Texas vs. Rice Prediction
Are the 12th-ranked Texas Longhorns giving up too many points when they take on Rice tonight at 8PM ET in Houston?
Game Snapshot & Odds
195 Texas vs. 196 Rice
Saturday, September 14, 2019
8PM ET – NRG Stadium
TV: CBSSN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Texas is favored in this game, as the Longhorns are getting odds of -32 points against Rice. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 56 points. The public betting currently has 73 percent going on Texas as the heavy favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rice out to slow start
Rice is off to an 0-2 start to the season following a 41-21 loss at home to Wake Forest last weekend. The Owls are 1-0-1 against the spread through the two games while splitting the over/under total.
The Owls have been struggling a great deal on offense, averaging just 14 points and 282 yards per game. Defensively, Rice is giving up 27.5 points and 398.5 yards per contest. The team lost quarterback Wiley Green to a head injury. He will be out for this game. Tom Stewart will run the offense. He has 185 passing yards with a touchdown this season. Nahshon Ellerbe and Aston Walter have combined for 207 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the ground game.
Texas falls to LSU
The Texas Longhorns are coming off a tough loss at home to LSU, 45-38, to fall to 1-1 on the season. The Longhorns were unable to cover a 6.5-point spread as well, moving to 1-1 against the spread. Texas has hit the over in both of its games this year.
Texas is averaging 41.5 points and 492 yards per game on offense this season while giving up 29.5 points and 493 yards per game on defense. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger is leading the way for the team this year with 677 passing yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing for 94 yards and a score. Receiver Devin Duvernay is the leading receiver with 21 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Keaontay Ingram is the leading rusher with 107 yards and a touchdown.
College Football Betting Trends
Rice
The Owls are 4-1 against the spread in their last five against Big 12 opponents and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five overall.
Texas
The Longhorns are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five against a losing team, but 4-1 ATS in their last five against CUSA opponents.
Prediction:
I think this is a little bit of a trap game for Texas. The Longhorns are coming off a physical battle with LSU last week and have a matchup with Oklahoma State next week to open conference play. Now it has a game that is as close to a home game for Rice as it will get against Texas. The Owls should be up for this game and their defense is good enough to get some stops against Texas. I don’t expect much from the Rice offense, but it doesn’t need much to cover this lofty spread.
College Football Week 3 Prediction: Rice +32
Related: Texas vs. Rice Total Prediction