Rice

Dave Bailiff's first two seasons as Owl coach are complete opposites. Rice finished 3-9 in 2007, but followed with a 10-3 record in 2008, including a 38-14 victory against Western Michigan in the Texas Bowl. That was the program's first bowl win since the 1954 Cotton Bowl. So what can be expected in 2009? Twelve starters return, but only four on offense. Three of the first four games are against teams from Bowl Championship Series conferences, and only one of the first four is at home. It's going to be difficult for the Owls to match their 2008 season. Thanks to MoiseKapenda.