Houston at Rice Game Matchup
Houston logo Houston Cougars at Rice OwlsRice logo
Saturday, September 6th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Rice Stadium - Houston, TX

 
Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Willie Fritz (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 14 - 23 (13 - 25 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 6.1 (#77)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 5)
Our Line: Houston -15   (SP+ HOU -16.5)
Projected Score: HOU: 30 - RICE: 15 (43)
HOU Win prob: 85% | Cover: 46%
HOU Travel: 4 miles
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 22 - 25 (32 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.6 - 8.4 (#127)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 8)
 
Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Wed 8/27 Houston vs Stephen F. Austin-24
Sat 9/6 Houston at Rice-15
Sat 9/13 Houston vs Colorado+1
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Houston at Oregon State-1
Sat 10/4 Houston vs Texas Tech+9.5
Sat 10/11 Houston at Oklahoma State+1
Sat 10/18 Houston vs Arizona-5
Sat 10/25 Houston at Arizona State+16.5
Sat 11/1 Houston vs West Virginia-3.5
Sat 11/8 Houston at UCF+0.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Houston vs TCU+8.5
Sat 11/29 Houston at Baylor+11.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Houston's Schedule
Rice's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Rice at Louisiana+14.50.0
Sat 9/6 Rice vs Houston+15
Sat 9/13 Rice vs Prairie View A&M-7
Thu 9/18 Rice at Charlotte-1
Sat 9/27 Rice at Navy+14.5
Sat 10/4 Rice vs Florida Atlantic+0.5
Sat 10/11 Rice at UTSA+19.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Rice vs UConn+10.5
Fri 10/31 Rice vs Memphis+16
Sat 11/8 Rice vs UAB-0.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Rice vs North Texas+6.5
Sat 11/29 Rice at South Florida+19.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 4, Bad 4, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 4, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rice's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 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)1435% (130)2.52 (129)13737% (115)1532.57 (134)#51 (.14)40% (41)22.940% (41)39% (49)3.52 (41)51.92.31.6
RICE#126 (.05)35% (127)22.236% (127)2.7 (118)11535% (121)2393.27 (119)#60 (.16)37% (11)25.440% (37)34% (4)3.72 (62)57.41.81
 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
HOU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RICE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Offense121412.635.3%2.572.3152891371533.957%42%35%37%21%-
RICE Defense1225.421.237%3.721 - - - - - 55%45%40%34%17%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Defense1222.925.239.6%3.521.6 - - - - - 51%49%40%39%18%.14
RICE Offense1222.231.835.5%3.271.8183541152394.637%62%36%35%20%.05

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Houston1230:1015.128%38%5.551.92.31.65.61.8227.7
Rice1228:4018.335%35%7.157.41.816.32.7232.6
Run Game Stats (2025)
 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 Offense1257% (22)35% (130)35.5136.63.99 (125) (122)2.52 (129)64% (119)16% (132)1.01 (49)
RICE Defense1255% (112)40% (37) - - - - .16 (85)3.06 (80)76% (83)11% (45)1.07 (103)
 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% (76)40% (41) - - - - .06 (34)2.8 (35)69% (41)12% (27)1 (75)
RICE Offense1237% (132)36% (127)24.8114.54.614 (98)-.03 (126)2.7 (118)86% (3)10% (63)1 (55)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Offense1242% (114)37% (115)15.223.3152.76.510.19 (128)17 (127).02 (131)1.4 (122)35% (120)20% (133)-.04 (134)5% (45)1.7 (130)
RICE Defense1245% (24)34% (4) - - - - - - 8 (93).16 (33)1.7 (109)34% (30)24% (4).19 (23)6% (70)2.1 (81)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Defense1249% (62)39% (49) - - - - - - 12 (39).23 (68)1.7 (95)33% (54)32% (96).32 (79)6% (71)2 (55)
RICE Offense1262% (4)35% (121)24.339.823969.817 (79)13 (103).11 (121)1.5 (97)38% (129)25% (119).17 (119)10% (133)1.9 (104)

Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: 0.29 #67
Houston's Offense Rating: 10.61 #90
Houston's Defense Rating: 10.32 #39
2025 Talent Rating: 740.00 #61
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.9 #58
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.3 #91
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.4 #36

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 774.88
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston: 0.29   Rice: -14.165

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston: 0.9   Rice: -15.8




Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -14.165 #115
Rice's Offense Rating: 0.29 #135
Rice's Defense Rating: 17.82 #86
2025 Talent Rating: 536.00 #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Rice's 2025 Expected Record: 3.6 - 8.4
Rice's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -15.8 #121
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #132
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.4 #99

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 532.14
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.29


Houston Scoring
Offense: 14 PPG
Offense on Road: 12.6
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 25.2

Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Houston 30
Rice 15

Projected Total Points: 43
Rice Scoring
Offense: 22.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.8
Defense: 25.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 21.2

