Western Michigan at Rice - 2026 Matchup Preview

Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rice Stadium - Houston, TX

Broncos (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Taylor (20 - 19)
Avg Score : 25 - 17 (18 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

WMU coming off BYE
Our Line: Western Michigan -6 (SP+ WMU -13.5)
Projected Score: WMU: 27 - RICE: 21 (47)
WMU Win prob: 66% | Cover: 50%
WMU Travel: 1025 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (24 - 32 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.1 - 8.9 (#88)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)

Matchup
Schedules
WMU Players
RICE Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Western Michigan at Michigan	+26.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19	Western Michigan at Rice	-6
Sat 9/26	Western Michigan vs Boise State	+6.5

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 Michigan's Schedule

Rice's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Rice vs Houston Christian	-9.5
Sat 9/12	Rice at Notre Dame	+43
Sat 9/19	Rice vs Western Michigan	+6
Sat 9/26	Rice at Fresno State	+13.5
Sat 10/3	Rice vs UTSA	+11.5
Sat 10/10	Rice at East Carolina	+19.5
Sat 10/17	Rice vs Tulsa	+5
Sat 10/24	Rice at Florida Atlantic	+8
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7	Rice at North Texas	+20.5
Sat 11/14	Rice vs Tulane	+13
Thu 11/19	Rice at Temple	+11.5
Sat 11/28	Rice vs Army	+9

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, 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 (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WMU	#103 (.12)	43% (55)	24.9	47% (31)	3.18 (25)	205	37% (116)	139	3.35 (105)	#16 (.06)	37% (17)	17.4	38% (21)	37% (21)	2.83 (13)	40.1	1.1	1.7
RICE	#122 (.06)	37% (122)	19.1	38% (114)	2.69 (114)	205	33% (132)	98	3.21 (114)	#120 (.25)	40% (49)	32.9	41% (55)	39% (46)	3.71 (73)	49.5	0.8	0.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WMU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
RICE		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WMU Offense	14	24.9	18.3	43.4%	3.35	1.1	19	343	205	139	4.6	65%	33%	47%	37%	12%	.12
RICE Defense	13	32.9	32	40%	3.71	0.5	-	-	-	-	-	49%	50%	41%	39%	14%	.25

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WMU Defense	14	17.4	21.7	36.9%	2.83	1.7	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	38%	37%	17%	.06
RICE Offense	13	19.1	23.9	36.8%	3.21	0.8	17	302	205	98	4.1	70%	28%	38%	33%	18%	.06

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Western Michigan	14	32:34	18.9	40%	44%	4.6	40.1	1.1	1.7	5.9	3.1	2	32
Rice	13	32:43	17.1	34%	55%	4.8	49.5	0.8	0.5	5	1.9	0	27

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WMU Offense	14	65% (5)	47% (31)	44.2	204.5	4.6	31 (49)	.14 (57)	3.18 (25)	76% (38)	9% (61)	0.9 (97)
RICE Defense	13	49% (52)	41% (55)	-	-	-	-	.16 (103)	3.02 (98)	64% (23)	9% (106)	1.17 (132)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WMU Defense	14	49% (56)	38% (21)	-	-	-	-	.06 (46)	2.77 (48)	73% (86)	11% (17)	1.02 (98)
RICE Offense	13	70% (4)	38% (114)	49.8	204.8	4.1	20 (60)	.05 (102)	2.69 (114)	73% (61)	14% (134)	1 (53)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WMU Offense	14	33% (132)	37% (116)	13.2	21.8	138.5	6.4	10.5	10 (114)	6 (34)	.1 (125)	1.4 (120)	30% (44)	24% (128)	.15 (121)	3% (7)	1.9 (103)
RICE Defense	13	50% (88)	39% (46)	-	-	-	-	-	-	3 (100)	.36 (117)	1.9 (134)	32% (55)	31% (84)	.43 (123)	5% (102)	2.5 (135)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WMU Defense	14	49% (75)	37% (21)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (55)	.1 (11)	1.5 (28)	34% (23)	28% (54)	.12 (12)	6% (67)	1.7 (6)
RICE Offense	13	28% (133)	33% (132)	11.4	17.2	97.6	5.7	8.6	11 (121)	4 (7)	.12 (122)	1.7 (28)	32% (81)	20% (135)	.02 (133)	3% (7)	2.1 (41)

Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -8.87 #106
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 5.93 #108
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 19.80 #95
2026 Talent Rating: 530.00 #113
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #103
Western Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Western Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.4 #78
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.7 #105
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8 #42

