Houston at Rice - 2023 Matchup Preview
Houston logo Houston Cougars at Rice OwlsRice logo
Saturday, September 9th 2023 (7:00 PM EDT)
Houston -7.5 (51.0) (0)  Open: 0.0
Rice 43 - Houston: 41

 
Cougars (4 - 8) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Dana Holgorsen (28 - 22)
Avg Score : 24 - 32 (21 - 37 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#122)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Temp: 95.7° (32% Hum)
Our Line: Rice -6.5  (SP+ -0)

Projected Score: HOU: 23 - RICE: 30 (53)
HOU Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
HOU Travel: 4 miles
Owls (6 - 7) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Mike Bloomgren (18 - 40)
Avg Score : 30 - 28 (34 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.1 - 4.9 (#43)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Houston's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2 Houston vs UTSA+2.559.5W 17 - 14UY
Sat 9/9 Houston at Rice-7.551.0L 41 - 43ON
Sat 9/16 Houston vs TCU+7.564.0L 13 - 36UN
Sat 9/23 Houston vs Sam Houston-11.537.0W 38 - 7OY
Sat 9/30 Houston at Texas Tech+8.552.0L 28 - 49ON
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/12 Houston vs West Virginia+3.049.5W 41 - 39OY
Sat 10/21 Houston vs Texas+24.060.5L 24 - 31UY
Sat 10/28 Houston at Kansas State+17.561.0L 0 - 41UN
Sat 11/4 Houston at Baylor+3.058.5W 25 - 24UY
Sat 11/11 Houston vs Cincinnati-3.553.5L 14 - 24UN
Sat 11/18 Houston vs Oklahoma State+6.556.5L 30 - 43ON
Sat 11/25 Houston at UCF+15.561.5L 13 - 27UY

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 Houston's Schedule
Rice's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2 Rice at Texas+35.559.0L 10 - 37UY
Sat 9/9 Rice vs Houston+7.551.0W 43 - 41OY
Sat 9/16 Rice vs Texas Southern-35.560.0W 59 - 7OY
Sat 9/23 Rice at South Florida-2.556.5L 29 - 42ON
Sat 9/30 Rice vs East Carolina-3.547.0W 24 - 17UY
Sat 10/7 Rice vs UConn-10.047.5L 31 - 38ON
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/19 Rice at Tulsa+3.056.5W 42 - 10UY
Sat 10/28 Rice vs Tulane+10.055.0L 28 - 30OY
Sat 11/4 Rice vs SMU+12.059.5L 31 - 36OY
Sat 11/11 Rice at UTSA+13.553.5L 14 - 34UN
Sat 11/18 Rice at Charlotte+0.546.5W 28 - 7UY
Sat 11/25 Rice vs Florida Atlantic-5.046.5W 24 - 21UN
Tue 12/26 Rice vs Texas State+3.558.5L 21 - 45ON

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 (2023)
 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
HOU#104 (.13)40% (97)23.739% (110)2.97 (96)11941% (75)2413.44 (100)#114 (.26)47% (126)31.547% (104)48% (130)4.26 (111)49.21.31.2
RICE#52 (.22)44% (49)29.543% (70)3.01 (87)11045% (32)2524.81 (9)#63 (.17)41% (57)28.144% (83)39% (33)3.61 (52)49.420.9
 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
HOU#133 (-)35% (129)35% (130)2.52 (129)13737% (115)1532.57 (134)#51 (.14)40% (41)40% (41)39% (49)3.52 (41)51.92.31.6
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 2023
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Offense1223.721.439.7%3.441.319360119241442%56%39%41%14%.13
RICE Defense1328.127.141.2%3.610.9 - - - - - 52%48%44%39%12%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Defense1231.536.846.7%4.261.2 - - - - - 51%47%47%48%13%.26
RICE Offense1329.534.343.7%4.812193631102523.741%58%43%45%17%.22

Additional Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Houston1227:5619.236%26%5.749.21.31.251.9328.2
Rice1330:5918.838%67%5.849.420.93.81.3128.7
Run Game Stats (2023)
 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
HOU Offense1242% (115)39% (110)29.9118.8410 (124).06 (116)2.97 (96)59% (129)9% (57)0.98 (82)
RICE Defense1352% (93)44% (83) - - - - .19 (99)3.15 (80)73% (66)7% (125)1.01 (79)
 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
HOU Defense1251% (89)47% (104) - - - - .23 (111)3.24 (101)75% (79)8% (110)1.05 (93)
RICE Offense1341% (120)43% (70)29.8110.53.721 (54).12 (86)3.01 (87)65% (118)10% (59)0.96 (89)

Pass Game Stats (2023)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Offense1256% (24)41% (75)21.733.9241.47.111.124 (41)13 (97).25 (77)1.5 (86)34% (94)25% (111).18 (107)5% (20)2.1 (56)
RICE Defense1348% (42)39% (33) - - - - - - 5 (126).21 (34)1.6 (53)33% (49)29% (44).24 (34)5% (109)2 (53)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Defense1247% (40)48% (130) - - - - - - 9 (87).35 (108)1.5 (27)30% (98)38% (128).47 (125)4% (124)2.1 (91)
RICE Offense1358% (13)45% (32)20.633.2252.57.612.329 (18)16 (121).34 (45)1.6 (54)32% (74)32% (60).32 (71)7% (103)2.1 (47)

Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: -6.49  #97
Houston's Offense Rating: 13.48  #95
Houston's Defense Rating: 14.57  #113
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 8%  #53
Houston's 2023 Expected Record: 3.80 - 8.20
Houston's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.3  #95
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #73
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.5  #104

