Rice wanted a head coach who ran a unique offense and possessed a history of success at institutions with high academic standards after firing Mike Bloomgren in the middle of last season. The Owls found just that in Scott Abell, who makes his FBS debut in 2025. He deploys a run-oriented option attack that will distinguish Rice in a state that is Air Raid heavy. Success might not come easy in Year 1 as Abell changes philosophies with a roster he mostly inherited. High school coaching legend Jon Kay was elevated to defensive coordinator. Rice hasn’t finished above .500 since 2014.

RICE OWLS 

2024 record: 4-8

Overview

Abell wasn’t provided the friendliest path in Year 1. His Owls travel to Sun Belt contender Louisiana to start the season before hosting crosstown rival Houston. The AAC schedule includes trips to Navy, UTSA, and South Florida. Historic Rice Stadium will play host to Memphis and North Texas. A bowl game is always the goal for the Owls, even during a transition, but finding six wins is a tough task. 

Biggest Game – Sept. 18 at Charlotte

Rice’s first conference game with Scott Abell in charge is a trip to Charlotte to face another first-year head coach in Tim Albin, who was previously at Ohio and was reportedly in the mix to become the head coach on South Main. The winner achieves an early proof of concept. 

Trap Game – Oct. 4 vs. Florida Atlantic

There are no trap games for a program that hasn’t posted a winning record since 2014, but we’ll take the home game against FAU and another first-year head coach in Zach Kittley, who was formerly the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech. This game is sandwiched between trips to Navy and UTSA.  

Upset Bid – Aug. 30 at Louisiana

Scott Abell can introduce himself to FBS football with a season opening win at Louisiana, a G5 program that’s posted double-digit wins in four of its last six seasons. Louisiana won’t have any game film on Rice’s new-look option attack and that could be to the Owls’ advantage.  

Can’t Lose – Sept. 13 vs. Prairie View A&M

The Owls likely head into the Week 3 matchup with Prairie View A&M with an 0-2 record. AAC play starts on a short week at Charlotte in Week 4. Rice can’t get upset by the Panthers at home and head to Charlotte at 0-3. First years for head coaches are measured by momentum created and this is one of the only games all year where Rice will be a true favorite. 

Most Important Stretch – Sept. 13 – Oct. 4 

That contest with PVA&M begins an important month for Rice because it is the most manageable portion of a tough schedule. The next three games are at Charlotte, at Navy, and then at home to Florida Atlantic. Ideally, the Owls win three of the four in this stretch and head to UTSA on Oct. 11, at 3-3. The second half of the schedule is tough, so racking up as many wins as possible early on is the only way to reach a bowl. 

Full Schedule

Aug. 30                 at Louisiana     
Sept. 6                  Houston              
Sept. 13               Prairie View A&M           
Sept. 18               at Charlotte     
Sept. 27               at Navy                 
Oct. 4                     Florida Atlantic               
Oct. 11                 at UTSA                
Oct. 25                 UConn                  
Oct. 31                 Memphis            
Nov. 8                    UAB       
Nov. 22                 North Texas      
Nov. 29                 at South Florida