Rice @ Kansas preview

Kansas faces one of the nation’s toughest schedules in the coming weeks – getting five ranked teams in a six-game stretch – so a visiting from Rice on Saturday will give the Jayhawks a chance to work out some Week 1 problems. The Jayhawks’ passing game, led by former Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist, wasn’t sharp and their defense gave up too many yards to South Dakota State. But Kansas’ pair of running back could have another big game against the Owls, who allowed big plays in a lopsided loss to UCLA.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Kansas -9.5

ABOUT RICE (0-1, 0-0 C-USA): The Owls rallied from an early deficit but could never overcome UCLA’s big plays in a 49-24 loss. The Bruins slashed Rice’s defense with long runs – including three touchdowns of more than 70 yards – and quick drives. They scored three touchdowns in their first five offensive plays. Rice junior quarterback Taylor McHargue threw for a score and ran for another to get his team within 19-17 early in the second quarter. He went 17-of-28 for 172 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception. Rice junior linebacker Cameron Nwosu set a NCAA single-game record with three blocked extra-point attempts to go with his team-high nine tackles and first career interception.

ABOUT KANSAS (1-0, 0-0 Big 12): Kansas had two running backs top 100 yards for the first time since 2007 as sophomore Tony Pierson and junior Taylor Cox combined for 245 yards and three scores in a 31-17 victory against South Dakota State. The pair got the majority of the carries while returning starter James Sims served the beginning of a three-game suspension. Crist made his first start in nearly a year and was disappointed in his 17-of-35 performance. He passed for 169 yards and a short touchdown to former Notre Dame teammate Mike Ragone but misfired on several other scoring chances. The Jayhawks forced five turnovers and blocked two punts but gave up a 99-yard touchdown run early and 10 straight points in the fourth quarter.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rice is ranked 106th out of the 107 FBS teams in total defense after allowing 646 yards – 303 yards passing and 343 rushing – to UCLA.

2. The Jayhawks won their only other meeting against Rice, a 33-7 Bluebonnet Bowl victory in 1961. That game was played at Rice Stadium.

3. Kansas has won 25 of 27 home non-conference games since the start of the 2003 season.

PREDICTION: Kansas 41, Rice 21.