Baylor vs. Rice Pick
Will No. 21 Baylor continue its offensive onslaught when it takes on Rice on Friday at 8PM ET on ESPN?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Baylor is the clear favorite in this game, as the Bears are getting odds of -30.5 points against Rice. The over/under total for the game has been set at 65.5 points. Baylor has won seven straight in this series, covering the spread in all seven victories. These two have hit the over in three of the last four encounters.
Despite a rough offseason, Baylor is rolling thus far in 2016. The Bears have beaten Northwestern State, 55-7 and SMU 40-13. The Bears haven’t covered the spread yet and they have surprisingly hit the under in both games. A big reason for that is the defense, as the Bears are giving up just 241.5 yards per game thus far. Offensively, Baylor is its usual self, putting up 517 yards per game, including 275 yards per game on the ground. Shock Linwood, Terence Williams and JaMycal Hasty each have over 100 yards rushing this season while Seth Russell has thrown for 424 yards and six touchdowns.
Rice is struggling thus far, losing to Western Kentucky 46-14 and falling to Army 31-14. The Owls have failed to cover in both games while hitting the under twice as well. Rice is giving up yards in chunks, allowing 531.5 yards per game thus far. The offense is averaging just 290 yards per game. Tyler Stehling has thrown for 383 yards and a touchdown, but has three interceptions. He is the leading rusher with 81 yards as well.
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It’s pretty clear that Baylor will tear apart Rice in this game, but the issue is getting to the over. For that to happen, the Owls need to find some offense, which doesn’t seem it will happen against this Baylor unit. The Bears should be able to get into the 40s, but will likely keep Rice from getting much past 10 points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3 PICK: BAYLOR/RICE UNDER 65.5