1980 Rice Owls football team

The 1980 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach Ray Alborn, the team compiled a 5–6 record.

The Owls' 17-7 victory vs. LSU ended a 13-game winless streak vs. the Bayou Bengals. It was Rice's first victory vs. LSU since 1966, the last season the Owls were coached by the legendary Jess Neely.