David Bailiff is getting his first taste of the Rice-Houston football rivalry, and the Rice football coach couldn’t be more excited.

“I ought to have him come give the pre-game speech to my team,” Houston coach Art Briles joked at Wednesday’s Rice-UH Bayou Bucket Luncheon at the J W Marriott at The Galleria.

Jokes, good-natured barbs and optimism flowed freely at the luncheon, sponsored by The Touchdown Club of Houston ahead of Saturday’s intra-city rivalry game at Robertson Stadium (2:30 p.m., KBME-790 AM, KFNC-97.5 FM).

“Am I excited about Saturday? You’re dang right, and it’s pretty special,” said Bailiff, who was named Rice coach in January after three successful seasons at Texas State. “This is the first time I’ve ever been a part of it, and that makes it even more special.”

The Bayou Bucket trophy, awarded to the game’s winner each year for the past 28 years, sat on display in front of the podium during the entire ceremony.

Houston (2-3) lost 30-24 last Saturday at Alabama, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter before a last-second interception thwarted the Cougars’ final attempt at a comeback.

Rice earned its first victory Oct. 3, defeating Southern Mississippi 31-29 in their Conference USA opener. The Owls started 0-4.

“Athletically we need to use the University of Houston as a model. We need to achieve what they’ve achieved,” Bailiff said, referring to the Cougars’ three bowl appearances in the last four seasons. “Those are the things we need to lead Rice into before we can really get this thing rolling.”

Houston has won five of its last eight meetings against Rice.

Before the coaches spoke, longtime athletic trainers Tom Wilson (Houston) and Allen Eggert (Rice) were awarded Special Orders of Merit.

“It’s an industry that is born of love,” Rice athletic director Chris Del Conte said. “They are the voice of students; a sounding board. They are the eyes and ears of athletic programs.”

* UH TO HOST EAST-WEST GAME: Houston athletic director Dave Maggard announced Robertson Stadium will host the annual East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19, 2008.

It was held in California for decades before moving to San Antonio in 2006 and Reliant Stadium earlier this year.

“This year Reliant was not available on the date requested and Jack Hart, the Executive Director of the game and longtime friend from our days at (University of California at) Berkeley, made the request for us to host the game here at Robertson Stadium,” Maggard said during the luncheon.

The game will be televised by ESPN2.

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