Rice

The Owls enter 2026 navigating a quarterback transition after Chase Jenkins transferred to Kansas, leaving a competition to determine the new signal-caller with Jacurri Brown arriving from UCF as the highest-rated portal addition. Rice's JP+ rating of -9.9 points (#119 nationally) reflects significant offensive struggles at -7.2 (#128) while the defense grades out considerably better at -2.6 (#99), though both units face continuity challenges. The departure of running back Daelen Alexander to Coastal Carolina compounds offensive concerns, while the secondary lost key coverage personnel that could undermine what was the team's relative strength.

JP+ projects 4.8 wins for the Owls, suggesting modest improvement from last season's 5-7 record may be difficult with road tests against Notre Dame, East Carolina, and Fresno State anchoring a challenging schedule. The gap between projection and optimistic expectations hinges largely on whether the quarterback competition produces stability and if defensive coordinator schemes can mask coverage attrition in the secondary. If Brown or another quarterback option provides consistent play and the defense maintains its relative competence, Rice could approach bowl eligibility again — but if the offensive transition stalls and coverage issues emerge, the Owls risk sliding backward in the competitive American Athletic Conference.