WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Eleven — Rice
The Tops look to extend their conference win streak and hit bowl eligibility today with a road win at Rice today. Will the Tops keep the streak going or will the Owls claim another upset?
Let’s see how we’re feeling about the matchup!
Matt McCay (7- 2)
There’s not much to say. This is a nightmare matchup for Rice. There are very few things Rice is truly good at, and something from WKU pretty much eliminates that advantage for Rice. This seems like a game for WKU to really blast it open and keep rolling. This could be the biggest margin of victory on the season yet.
I’ve got WKU: 62, Rice: 13.
Alex Sherfield (5-4)
One of the top five offenses in the country will be in Houston on Saturday. Rice currently has one of the worst defenses in Conference USA, allowing 35 points per contest. It’s safe to say that Saturday may be another top-tier day for Zappe and Company. Rice’s Ari Broussard is the impact player on offense, who leads the team in rushing with an average of 5.4 yards a carry.
Defensively, we should expect another multi-sack performance from the linemen. The secondary is coming along nicely and they should follow leading C-USA DPOW Beanie Bishop’s lead in forcing more picks from the Rice offense. Road games (especially in conference play) can always be hit or miss but I have a lot of confidence in the Tops this week.
Give me WKU: 54, Rice: 28
Devin Stewart (6-3)
Hard to stop the Tops right now. Give me WKU 45–28.
Sam Gormley (8-1)
Short and sweet but give me the Tops 45–24. Simple reason. WKU’s offense is better than Rice’s defense. Not sure they can stop the Tops!
Jared Rosdeutscher (8-1)
While Rice has a nice win over UAB, the Owls have been anything but predictable. Had the WKU defense not shown any strides, I’d be more concerned going into this game. But after getting six interceptions against MTSU, this Hilltopper defense is getting more confident.
Bailey Zappe and Jerreth Sterns are the best QB/WR combo in the entire NCAA for a reason and I look for them to continue getting points and become bowl eligible at Rice, 42–28.
