David Mooney, a Rivals publisher who runs Owlsportswatch.com, offered up some insight this week on Rice. He was in the bleachers in 2008 (sitting next to Giovanni Vizza's family) when Rice blasted UNT in Houston. He doesn't forsee a similar outcome this time. Basically, here's his take:
_ Obviously, stopping UNT's run game is a focus for Rice. On the opposite side, Tyler Smith and Sam McGuffie will warrant attention by UNT's defense, but he said it's easy to overlook a third Rice back, Charles Ross. He's 6-1, 230, and has a 40 time of 4.38. You don't hear much about him, but that could change. Watch out for backup RB Shane Turner, who is Rice's kickoff return guy.
_ Against Texas, Michigan transfer McGuffie would look great one minute and then revert back to trying to run like he was still in high school, reversing field and losing yards, etc. He's still adjusting. Smith is Rice's most complete back. Good vision, more disciplined.
_ QB Taylor McHargue isn't Rice's best passer, but he's got some intangibles that coach David Bailiff likes as far as what they bring the team. Former QB Chase Clement often struggled with his touch on a too-strong arm; McHargue doesn't have that problem, but he has a similar clutch makeup.
_ From a depth standpoint, Todd Dodge called Rice's DL a little thin this week, but every Rice starter has started at least two years. End Cheta Ozougwu is a three-year starter. Mike Smith and John Gioffre are smallish tackles who can really move.
_ Former Fossil Ridge kicker Chris Boswell will handle field goals and extra points. He's probably, from a recruiting standpoint, a player UNT and Rice tussled over more than most the last few years. Dodge really wanted this kid.
_ Former Lake Travis receiver Andy Erickson didn't return a punt against Texas, but figure on that changing. He's not big, but he's fast enough to do things when he gets the ball. Remember that Erickson had a punt return for TD, kickoff return for TD, a TD reception and intercepted a fake-punt to win MVP at the Texas High School Coaches Association all-star game.
_ Chris Jammer and Phillip Gaines are solid, experienced cornerbacks. Jammer, a junior, started as a true freshman like UNT's Royce Hill.
_ Safeties Chris Jones, Corey Frazier and Travis Bradshaw are very assignment sound. Frazier is the "cat" or third safety in Rice's 4-2-5 and can really give you trouble. Jones and CB Gaines were high school hurdlers who can close in open field.
_ Rice's LBs are as strong and deep as they've been in years. Their relative health is one improvement, and former RB Justin Hill can motor, and Trey Briggs is a physical specimen at 6-1, 230-plus. Both were solid against Texas. Backup Justin Allen would start in a base 4-3. He's a former Texas 5A co-defensive player of the year from Cedar Park who transferred to Rice from Idaho.
_ Rice won't throw as much as UNT but has good depth at receiver and some speed in the OL. Tight ends Vance McDonald and Luke Willson are guys McHargue can really utilize, and former Arlington Bowie wideout Derek Clark was a starter that Texas neutralized, kind of like Clemson did to Tyler Stradford. Pierre Beasley, Randy Kitchens, Corbin Smiter and Klein Kubiak are all capable of causing trouble in the passing game if it opens up.
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