Rice Owls (1-1) vs. Houston Cougars (0-2)
September 14, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Cougars -4 / Rice Owls +4; Over/Under: 34.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Rice Owls and Houston Cougars meet Saturday in week 3 college football action at TDECU Stadium. Here’s a Houston vs Rice Prediction. This article will include a Houston vs Rice Pick.
Rice Owls Betting Preview
The Rice Owls lost to Sam Houston, beat Texas Southern, and will play Army next. The Rice Owls have lost 3 of their last 5 road games. E.J. Warner is completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 416 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Matt Sykes and Braylen Walker have combined for 193 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dean Connors has 13 receptions.
The Rice Owls ground game is averaging 188 yards per contest, and Connors leads the way with 165 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Rice is allowing 20.5 points and 247 yards per game. Gabriel Taylor leads the Rice Owls with 9 tackles, Demone Green has 2 sacks and Tyson Flowers has 1 interception.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars lost to UNLV and Oklahoma, and they play Cincinnati next. The Houston Cougars haven’t started 0-3 since the 2012 season. Donovan Smith is completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 395 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. Stephon Johnson and Mekhi Mews have combined for 169 receiving yards on 16 catches, while Joseph Manjack IV has 6 receptions.
The Houston Cougars ground game is averaging 48 yards per contest, and Stacy Sneed leads the way with 36 yards on 13 carries. Defensively, Houston is allowing 21.5 points and 278.5 yards per game. A.J. Haulcy leads the Houston Cougars with 16 tackles, Keith Cooper Jr. has 2 sacks and Jeremiah Wilson has 1 interception.
Why the Rice Owls will win
- Houston has lost seven of its last eight games.
- Rice has won four of its last five games in September.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of Houston’s last six games.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Houston has lost the first half in eight of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Rice’s last seven September road games against non-AP-ranked teams has gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of Houston’s last eight games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston ranks 35th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (2.5).
- Rice ranks T17th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (12.0).
- Rice ranks T18th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (15.5).
Houston vs Rice Prediction
The Houston Cougars hung around with Oklahoma and while they deserve credit for that, this offense has been dreadful through two games. Even the game against UNLV was ugly. Houston hasn’t been able to run the ball, and Donovan Smith has thrown three interceptions. Rice beat Houston in overtime last season as a 7-point underdog, and we know the Owls get up for games like this against in-state competition. Rice is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when an underdog of 3 or more points. I’ll grab the points with Rice, as I just don’t like what I’ve seen from Houston offensively through two games.
