeful to get (Dufour) back soon” so it may be a game-time decision relative to the matchup with Rice.

Defensively, the Blazers are right back where they were last season and lead the conference in three of the four major defense categories. Those ranks also translate nationally with the Blazers ranking 23rd in passing yards allowed (186.5 ypg), 15th in scoring defense (15.5 ppg) and 12th in both rushing (79.8 ypg) and total defense (266.3 ypg).

More: The Roost Podcast – LA Tech review and UAB preview

Additionally, UAB ranks 18th in tackles for loss per game (7.8), 12th in third-down defense (27.3 percent) and eighth in sacks per game (3.75).

Although the Blazers dropped their conference opener to the Hilltoppers, their conference title defense is still very much alive. After everything that has transpired that past two seasons, fan expectations are high – relative to repeating as league champions – but tempered.

Q. Spencer Brown is a talented running back, but he’s been relatively quiet this season. What needs to happen for him to have a breakout game?

Evan – Brown’s lack of production isn’t from a lack of trying as the junior running back averages 19.5 carries per game, even with the Blazers becoming a more proficient downfield passing team this season.

As far as what needs to happen for Brown to have a breakout game, the obvious answer is more consistency in run blocking from the offensive line. The commitment to that part of the offense is present but there’s an absence in rhythm that the Blazers have been accustomed the past two seasons.

As the offensive line becomes a more cohesive unit, the chances of Brown returning to his full dominant form increase exponentially.

Q. The Blazers lead C-USA in scoring defense. Can UAB maintain their impressive defensive start?

Evan – Short answer. Yes.

This defensive unit may be more talented than the last two editions and has yet to hit its peak this season. The Blazers have allowed no more than 20 points in any game this season and were even impressive in the loss to Western Kentucky in giving up only six points off four turnovers.

As long as the offense can get back on track with consistent scoring possessions, UAB will have no trouble keeping its defense fresh and aggressive throughout games.

Q. Who is one player on offense and defense Rice football fans need to know?

Evan – There are obvious names on offense like Spencer Brown, Tyler Johnston, Myron Mitchell, Kendall Parham and Austin Watkins, but look past the main attractions and you’ll find Markus Grossman.

The redshirt junior is the fourth leading receiver for the Blazers but with only six catches for 52 yards. However, five of his six receptions have come on third down with Grossman converting four for a first down and coming up a yard shy of the other. Such success on third down has easily earned him clutch status among a talented group of wideouts.

Garrett Marino is the alpha dog of the defense but it would be wise to be aware of linebacker Noah Wilder. A Gardner-Webb transfer, Wilder had an impressive fall camp resulting in a starting spot alongside Kris Moll in the middle where he currently leads the team with 25 total tackles.

Q. What does UAB absolutely have to do to beat Rice on Saturday?

Evan – Simple. Don’t turn the ball over.

Turnovers kept the Blazers from extending a close lead in the season opener against Alabama State and led to the loss in Bowling Green. When winning he turnover battle, UAB is as dangerous team as any in the league.

However, I expect a challenge from a Rice team that has showed obvious improvement in Year 2 under Mike Bloomgren. Both teams are built on physicality and the Owls have embraced their “Intellectual Brutality.” I don’t expect Rice to succumb to another lopsided shutout this time around.

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