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 547.54
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 728.49

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -8.87 Rice: -11.33

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -1.4 Rice: -14.8

Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -11.33 #117
Rice's Offense Rating: 3.46 #120
Rice's Defense Rating: 21.32 #109
2026 Talent Rating: 570.00 #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #87
Rice's 2026 Expected Record: 3.1 - 8.9
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 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 728.49

Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 18.3
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.7

Western Michigan'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
Western Michigan 27
Rice 21

Projected Total Points: 47

Rice Scoring
Offense: 19.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 23.9
Defense: 32.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 32

Rice'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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2008	12/30	Rice	38	Western Michigan	14

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Rice	1	0	0 Overs
Western Michigan	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0

(#106) WMU at (#117) RICE

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WMU	RICE
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#106	#117
SP+SP+	#78	#120
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#113	#102
Blue ChipsBC%	#103	#87

Western Michigan Notes(2/6) Elevated Greer Martini (LB) to DC (O'Leary->NFL)
Western Michigan Injury Report

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

Western Michigan on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	RICE Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#55	#49
ExplosiveExp	#136	#136
PPAPPA	#103	#120
PowerPwr	#108	#109
SP+SP+	#105	#112
Pts POPPO	#105	#73
HavocHav	#18	#110

Western Michigan Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	RICE Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#31	#55
Run ExplRExp	#97	#132
PPAExp	#57	#103
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#25	#98
Stuff RateStuff	#30	#93
TackleTak	-	NR

Western Michigan Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	RICE Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#116	#46
Pass ExplPExl	#120	#134
PPAExp	#125	#117
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#61	#106
DB HavocDB	#7	#102

Rice on Offense

Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat	RICE Off	WMU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#122	#17
ExplosiveExp	#115	#66
PPAPPA	#122	#16
PowerPwr	#120	#95
SP+SP+	#119	#42
Pts POPPO	#114	#13
HavocHav	#109	#33

Rice Run Game

Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat	RICE Off	WMU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#114	#21
Run ExplRExp	#53	#98
PPAExp	#102	#46
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#114	#48
Stuff RateStuff	#102	#96
TackleTak	-	NR

Rice Pass Game

Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat	RICE Off	WMU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#132	#21
Pass ExplPExl	#28	#28
PPAExp	#122	#11
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#134	#17
DB HavocDB	#7	#67

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

WMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'26 Profile: Up to Top G5

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

No Matchups Past 4 Years

WMU's OC Walt Bell (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Broc Lowry	166	262	63%	1803	9	3	6.9
Ofa Mataele	0	1	0%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jalen Buckley	179	1003	9	5.6	67
Broc Lowry	203	963	14	4.7	37
Ofa Mataele	57	252	3	4.4	22
Aveion Chenault	3	35	0	11.7	25

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nathan Levicki	33	478	6	14.5	75
Baylin Brooks	27	372	0	13.8	42
Aveion Chenault	23	277	2	12.0	45
Jalen Buckley	12	75	1	6.3	34

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Greer Martini (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
Micah Davis	60	1	0	2	3
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Joey Pope	44	3	1	1	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
DeJuan Echoles	27	6	4	2	2
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
Jori Benson	4	1	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
John Peters	14	0	0	0	4

RICE's OC Vince Munch (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Patrick Crayton Jr.	7	15	47%	73	1	2	4.9
Lucas Scheerhorn	9	13	69%	40	0	0	3.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Quinton Jackson	180	889	6	4.9	73
DAndre Hardeman Jr.	76	302	2	4.0	36
Tyvonn Byars	34	193	1	5.7	32
Jacurri Brown (Tr)	16	142	2	8.9	60

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Max Mosey (Tr)	50	490	0	9.8	46
Payton Matthews	4	93	0	23.3	54
Quinton Jackson	4	74	1	18.5	75
Tyvonn Byars	2	53	0	26.5	43

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Jon Kay (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
AJ Brown (Tr)	53	0	0	0	0
Jo Chavez	40	2	0	1	1
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)	37	2	0	0	2
Chibby Nwajuaku	25	3	2	2	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Chibby Nwajuaku	25	3	2	2	0
Joseph Mutombo	12	2	2	1	1
Cooper King	8	2	1	0	0
Daveon Hook	16	3	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
Tariq Watson	12	0	1	2
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)	37	2	0	2
Jerrick Harper	23	1	0	2