The Houston Cougars and Rice Owls meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at Rice Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars look for another win after escaping UTSA in their season opener. Houston looks for its first 2-0 start since 2018 when it beat Rice and Arizona to start the year. Donovan Smith is completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 233 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Samuel Brown and Joseph Manjack IV have combined for 173 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Matthew Golden has 4 receptions. The Houston Cougars ground game is averaging 101 yards per contest, and Tony Mathis Jr. leads the way with 38 yards on 8 carries. Defensively, Houston is allowing 14 points and 417 yards per game. Malik Robinson leads the Houston Cougars with 6 tackles, Nelson Ceaser has 1 sack and Malik Fleming has 2 interceptions.

Houston Cougars Team Facts

• Houston has won seven of its last eight road openers.
• Houston has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Houston has lost the first half in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Houston’s last seven September road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Rice Owls Betting Preview

The Rice Owls look for a bounce back showing after losing their opener to Texas. Rice looks to avoid its fourth 0-2 start in the last 8 years. JT Daniels is completing 53.8 percent of his passes for 149 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Braylen Walker and Boden Groen have combined for 75 receiving yards on 6 catches, while Luke McCaffrey has 2 receptions. The Rice Owls ground game is averaging 27 yards per contest, and Dean Connors leads the way with 23 yards on 8 carries. Defensively, Rice is allowing 37 points and 458 yards per game. Sean Fresch leads the Rice Owls with 8 tackles, Josh Pearcy has 1 sack and Jonathan Jean has 2 pass deflections.

Rice Owls Team Facts

Rice has lost each of its last seven games against opponents from the Big 12 Conference.

Rice has covered the spread in each of its last four games in September.

Rice has lost the first half in each of its last seven games against opponents from the Big 12 Conference.

Each of Rice’s last seven September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Rice was one of only 20 FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing at HT last season.
• Rice was one of only 26 FBS teams to win 2+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
• Houston was one of only two FBS teams to win 4+ games when trailing at HT last season.
• Houston ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (11.0).

Randy’s Pick

The Houston Cougars are the more talented team obviously and should be favored, but I wasn’t impressed with what I saw against UTSA, and now they go on the road. The Rice Owls couldn’t get the running game going against Texas, and it is sluggish, but now they’re at home for another in-state matchup, and we should see an experienced QB in Daniels look more comfortable this time. It won’t be pretty and there’s probably better options out there, but I’ll grab the points with Rice if forced to pick.