Tulsa at Rice - 2026 Matchup Preview
Tulsa logo   Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Rice Owls  Rice logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rice Stadium - Houston, TX  (American Athletic)

 
Golden Hurricane (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tre Lamb (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 23 - 29 (19 - 31 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.4 - 5.6 (#54)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 9)
TLSA 2nd straight Road Game
RICE is playing their 7th straight game
TLSA is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: Tulsa -5  (SP+ TLSA -5)
Projected Score: TLSA: 29 - RICE: 24 (53)
TLSA Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
TLSA Travel: 446 miles
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)
 
Tulsa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Tulsa vs Oklahoma State+0.5
Sat 9/12 Tulsa at Sam Houston-13.5
Sat 9/19 Tulsa vs East Texas A&M-17
Sat 9/26 Tulsa at Arkansas+13.5
Thu 10/1 Tulsa vs North Texas+8
Sat 10/10 Tulsa at Navy+9
Sat 10/17 Tulsa at Rice-5
Fri 10/23 Tulsa vs Army+1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Tulsa at Tulane+9.5
Sat 11/14 Tulsa vs Florida Atlantic-4.5
Sat 11/21 Tulsa vs Charlotte-17
Sat 11/28 Tulsa at UTSA+9

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 5, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 5, 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 Tulsa's Schedule
Rice's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
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+12.5
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 SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
TLSA#105 (.11)40% (97)23.242% (88)2.87 (79)17638% (105)2233.34 (106)#60 (.15)43% (81)28.942% (65)44% (100)3.78 (77)38.21.60.9
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
 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
TLSA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RICE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TLSA Offense1223.21940.4%3.341.6223991762234.451%47%42%38%17%.11
RICE Defense1332.93240%3.710.5 - - - - - 49%50%41%39%14%.25
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
TLSA Defense1228.930.742.5%3.780.9 - - - - - 56%43%42%44%13%.15
RICE Offense1319.123.936.8%3.210.817302205984.170%28%38%33%18%.06

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
Tulsa1228:3322.238%57%5.138.21.60.95.31.9027.4
Rice1332:4317.134%55%4.849.50.80.551.9027
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
TLSA Offense1251% (56)42% (88)40.41764.418 (107).05 (101)2.87 (79)60% (127)11% (111)1.03 (47)
RICE Defense1349% (52)41% (55) - - - - .16 (103)3.02 (98)64% (23)9% (106)1.17 (132)
 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
TLSA Defense1256% (127)42% (65) - - - - .06 (47)2.92 (76)67% (36)9% (99)0.94 (58)
RICE Offense1370% (4)38% (114)49.8204.84.120 (60).05 (102)2.69 (114)73% (61)14% (134)1 (53)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TLSA Offense1247% (82)38% (105)20.134.1222.56.511.115 (86)10 (108).15 (114)1.5 (104)32% (80)28% (89).26 (87)6% (78)1.9 (106)
RICE Defense1350% (88)39% (46) - - - - - - 3 (100).36 (117)1.9 (134)32% (55)31% (84).43 (123)5% (102)2.5 (135)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
TLSA Defense1243% (14)44% (100) - - - - - - 7 (55).28 (84)1.5 (52)29% (115)31% (92).28 (65)4% (131)1.8 (15)
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)

Tulsa's Power Ratings
Tulsa's Power Rating: -2.51  #81
Tulsa's Offense Rating: 8.48  #95
Tulsa's Defense Rating: 15.99  #68
2026 Talent Rating: 622.00  #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #103
Tulsa's 2026 Expected Record: 6.4 - 5.6
Tulsa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -10.0  #104
Tulsa's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #105
Tulsa's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.1  #107

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 729.79

Power Ratings Matchup
Tulsa: -2.51   Rice: -11.33

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Tulsa: -10.0   Rice: -14.8




Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -11.33  #119
Rice's Offense Rating: 3.46  #121
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: 729.79


Tulsa Scoring
Offense: 23.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 19
Defense: 28.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.7

Tulsa'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
Tulsa 29
Rice 24

Projected Total Points: 53
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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202310/19Tulsa10Rice42Tulsa -3Rice56.5Under
201310/05Tulsa27Rice30Tulsa -2.5Rice0
201210/20Tulsa28Rice24
201110/22Rice20Tulsa38
201011/06Tulsa64Rice27
200910/03Rice10Tulsa27
200810/04Tulsa63Rice28
200711/24Rice43Tulsa48
200611/11Tulsa38Rice41
200510/15Rice21Tulsa41
200410/30Tulsa39Rice22
200311/08Rice28Tulsa31
200211/02Tulsa18Rice33
200111/10Rice59Tulsa32
200009/15Rice16Tulsa23
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rice520 Overs
Tulsa1001 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 100 - 20 - 20 - 0
Road Teams10 - 52 - 00 - 02 - 0

(#81) TLSA at (#119) RICE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatTLSARICE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #81 #119
SP+SP+ #104 #120
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #89 #102
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #87
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
Tulsa on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffRICE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #97 #49
ExplosiveExp #59 #136
PPAPPA #105 #120
PowerPwr #95 #109
SP+SP+ #105 #112
Pts POPPO #106 #73
HavocHav #104 #110
Tulsa Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #88 #55
Run ExplRExp #47 #132
PPAExp #101 #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #79 #98
Stuff RateStuff #125 #93
TackleTak - NR
Tulsa Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
TLSA OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #105 #46
Pass ExplPExl #104 #134
PPAExp #114 #117
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #111 #106
DB HavocDB #78 #102
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCatRICE OffTLSA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122 #81
ExplosiveExp #115 #44
PPAPPA #122 #60
PowerPwr #121 #68
SP+SP+ #119 #107
Pts POPPO #114 #77
HavocHav #109 #121
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffTLSA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114 #65
Run ExplRExp #53 #58
PPAExp #102 #47
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114 #76
Stuff RateStuff #102 #76
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCatRICE OffTLSA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132 #100
Pass ExplPExl #28 #52
PPAExp #122 #84
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134 #99
DB HavocDB #7 #131
Program Comparison
RICE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Rice beat Tulsa in 2023 (42-10)

  
TLSA's OC Ty Darlington (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Baylor Hayes18631659%21591266.8
Dexter Williams II (Tr)6712554%787636.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Trequan Jones (Tr)10579267.593
DJ McKinney (Tr)11146474.254
Baylor Hayes9518832.024
Dexter Williams II (Tr)4115333.716
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Ross (Tr)50603312.179
David Wells Jr. (Tr)44466410.656
Grayson Tempest22272112.451
Josh Smith9201122.343

View Tulsa's Full Roster

TLSA's DC Mike Gray (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Williams731007
William Alexander661010
Elijah Green592007
Devin Robinson506002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thomas Davis (Tr)256320
Dax Collins101100
Tai Newhouse392110
Zach Williams731007
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Williams731007
Elijah Green592007
Caldra Williford (Tr)161004

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
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
Joseph Mutombo122211
Cooper King82100
Daveon Hook163100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tariq Watson120012
Austin Harnetiaux (Tr)372002
Jerrick Harper231002