Rice at Houston - 2024 Matchup Preview
Rice logo   Rice Owls at Houston Cougars  Houston logo
Saturday, September 14th 2024 (8:00 PM EDT)
Houston -3.5 (43.5) (-190)  Open: -5.0 | 42.5
Houston 33 - Rice: 7

 
Owls (4 - 8) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Mike Bloomgren (22 - 46)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (14 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#101)
'24 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Houston -5.5  (SP+ HOU -3)
Projected Score: RICE: 21 - HOU: 26 (47)
HOU Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
RICE Travel: 4 miles
Cougars (4 - 8) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Willie Fritz (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 29 - 23 (26 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#101)
'24 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Rice's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Rice vs Sam Houston-9.549.0L 14 - 34UN
Sat 9/7 Rice vs Texas Southern-30.052.5W 69 - 7OY
Sat 9/14 Rice at Houston+3.543.5L 7 - 33UN
Sat 9/21 Rice at Army+7.044.0L 14 - 37ON
Sat 9/28 Rice vs Charlotte-4.048.0L 20 - 21UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12 Rice vs UTSA+3.551.0W 29 - 27OY
Sat 10/19 Rice at Tulane+21.553.5L 10 - 24UY
Sat 10/26 Rice at UConn+6.547.0L 10 - 17UN
Sat 11/2 Rice vs Navy+12.549.0W 24 - 10UY
Fri 11/8 Rice at Memphis+7.550.5L 20 - 27UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/23 Rice at UAB-7.052.0L 14 - 40ON
Sat 11/30 Rice vs South Florida+5.553.5W 35 - 28OY

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
Houston's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Houston vs UNLV-3.056.0L 7 - 27UN
Sat 9/7 Houston at Oklahoma+27.548.5L 12 - 16UY
Sat 9/14 Houston vs Rice-3.543.5W 33 - 7UY
Sat 9/21 Houston at Cincinnati+4.047.5L 0 - 34UN
Sat 9/28 Houston vs Iowa State+16.043.0L 0 - 20UN
Fri 10/4 Houston at TCU+16.552.0W 30 - 19UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/19 Houston vs Kansas+4.545.5L 14 - 42ON
Sat 10/26 Houston vs Utah+4.536.0W 17 - 14UY
Sat 11/2 Houston vs Kansas State+12.546.5W 24 - 19UY
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/15 Houston at Arizona+1.046.5L 3 - 27UN
Sat 11/23 Houston vs Baylor+7.051.0L 10 - 20UN
Sat 11/30 Houston at BYU+9.539.5L 18 - 30ON

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
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
RICE#52 (.22)44% (49)19.143% (70)3.01 (87)11045% (32)2524.81 (9)#63 (.17)41% (57)32.944% (83)39% (33)3.61 (52)49.420.9
HOU#104 (.13)40% (97)29.139% (110)2.97 (96)11941% (75)2413.44 (100)#114 (.26)47% (126)22.847% (104)48% (130)4.26 (111)49.21.31.2
 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
RICE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
HOU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Offense1319.114.243.7%4.812193631102523.741%58%43%45%17%.22
HOU Defense1222.824.246.7%4.261.2 - - - - - 51%47%47%48%13%.26
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Defense1332.932.641.2%3.610.9 - - - - - 52%48%44%39%12%.17
HOU Offense1229.125.739.7%3.441.319360119241442%56%39%41%14%.13

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
Rice1330:5918.838%67%5.849.420.93.81.3128.7
Houston1227:5619.236%26%5.749.21.31.251.9328.2
Run Game Stats (2024)
 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
RICE Offense1341% (120)43% (70)29.8110.53.721 (54).12 (86)3.01 (87)65% (118)10% (59)0.96 (89)
HOU Defense1251% (89)47% (104) - - - - .23 (111)3.24 (101)75% (79)8% (110)1.05 (93)
 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
RICE Defense1352% (93)44% (83) - - - - .19 (99)3.15 (80)73% (66)7% (125)1.01 (79)
HOU Offense1242% (115)39% (110)29.9118.8410 (124).06 (116)2.97 (96)59% (129)9% (57)0.98 (82)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
HOU Defense1247% (40)48% (130) - - - - - - 9 (87).35 (108)1.5 (27)30% (98)38% (128).47 (125)4% (124)2.1 (91)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RICE Defense1348% (42)39% (33) - - - - - - 5 (126).21 (34)1.6 (53)33% (49)29% (44).24 (34)5% (109)2 (53)
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's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -8.74  #95
Rice's Offense Rating: 11.53  #123
Rice's Defense Rating: 3.01  #12
2024 Talent Rating: 278.00  #83
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #102
Rice's 2024 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Rice's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.4  #109
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.5  #110
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.4  #94

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 238.57
Average Power Five Talent: 432.03
Average FBS Talent: 332.4

Power Ratings Matchup
Rice: -8.74   Houston: -4.585

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rice: -11.4   Houston: -8.2




Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: -4.585  #86
Houston's Offense Rating: 9.85  #129
Houston's Defense Rating: 8.04  #55
2024 Talent Rating: 307.00  #72
Blue Chip Ratio: 5  #62
Houston's 2024 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Houston's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.2  #101
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.1  #118
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.5  #54

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 366.75
Average Power Five Talent: 432.03
Average FBS Talent: 332.4


Rice Scoring
Offense: 19.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 14.2
Defense: 32.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.6

Rice's 2024 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record on Road: 0 - 6
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Houston 26
Rice 21


Projected Total Points: 47
Houston Scoring
Offense: 29.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 25.7
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 24.2

Houston's 2024 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 2 - 10
Record at home: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 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
Houston1555 Overs
Rice632 Unders

