Mike Bloomgren launches his second season at Rice with a journey northeast to West Point. Awaiting his Rice Owls (2-11 in 2018) are the Army Black Knights (11-2 in 2018), fresh off a 2018 campaign featuring an AP ranking and a 70-14 Armed Forces Bowl annihilation of Rice’s crosstown rival, Houston.
Considering Army’s returning personnel and on-field success from its 11-2 season in 2018, the Black Knights probably warrant a ranking in the AP Poll. Army received 94 votes in the preseason poll, just two spots away from ushering in the new year with a number next to its name.