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2008 conference record: 7-1, T-1st West Division

Returning starters

Offense: 4, defense: 9, punter/kicker 2

Top returners

FS Andrew Sendejo, WR Toren Dixon, DE Scott Solomon, LT Scott Mitchell, DE Cheta Ozougwu, CB Chris Jammer, DE Scott Solomon

Key losses

QB Chase Clement, WR Jarett Dillard, TE James Casey, LB Brian Raines, C Austin Wilkinson, RG David Berken

2008 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: C.J. Ugokwe* (809 yards)
Passing: Chase Clement (4,119 yards)
Receiving: James Casey (1,329 yards)
Tackles: Andrew Sendejo* (94)
Sacks: Scott Solomon* (4.5)
Interceptions: Andrew Sendejo*, Christopher Douglas (3)

Spring answers

1. The Owls are deep at tight end: James Casey was the team' leading receiver last year, but Rice had some great depth behind him, which made his loss easier to bear. Taylor Wardlow had a great spring and came away the starter, but freshman Vance McDonald, who signed with the 2008 class but missed the season with shoulder surgery, also showed great hands and could be a factor in the fall.

2. Dixon's turn: Receiver Toren Dixon has spent his career in the shadow of either Jarett Dillard or James Casey and now that both are gone, Dixon can emerge as the Owls No. 1 receiving threat. Dixon was the No. 3 receiver a year ago and has 101 career catches.

3. Smith back from injury: Running back Tyler Smith, who suffered a knee injury against UTEP in 2007 and underwent two separate surgeries to repair it, played in the spring game and led all rushers with six carries for 62 yards and five receptions for 31 yards. He'll add much needed depth to the Owls running game, which will be leaned on more heavily this season with the loss of second-leading rusher Chase Clement.

Fall questions

1. Replacing Clement: The biggest question heading into the spring was finding a replacement for quarterback Chase Clement. The Owls had three candidates -- John Thomas Shepherd, Ryan Lewis and Nick Fanuzzi -- and none come out of the spring as the clear starter. Finding that leader will be the priority as the Owls head into the fall.

2. Stiffening on defense: The defense allowed 40 or more points five times last season and was 11th in C-USA in total defense with 452.2 yards per game. That was OK when the Owls had a potent offense, but with the all of those offensive weapons gone, the defense will have to stiffen to keep Rice one of the top teams in Conference USA.

3. Breaking in a new OC: It's fortunate that Ed Zaunbrecher joined the Owls this season since the offense is almost entirely new, but it also presents a tough challenge to make the Owls' offense one of the nation's best as it has been the past few seasons. The key there will be finding a quarterback that is consistent enough to put up Clement-like numbers.