Rice vs UTSA Prediction 10-12-24 College Football Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Rice vs UTSA prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 12th at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 7 matchup. 

Rice Owls Betting Preview

The Rice Owls are 1-4 (0-2) this year after they lost to Charlotte by a score of 21-20 in their last game. Rice led 10-0 at halftime and 20-14 in the fourth, but they allowed a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the game for the loss. The Owls outgained Charlotte by a total of 463-304, won the turnover battle 1-0, and went 8-17 on third down in the game. EJ Warner threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while Dean Connors rushed for 121 yards on 14 carries. 

Rice also has losses against Sam Houston, Houston, and Army, but they did beat Texas Southern by a score of 69-7. The Rice offense has scored 24.8 points per game with 205 passing yards and 140.2 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 26.4 points per game this season. The Owls have gone 35.9% on third down and 4-9 on fourth down through five games. EJ Warner has completed 61.2% of his passes for 955 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions, while Matt Sykes has caught 24 passes for 293 yards and two scores. 

UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview

The UTSA Roadrunners are 2-3 (0-1) this season after they lost to East Carolina by a score of 30-20 in their last game. UTSA led 13-3 in the second quarter, but they allowed the next 24 points in the game for the loss. The Roadrunners outgained ECU by a total of 456-341, lost the turnover battle 3-2, and went 7-22 on third down in the game. Owen McCown threw for 251 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Brandon High Jr. rushed for 92 yards and one score. 

UTSA also has losses against Texas and Texas State, but they do have wins against Kennesaw State and Houston Christian. The UTSA offense has scored 22 points per game with 255.4 passing yards and 145 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 31.6 points per game this season. The Roadrunners have gone 33.7% on third down and 6-14 on fourth down through five games. Owen McCown has completed 61.6% of his passes for 1,054 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Willie McCoy has caught 15 passes for 306 yards and two scores. 

Why Rice will cover

• The home team has won each of UTSA’s last five games.
• UTSA has lost each of its last three road games.
• Rice has covered the spread in each of its last five October games as an underdog.
• UTSA has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
• Rice has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UTSA’s last five games as a favorite against Rice has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Rice’s last five games as an underdog against UTSA has gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Rice ranks 9th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (155.4).
• Rice ranks T123rd among FBS teams for Q1 points per game this season (2.8).
• UTSA ranks 126th among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (7.0).
• UTSA ranks T124th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (2.8).

Rice vs UTSA Prediction 

Rice comes into this matchup on a three-game losing streak and they are coming off of a heartbreaking loss against Charlotte last time out. The Owls should have won that game, but they were dominated by Army and Houston in the two games prior to that. UTSA has dropped three of their last four games and their two wins this year came against two lesser teams. I don’t really like either of these teams, but I think Rice has a chance to win this game, so give me the points with the Owls.