Week 1 Predictions: Rice Owls Vs. Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns Country staff provides their predictions for Week 1's showdown against the Rice Owls.

New year, same result? That's what Texas football is trying to avoid before joining the SEC.

The Longhorns, the preseason favorites to win the Big 12 for the first time since 2009, have seen hype get far too out of hands. How many times have fans heard "Texas is back" on the broadcast, only to see their team finish with five losses and play in a less-than-ideal bowl game while wondering if there's a brighter tomorrow? 

This should be the year where it all comes together for Sarkisian in Austin. Then again, it was supposed to come together for Texas A&M after making headlines with the No. 1 recruiting class in league history. The Aggies lost 17-14 to Appalachian State and only defeated UMass — and program that's won 22 games since 2012 — by 17. 

It was supposed to come together for Maimi by hiring Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes lost to Middle Tennessee by 14 and finished below .500 for the first time in the regular season since 2007. 

Anything can happen on Saturdays, including upsets in Royal-Memorial Stadium. Will that happen for the No. 11 Longhorns in Week 1 against Rice? Here's LonghornsCountry.com's way-too-early predictions for a showdown against the Owls. 

Matt Galatzan, Managing Editor and Publisher

If the Longhorns are what we think they are, this one should be a breeze. No reason to think there should be any danger in Week 1. And with Alabama looming in Week 2, the Horns will want to make a statement. 

Texas 48, Rice 17

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

JT Daniels would need to channel his inner Goku to defeat Texas at home and go Super Saiyan. Not saying it's impossible but rather improbable. I actually think the Owls could sneak around and finish with seven-plus wins for the first time since 2014, but it'll take time for the former No. 1 QB recruit to get in rhythm with his receivers outside of practice. Any other weekend and maybe Rice makes this interesting. 

Texas 54, Rice 13

Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer

Texas may have lost some of its top contributors to the draft and eligibility reasons, but the result in the season opener against the Owls will the same as it's been for nearly three decades. The Longhorns won't shut out Rice like they did in a 58-0 demolition in 2021, but this one will still be over by halftime.

Texas 57, Rice 6

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

In 11 contests since 2000, Texas has averaged 46.5 points per game against Rice, including a 58-0 rout in 2021. Quarterback JT Daniels is at stop No. 4 in his college career, and the former five-star should help the Owls' offense move the ball more efficiently than they did in 2022, ranking 77th in total offense and 84th in scoring offense.

The Longhorns have won 15 in a row and 43 of the last 44 since 1966 against Rice. The win streak will move to 16 straight Saturday.

Texas 48, Rice 17

Tori Garcia, Staff Writer

The first game of the 2023 season should be an easy test for the Longhorns that could rack up Texas' momentum for the following week's game against Alabama, which left Longhorn fans heartbroken with a 19-20 loss in 2022 and ready for revenge. 

Although Texas teams of the past have struggled to solidify a 10-game winning season, the Longhorns have yet to lose to the Owls since 1994. They haven't failed to exert dominance over Rice, with a 47-2 all-time series record since 1963. That won't stop now, either. 

Texas 45, Rice 13

Kevin Borba,  Staff Writer 

Texas has a nice tune-up game before they head to Tuscaloosa for what could be one of the most important games of the season against Alabama. It is a chance to shake off the rust, and make sure everyone is ready. JT Daniels has faced Texas twice, once at USC and once at West Virginia, and has done quite well against the Longhorns. Realistically, Texas is worlds better than Rice and should get on the Owls early and often. The storyline of this game should be which quarterback comes in first after Quinn Ewers as Steve Sarkisian won't reveal it to the media. 

Texas 45, Rice 0