Rice at Fresno State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rice logo   Rice Owls at Fresno State Bulldogs  Fresno State logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Bulldog Stadium - Fresno, CA

 
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (14 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#80)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RICE coming off BYE
FRES is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Fresno State -13  (SP+ FRES -17)
Projected Score: RICE: 17 - FRES: 30 (46)
FRES Win prob: 80% | Cover: 46%
RICE Travel: 1485 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Bulldogs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Entz (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 26 - 19 (27 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#42)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
Rice's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/12 Rice at Notre Dame+44
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/26 Rice at Fresno State+13

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
Fresno State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Fresno State at USC+28
Sat 9/12 Fresno State vs Sacramento State-5.5
Sat 9/19 Fresno State at San José State-8.5
Sat 9/26 Fresno State vs Rice-13
Fri 10/2 Fresno State at Washington State+6
Sat 10/10 Fresno State vs Boise State+4.5
Sat 10/17 Fresno State at San Diego State+7
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/30 Fresno State vs Oregon State-13.5
Sat 11/7 Fresno State at Utah State-0.5
Sat 11/14 Fresno State at Texas State+7
Sat 11/21 Fresno State vs Colorado State-11.5
Sat 11/28 Fresno State vs TBD-19

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Fresno State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#122 (.06)37% (122)19.138% (114)2.69 (114)20533% (132)983.21 (114)#120 (.25)40% (49)32.941% (55)39% (46)3.71 (73)49.50.80.5
FRES#106 (.11)39% (111)25.838% (120)2.79 (102)17141% (78)1833.29 (111)#41 (.11)39% (32)18.843% (78)35% (13)3.26 (33)60.61.52
 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
FRES0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Offense1319.114.236.8%3.210.817302205984.170%28%38%33%18%.06
FRES Defense1318.815.338.9%3.262 - - - - - 50%49%43%35%17%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RICE Defense1332.932.640%3.710.5 - - - - - 49%50%41%39%14%.25
FRES Offense1325.826.538.6%3.291.5193541711834.653%45%38%41%15%.11

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Rice1332:4317.134%55%4.849.50.80.551.9027
Fresno State1332:1918.936%43%6.660.61.525.21.8333.6
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1370% (4)38% (114)49.8204.84.120 (60).05 (102)2.69 (114)73% (61)14% (134)1 (53)
FRES Defense1350% (62)43% (78) - - - - .09 (61)3 (92)74% (91)10% (70)0.82 (8)
 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 Defense1349% (52)41% (55) - - - - .16 (103)3.02 (98)64% (23)9% (106)1.17 (132)
FRES Offense1353% (40)38% (120)37.1170.74.622 (49).02 (114)2.79 (102)73% (57)10% (87)1.01 (50)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RICE Offense1328% (133)33% (132)11.417.297.65.78.611 (121)4 (7).12 (122)1.7 (28)32% (81)20% (135).02 (133)3% (7)2.1 (41)
FRES Defense1349% (76)35% (13) - - - - - - 20 (12).15 (25)1.6 (94)33% (43)27% (33).19 (24)8% (13)1.8 (18)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RICE Defense1350% (88)39% (46) - - - - - - 3 (100).36 (117)1.9 (134)32% (55)31% (84).43 (123)5% (102)2.5 (135)
FRES Offense1345% (99)41% (78)18.428.7183.46.41014 (75)13 (127).25 (64)1.5 (77)33% (97)30% (72).31 (69)5% (45)2 (86)

Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -14.91  #121
Rice's Offense Rating: 1.87  #124
Rice's Defense Rating: 21.78  #107
2026 Talent Rating: 532.00  #108
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #79
Rice's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Rice's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.8  #120
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7  #119
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.9  #112

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 542.43
Average Power Five Talent: 897.88
Average FBS Talent: 712.17

Power Ratings Matchup
Rice: -14.91   Fresno State: -1.865

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rice: -14.8   Fresno State: 1.8




Fresno State's Power Ratings
Fresno State's Power Rating: -1.865  #99
Fresno State's Offense Rating: 1.37  #126
Fresno State's Defense Rating: 16.90  #70
2026 Talent Rating: 658.00  #81
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #99
Fresno State's 2026 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Fresno State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #66
Fresno State's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.0  #100
Fresno State's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.1  #37

