Data Skrive:
One of the top rushers in college football will be on display when Dean Connors and the Rice Owls (1-1) take on the Houston Cougars (0-2) on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
The Cougars are the favorites (-4.5) in their game against the Owls, with the over/under being 44.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Cougars are -196 and the Owls are +161.)
Keep reading to check out our betting primer for this season, and discover all of our expert predictions here, too!
Houston -4.5 vs. Rice
Houston vs. Rice Betting Odds
- Spread favorite: Cougars (-4.5)
- Moneyline: Cougars (-196), Owls (+161)
- Total: 44.5 points
Houston vs. Rice Betting Stats and Info
The Cougars have won one game against the spread (in two opportunities). In one game as the moneyline favorite, Houston lost. Rice has one win against the spread so far this season (1-1-0). Rice has not been the underdog on the moneyline yet this season.
Houston vs. Rice Key Players
Houston Cougars
- Last season Donovan Smith totaled 2,801 passing yards (233.4 per game) while going 256-for-397 (64.5%) and throwing for 22 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. He tacked on 428 rushing yards on 138 carries with six touchdowns, averaging 35.7 yards per game.
- A year ago Parker Jenkins churned out 464 rushing yards (38.7 per game) and scored three touchdowns.
- Last season Sam Brown hauled in 62 passes for 815 yards (67.9 per game) and scored three touchdowns.
- Joseph Manjack IV also contributed with 46 catches for 577 yards and six touchdowns.
- Matthew Golden collected 404 receiving yards on 38 catches with six TDs.
- Nelson Ceaser showed out with an impressive stat line of nine sacks, 11 TFL and 42 tackles last year.
- A.J. Haulcy totaled 94 tackles and one TFL over his last campaign.
- Isaiah Hamilton picked off four passes and tacked on 49 tackles, three TFL, and four passes defended last season.
Rice Owls
- JT Daniels recorded 2,443 passing yards (187.9 per game) with a 63.1% completion percentage last year (181-for-287), throwing for 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
- Connors ran for a team-best 771 yards on 121 carries and seven touchdowns a season ago. He also averaged 31 receiving yards per game, grabbing 43 passes for 403 yards and three TDs.
- Last season Juma Otoviano rushed for 326 yards on 92 carries (25.1 yards per game), with four rushing touchdowns.
- Last season Luke McCaffrey was targeted 123 times and collected 71 catches for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Boden Groen caught 39 passes on 51 targets for 383 yards and three TDs.
- Coleman Coco had a strong body of work a year ago, collecting 3.5 sacks, six TFL and 47 tackles.
- Over the course of his 2023 campaign, Plae Wyatt collected 81 tackles, two TFL, and one sack.
- Gabe Taylor picked off two passes while adding 57 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two passes defended a season ago.