The Rice University Owls (2-1, 0-1 Away) are on the road to take on the No. 25 University of Houston Cougars (1-2, 0-1 Home) at TDECU Stadium on Saturday. The Cougars are 17.5-point favorites, and the total is 51.5.Rice is coming off a 33-21 win over Louisiana at Rice Stadium last Saturday. TJ McMahon was 25 of 36 for 303 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Ari Broussard ran 19 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Luke McCaffrey caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Houston lost 48-30 to Kansas at TDECU Stadium last Saturday. Clayton Tune threw for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He added 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Ta’Zhawn Henry also scored once. He had five receptions for 107 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Cougars won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 44-7 victory in September. Tune threw two touchdowns for Houston.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Owls are averaging 33.0 points per game so far this season, 64th in FBS, and they are facing a Cougars defense that has surrendered 38.7 PPG (120th). Meanwhile, Houston has scored 32.3 points a game this season, 68th in the nation, and Rice is allowing 32.3 PPG (102nd).The Owls rank 78th in the country in passing yards per game (238.3) and 64th in rushing (167.0). Look for them to take advantage through the air, as the Cougars are 117th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (282.0). Against the run, Houston is 93rd (167.0).Houston is 65th in the country in passing yards per game (248.0) and 91st in rushing (134.0), while the Owls are allowing 178.3 passing yards (28th) and 147.0 rushing yards per game (76th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, McMahon has thrown for seven touchdowns (6 INT) and 214.0 yards per game to lead Rice in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had zero TDs (3 INT) and 65 yards passing. Broussard leads the team in rushing with an average of 48.3 yards a game over three games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. McCaffrey is the Owls’ leading receiver with 67.3 yards a game and two TDs. Tune has five passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 248.0 yards per game through three games to lead Houston. In one prior home game this season, he threw for one TD (1 INT) and 272 yards. Brandon Campbell has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 59.0 yards a game through three games. He has two touchdowns. Nathaniel Dell has been a key target in the Cougars’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and an 82.0 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Houston (-900)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
