FIVE KEY THINGS FOR VANDERBILT

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FIVE KEY THINGS FOR VANDERBILT

? 1. Gut-check time. Two consecutive SEC losses have the Commodores in need of a win to prevent this season from slipping away. Look for veterans Myron Lewis, Bradley Vierling and Broderick Stewart to light a fire.

? 2. Same page. If ever there was a night for quarterback Larry Smith and his receivers to get their act together, this is it. Better accuracy, fewer drops. Rice ranks 116th among 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in pass defense.

? 3. Welcome back. Tailback Jared Hawkins should see his first action after missing three games with a mid-foot sprain. Playing in his home state, look for the senior to run like a bull if his foot can take the pain.

? 4. Young guns. Rice started 12 sophomores and a redshirt freshman in its loss to Texas Tech, the most starts of first- and second-year players by an FBS team this year. The Commodores have to exploit the Owls' youth.

? 5. Fast and furious. Vanderbilt players were surprised at how fast Rice got up to the line and snapped the ball in the hurry-up offense last year. They should be better prepared now that they face a no-huddle in practice.

 

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Vandy's Graham to miss Rice game

Vanderbilt nickelback Jamie Graham will not be making the trip for Saturday's game at Rice. The Whites Creek alumnus did not practice for a third consecutive day after sustaining a concussion against Mississippi State.Vandy Coach Bobby Johnson said freshman cornerback Eric Samuels (ankle), who sat out last week's game, is ready to play.

It has not been decided whether Sean Richardson or Brent Trice will start at strong safety. Richardson (leg) practiced Thursday but may not be at full strength.

"He felt better today, so hopefully he can be in there," Johnson said. "That frees up Trice to do other things."

Keeping focus: The term "must-win game" has been tossed around by fans and media a lot this week for Vanderbilt's trip to Rice.

Returning to a bowl game would be a tall order if the Commodores come back from Houston with a 1-3 record.

"Every game is a must-win," Johnson said. "We're trying to get to two wins right now. I'm not worried about bowls or six (wins) or seven or five or three or four. We're trying to get two."



Familiar surface: Though the Commodores have yet to play a game on a synthetic surface this year, look for them to feel perfectly comfortable at Rice.

The Owls installed FieldTurf Duraspine in their stadium last year. That's the same turf Vanderbilt uses at its John Rich Practice Facility. It's also the same turf Father Ryan installed in its new stadium.

Brief history: Vanderbilt holds a 3-1 series edge over Rice. The Commodores won 38-21 last year in Nashville and won in Houston in 1939 and 1975.