2016 Rice University Football Team Preview | #BeARiceOwl

The Owls are hoping to bounce back and return to a bowl game after missing out for the first time in four years last season.

For most of Rice University's history, the school's football program was an afterthought to its strong academic tradition. Under that premise, going 5-7 in 2015 wouldn't be overly disappointing. But under the culture that Head Coach David Bailiff has created, such thoughts are anything but acceptable. Going into his 10th year, Bailiff is looking for the Owls to bounce back and return to a bowl game after missing out for the first time in four years last season.

Players to Watch

In order to do so, the Owls will have to rely fifth-year senior QB Tyler Stehling to take over from one of the team's biggest weapons, departing quarterback Driphus Jackson. Stehling's stats are far from conclusive having completed 36 of 67 passes, for 479 yards with 2 TDs and 2 Ints in his entire Owl career.

On defense, things are likely not to be a hoot for Owls. They gave up a worst-in-the-country yards-per-play average and no significant additions to think that the same situation will not repeat itself.