Free College Football Picks Today: Rice Owls vs Charlotte 49ers 10/29/22

The University of North Carolina Charlotte 49ers (1-7, 0-4 CUSA) will be out to snap their losing run when they travel to take on the Rice University Owls (4-3, 2-1 CUSA) at Rice Stadium on Saturday. The Owls are 16.5-point favorites, and the total is 59.5.Charlotte is coming off a 34-15 loss against FIU at Jerry Richardson Stadium last Saturday, their fourth straight defeat.

Chris Reynolds threw for 244 yards and three interceptions. Shadrick Byrd ran nine times for 42 yards. He added four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Spencer caught six passes for 77 yards. Rice beat Louisiana Tech 42-41 at Joe Aillet Stadium last Saturday.

TJ McMahon was 16 of 27 for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Cameron Montgomery carried 14 times for 87 yards. Luke McCaffrey scored twice. He hauled in 10 receptions for 171 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The 49ers won the only game between the teams last season, a 31-24 overtime victory in November. Chris Reynolds threw three touchdowns for Charlotte, as Elijah Spencer scored twice. Ari Broussard had two touchdowns for Rice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The 49ers are averaging 23.8 points per game for the season, 100th in FBS, and they are facing an Owls defense that has surrendered 30.4 PPG (98th). Meanwhile, Rice has scored 30.0 points a game this season, 65th in the country, and Charlotte is allowing 43.3 PPG (131st). The 49ers rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (92.6, 123rd), while they are 33rd in passing yards (276.1).

The Owls are 30th in passing yards allowed per game (196.7) and 79th against the run (152.9).Rice is 86th in the country in passing yards per game (222.6) and 71st in rushing (148.4). Charlotte’s defense has been beatable on both fronts, as the 49ers are 119th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (280.3) and 129th against the run (243.3).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through six games, Chris Reynolds has thrown for 14 touchdowns (9 INT) and 257.5 yards per game to lead Charlotte in passing. In four away games this season, he has 10 TDs (5 INT) and an average of 238.5 yards passing. Shadrick Byrd leads the team in rushing with an average of 44.3 yards a game over eight games.

He has three touchdowns on the ground. Elijah Spencer is the 49ers’ leading receiver with 89.8 yards a game and four TDs.TJ McMahon has 13 passing touchdowns (10 INT) with 212.1 yards per game through seven games to lead Rice. In three home games this season, he has thrown for eight TDs (3 INT) and an average of 227.0 yards.

Cameron Montgomery has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 42.6 yards a game through seven games. Luke McCaffrey has been a key target in the Owls’ aerial attack. He has five touchdowns and a 79.3 yard per game average through seven appearances.