COLLEGE FOOTBALL
North Texas enters with a strong offensive profile, averaging 43.8 points per game, 535.5 total yards per game, 7.5 yards per play, 347.8 passing yards per game, and 191.6 rushing yards per game. Rice has struggled defensively, giving up 31.8 points per game, 383.5 yards per game, 5.7 yards per play, 207.8 passing yards per game, and 175.8 rushing yards per game. Rice’s own offense has been more modest, scoring 21.0 points per game with 354.9 total yards per game, 5.72 yards per play, 83.4 passing yards per game, and 271.5 rushing yards per game, so the visitors will likely need to lean on the run game and keep North Texas from dictating pace.
North Texas should have the upper hand at home and is projected to win 44-26, with the offense doing enough damage to create separation and keep the game out of reach late. Rice’s defense has allowed too much production to trust it against a home team with North Texas’ scoring profile, while the Owls’ offense is good enough to produce some points but not enough to keep pace for four quarters. The best position is North Texas on the spread, backed by a modest but real edge over the market price.