Rice's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202409/14Houston33Rice7HoustonHouston -3.5Houston43.5Under
202309/09Rice43Houston41RiceHouston -7.5Rice51.0Over
202209/24Houston34Rice27HoustonHouston -17.5Rice52.5Over
202109/11Rice7Houston44HoustonHouston -7.5Houston50.0Over
201809/01Rice27Houston45HoustonHouston -25.5Rice55.5Over
201709/16Houston38Rice3HoustonHouston -23Houston53.5Under
201309/21Rice26Houston31HoustonRice -4Houston0
201209/29Rice14Houston35Houston
201110/27Houston73Rice34Houston
201010/16Rice34Houston31Rice
200911/28Houston73Rice14Houston
200811/29Rice56Houston42Rice
200710/13Houston56Rice48Houston
200609/02Rice30Houston31Houston
200511/26Houston35Rice18Houston
200409/05Rice10Houston7Rice
200308/30Houston48Rice14Houston
200208/31Rice10Houston24Houston
200109/01Houston14Rice21Rice
200009/01Rice30Houston27Rice
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rice634 Overs
Houston1442 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams13 - 74 - 32 - 22 - 1
Road Teams7 - 133 - 41 - 22 - 2

(#67) Houston Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 0.29 #67
Offense Rating: 10.61 #90
Defense Rating: 10.32 #39
Overall SP+ Rating: 0.9 #58
Offense SP+ Rating: 24.3 #91
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.4 #36
Talent Rating: 740.00 #61
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 35%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.57 PPO
Awful Run Success 35%
Awful Pass Success 37%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 40%
Good in Scoring Position 3.52 PPO
Good Run Def Success 40%
Avg Pass Def Success 39%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Houston Notes
(5/23) New DC Armstrong downgrade from Shiel Wood
(5/15) DE/Pass Rush looks like a big ? Walls (FIU) key
(5/15) OL awful LY. 5 portals, could improve to decent
(5/13) TE Koziol (Ball St) huge add, @ Wisc in spring
(5/13) RB Connors (Rice) also a big receiving threat
(4/4) CB Jeremiah Wilson a top 10 CB via PFF
(3/21) QB Weigman is talented. Could be great fit
(3/21) RB bad LY. Connors (Rice) good add. Some depth
(3/21) WR bad LY. Broussard/Thomas portals help
(3/21) Def good LY, a lot back. 9 portal adds, 5 DBs
Houston     Ratings Matchup     Rice
Power #67
#115
Off #90
#135
Def #39
#86
Talent #61
#101
SP+ #58
#121
SP+ Off #91
#132
SP+ Def #36
#99

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: HOU | RICE
Depth Chart: HOU | RICE
Rosters: HOU | RICE
(#115) Rice Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -14.165 #115
Offense Rating: 0.29 #135
Defense Rating: 17.82 #86
Overall SP+ Rating: -15.8 #121
Offense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #132
Defense SP+ Rating: 32.4 #99
Talent Rating: 536.00 #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Expected Record: 3.6 - 8.4

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 37%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 35%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.27 PPO
Awful Run Success 36%
Awful Pass Success 35%
Bad OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 37%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.72 PPO
Good Run Def Success 40%
Great Pass Def Success 34%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Rice Notes
(3/24) HC Abell ran a gun-option system @ Davidson
(3/24) QB - Warner left (Fresno). Will need mobile QB
(3/24) RB - Jackson/Atkins some exp. #1 left (Hou)
(3/24) WR rebuild. Welker/Dickman some exp
(3/24) OL 3/5 back. Bad LY. Took 1 portal
(3/24) Def was bad, have some exp. Light DL
(3/24) Really hard job, no portal. Option great idea


  
Houston's OC Slade Nagle
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Zeon Chriss8313064%824486.3
Conner Weigman (Tr)6411456%819357.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dean Connors (Tr)15978094.971
Re'Shaun Sanford II9444414.738
Zeon Chriss11338143.471
Stacy Sneed6030815.165
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tanner Koziol (Tr)9483988.933
Amare Thomas (Tr)62670810.873
Harvey Broussard (Tr)31486315.750
Dean Connors (Tr)6147227.769

View Houston's Full Roster
Houston's DC Austin Armstrong
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Carmycah Glass (Tr)754130
Blake Thompson (Tr)603003
Kentrell Webb541003
Wrook Brown (Tr)481006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Eddie Walls III (Tr)306531
Khalil Laufau (Tr)154301
Joshua Donald (Tr)316310
Brandon Mack395320
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Keany Parks (Tr)411007
Marc Stampley II (Tr)422207
Will James (Tr)352007

Rice's OC Vince Munch
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Devillier203853%137003.6
Lucas Scheerhorn (Tr)1333%1010.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Quinton Jackson4827515.745
Taji Atkins2415826.633
Drew Devillier92002.210
Drayden Dickmann1404.04
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braylen Walker22264112.050
Artis Cole (Tr)12152112.730
Drayden Dickmann108018.031
Quinton Jackson116916.317

View Rice's Full Roster
Rice's DC Jon Kay
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris498500
Andrew Awe444110
Daveon Hook352012
Max Ahoia341008
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris498500
Michael Daley146310
Joseph Mutombo113210
Demone Green102211
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Max Ahoia341008
Daveon Hook352012
Jack Kane (Tr)320012