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

(#95) RICE at (#86) HOU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRICEHOU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #95 #86
SP+SP+ #109 #101
Perf GradeGrade #103 #125
OffenseOff #117 #128
DefenseDef #43 #99
Spec TeamsST #105 #109
TalentTal #83 #72
Blue ChipsBC% #102 #62
Rice Notes
(11/26) Hired Scott Abell (Davidson) 47-28 in 7 yrs
(11/26) New HC Abell runs shotgun triple option
(11/25) Bad team awful on road, L to UAB? 4 TOs, Bad D
(11/3) Beat Navy, Run Def great, Off enough in W
(10/28) QB Warner DNP vs UConn, Devillier awful
(10/27) Bloomgren fired, AHC/ST Alamar interim
(10/20) Even w/ Tulane, Warner 3 Int, 5 TOs killed em
(10/12) QB Warner lit UTSA, Rgame awful, Def meh
(10/8) Strange L (Char), OG'd+ 150yds, 0 TO's, still lost
(9/23) Killed by Army, can't run, can't defend. Bad team
(9/17) Off Succ (#132), Expl (#123). Def top 10 Succ
(9/1) Way off on Rice, killed by S Hou, lines abysmal
Rice Injury Report
Houston Notes
(12/27) Signed QB Weigman (A&M) & more
(12/14) Hired DC A. Armstrong (UF DC 23-24)
(12/5) Fired OC Kevin Barbay
(12/5) Hired OC Slade Nagle, ST/TE coach @ LSU
(11/25) 4 TOs, 3-10 on 3rd, 239 total yards in bad Bay L
(11/25) Def played great vs Bay, forced 3 INTs, Off sucks
(11/18) Regress vs Zona, Off abysmal, 3 TOs, Def OK
(11/2) Huge W over K St. Chris 11-11, Run D great
(10/27) 13 Passes, 230 ryds (4.7 ypc) in Utah upset. Big W
(10/18) QB Criss replacing Smith (should be an upgrade)
(9/22) Off abysmal. Can't run/pass. Def can't overcome
(9/8) Close L @ OU. Run: D great, O bad, QB Smith good.
Houston Injury Report
Rice on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 37%
CategoryCat
RICE OffHOU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117 #99
SuccessSuc #49 #126
ExplosiveExp #31 #51
PPAPPA #52 #114
PowerPwr #123 #55
SP+SP+ #110 #54
Pts POPPO #9 #111
HavocHav #81 #121
Rice Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 37%
CategoryCat
RICE OffHOU Def
Run GameRun #111 #74
Run SuccessRSuc #70 #104
Run ExplRExp #89 #93
PPAExp #86 #111
Run BlockR Blk #115 -
OL YdsOLY #87 #101
Stuff RateStuff #71 #74
TackleTak -  #73
Rice Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 37%
CategoryCat
RICE OffHOU Def
Pass GamePass #99 #94
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #130
Pass ExplPExl #54 #27
PPAExp #45 #108
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #94 #132
F7 HavocF7 #59 #110
DB HavocDB #103 #124
Houston on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatHOU OffRICE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #128 #43
SuccessSuc #97 #57
ExplosiveExp #60 #50
PPAPPA #104 #63
PowerPwr #129 #12
SP+SP+ #118 #94
Pts POPPO #100 #52
HavocHav #41 #126
Houston Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
HOU OffRICE Def
Run GameRun #133 #100
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #83
Run ExplRExp #82 #79
PPAExp #116 #99
Run BlockR Blk #101 -
OL YdsOLY #96 #80
Stuff RateStuff #116 #97
TackleTak -  #32
Houston Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatHOU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePass #128 #14
Pass SuccessPSuc #75 #33
Pass ExplPExl #86 #53
PPAExp #77 #34
Pass Block/RushP Blk #42 #47
F7 HavocF7 #57 #125
DB HavocDB #20 #109
Program Comparison
HOU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'24 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

RICE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'24 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in O'Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 3
Houston -3.5 (43.5)
Houston won vs Rice this year (33-7)

Previous Matchups
Houston beat Rice last year (35-9)
Houston beat Rice in 2024 (33-7)
Rice beat Houston in 2023 (43-41)

  
RICE's OC Marques Tuiasosopo (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
E.J. Warner (Tr)27143862%271017136.2
Drew Devillier203853%137003.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dean Connors15978094.971
Quinton Jackson4827515.745
Taji Atkins2415826.633
Christian Francisco197804.114
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Matt Sykes65795512.237
Dean Connors6147227.769
Kobie Campbell32372111.633
Braylen Walker22264112.050

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Brian Smith (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris498500
Sean Fresch471008
Gabe Taylor457306
Andrew Awe444110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris498500
Josh Pearcy356440
Michael Daley (Tr)146310
Gabe Taylor457306
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Max Ahoia341008
Sean Fresch471008
Gabe Taylor457306

HOU's OC Kevin Barbay (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Donovan Smith8713365%867486.5
Zeon Chriss8313064%824486.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Re'Shaun Sanford II9444414.738
Zeon Chriss11338143.471
Stacy Sneed6030815.165
J'Marion Burnette4318204.254
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Stephon Johnson Jr.32402212.644
Joseph Manjack22351316.057
Mekhi Mews (Tr)2925318.757
Maliq Carr (Tr)1918619.823

View Houston's Full Roster

HOU's DC Shiel Wood (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Batton (Tr)948330
A.J. Haulcy740007
Jamal Morris635100
Kentrell Webb (Tr)541003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Keith Cooper Jr.469472
Michael Batton (Tr)948330
Brandon Mack395320
Anthony Holmes Jr.359350
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
A.J. Haulcy740007
Jeremiah Wilson (Tr)244004
Ajani Carter221103