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston: -6.49   Rice: -1.09

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston: -8.3   Rice: -8.3




Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -1.09  #57
Rice's Offense Rating: 21.53  #29
Rice's Defense Rating: 10.32  #76
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #75
Rice's 2023 Expected Record: 8.10 - 4.90
Rice's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.3  #95
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.8  #63
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.2  #106

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


Houston Scoring
Offense: 23.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.4
Defense: 31.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 36.8

Houston's 2023 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record on Road: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Rice 30
Houston 23


Total Points: 53

Based on Last 4 Games
Houston 38
Rice 12

Total Points: 50

Based on Entire Season
Rice 33
Houston 25

Total Points: 58
Rice Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 34.3
Defense: 28.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.1

Rice's 2023 Record
Record: 6 - 7
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/06Rice9Houston35Houston -13.5Houston38.5Over
202409/14Houston33Rice7Houston -3.5Houston43.5Under
202309/09Rice43Houston41Houston -7.5Rice51.0Over
202209/24Houston34Rice27Houston -17.5Rice52.5Over
202109/11Rice7Houston44Houston -7.5Houston50.0Over
201809/01Rice27Houston45Houston -25.5Rice55.5Over
201709/16Houston38Rice3Houston -23Houston53.5Under
201309/21Rice26Houston31Rice -4Houston0
201209/29Rice14Houston35
201110/27Houston73Rice34
201010/16Rice34Houston31
200911/28Houston73Rice14
200811/29Rice56Houston42
200710/13Houston56Rice48
200609/02Rice30Houston31
200511/26Houston35Rice18
200409/05Rice10Houston7
200308/30Houston48Rice14
200208/31Rice10Houston24
200109/01Houston14Rice21
200009/01Rice30Houston27
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rice635 Overs
Houston1552 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams13 - 84 - 42 - 22 - 2
Road Teams8 - 134 - 42 - 22 - 2

(#97) HOU at (#57) RICE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHOURICE
Power RatePwr #97 #57
SP+SP+ #95 #95
Perf GradeGrade #99 #91
OffenseOff #72 #102
DefenseDef #113 #73
Spec TeamsST #111 #90
TalentTal #1 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #53 #75
Houston on Offense
CategoryCat
HOU OffRICE Def
Perf GradePerf #72 #73
SuccessSuc #97 #57
ExplosiveExp #60 #50
PPAPPA #104 #63
PowerPwr #95 #76
SP+SP+ #73 #106
Pts POPPO #100 #52
HavocHav #41 #126
Houston Run Game
CategoryCat
HOU OffRICE Def
Run GameRun #102 #94
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #83
Run ExplRExp #82 #79
PPAExp #116 #99
Run BlockR Blk #62 -
OL YdsOLY #96 #80
Stuff RateStuff #116 #97
TackleTak -  #62
Houston Pass Game
CategoryCat
HOU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePass #63 #44
Pass SuccessPSuc #75 #33
Pass ExplPExl #86 #53
PPAExp #77 #34
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #46 #89
F7 HavocF7 #57 #125
DB HavocDB #20 #109
Rice on Offense
CategoryCatRICE OffHOU Def
Perf GradePerf #102 #113
SuccessSuc #49 #126
ExplosiveExp #31 #51
PPAPPA #52 #114
PowerPwr #29 #113
SP+SP+ #63 #104
Pts POPPO #9 #111
HavocHav #81 #121
Rice Run Game
CategoryCat
RICE OffHOU Def
Run GameRun #84 #92
Run SuccessRSuc #70 #104
Run ExplRExp #89 #93
PPAExp #86 #111
Run BlockR Blk #95 -
OL YdsOLY #87 #101
Stuff RateStuff #71 #74
TackleTak -  #101
Rice Pass Game
CategoryCatRICE OffHOU Def
Pass GamePass #109 #114
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #130
Pass ExplPExl #54 #27
PPAExp #45 #108
Pass Block/RushP Blk #127 #122
F7 HavocF7 #59 #110
DB HavocDB #103 #124
Program Comparison
RICE 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Average G5

HOU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'25 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 96° - Wind: 6 mph
Rematch from Week 2
Houston 7.5 (51.0)
Rice won vs Houston this year (43-41)

Previous Matchups
Houston beat Rice last year (33-7)
Rice beat Houston in 2023 (43-41)
Houston beat Rice in 2022 (34-27)

  
HOU's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Donovan Smith (Tr)25539664%280022137.1
Ui Ale4850%69108.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Parker Jenkins9946434.731
Donovan Smith (Tr)13842963.135
Stacy Sneed4828215.958
Tony Mathis (Tr)4117004.123
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Sam Brown61815313.453
Joseph Manjack46577612.549
Matthew Golden38404610.639
Stephon Johnson Jr.23269311.749

View Houston's Full Roster

HOU's DC Doug Belk (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
A.J. Haulcy901012
Malik Robinson732021
Jamal Morris592025
Isaiah Hamilton (Tr)462014
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nelson Ceaser3610730
Jamaree Caldwell269700
David Ugwoegbu (Tr)416323
Anthony Holmes Jr.205330
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamal Morris592025
Malik Fleming (Tr)392005
Isaiah Hamilton (Tr)462014

RICE's OC Marques Tuiasosopo (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
JT Daniels (Tr)18128763%24432178.5
AJ Padgett7111761%721866.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dean Connors12177176.457
Juma Otoviano9232643.524
Luke McCaffrey1511707.840
Ari Broussard299103.116
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Luke McCaffrey719921314.051
Dean Connors4340339.480
Boden Groen3938339.831
Landon Ransom-Goelz26380314.644

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Brian Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Myron Morrison683140
Plae Wyatt653125
Gabe Taylor461128
Chris Conti453110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chike Anigbogu183200
De'Braylon Carroll388250
Jonathan Jean344201
DJ Arkansas312220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tre'Shon Devones382009
Gabe Taylor461128
Tyson Flowers232105