Rice enters the 2020s as one of the hottest programs in the state. The Owls’ three-game winning streak stands alone as the longest even in the state, even though it was the only three wins Rice collected a season ago. 

In those final games, the vision for the program started coming together. The Owls rushed for 533 yards on 4.5 yards per carry down the stretch and held in-state opponents North Texas and UTEP to a combined 30 points. Some key pieces are gone, but improved recruiting should help the momentum keep going. 

Losing spring practice makes projecting the upcoming season that much harder. But with six months to go, here is how we see RIce’s 2020 campaign unfolding. 

Sept. 3: at Houston

The Bayou Bucket Classic should have some intrigue with Dana Holgorsen bringing back a more experienced team, but still one without a clear offensive identity. Still, it’ll likely overwhelm Rice anyway. 

Prediction: Loss (0-1)

Sept. 12: Army

This is the first game where last season’s momentum pays off. Rice gave Army a scare last season, but struggled to finish the job. In 2020, the defense should be just as good, and the offense has a chance to take a step forward. Rice will beat Army. 

Prediction: Win (1-1)

Sept. 19: LSU (at NRG Stadium)

Credit to Rice athletic director Joe Karlgaard for scheduling exciting games in the city of Houston against big-time opponents. That won’t make the result better. 

Prediction: Loss (1-2)

Sept. 26: Lamar

The Cardinals are breaking in a new coach in Blane Morgan, who was previously quarterbacks coach at San Diego State. He has a major rebuilding job ahead of him. 

Prediction: Win (2-2)

Oct. 3: at Marshall

Doc Holiiday is one of the most consistently successful coaches in Conference USA. Aside from an uncharacteristically down 3-9 season in 2016, the Thundering Herd have won at least eight games every year since 2013. Rice is still building to that level. 

Prediction: Loss (2-3)

Oct. 10: UAB

All Bill Clark has done since UAB shut its program down for two years is win 28 games in three seasons, including a conference championship. Even scarier, the Blazers have way more production coming back this season than they did last season. 

Prediction: Loss (2-4)

Oct. 24: Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee never really found its rhythm last season despite decent quarterback play, and the Owls have proven effective at shutting down big-time rushers. If the Blue Raiders don’t add a new dimension, Rice can take advantage. 

Prediction: Win (3-4)

Oct. 31: at Southern Miss

Southern Miss was disappointing a season ago despite having one of the better quarterbacks in Conference USA. However, going on the road to Hattiesburg and trying to defend the lethal passing offense will prove tough for Rice. 

Prediction: Loss (3-5)

Nov. 7: UTSA

Jeff Traylor is a legitimate wild card heading into Conference USA after four years as a position coach. His staff is relatively unproven, though exciting. His players are about the same, other than proven running back Sincere McCormick. Still, it’s fair to ask whether he can get things on track in year one. 

Prediction: Win (4-5)

Nov. 14: at Louisiana Tech

Skip Holtz broke through the ceiling at Louisiana Tech and won 10 games last season for the first time in program history. Much of the production is gone, including quarterback J’Mar Smith, but November is plenty of time for Holtz to get the train back on track. 

Prediction: Loss (4-6)

Nov. 21: at North Texas

This will be a make-or-break game for both programs; whichever team loses is likely missing a bowl game. After the late frustration for UNT a year ago, it’s hard to see them overlooking this game. It will be a true toss-up, but home field advantage makes the difference. 

Prediction: Loss (4-7)

Nov. 28: UTEP

The Miners come to town in the final week of the season without anything to play for. Rice won’t have a bowl game on the horizon, but getting to five wins for the first time since 2015 will be reward enough for the Owls against one of the worst teams in football. 

Prediction: Win (5-7)

Final Record: 5-7, 3-5

Rice never does itself any favors with its difficult scheduling, and this year is no different. The non-con slate features Army, LSU and Houston. But for the first time in a while, Rice does have something on its side: a real path to a bowl. 

Granted, making it there would involve stealing a nonconference game, not slipping up against the lesser C-USA teams and stealing one from above. In our view, that’s too much to ask. But still, making it to five wins would be a tremendous leap forward for Mike Bloomgren’s vision of the program.