The Rice Owls come into the 2021 season following a short 5 game season in 2020 in which Rice finished 2-3 on the year. The Owls will rely on a good running game of several top tier backs to keep them in this game and find success within conference play. Khalan Griffin and Juma Otoviano will each see a lot of reps to lead the Owls offense.
Defensively Rice will have its issues early this year to find their footing. On the bright side Rice will return 8 of the top 9 defensive players to lead the defensive. The Owls will depend on their defense to repeat the 2020 effort in which no team had more than 150 rushing yards in a game.
Arkansas enter this year off a 3-7 season that ended with a 52-3 loss to the eventual National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide. KJ Jefferson will have the keys to this team and will take this team as far as he goes. Jefferson will find success thanks to a good group of receivers and a strong running back. Trelon Smith Jr and Tj Hammonds will see lots of work early until the offense gets its rhythm.
Defensively the Razorbacks will be stout and this unit will win them games throughout 2021. The linebackers will lead the defense flanked by a strong group of defensive backs. Arkansas has the depth and ability on defense to play with a lot of teams in the SEC and around the country.
