Mean_Green09

I expect for McHargue to look his way early in the game. Especially if UNT gets them in long down and distance situations. Consider this McHargue threw 19 passes against UTEP last week and 8 of the 19 went the way of Taylor. Three were TD's and none were shorter than 23 yards. He is 6'5 runs around a 4.5 and really athletic played QB in high school so he has a pretty good understanding of coverage's. You can expect to see a large volume of the Owl passes go his way. Two ways you can slow down him down. One is a good pass rush. If UNT is getting pressure on McHargue it takes away that ability to run deep routes down the field. Two put Buyers on him and give him help over the top. I want some one who is physical and can slow his release down. I just think Buyers could really frustrate him with his physical play. You have to feel confident that at least one guy Trice or Lee can help support in the run department. I don't think you need both unless they are gashing us. So I'd mix it up on who helps over the top. Personally I think that you may see more of Jones on him because UNT will probably like to see Buyers on the strong side helping with run support. Which is something that Buyers does really well.

Thank you to all you guys. Again if y'all got questions shoot'em up on here. I always enjoy talking a little strategy on game day!

Appreciate it man.

Here it is: The Break Down I'm tired, beat up, but I got it done after a couple of late nights. Not my best work, but to make up for that I will be answering any of your Rice questions. If you got questions about their tendencies or formations or anything related to their gameplay just post a question in this topic and I will answer it. I look forward to seeing y'all at the game. Now lets go kick some butt! Go Mean Green! This post has been promoted to an article

I slept pretty good, but I've been staying up late to work on the break down for Rice. I've been extremely busy with my normal work, so I've had a lot of late nights.

Perhaps he is going back to Nebraska to help his brother Bo out. Bo is in trouble of his losing his job pretty soon too.

I think this topic just proves how starved Mean Green fans are for that "ah hah" moment. That moment when we can feel like we have arrived. Because in today's college football landscape its all about the threads and looking cool, but in order to look cool you have to win. So finally we are winning and it looks like finally we are getting new uni's. Whatever they look like I will be happy. I'm more happy for these kids because they deserve their moment. They have restored pride in Mean Green fans everywhere. Work is still to be done!

It is if you don't play good assignment football and don't pursue well. I don't see how you think their run offense is an unknown? I'm not short changing them, I just don't think its as good as the numbers say. They are not going to come out and make you go "Wow!". Absolutely McHargue, is the man that makes the Rice offense tick. Very good at making reads in their run game. Decent speed probably faster than their other top 2 rushers. In passing situations he could hurt UNT.

Well they will essentially have 3 safeties on the field so you will see on of those guys in the box. One guy will be matched up with our 3 WR when we go 3 wide. In our big sets I would expect to see 2 safeties in the box

And really its only one guy to worry about with their air game - Jordan Taylor. Big physical WR.

Rice's run game is good, but they have benefited from playing some pretty weak rush defenses. Consider this the average ranking of rush defenses Rice has faced this year is 95, UNT is 22. The best rush defense Rice has faced this year was Houston who ranked 58th.Rice ran the ball 45 times in that game for a decent 3.9 yards per carry. So its not like we are facing an overwhelming rushing attack. They are not dynamic or explosive runners. They are powerful runners, kind of like Kenneth Dixon from La. Tech. If UNT plays good assignment football it will really negate their rushing attack. So many of their big plays come off option and zone read stuff. So that's why I mention assignment football, you need to account for the QB and the pitchman. It is a difficult offense to prepare for in a short week. So don't be surprised if Rice has early success on some missed assignments, but I fully expect for UNT to make good adjustments. I think we do a heck of a job making 2nd half defensive adjustment.

Depends on how are defense adjust to their option style attack. Personally I like our defense in this matchup to make better adjustments. I just don't see the front 7 of Rice being able to get off blocks and clog running lanes like our guys. Plus our passing can be effective with short to intermediate routes whereas Rice prefers to throw home run balls

This just in.... There is no secrets to UNTs offense that Rice doesn't know from watching film. If UNT executes and wins the battle up front there will be nothing Rice can do to stop us.

I think what your gonna see is Rice leaving their CB's out on an island. They have extreme faith in those two guys to win their 1 on 1 match-ups. So its quite possible that Brelan will get some favorable looks down the field. Rice isn't going to be fooled by that passing stats that we put up. They are going to play run first all night. The guy who could really have another big night is Carlos Harris.

Winning the turn over battle is always a key in a big game. So I'm gonna stay away from that worrying me. Instead I will go X's and O's. I'm worried about Jordan Taylor (6'5) and Rice simply just throwing the ball up for him and saying go get it. Our DB's have struggled in one on one situations with the jump ball. Rice isn't a great passing team, but they do like to take their shots down the field, especially with Taylor. Taylor is leading Rice in the explosive play category with 7 plays of over 20 yards and 3 TD's.

Great bring as many people as you can! I don't care if your + 1 is the homeless guy from the st corner. If they are cheering for us that's all we need.

Glad to hear you weren't disappointed.

Harry, you make a good point about Marcus Smith. I think in the pistol sets if UNT runs a play action pass off the dive play they can get Smith wide open over the middle. So have Miller line as the FB and Split Smith out a little. USM had trouble biting on that type of action. Smith to me could cause all kinds of matchup problems. Somebody find that kid some stick'em.

Southern Miss isn't good, no doubt. I still think they will find some success throwing the ball against us. Mullens is very accurate, but his receivers aren't the best. Judging by how we like to play off the WR I'd expect them to dink and dunk. Although if we do get right up on their WR's then I think USM will struggle to move the ball because they really cant run the ball. Expect to see them go to FR. George Payne who is a big back. But with most big backs if you get to them early its hard for them to be effective. So if UNT gets some penetration on from the DL it will really shut down that run game. I feel like I've said it over and over if UNT treats this like a playoff game and comes ready to play well then it would be crazy to think they lose. The only thing standing between UNT and a W on Saturday is UNT point blank.

Thank you for your kind words Sir it's much appreciated.

The Break Down Enjoy

I don't think the two best teams have been established. It's so up and down. I wouldn't say they are delirious for thinking that though. Up till now you had to lean towards those two. A lot more football yet to be played.

So that's why Dave Miller picked MTSu over us for a bowl game. Marshall dropped that game just like they dropped all those ints. So now where are all the peeps who thought Grammer was a better play than Kilgore? So glad ole Rick S is not the smartest man.

The weather models are in disagreement right now as to what the weather will look like. What I've seen is it should be okay with the front moving through sometime Wednesday. Again I think we find out more once the next system on Saturday moves through.