Inside Texas Roundtable: Texas vs. Rice predictions
The Inside Texas staff offers game predictions, top performers, and more ahead of the Longhorns’ season opener versus the Rice Owls.
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Predict the Texas vs. Rice Score
Eric Nahlin – Texas 49, Rice 10
Justin Wells – Texas 49, Rice 13
Ian Boyd – Texas 56, Rice 10
Joe Cook – Texas 56, Rice 17
Bobby Burton – Texas 49, Rice 7
Gerry Hamilton – Texas 56, Rice 13
Paul Wadlington – Texas 52, Rice 7
Do CJ Baxter and Jonathon Brooks both eclipse 100 rushing yards?
Eric Nahlin – No, I think this is a game where carries get distributed among at least four running backs.
Justin Wells – Jonathon won’t but CJ will.
Ian Boyd – Yeah, that seems probable.
Joe Cook – Yes. Brooks goes the workhorse route, and Baxter uses an explosive run to reach the mark thanks to a great cut.
Bobby Burton – No.
Gerry Hamilton – Yes. Rice has good linebackers, but the defensive line will have a tough time holding up for three-plus quarters.
Paul Wadlington – No.
Leading receiver versus the Owls
Eric Nahlin – If going by receptions Jordan Whittington. If going by yards Xavier Worthy.
Justin Wells – Jordan Whittington
Ian Boyd – Xavier Worthy only needs a catch or two for his numbers to balloon.
Joe Cook – Xavier Worthy but Adonai Mitchell gets 70 or more yards
Bobby Burton – Xavier Worthy
Gerry Hamilton – Xavier Worthy. Steve Sarkisian will get him on the move a lot, and that is trouble for Rice if they don’t collapse the pocket.
Paul Wadlington – Xavier Worthy
Backup/second string player you’re most excited to see on the field
Eric Nahlin – Anthony Hill will be a common and justified pick but Jaray Bledsoe should see plenty of action and I can’t wait for fans to see how he moves.
Justin Wells – Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad, and Derek Williams
Ian Boyd – Anthony Hill and Malik Muhammad.
Joe Cook – Malik Muhammad. Give me Trill Carter for a non-freshman.
Bobby Burton – CJ Baxter, Isaiah Neyor, Johntay Cook, Neto Umeozulu, Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad
Top 10
- 1Breaking
DJ Lagway
Florida QB to return vs. LSU
- 2
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 3
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 4New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 5
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
Gerry Hamilton – Neto Umeozulu. DJ Campbell made the move at right guard that I predicted. Feel like it’s only a matter of time before Umeozulu does the same.
Paul Wadlington – Jaray Bledsoe. Derek Williams. Jelani McDonald. Trill Carter. Malik Muhammad. Cameron Williams.
+/- 2.5 takeaways
Eric Nahlin – Over. Texas’ turnover fortunes take an immediate turn for the better.
Justin Wells – Minus. Texas’ll force a pair of turnovers.
Ian Boyd – Under. Three turnovers is a ton.
Joe Cook – Over. Three m’lord!
Bobby Burton – Under
Gerry Hamilton – I’ll go with three. Have no clue how they happen.
Paul Wadlington – Good line set. Magic 8 ball says 2 forced turnovers.
What do you expect the narrative/storyline to be as Texas approaches a week 2 matchup with Alabama?
Eric Nahlin – How close Texas was the year before.
Justin Wells – Is Texas back? If they beat Bama, that storyline gets real loud.
Ian Boyd – A ton of hype around Quinn Ewers and Texas as a potential upset special against an Alabama team with Jalen Milroe at quarterback and a ton of unproven players.
Joe Cook – Quinn Ewers versus Jalen Milroe OR Ty Simpson OR Tyler Buchner
Bobby Burton – Can Texas match the physicality of big, bad Alabama?
Gerry Hamilton – From the Texas perspective: If Quinn Ewers hadn’t gotten hurt last year, Texas would have won. From the Alabama perspective: Nick Saban retaking the top spot in college football has to start with a win over Texas.
Paul Wadlington – Narratives are received wisdom for hoopleheads.
