Houston Cougars (1-0) vs. Rice Owls (0-1)
Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls 9/9/23 – Come September 9, the Houston Cougars, off to an auspicious 1-0 start, will take on the Rice Owls, currently trailing at 0-1. These age-old competitors are about to face off at Rice Stadium, with viewers across the nation tuned in to NFLN at 7:00 PM ET, anticipating another exciting showdown between these Texas-based teams.
The Cougars, bolstered by their early-season victory, have their eyes set on maintaining the momentum. Tony Mathis Jr., the running back, has already shown his worth with a solid performance, registering 8 rushing attempts and a total of 38 rushing yards. His longest rush spans 21 yards, showcasing his potential for big plays. On the receiving end, Samuel Brown has emerged as a significant asset for the Cougars. Brown, with 6 receptions leading to 106 receiving yards, has been showcasing his ability to stretch the field. Averaging a whopping 17.7 yards per reception, with the longest being 47 yards, Brown’s big-play potential is something the Owls will undoubtedly have on their radar.
Despite an early setback, the Rice Owls remain a formidable opponent. Dean Connors spearheads their rushing offense. While his 8 rushing attempts have resulted in only 23 yards, the resilience of Connors cannot be underestimated. Then, there’s Braylen Walker, the wide receiver who, despite only registering 2 receptions, has amassed 47 receiving yards, showcasing his high yards-per-reception average of 23.5. His longest reception spans 36 yards, hinting at his potential to break through the Cougars’ secondary for significant gains. Check out our free expert football picks today for more insights.
Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Rice Stadium |
| TV: | NFLN |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Donovan Smith QB vs. JT Daniels QB
Smith comes off a game where he flaunted his accuracy, completing 22 of his 34 passing attempts, amassing 233 passing yards in the process. This culminates in a 64.7% completion rate. With 6.9 yards per pass attempt and a passer rating of 141.7, Smith has shown his capability to anchor the Cougars’ offense efficiently. His two touchdown passes indicate his red zone efficiency, while the absence of interceptions highlights his decision-making prowess. However, three sacks against him suggest vulnerabilities that Rice might look to exploit.
Contrastingly, Daniels’ recent performance was a mixed bag. Completing 14 out of 26 passing attempts, Daniels managed 149 passing yards, reflecting a 53.8% completion rate. Averaging 5.7 yards per pass and with a passer rating of 99.3, Daniels exhibits a more conservative approach. However, his 2 interceptions point towards areas of improvement, especially when considering Smith’s flawless record in this aspect.
Odds/Point Spread: Houston Cougars -360, Total Odds: 52.5
Given the odds, Houston enters the game as favorites with a spread of -9.5, while Rice follows closely with a spread of +9.5. As for the moneyline, the Cougars stand at -360 with the Owls trailing at +290.
Houston Cougars Betting Trends
Houston, in their recent outings, has been dominant with a 4-1 SU record in their last 5 matches. Their encounters with Rice further amplify their dominance, with a 5-2 ATS and a spotless 7-0 SU record. Yet, when on the road, the total has predominantly gone OVER in 7 out of their last 8 games. Interestingly, their ATS record dips to 1-5 when playing on the road against Rice, suggesting the Owls’ home advantage might play a pivotal role.
Rice Owls Betting Trends
Rice’s recent form has been shaky with a 0-5 SU in their last five games. However, when facing Houston, the total has gone OVER in 8 of their last 12 encounters, indicating high-scoring matches. Moreover, their home record is impressive with the total going OVER in 7 of their last 8 games and a strong 5-1 ATS when hosting the Cougars.
Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Given both teams’ trends, especially Rice’s home advantage against Houston, this match might be closer than anticipated. Coupled with the frequent OVER outcomes in recent clashes, a high-scoring game is on the cards. Despite Rice’s strengths at home, the Cougars’ overall dominance suggests they might edge out a victory. For more insights, check out our free accurate sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Houston Cougars will win 31-24.