#7 Texas (3-0) vs. Rice (0-3)
Time: 6 pm, Saturday, Sept. 22
Location: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: KVET (98.1 FM, 1300 AM)

There have been more than enough distractions to keep Texas coach Mack Brown occupied this week. Word that a sixth Longhorn had been arrested in the past four months set off allegations that the program is out of control. And even though they've won their first three games, the Longhorns have not dominated lesser opponents, which also has set off alarm bells among some Texas fans.

Brown is hoping that Saturday's home game gives his program a chance to get back on track and put the focus back on the field. It should be an easy one for the Horns -- Rice is winless this year and given up an average of 50 points in each of the last two weeks.

Three Longhorns are back from serving three-game suspensions. Linebacker Sergio Kindle and defensive end Henry Melton return after DWI arrests this summer and are expected to provide much-needed depth at those positions. And wide receiver Billy Pittman is back after the university determined he had received improper benefits over the summer. Pittman should provide a deep threat for the Longhorn passing offense.

Photo by Life As Art on flickr

Game Notes

Charles in Charge: Jamaal Charles ran for more than 100 yards for the third consecutive game last week, making him only the second Texas running back, along with Cedric Benson, to accomplish that feat in the last 10 years. Charles ran for 153 yards against Central Florida and has scored at least one touchdown in each of the last seven games.

Bananas Foster: Brandon Foster was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week last week, after returning an interception for a touchdown and recovering a fumble in Texas' win over Central Florida. Foster also was selected as the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week for games on Sept. 8, making him the first Longhorn to earn back-to-back conference honors since 2000.

Longhorn Injuries: Two starters -- right tackle Adam Ulatoski and defensive end Brian Orakpo -- are sidelined this week because of injury. Orakpo is still recovering from a right knee injury suffered in the season opener, and Ulatoski is out with a right elbow injury. Backup quarterback Sherrod Harris is listed as probable with a left knee injury, but the Longhorns say freshman John Chiles would be the team's No. 2 quarterback on Saturday.

Opponents to Watch: Wide receiver Jarett Dillard is the Owls' top weapon. The 5-11, 185-pound junior was named to several All-America teams last year following a record-setting season in which he caught 21 touchdown passes, including TD catches in all 13 games.

Familiar Territory: Before coming to Rice for this season, Owls coach David Bailiff was the head man at Texas State University. During his three-year tenure in San Marcos, the Bobcats went 21-15, winning a Southland Conference championship in 2005 and advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs.

Rucker Back: Running backs coach Ken Rucker returned to practice for the first time in three weeks after having surgery for prostate cancer in late August.

Big 12 Beatings: Texas is the third consecutive Big 12 opponent for the Owls, who lost 59-24 to Texas Tech last week and lost 42-17 to Baylor in Week 2. The Owls went to a bowl game for the first time in more than 40 years last season, but after losing head coach Todd Graham to Tulsa and offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to Nebraska, the team has struggled in 2007.

Long-Time Rivals: The teams have a long history as former Southwest Conference rivals. They first played in 1914, and Texas holds a 67-21-1 advantage in the series. Since the 1960s, however, Texas has dominated. Following a tie in 1962, Rice has only won two of the subsequent 32 meetings. In 1994, the Owls defeated the Longhorns in Houston, 19-17, and in 1965, the Owls defeated the Longhorns in Austin, 20-17. Mack Brown's Texas teams have never lost to Rice.

Urban Legends: Some folks will tell you that both the University of Texas Tower and the Frost Bank building downtown were designed by students from the Rice School of Architecture, because when viewed at an angle, both buildings seems to resemble an owl, the Rice mascot. Even though this has been debunked here and here, there's still some resemblance.

Part of the MOB: Halftime will feature Rice's Marching Owl Band (MOB), one of the most entertaining groups fans will see all season. The MOB is known for their irreverent performances, usually skewering some aspect about their rival school. Except the Longhorns' recent troubles with the law to be a potential target for the MOB's performance.