How to watch Rice vs. Notre Dame: Preview, TV schedule, odds, more

It’s Act II for Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, with brand new coordinators and new-again quarterback Everett Golson returned from a year-long suspension. It may not be an easy act, however: four players are reportedly under investigation for academic fraud, and the Irish have a tough, back-loaded schedule to deal with. The good news is that the beginning isn’t so difficult -- Rice, Michigan, Purdue and Syracuse are the Irish’s first four games, with the Wolverines the only one of the bunch expected to be able to give them a real hard time.

Rice has had a torrid run of things as of late, winning 15 of its last 19 games and shocking many when they upset Marshall in the C-USA title game. The Owls were blown out by Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl, but return solid playmakers at wide receiver and secondary.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Radio: Here’s a list of affiliates for Notre Dame, Listen online for Rice

Online streaming: NBC Sports Live

Rankings and records: Notre Dame is ranked No. 17 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, while Rice is unranked. This is the first game of the season for both teams.

Vegas: Notre Dame is a 21-point favorite, with the line dropping slightly from it’s 24.5-point opening. The over/under is 51 points.

Weather forecast: 78 degrees and scattered thunderstorms.

Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame. After a year away from the program, Golson returned to win the job from fellow former blue-chipper Malik Zaire. How the starter will look back in action is one of the Irish’s biggest storylines in 2014, but there is definite reason for optimism. He’s a threat in the air and on the ground (combining for 18 touchdowns in 2012), and has the talent and pedigree to be a bonafide star.

Ronnie Stanley, LT, Notre Dame. The Irish lost Zack Martin and Chris Watt to the NFL, but their offensive line still looks stacked. Four-star talent runs through the two-deep, and Stanley and fellow highly-recruited sophomore Steve Elmer should combine for one of the best left sides of a line in the country.

Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice. Callahan was a key cog in an impressive Owls secondary last season, and Rice’s success in this game could hinge on its ability to stop the Irish’s passing attack.

With Notre Dame’s tough schedule, they need to take wins where they can find them and move the conversation away from the academic scandal. With Notre Dame’s backloaded schedule, early wins are even more important.

For Rice, it’s a chance to prove their 2013 season was no fluke. Marshall is considered the heavy favorite once again (with North Texas lurking), but the Owls could make a statement by playing well here.

For more on Notre Dame, check out One Foot Down. For complete coverage of Conference USA (including Rice), check out Underdog Dynasty.