Rice @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Northwestern 30, Rice 13

THE STORY: Fresh off an upset over then-No. 9 Nebraska, Northwestern hosts Rice looking for its third straight win. The Wildcats led 14-10 after three quarters and were without quarterback Dan Persa for the second half but managed to hold on for a 28-25 victory over the Cornhuskers. Rice is coming off a 41-27 victory over UTEP. The Owls snapped a three-game losing streak but need to win out in order to become bowl eligible. This will be the seventh meeting between the schools. Rice leads the series 4-2 but has lost the last two, including 30-14 last year.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Northwestern -16.5

ABOUT RICE (3-6, 2-4 C-USA): Rice, which racked up 449 total yards in the win over UTEP, is led by quarterback Taylor McHargue and his eight touchdown passes. Tyler Smith and Turner Petersen headline the Owls rushing attack and have combined for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns. However, Rice has struggled on defense, allowing more than 30 points in six of its nine games, including 73 two weeks ago in a loss to Houston. The Owls are giving up more than 483 yards per game.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (4-5, 2-4 BIG TEN): Although Persa missed the second half of Northwestern’s win over Nebraska, he’s expected to play on Saturday. Persa has battled lingering injuries but has still managed to throw for nine touchdowns. His backup, Kain Colter, has quickly become one of the more electric players in the Big Ten. Colter has thrown for five touchdowns, leads the team in rushing with 516 yards (8 TDs) and ranks third in receiving with 336 yards. Like Rice, the Wildcats have struggled defensively and are allowing more than 30 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rice is riding a nine-game road losing streak and has lost its last 22 on the road against BCS schools. The Owls’ last BCS road win came against Northwestern in 1997.

2. Northwestern is one win shy of becoming bowl eligible for a school-record fifth consecutive season.

3. Rice has lost its last two games against the Wildcats and is 1-5 this season when outgained on offense.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 38, Rice 21 – The Wildcats will have no trouble scoring against one of the nation’s worst defenses.