Crunching the Numbers :: Rice vs. Texas Tech

1) The linebackers maintain the level of play we saw against North Dakota. Duncan was typically solid, but I thought Williams and Bird upped their games from last year- Williams was already emerging by the end of last year, but Bird had all but disappeared so I want to see more of these guys turning the OLB position into a strength for us and not the traditional liability.

2) I want to see wideouts not named Detron and Alexander limit the dropped passes. You’re at Texas Tech, folks, if you don’t catch balls the team loses.

3) I want to see more Harrison Jeffers. He’s going to be the man catching the ball out of the backfield this year.

4) We all know what we want to see out of the OL so I won’t belabor the point.

5) I want to see Potts connect with Britton or Leong/James down the field, but if this turns out to be some evil genius plan to keep the deep ball in our back pocket until conference play, I can dig it.

Rice is in for a really long season.

I believe that Potts, and that ‘stache, roll on a comeback. Rice, I pray for your DB’s. I think first game gitters and trying to be a little too perfect lead to some mistakes but nothing too major. A win is a win, and we didn’t lose to BYU.
Expecting a lot from Potts is another thing. Remeber how Graham threw the ball his first few games, and we ACTUALLY thought chris Todd was better? I just think if we can grow with this, get better every week (which is the overall goal) then Potts will be fine and Tech will be fine.
Only problem? Austin is two weeks away. Hit the film room mr. Potts, we need you.

1. Potts not throwing off his back foot.
2. A substantial decrease in dropped passes (like maybe 2 or 3 tops).
3. D Line getting pressure on the backfield
4. Batch exploding out of the backfield for some good gains.
5. Secondary making some plays (preferably the ones that end up in turnovers).
6. A scoring drive that eats up at least 5 minutes of clock (at least 50% running plays).
7. At least 25+ rushes for no less than 100 yards.
8. Harrison Jeffers getting at least 8 touches
9. Both offense and defense shaking off the rest of the rust.
10. If we have an early season game where we look like crap, for it to be this game and not week 3 in Austin.

Love number 5. Sure crabtree and Harrell left big holes, but to me, our secondary had the biggest shoes to fill. If our DB’s can keep track of Rice’s qb, even when he runs, watch out.

Love number 5. Sure crabtree and Harrell left big holes, but to me, our secondary had the biggest shoes to fill. If our DB’s can keep track of Rice’s qb, even when he runs, watch out.