Rice preview

The Rice Owls soared to heights, both individually and collectively, in 2006 that no one dared to predict as they entered the season.

Led by the individual heroics of wide receiver Jarett Dillard, who vaulted from unknown to All-American thanks to leading the nation with 21 touchdown catches, Rice won its final six games, three on the final offensive play of the game, to finish second in the C-USA West and earn a date to play Troy in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The Owls head into the 2007 season faced not only with the task of building on the momentum created last season, but also with the challenge of meshing with a new coaching staff and a change in defensive scheme, as David Bailiff takes over the reigns and brings with him the change to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment.

Normally, such challenges would have been substantially addressed during Spring Practice, but Bailiff's staff never got the chance to fully evaluate all the returning talent, since a number missed the spring period recuperating from injuries. Only 53 of the 65 players were able to participate in the bulk of drills, leaving the depth chart assignments heading into the fall up for major renovations, thanks to a fully healed returning squad and a talented 23-man freshman class that will likely be asked to step up into several key roles.

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