The Charlotte 49ers and the Rice Owls meet in week 5 college football action from Rice Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rice vs Charlotte Prediction.
Charlotte Recap
The Charlotte 49ers come into this one looking to bounce back from a 52-14 loss to Indiana last time out to drop to 1-3 on the year. After this game, Charlotte will head home for a matchup with East Carolina.
49ers Struggling To Stay Healthy
Max Brown has thrown for 368 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions on 52.6% passing while Deshawn Purdie has 328 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception on 59.5% passing and Trexler Ivey has 261 passing yards and 3 TDs on 71.4% passing. Hahsaun Wilson has a team-high 136 rushing yards and a touchdown while Cartevious Northon has 102 rushing yards. Jairus Mack has a team-high 193 receiving yards. Colin Weber also has a team-high 14 grabs for 143 yards while Sean Brown and Bryce Kennon each have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Al-Ma’hi Ali has a team-high 21 total tackles and a pair of interceptions Stephen Sings V also has a team-high 2 sacks for Charlotte. As a unit, Charlotte’s defense has combined for 9 sacks and 5 interceptions this season.
Why the Charlotte 49ers will win
- Rice has lost four of its last five games.
- The road team has won three of the last four games between Charlotte and Rice.
- Rice has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.
- The road team has covered the spread in 13 of Charlotte’s last 16 games.
Rice Recap
The Rice Owls come into this game looking to rebound from back-to-back losses after a 37-14 loss to Army last time out. After this game, Rice has a bye week before facing off against UTSA at home.
Owls Trying To Find Footing
E.J. Warner has thrown for 701 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 63% passing while Dean Connors has rushed for a team-high 248 yards and 5 touchdowns and Taji Atkins has 118 rushing yards and 2 scores. Matt Sykes has 16 receptions for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns while Connors has a team-high 26 receptions for 112 yards this season. On defense, Ty Morris has a team-high 20 total tackles while the Rice defense as a whole has combined for 14 sacks and 2 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Rice Owls will win
- Charlotte has lost 18 of its last 19 road games in September.
- Rice has won each of its last seven home games in September.
- Rice has covered the spread in each of its last six September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Charlotte has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.
Rice vs Charlotte Prediction
I’m leaning towards Rice here. I don’t love the number, but there’s no backing the 49ers for me as Charlotte simply can’t stay healthy, and I feel like the Owls are the better team on both sides of the ball. Charlotte’s been getting torched left and right and have yet to look competitive, and I think Rice has the higher upside in this matchup. Give me the Owls here.