No. 12 Texas (1-1) vs. Rice (0-2) at NRG Stadium in Houston, Saturday at 8 p.m. EDT (CBS Sports Network).
Line: Texas by 32 1/2.
Series record: Texas leads 72-21-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Texas needs a rebound win before heading into its Big 12 schedule. And a blowout would be preferable. Letting the Owls stay close in a series as lopsided as this one would be a confidence blow. Texas is 41-1 against Rice since 1966.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas slot receiver Devin Duvernay vs. Rice secondary. Duvernay was dominant against LSU with 12 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns with a display of speed and power to break tackles. He can turn short passes into big gains in a hurry.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas: Tailback Keaontay Ingram needs a big game. He had a bad one against LSU with a dropped pass in the end zone and a fumble, and his struggles opened the door for converted quarterback Roschon Johnson to rush for more yards than he did. The Longhorns need Ingram to get going.
Rice: Owls running back Nashon Ellerbee averages 7.6 yards per carry. He may be the Owls’ best chance to generate some offense.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas coach Tom Herman was the offensive coordinator at Rice in 2007-08 and his offense ranked in the Top 10 nationally his second season. … Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger accounted for five touchdowns against LSU (one rushing, four passing) and was the team’s leading rusher. … The Owls average just 14 points per game, tied for 119th nationally.
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