There’s a lot in the air when it comes to the status of today’s Rice football game against UTEP. Here’s what we know, and what we don’t.
Rice football released this statement earlier this morning:
The start of today’s football game between Rice and UTEP, originally scheduled for noon at Rice Stadium, has been delayed pending a second round of testing on participants. Further information will be released when available.
What we do know
As of now, there hasn’t been anyone from Rice football on the field yet today. Typically we would have seen the team busses arrive (they haven’t yet) and players on the field for individual and team warmups. Neither of those has happened either.
There has been no confirmation as to which program is waiting on the further testing results. We do have some movement on the turf, though. A few players and coaches from UTEP have arrived and are going through individual drills on the field amidst the rain. They’ve also popped up their injury tent.
What we don’t know
I don’t know what the likelihood of playing this game is. But, with some of the UTEP contingent present and the Rice side unaccounted for, it raises concerns for the Owls’ testing results.
Would UTEP bring players to the stadium if there were possible COVID-19 questions within their program? That would seemingly put the ball back in the Owls’ court, but again, that’s the best guess we have for the moment.
What’s next?
That could raise an interesting (and potentially unfortunate) decision point for Rice. Playing today against UTEP, even shorthanded, might give Rice their best chance at another C-USA win this season. Whether or not that’s a viable decision remains to be seen. The alternative, though, could be tough.
If Rice does not play today, their remaining schedule is as tough as it could be in Conference USA. They’re still slated to travel to Marshall next weekend and host UAB the weekend after that. They’ll be underdogs in both contests.
