David Bailiff and Kevin Sumlin reside in the same neighborhood and talk at least once a week.

Rice coach David Bailiff says he's bringing a confident bunch to Robertson Stadium for Saturday's Bayou Bucket game against Houston Share Share The Houston Cougars average nearly 575 yards and a little more than 42 points per game, all of which supports the notion that the nation's most prolific offense resides at the other end of Main Street.

Patrick Randolph will remember Toren Dixon's hair. Today is the last time Dixon will play at Rice Stadium.

The ball bounced off the back of the rim high into the air, and usually, guards retrieve those rebounds on the perimeter.

Last meeting: 2008, Rice 56-42. What's At Stake At 5-2 in Conference USA play Houston needs a victory to win the West division and qualify for the championship game.

Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum is on the Conference USA Player of the Week roll call for the sixth time this season.

The "College Gameday" crew won't be parked outside of Rice Stadium today. The Owls are 1-9, UTEP is 3-7 and on the national landscape, this game doesn't rate.

Charles Ross rushed for three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, and Rice took advantage of 6 turnovers in a 30-29 come-from-behind victory over Texas-El Paso on Saturday.

Rice linebacker Justin Hill blocks Tulane kicker Ross Thevenot's punt in the third quarter Nov.

The same night in March 2008 that he was let go after 12 seasons as California's basketball coach, Ben Braun picked up the phone and couldn't turn the volume down.

GAME NOTES: After a successful start at home, the Rice Owls now hit the road for the first time as they invade the McKale Center in Tucson to tangle with the Arizona Wildcats in non-conference play.

Once Fresno State solved 6-foot-4 Mekia Valentine, there was no stopping the Bulldogs in their women's basketball season opener.

In two games this month, UTEP junior running back Donald Buckram has not only carried 67 times for 475 yards and four touchdowns but also caught eight passes for 175 yards and another two scores.

Originally published November 15, 2009 at 6:55 p.m., updated November 15, 2009 at 7 p.m. HOUSTON a ' Suleiman Braimoh and Tamir Jackson had 10 points each to lead Rice past Houston Baptist 60-46 in the Rice Basketball Challenge on Sunday.

Tamir Jackson scored 18 points -- one of four Rice starters in double figures -- and the Owls edged South Alabama 71-69 Saturday night in the Rice Basketball Challenge.

Nick Fanuzzi passed for four touchdowns as the Rice Owls snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 28-20 win Saturday over the Tulane Green Wave.

Originally published November 13, 2009 at 11:20 p.m., updated November 13, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. HOUSTON a ' Connor Frizzelle sunk four of his five 3-point tries as part of an 18-point day as Rice easily overtook Sacramento State 81-51 on Friday.

There was effort, and his players challenged much more in the second half, so Ben Braun was pleased.

Angelo State, a Division II school in San Angelo, led Rice by three points at halftime Monday before the Owls pulled away in the second half and prevailed 79-71 in an exhibition.

Line: Rice by 2 1/2. Series Record: Rice leads 16-14-1. Last meeting: 2008, Rice 42-17. Rice was close to finally notching a victory last week against SMU.