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Basically ... After experimenting with some funky passing formations including use of the shotgun, Rice went back to the old triple option as the full-time offense halfway through the season and everything started to click. As long as QB Greg Henderson is healthy all will be fine with Thomas Lott leading a good corps of running backs operating behind an experienced offensive line.
Star of the offense: Junior RB Thomas Lott
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior FB Ed Bailey
Unsung star on the rise: Senior OG Greg Wilson
Best pro prospect: Lott
Top three all-star candidates: 1) OT Scott Mayhew, 2) Lott, 3) WR Marcus Battle
Strength of the offense: Running back
Weakness of the offense: Quarterback depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Greg Henderson, Sr. - After splitting time for the last few years, the starting job should be Henderson's. He's an effective option runner and good decision maker finishing third on the team with 615 yards scoring six touchdowns. Now his passing arm has to come through only completing 46% of his throws last year with two touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's not the quarterback you want when down late and needing to throw to win.
Top Backups
- Joel Armstrong, RFr. - He'd better be ready to roll needing to prove right away that he can handle the backup job. He was a top high school player and a good recruit for the Owls with tremendous quickness; now he has to get the offense down.
The Skinny: Greg Henderson is a fantastic option quarterback and Joel Armstrong is potentially a strong backup. The key will be Henderson's health as Armstrong could use as much time as possible to develop.
Player to keep an eye on: Joel Armstrong ... Quarterback Rating: 5.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Thomas Lott, Jr. - Probably the WAC's most dangerous player, the 5-7 Lott is a premier big-play performer averaging 7.3 yards per carry leading the Owls with 714 yards and three touchdowns. He's a 10.4 100-meter track runner and all but impossible to tackle one on one.
- Joe Moore, Sr. - Moore provides the power from the halfback position. He's not as shifty as some of the other Rice backs, but he's effective averaging 6.1 yards per carry rushing for 306 yards and three touchdowns.
- Fullback Ed Bailey, Sr. - Bailey is an experienced fullback needing to come through with a big season in place of second leading rusher Robbie Beck. He'll get as many carries as anyone in the offense and should be ready to handle the work after rushing for 294 yards and two touchdowns.
Top Backups
- Marcus Rucker, Soph. - Rucker made a splash as a freshman averaging 6.2 yards per carry rushing for 306 yards and a touchdown. He'll get more work as a bigger option at left halfback behind Thomas Lott.
- Mike Falco, Soph. - He's a great combination of skills. He's 210 pounds, fast and very strong playing behind Joe Moore on the right side. He only ran ten times last year, but he averaged 8.1 yards per carry.
- Quinton Smith, Soph. - Yet another fast and experienced back in the mix, Smith ran for 207 yards as a freshman averaging a team-best eight yards per carry. He'll play on the left side.
- Andrew Cates, Soph. - The backup fullback has a little more size and power than Ed Bailey. He ran for 39 yards last year and will be groomed as the fullback of the future.
The Skinny: This is an experienced group of backs that knows how to move the ball. Thomas Lott is one of the nation's most electrifying runners and will be one of the most important players on the team. The loss of fullback Robbie Beck will be tough to overcome, but there are several good backs that'll keep things moving.
Player to keep an eye on: Marcus Rucker ... Running Back Rating: 6.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Marcus Battle, Jr. - The receivers will never get a whole bunch of passes in the Owl attack, so their job is to be explosive once they do get a chance to shine. Battle is a big-time home-run hitter with tremendous speed and quickness averaging 17 yards per catch for his career with 45 grabs for 763 yards and three touchdowns. He can also run a bit with two scores on his four carries.
- Tight end Joe Don Wood, Jr. - In the Rice offense the tight end isn't used much as a pass catcher, but Wood can do it if needed with decent hands and good athleticism. He made two grabs for 51 yards and a touchdown last year, but he'll primarily be used as a blocker.
Top Backups
- Ben Wiggins, Sr. - At 6-2 and 195 pounds, Wiggins is a big receiver with blazing speed. He only caught five passes last year, but he made them count going for 193 yards and two touchdowns including an 82-yard play against SMU.
- Andy Hall, Soph - The 6-4 Hall is an excellent blocker and can catch too if used correctly. He made two grabs for 30 yards and a touchdown last year.
- Matt Bolding, Soph. - While not the all-around tight end that Joe Don Wood is, Bolding is a good blocker and could fill in nicely if needed.
The Skinny: Marcus Battle is a tremendously quick, tremendously dangerous pass catcher who needs to be accounted for on every play. He's deadly in the open field. Ben Wiggins and Andy Hall are fine reserves for what Rice does. The tight ends are experienced and good.
Player to keep an eye on: Andy Hall ... Receiver Rating: 4
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Scott Mayhew, Sr. - Mayhew has gone from being a decent defensive line prospect to a dominant offensive lineman. Now up to 305 pounds, he's a pounding blocker and the leader of the veteran line at left tackle.
- Guard Micah Meador, Sr. - Back at his second year as the starting left guard, the 290pound Meadow works well with Scott Mayhew on the left side. He plays big, but is athletic for a guard of his size.
- Center Ross Huebel, Sr. - Huebel might be the best athlete on the line. The 275-pound former tight end has found a home at center where he'll take over for Ben Stephens.
- Guard Greg Wilson, Sr. - At 325 pounds Wilson is the biggest player on the line and a strong run blocker. He's not a statue with excellent feet and quickness.
- Tackle Cotey-Joe Cawaykus, Sr. - A big, versatile player able step in at center if needed, the 305-pound senior will get the first look at right tackle after primarily used as a reserve throughout his career.
Top Backups
- T David Carter, Soph. - One of the team's rising young linemen, the 285-pound sophomore saw a little bit of action last year and will serve as an athletic backup to Scott Mayhew on the left side.
- T Rolf Krueger, Soph. - Krueger got some playing experience as a freshman and will push for time behind Cotey-Joe Cawaykus on the right side. He's one of the most talented young linemen on the team able to star at center or tackle.
The Skinny: Three starters return to what should be a good line. For what Rice does, this is a great line with athletic veterans who know their run blocking roles to a T. The overall depth isn't too bad and there's good size at the key spots. The left side will be dominant led by tackle Scott Mayhew, while the right side has the bulk.
Player to keep an eye on: Greg Wilson ... Offensive Line Rating: 6
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