Rice vs. Houston Odds & Betting Predictions - September 15, 2024

Follow On X: https://x.com/PicksOffice The key to Rice’s potential cover here lies in their ability to control the pace with their running game, which is averaging 188 yards per contest. Dean Connors has been a consistent force, rushing for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns already. On top of that, quarterback E.J. Warner is connecting on 63.5 percent of his passes, showing an ability to spread the ball around to multiple targets like Matt Sykes and Braylen Walker. The defense is holding opponents to just 247 yards per game, and with the unit's ability to generate pressure behind Demone Green's 2 sacks and Taylor's tackling prowess, Rice should be able to limit Houston’s inefficient offense. Houston’s struggles are glaring. They’ve started the season 0-2, and their offensive woes are a major red flag. Despite quarterback Donovan Smith’s high completion percentage, his 3 interceptions highlight his inconsistency. Furthermore, the Cougars' run game has been practically non-existent, averaging a mere 48 yards per game. Stacy Sneed leads the way with just 36 rushing yards, meaning Houston is failing to establish any ground attack, which will be crucial in wearing down Rice’s defense. Additionally, the Cougars' poor offensive showings against UNLV and Oklahoma suggest their inability to convert drives into points, which makes covering a 4-point spread difficult. Historically, Rice has shown resilience in games like this, particularly against in-state opponents like Houston. The Owls covered the spread in each of their last six games when listed as underdogs of 3 or more points, and they beat Houston in overtime as 7-point underdogs last season. The fact that Houston has lost seven of their last eight games, combined with their offensive struggles, makes them vulnerable here. Rice’s ability to manage clock and control the tempo with their strong rushing game, coupled with a defense that has shown it can limit opponent scoring, gives them a strong chance to keep this close.