2018 Rice Owls football team
The 2018 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Owls played their home games at the Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by first-year head coach Mike Bloomgren. They finished the season 2–11, 1–7 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for sixth place in the West Division. Previous season. The Owls finished the 2017 season 1–11, 1–7 in C-USA play to finish in sixth place in the  West Division. On November 27, head coach David Bailiff was fired. He finished at Rice with an 11-year record of 57–80. Preseason. Preseason All-CUSA team. Conference USA released their preseason all-CUSA team on July 16, 2018, with the Owls having one player selected. Special teams Jack Fox – P Preseason media poll. Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the Owls predicted to finish in a tie for sixth place in the West Division.