College Football Predictions: Rice vs. Houston Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 21:39

We’ll tell you what to expect when Rice and Houston meet up in Thursday’s college football game.

The Rice Owls (2-5) will have a tough test on their hands in their Thursday road game against the #18 Houston Cougars (7-0), and our predictions on the final score will let you know if a potential upset is brewing.  The Rice vs. Houston college football game is set to be broadcast on a Fox Sports Network channel, and start time is set for 8:00 PM ET.

Houston is a 27.5-point wagering favorite at 5Dimes Sportsbook, and the large spread isn’t scaring off potential bettors that are backing the Cougars at close to a 75% ratio.  The total is set high at 70.5 and it is worth noting that 4 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings between these schools have gone over their respective lines.  Rice was a 34-31 home winner as a 9.5-point underdog last year, while the Cougars won 73-14 the last time these squads played in Houston.  The Owls have covered the point spread in 4 of the last 5 against Houston.

The Cougars are led by Heisman Trophy contender quarterback Case Keenum (2685 yards, 72.9%, 23 TD, 2 INT), and Houston averages 441.7 passing yards a game en route to a scoring average of 49.3.  This offense is nearly impossible to stop and will be going up against a Rice team that allows 472.4 total yards per game while being unable to corral either the run or the pass.  In other words, Houston is going to score quite a bit on Thursday night.

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The Rice offense averages 22.3 points per game while being a bit below average at running and passing the ball.  Quarterback Taylor McHargue (1045 yards, 58.4%, 8 TD, 5 INT) is doing what he can, but he’s facing an uphill battle without much of a rushing attack.  The good news for Owls fans is that this team has started to run the ball better in recent games, but with Houston likely to get a big lead early Rice might not have the luxury of rushing often.  Houston’s defense is always capable of giving up plenty of points, but you really need to keep the score close to properly exploit them because they are most comfortable when they can pin their ears back and worry predominantly about the pass.

All in all, our predictions have Houston winning big when Rice can’t keep up with the nearly automatic scoring drives that Keenum is capable of leading.  The Owls just don’t have the skill on either side of the ball to keep up with a team that can do the things that Houston can.  Look for the Cougars to get an early lead before giving up a few late scores to make the final tally a bit more respectable.  Even with the 4th quarter touchdowns, I still don’t see Rice covering the point spread.

Rice vs. Houston Score Predictions:

Rice 27

Houston 59