Western Kentucky at Rice - 2021 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Rice OwlsRice logo
Saturday, November 13th 2021 (2:00 PM EST)
Western Kentucky -19 (61.0)
Western Kentucky 42 - Rice: 21  (Conference USA)

 
Hilltoppers (9 - 5) (10 - 4 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (15 - 12)
Avg Score : 44 - 29 (40 - 31 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RICE is playing their 5th straight game
WKU is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: -15.5  (SP+ WKU -36)
Projected Score: WKU: 37 - RICE: 24 (61)
WKU Win prob: 91% | Cover: 51%
WKU Travel: 720 miles
Owls (4 - 8) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Mike Bloomgren (7 - 26)
Avg Score : 22 - 36 (27 - 33 @ Home)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Western Kentucky's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/2 Western Kentucky vs UT Martin-24.058.5W 59 - 21OY
Sat 9/11 Western Kentucky at Army+6.052.0L 35 - 38OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/25 Western Kentucky vs Indiana+9.562.5L 31 - 33OY
Sat 10/2 Western Kentucky at Michigan State+10.566.5L 31 - 48ON
Sat 10/9 Western Kentucky vs UTSA-3.571.0L 46 - 52ON
Sat 10/16 Western Kentucky at Old Dominion-13.566.5W 43 - 20UY
Sat 10/23 Western Kentucky at Florida International-16.578.0W 34 - 19UN
Sat 10/30 Western Kentucky vs Charlotte-19.571.5W 45 - 13UY
Sat 11/6 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-17.566.5W 48 - 21OY
Sat 11/13 Western Kentucky at Rice-19.061.0W 42 - 21OY
Sat 11/20 Western Kentucky vs Florida Atlantic-11.564.0W 52 - 17OY
Sat 11/27 Western Kentucky at Marshall-1.075.5W 53 - 21UY
Fri 12/3 Western Kentucky at UTSA-3.074.5L 41 - 49ON
Sat 12/18 Western Kentucky vs App State+3.067.0W 59 - 38OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
Rice's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Rice at Arkansas+19.550.0L 17 - 38ON
Sat 9/11 Rice vs Houston+7.550.0L 7 - 44ON
Sat 9/18 Rice at Texas+26.052.0L 0 - 58ON
Sat 9/25 Rice vs Texas Southern-37.053.5W 48 - 34ON
Sat 10/2 Rice vs Southern Miss-1.545.0W 24 - 19UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/16 Rice at UTSA+17.053.0L 0 - 45UN
Sat 10/23 Rice at UAB+23.544.5W 30 - 24OY
Sat 10/30 Rice vs North Texas-1.555.0L 24 - 30UN
Sat 11/6 Rice at Charlotte+6.551.5L 24 - 31ON
Sat 11/13 Rice vs Western Kentucky+19.061.0L 21 - 42ON
Sat 11/20 Rice at UTEP+9.047.0L 28 - 38ON
Sat 11/27 Rice vs Louisiana Tech+3.552.5W 35 - 31OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Rice's Schedule
Important Stats (2021)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU.3952%44.250%3.2210353%4344.73.2345%29.446%44%4.0554.11.42.4
RICE.1841%21.538%2.9614946%2123.84.3147%36.247%49%3.9463.61.81.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)38% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)48% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
RICE#126 (.05)35% (127)36% (127)2.7 (118)11535% (121)2393.27 (119)#60 (.16)37% (11)40% (37)34% (4)3.72 (62)57.41.81



Overall Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense1444.239.952.2%4.731.4285361034344.128%72%50%53%15%.39
RICE Defense1236.233.347.4%3.941.8 - - - - - 44%54%47%49%18%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense1429.430.945.4%4.052.4 - - - - - 52%47%46%44%18%.23
RICE Offense1221.526.540.7%3.841.8203611492123.856%43%38%46%17%.18

Additional Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky1427:4027.547%50%6.854.11.42.45.92.6431.3
Rice1233:1619.535%55%7.463.61.81.852.3027.8
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense1428%50%24.9102.54.113.143.2268%7%0.8
RICE Defense1244%47% - - - - .263.2384%10%1.05
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense1452%46% - - - - .183.2175%10%0.92
RICE Offense1256%38%39.7149.13.819.082.9674%10%0.96

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense1472%53%34.349.8433.78.712.76312.491.527%44%.79%2.2
RICE Defense1254%49% - - - - - - 14.421.529%40%.518%1.9
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense1447%44% - - - - - - 21.31.628%30%.268%2.1
RICE Offense1243%46%17.128.7211.77.412.41615.351.632%28%.327%2.1

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: NR
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: NR
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #74
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Western Kentucky's 2021 Expected Record: -
Western Kentucky's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.3  #24
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.5  #5
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #90

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky:    Rice: -8.95

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 13.3   Rice: -22.9




Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -8.95 NR
Rice's Offense Rating: NR
Rice's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #99
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Rice's 2021 Expected Record: -
Rice's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -22.9  #127
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.2  #123
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 38.3  #124

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 44.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 39.9
Defense: 29.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.9

Western Kentucky's 2021 Record
Record: 9 - 5
Record vs Spread: 10 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 10 - 4
Record on Road: 5 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 7 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Western Kentucky 37
Rice 24

Total Points: 61

Based on Last 4 Games
Western Kentucky 36
Rice 20

Total Points: 56

Based on Entire Season
Western Kentucky 38
Rice 27

Total Points: 65
Rice Scoring
Offense: 21.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.5
Defense: 36.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 33.3

Rice's 2021 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 3
Record at home: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 7 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202211/12Western Kentucky45Rice10Western Kentucky -13.5Western Kentucky61.0Under
202111/13Rice21Western Kentucky42Western Kentucky -19Western Kentucky61.0Over
201609/01Western Kentucky46Rice14Western Kentucky -14.5Western Kentucky64.5Under
201510/03Rice10Western Kentucky49Western Kentucky -5Western Kentucky69.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rice001 Overs
Western Kentucky443 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 22 - 22 - 00 - 2
Road Teams2 - 22 - 22 - 00 - 2

(#) WKU at (#) RICE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWKURICE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #24 #127
Perf GradeGrade #29 #113
OffenseOff #16 #110
DefenseDef #67 #108
Spec TeamsST #96 #60
TalentTal #74 #99
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Western Kentucky on Offense
CategoryCat
WKU OffRICE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #16 #108
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #5 #124
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Western Kentucky Run Game
CategoryCat
WKU OffRICE Def
Run GameRun #82 #111
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #47 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #122
Western Kentucky Pass Game
CategoryCat
WKU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePass #12 #96
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #1 #57
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Rice on Offense
CategoryCatRICE OffWKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #110 #67
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #123 #90
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Rice Run Game
CategoryCat
RICE OffWKU Def
Run GameRun #94 #91
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #110 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #81
Rice Pass Game
CategoryCatRICE OffWKU Def
Pass GamePass #105 #33
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #97 #81
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
RICE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'21 Profile: Up to Poor G5

WKU 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'21 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 68° - Wind: 9 mph
Rematch from Week 11
Western Kentucky 19.0 (61.0)
Western Kentucky won at Rice this year (42-21)

Previous Matchups
Western Kentucky beat Rice in 2022 (45-10)

  
WKU's OC Zach Kittley (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Maurice Crum Jr. (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

RICE's OC Marques Tuiasosopo (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Brian Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD