Rice not another bland opponent

Quick, name one player from Rice? Didja know they call themselves the Owls? Rice? Who?

Rice (which is in Houston, by the way) used to play in the old Southwest conference, back before Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Baylor bolted for the Big Bland Twelve.

Their offense still looks like it belongs in the SWC of the '70s and '80s.

"It's one of the few pure triple options left," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.

Michigan's defense is the kind of defense that option-loving offense coordinators salivate over. They blitz, they pursue. The option is an offense that takes those qualities in a defense and neutralizes them. It turns agressiveness back on itself.

That said, Rice - no matter what kind offense the Owls use - is the kind of oppponent most programs salivate over. The Owls coughed up the ball eight times last week against Houston - and they weren't even playing the Phi Slamma Jamma Cougars.

The Wolverines were careful not to say anything to inflame the Owls this week.

Why? Well, they are an option team. They're also a sub-par opponent. And those have given Michigan more trouble than top-ten opponents in the past four years.

As long as Lloyd Carr has been coach, the Wolverines have gone 9-1 against top-five teams and13-2 in September.

But they've also lost to Northwestern twice. Although Northwestern went to Pasadena that year, the Wildcats were still finding their form at that point in the season, and the game had been within Michigan's grasp.

There was no such excuse for the loss to Purdue in 1996, which cost the Wolverines a shot at the Big Ten title. All those losses came in game like tomorrow's. Games Michigan should have won.

Even last season, Michigan struggled with some subpar opponents. At Iowa, the Wolverines needed a safety on a kickoff following the field goal that put them ahead 10-9 in the fourth quarter to secure a victory. The very next week, another safety secured a soggy 12-6 win at Northwestern. The Hawkeyes and the Wildcats went a combined 2-14 in the Big Ten last year.

Two years ago, Michigan had no problems with subpar opponents. Tomato cans such as Baylor and Indiana were appropriately made into marinara sauce.

Subpar opponents might show what a team is made of far better than big games do. Even the California kids on Michigan's and Ohio State's teams get up for the yearly November grudge match.

But Rice? Even the Wolverines who originally hail from the Lone Star state seem to have no different feelings toward Rice the football team than they do toward rice, the starchy, bland side dish.

That's what makes tomorrow's game such a test. The Wolverines have already proven their ability to win an emotional, high-pressure game.

Despite that, none will say anything cocky. No one says they expect to have no problems. Dutiful concern was expresed over the Owls' option. Several players voiced the requisite "they're a good team" sentiments.

If it's a rout, fans thoughts will turn to an early escape to a sofa and other, more stimulating games on TV. ESPN 2, which will show the game, may not set any ratings records.

But tomorrow is no side dish to the Wolverines' season. It's the main course. No matter how bland.

09-10-99