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).

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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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The Baylor Bears are the last nonconference opponent Rice football will face this season. Sic’em 365’s Sam Bradshaw takes us behind enemy lines.

Rice Football is three weeks into their 2019 slate with one final nonconference test remaining. To get the inside scoop on Baylor, we talked with Sam Bradshaw of Sic’em 365.

Q: How is the rebuilding process going in Waco? What are the expectations for Matt Rhule in Year 3?

Sam — The rebuild is going well after winning a bowl in year two after a bare bones roster at key positions in 2017. He’s really rebuilt the roster across the board and installed a very different culture in Waco which was an important step given the circumstances.

As for expectations, that will obviously vary from fan to fan but easily making a bowl up to winning 8-10 games is what fans are thinking is realistic this year. Baylor returns a ton of talent and experience across the roster from a team that went 7-6 last fall but many fans think could have won up to three more.

Q: What’s the confidence level in quarterback Charlie Brewer? Can he take the next step and become one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks?

Sam — Baylor fans have a lot of confidence in everything about Brewer except maybe his deep throws. He’s accurate, makes good decisions, is a capable runner, and will play very tough.

Most Baylor fans would argue Brewer has already taken that step into being one of the Big 12’s best. He’s at worst fourth best in the league and Baylor fans would argue much higher than that.

Q: Two games into the season, has the Baylor defense shown improvement over last year?

Sam — When the starters held their first two opponents to one combined score and around ten combined yards per drive it’s safe to say they look good. They have shifted from a 4-2-5 to what is more of a 3-3-5 defense to get more coverage flexibility and to limit big plays. It’s been successful and they ask a lot of their DL with some two gap techniques and ask their LB’s to take on a lot more action inside. It’s a big shift from their usual fronts which are a lot like Rice’s base looks. It will be interesting to see how well the new tactics hold up against Big 12 blockers.

Q. Who is are some under the radar players to watch?

Sam — On offense I would say that tailback Trestan Ebner is one of the most dynamic open field threats in the Big 12. He has the ability to reverse field like few Baylor players I have seen. Receivers Chris Platt and Tyquan Thornton are somewhat under the radar but are among the fastest sprinters at their position in the Big 12 with incredibly good track speed.

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Sam — Defensively the jack of all trades is SLB/Nickel LB Blake Lynch. The former HS QB came to Baylor as a receiver where he played in 2016. That season he saw spot duty at RB due to injuries, then moved to corner in 2017, then to Safety, and finally to SLB last year. He’s 6-3 225 and still has the same speed and agility he had as a receiver and corner.

The biggest freak athlete up front is James Lynch (no relation) who was an unheralded recruit they’ve developed who is 6-4 285 with 9.5 career sacks and runs a 4.8. He can play inside or outside on the line.

Q: What’s the biggest question make for the Bears entering their Week 4 game against Rice?

Sam — Just how good is this team?

They dominated a rebuilding FCS team and an improved but clearly overmatched UTSA team that admittedly had played Baylor tough in 2018. Aside from that limited detail it’s not clear how good this team really is.

Last week we saw two 2-0 Big 12 teams with similarly dominant starts go on the road to play a P5 school and we found out a lot more about them. Texas Tech was humbled against an Arizona team that lost to Hawaii while Kansas State went to Starkville and won against an unbeaten Mississippi State squad. Furthermore that KSU game probably wouldn’t have been close had KSU not muffed two punt returns and an interception return. Which one is Baylor most like? Unless Rice makes it interesting this weekend we won’t really have an idea until Iowa State comes to Waco next week.

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