Average Talent
Average Pac-12 Talent Rating is 627.25
Average Power Five Talent: 897.88
Average FBS Talent: 712.17


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

Rice's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Fresno State 30
Rice 17

Projected Total Points: 46
Fresno State Scoring
Offense: 25.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.5
Defense: 18.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.3

Fresno State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201412/24Rice30Fresno State6Fresno State -2Rice0
200411/06Rice14Fresno State52
200310/25Fresno State31Rice28
200209/28Rice28Fresno State31
200111/03Fresno State52Rice24
200010/04Rice24Fresno State27
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Fresno State500 Overs
Rice110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 31 - 00 - 01 - 0
Road Teams3 - 30 - 10 - 10 - 0

(#121) RICE at (#99) FRES
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRICEFRES
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #121 #99
SP+SP+ #120 #66
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #108 #81
Blue ChipsBC% #79 #99
Rice Notes
(1/29) Staff year 2, unique Gun Option offense
(1/29) QB Brown (UCF) better runner than pass, good fit
(1/29) RB Jackson good LY, 3 RB needed, some depth
(1/29) WR rebuild, Mosey (HC) good add. Must block/run
(1/29) OL 2 FT starters, 2 PT. Has pieces if depth can fill
(1/29) DL lost best DE/DT. Some exp to build on
(1/29) LBs are the size of DBs. Huge ? that lacks answers
(1/29) DBs went heavy in portal, some decent options
(1/29) Def Succ #s LY misleading, torched by big plays
Rice Injury Report
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFRES Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122 #32
ExplosiveExp #115 #25
PPAPPA #122 #41
PowerPwr #124 #70
SP+SP+ #119 #37
Pts POPPO #114 #33
HavocHav #109 #30
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFRES Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114 #78
Run ExplRExp #53 #8
PPAExp #102 #61
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114 #92
Stuff RateStuff #102 #50
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFRES Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132 #13
Pass ExplPExl #28 #94
PPAExp #122 #25
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134 #70
DB HavocDB #7 #13
Fresno State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatFRES OffRICE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #111 #49
ExplosiveExp #54 #136
PPAPPA #106 #120
PowerPwr #126 #107
SP+SP+ #100 #112
Pts POPPO #111 #73
HavocHav #64 #110
Fresno State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
FRES OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #120 #55
Run ExplRExp #50 #132
PPAExp #114 #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #102 #98
Stuff RateStuff #90 #93
TackleTak - NR
Fresno State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatFRES OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #78 #46
Pass ExplPExl #77 #134
PPAExp #64 #117
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #106
DB HavocDB #45 #102
Program Comparison
FRES 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bulldog Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
RICE's OC Vince Munch (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Patrick Crayton Jr.71547%73124.9
Lucas Scheerhorn91369%40003.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Quinton Jackson18088964.973
DAndre Hardeman Jr.7630224.036
Tyvonn Byars3419315.732
Jacurri Brown (Tr)1614228.960
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Max Mosey (Tr)5049009.846
Payton Matthews493023.354
Quinton Jackson474118.575
Tyvonn Byars253026.543

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Jon Kay (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
AJ Brown (Tr)530000
Jo Chavez402011
Jack Kane380002
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
Joseph Mutombo122211
Cooper King82100
Daveon Hook163100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jack Kane380002
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
Jerrick Harper231002

FRES's OC Josh Davis (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Khristian Martin (Tr)111765%105106.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Rayshon Luke11069966.469
Bryson Donelson14258354.157
Brandon Ramirez6027134.519
Josiah Freeman31705.79
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Josiah Freeman52642612.351
Ezekiel Avit2825509.141
Rayshon Luke3622826.323
Jahlil McClain13169113.043

View Fresno State's Full Roster

FRES's DC Nick Benedetto (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Simeon Harris537105
Camryn Bracha523004
Finn Claypool4111741
Tytus Khajavi373110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Finn Claypool4111741
Jahzon Jacks327430
Deijon Laffitte275303
Simeon Harris537105
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Simeon Harris537105
Ryan Wilson252104
Camryn Bracha523004