Rice finished with a record of 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Conference USA. The Owls featured a balanced attack of Nick Fanuzi and Taylor McHargue as the quarterbacks. Fanuzi graduated leaving McHargue as the likely starter. McHargue threw for eight touchdowns and five interceptions last year.

Number one running back Tyler Smith also graduated leaving a hole at the position. Junior running back Turner Petersen who served as Smith’s understudy last year is poised to take over the number one spot. Petersen rushed for 485 yards on 102 carries last year along with five touchdowns.

Number one wide receiver Vance McDonald returns for the Owls. Last year he made 43 catches for Rice, along with five touchdowns.

Last year, Rice had many defensively and offensively in averaging just 23 points while giving up 33 points. Returning stars are coming back for the offense at the key positions, what about the defense?

Last year, Rice barely made the top 100 in top defense for all NCAA schools. The defense is led by linebacker Cameron Nwosu who is a third-team all-CUSA pick by Phil Steele. Nwosu led Rice in tackles with 108 tackles, which was good for sixth in the conference. Rice has a few other returning players on the defensive side, giving the unit a chance of being stronger this year.

Rice starts the 2012 season on Thursday when they host PAC-12 opponent UCLA at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Oct 22, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls linebacker Cameron Nwosu (34) returns as Rice's leader on defense. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Aqib Talib: Talib continues to be a leader at Tampa Bay, and a likely starter for the team. This is Talib’s fifth year in the NFL, and fourth as a member of the Buccaneers. The former first round pick from Kansas has recorded 161 tackles.

Dezmon Briscoe: Former Kansas Jayhawk wide receiver, Briscoe is currently playing for the Washington Redskins after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010. Briscoe is making strides in his quest to be a starting wideout for the team.

Chris Harris: Harris went undrafted last season out of Kansas, yet starred for the Denver Broncos. The cornerback made 72 tackles, and had one interception as a rookie. He has played in both preseason games for the Broncos so far this preseason.

Moran Norris: This NFL vet has been in the league for 12 seasons. He is currently playing fullback for the Houston Texans.

Mike Rivera: This offensive lineman is currently in his fourth season in the league. Rivera has played sparingly for the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins and now the New England Patriots.

Kerry Meier: Meier starred as a quarterback then a wide receiver at Kansas. He is fighting for a job as a wide receiver with the Atlanta Falcons. Meier saw most of his time last season on special teams.

Steven Johnson: Johnson, an undrafted free agent signed with Denver out of Kansas this last off-season. He is one of 13 linebackers on the Broncos roster fighting for a job.

Anthony Collins: Collins has played five seasons in the NFL, all with the Cincinnati Bengals. The offensive lineman has started 18 games out of 39 he has appeared in.

August 3, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Aqib Talib seen here in practice is one of the few former Kansas Jayhawks in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The first two games of the Jayhawks season will also be televised. The encounter with South Dakota State can be viewed on Sept. 1st at 6:00 p.m. on the Jayhawk IMG network. In the second week of the season, Kansas hosts Rice at 2:30 p.m on FSN. Kansas made five appearances on FSN in 2011.

Other Big 12 teams in action on television for the first week of football include West Virginia hosting Marshall on FX at 11 a.m. The Mountaineers and Marshall have faced off 11 times previously with West Virginia winning every game. The Friends of Coal Bowl began in 1911 though hard feelings and politics kept the two teams from playing every year, despite being in-state rivals. Other games on the 1st include: Iowa State hosting Tulsa on FSN, Kansas State welcoming Missouri State on HD Net, and Texas hosting Wyoming on the new Longhorn network.

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Apr 28, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas and quarterback Dayne Crist will be televised for the first three weeks of the season. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE