Rice’s defense has been one of the more potent units in the C-USA over the past two seasons. But a lack of offensive output has been a recurring issue that’s plagued Rice for about half of a decade. The Owls haven’t finished better than 100th in scoring offense since 2016, and they haven’t ranked in the upper half of the FBS since 2013.
There is plenty of reason for excitement surrounding the unit’s potential this season. Rice hired Marques Tuiasosopo as the new offensive coordinator in February, lured in a coveted transfer quarterback in Luke McCaffrey, and retained 10 starters from the prior year.