Here’s a look at the Memphis-Rice football game, a lackluster Conference USA matchup that’s even getting bashed by our Grizzlies blogger (Chip Crain, be careful, you don’t want those Tiger message board types coming after you):

** Rice coach David Bailiff on his team’s 1-5 start: “This football team is in the exact same position it was last season. This is when the team went on a roll. The only difference is that they were 0-2 in conference last season and we’re 1-1.”

** Tiger fans looking for long-shot optimism may want to research coach Tommy West vs. first-time opponents. Under West, the Tigers are 4-2 when facing an opponent for the first, as the Tigers will be doing at Rice.

** Look for reserve Tiger quarterback Matt Malouf to be heavily involved in the U of M offense. He was left on the bench last weekend against Middle Tennessee, an oversight West regretted.

** Look for Rice freshman James Casey to play anywhere. Casey, 23, is a former minor league baseball player who recently returned to college. He played seven positions against Southern Miss, including quarterback, running back, tight end and defensive end.