The Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs (2-4, 1-1 CUSA) welcome the Rice University Owls (3-3, 1-1 CUSA) at Joe Aillet Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits one of the Conference USA’s strongest passing offenses against one of its toughest aerial defenses. The Owls are three-point favorites, and the total is 57. Rice is coming off a close 17-14 loss against Florida Atlantic at FAU Stadium last Saturday.
TJ McMahon threw for 197 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Ari Broussard ran 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown. Bradley Rozner caught four passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Louisiana Tech lost 47-27 to North Texas at Apogee Stadium last Saturday. Parker McNeil was 26 of 37 for 424 yards and two touchdowns. Marquis Crosby carried nine times for 46 yards. Smoke Harris hauled in 10 receptions for 156 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Owls won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 35-31 victory in November. TJ McMahon threw two touchdowns for Rice, as Cameron Montgomery added two TDs and Cedric Patterson III scored twice. JD Head tossed three touchdowns for Louisiana Tech.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Owls are averaging 28.0 points per game for the season, 74th in FBS, and they are facing a Bulldogs defense that has surrendered 38.8 PPG (128th). Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech has scored 29.7 points a game this season, 69th in the country, and Rice is allowing 28.7 PPG (80th).The Owls rank 83rd in the nation in passing yards per game (225.0) and 98th in rushing (126.7).
They have an advantageous matchup on the ground, as the Bulldogs are worst in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (263.0). Against the pass, Louisiana Tech is 64th (227.8). Louisiana Tech has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 300.7 passing yards per game (20th), while ranking 122nd in rushing yards (94.2). The Owls are allowing 191.3 passing yards (23rd) and 154.3 rushing yards per game (81st).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, TJ McMahon has thrown for 10 touchdowns (10 INT) and 212.8 yards per game to lead Rice in passing. In three away games this season, he has two TDs (7 INT) and an average of 198.7 yards passing. Ari Broussard leads the team in rushing with an average of 38.8 yards a game over six games. He has nine touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Bradley Rozner is the Owls’ leading receiver with 74.5 yards a game and four TDs.
Parker McNeil has 14 passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 265.2 yards per game through six games to lead Louisiana Tech. In two home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (1 INT) and an average of 231.5 yards. Marquis Crosby has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 61.5 yards a game through six games. He has three touchdowns. Tre Harris has been a key target in the Bulldogs’ aerial attack. He has four touchdowns and an 84.2 yard per game average through six appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
R ice (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
