The Rice University Owls (5-6, 3-4 CUSA) and University of North Texas Mean Green (6-5, 5-2 CUSA) face off Saturday at Apogee Stadium for their regular season finales. The Mean Green are 14-point favorites, and the total is 59.
Rice is coming off a deflating 41-7 loss at the hands of UTSA at Rice Stadium last Saturday. AJ Padgett threw for 110 yards and a touchdown. Juma Otoviano ran eight times for 23 yards. Bradley Rozner caught four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
North Texas lost 41-21 to UAB at Protective Stadium on November 12. Austin Aune was 15 of 32 for 159 yards and a touchdown. Ikaika Ragsdale carried 17 times for 74 yards. Damon Ward scored once. He hauled in six receptions for 58 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mean Green won the only game between the teams last season, a 30-24 overtime victory in October. Jake Constantine tossed two touchdowns for Rice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Owls are averaging 26.1 points per game for the season, 80th in FBS, and they are facing a Mean Green defense that has surrendered 31.3 PPG (109th). Meanwhile, North Texas has scored 35.7 points a game this season, 20th in the nation, and Rice is allowing 35.0 PPG (121st).
The Owls rank 73rd in the country in passing yards per game (226.9) and 85th in rushing (139.0). Look for them to exploit a matchup advantage through the air, as the Mean Green are 112th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (269.6).
Against the run, North Texas is 109th (185.3).North Texas has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 208.3 yards per game (16th), while ranking 26th in passing yards (273.7). The Owls are allowing 210.9 passing yards (47th) and 167.6 rushing yards per game (89th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, TJ McMahon has thrown for 18 touchdowns (14 INT) and 210.2 yards per game to lead Rice in passing. In five away games this season, he has five TDs (9 INT) and an average of 173.8 yards passing.
Cameron Montgomery leads the team in rushing with an average of 40.8 yards a game over 11 games. He has yet to find the end zone on the ground but has two touchdowns through the air. Bradley Rozner is the Owls’ leading receiver with 73.3 yards a game and nine TDs.
Austin Aune has 29 passing touchdowns (11 INT) with 264.7 yards per game through 11 games to lead North Texas. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 14 TDs (6 INT) and an average of 238.8 yards.
Ayo Adeyi has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 69.0 yards a game through 10 games. He has four touchdowns.
Roderic Burns has been a key target in the Mean Green’s aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 62.8 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
North Texas is seeking a fifth straight home win this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
North Texas -14 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
