Rice at Florida Atlantic - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rice logo   Rice Owls at Florida Atlantic Owls  Florida Atlantic logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
FAU Stadium - Boca Raton, FL  (American Athletic)

 
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (14 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.1 - 8.9 (#88)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
RICE is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Florida Atlantic -8  (SP+ FAU -6)
Projected Score: RICE: 26 - FAU: 34 (59)
FAU Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
RICE Travel: 961 miles, 1 hrs behind
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Zach Kittley (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 30 - 36 (37 - 36 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.8 - 7.2 (#73)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 7)
 
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+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
Florida Atlantic's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Florida Atlantic at Florida+20.5
Sat 9/12 Florida Atlantic vs Navy+6
Sat 9/19 Florida Atlantic vs Florida International-3
Sat 9/26 Florida Atlantic at UL Monroe-7.5
Sat 10/3 Florida Atlantic vs Texas Southern-15.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Florida Atlantic at Army+8.5
Sat 10/24 Florida Atlantic vs Rice-8
Thu 10/29 Florida Atlantic at North Texas+15
Thu 11/5 Florida Atlantic vs UTSA+6
Sat 11/14 Florida Atlantic at Tulsa+4.5
Sat 11/21 Florida Atlantic vs South Florida+13.5
Fri 11/27 Florida Atlantic at East Carolina+13.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 2, Bad 3, 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 Florida Atlantic'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
FAU#43 (.21)42% (80)29.540% (97)2.76 (104)10543% (55)3413.49 (93)#123 (.26)45% (121)36.349% (127)42% (76)4.58 (132)562.40.7
 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
FAU0%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
FAU Defense1236.335.545.5%4.580.7 - - - - - 54%45%49%42%14%.26
 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
FAU Offense1229.537.241.7%3.492.4254461053413.636%62%40%43%18%.21

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
Florida Atlantic1228:3224.837%66%6.6562.40.75.41.8230.5
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)
FAU Defense1254% (111)49% (127) - - - - .25 (133)3.07 (103)86% (133)9% (89)1.09 (122)
 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)
FAU Offense1236% (135)40% (97)29.5105.23.613 (99).04 (108)2.76 (104)77% (30)10% (91)1.04 (40)

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)
FAU Defense1245% (26)42% (76) - - - - - - 3.31 (96)1.6 (80)29% (114)29% (59).38 (108)5% (110)2.2 (117)
 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)
FAU Offense1262% (4)43% (55)3248.4340.5710.628 (22)20 (134).33 (42)1.6 (49)34% (111)31% (64).39 (33)8% (125)2.1 (25)

Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -12.86  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Rice: -12.86   Florida Atlantic: -5.65

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rice: -14.8   Florida Atlantic: -8.7




Florida Atlantic's Power Ratings
Florida Atlantic's Power Rating: -5.65  #100
Florida Atlantic's Offense Rating: 8.81  #92
Florida Atlantic's Defense Rating: 21.41  #110
2026 Talent Rating: 606.00  #93
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #87
Florida Atlantic's 2026 Expected Record: 4.8 - 7.2
Florida Atlantic's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.7  #98
Florida Atlantic's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.8  #64
Florida Atlantic's Defense SP+ Rating: 38.1  #131

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.75
Average FBS Talent: 728.49


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
Florida Atlantic 34
Rice 26

Projected Total Points: 59
Florida Atlantic Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 37.2
Defense: 36.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 35.5

Florida Atlantic'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
202510/04Rice21Florida Atlantic27Rice -4.5Florida Atlantic54.5Under
202311/25Rice24Florida Atlantic21Rice -5Florida Atlantic46.5Under
202210/15Florida Atlantic17Rice14Florida Atlantic -5Rice54.5Under
201611/05Rice25Florida Atlantic42Rice -2Florida Atlantic57.0Over
201510/10Florida Atlantic26Rice27Florida Atlantic -1.5Rice56.5Under
201309/28Rice18Florida Atlantic14Rice -14Florida Atlantic0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Florida Atlantic341 Overs
Rice324 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 30 - 60 - 60 - 0
Road Teams3 - 36 - 00 - 06 - 0

(#117) RICE at (#100) FAU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRICEFAU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #117 #100
SP+SP+ #120 #98
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #102 #93
Blue ChipsBC% #87 #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
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFAU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122 #121
ExplosiveExp #115 #100
PPAPPA #122 #123
PowerPwr #120 #110
SP+SP+ #119 #131
Pts POPPO #114 #132
HavocHav #109 #106
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFAU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114 #127
Run ExplRExp #53 #122
PPAExp #102 #133
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114 #103
Stuff RateStuff #102 #122
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffFAU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132 #76
Pass ExplPExl #28 #80
PPAExp #122 #96
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134 #89
DB HavocDB #7 #110
Florida Atlantic on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 36%
CategoryCatFAU OffRICE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #80 #49
ExplosiveExp #7 #136
PPAPPA #43 #120
PowerPwr #92 #109
SP+SP+ #64 #112
Pts POPPO #93 #73
HavocHav #111 #110
Florida Atlantic Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 36%
CategoryCat
FAU OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #97 #55
Run ExplRExp #40 #132
PPAExp #108 #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #104 #98
Stuff RateStuff #52 #93
TackleTak - NR
Florida Atlantic Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 36%
CategoryCatFAU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #55 #46
Pass ExplPExl #49 #134
PPAExp #42 #117
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #91 #106
DB HavocDB #125 #102
Program Comparison
FAU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Average G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in FAU Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Florida Atlantic beat Rice last year (27-21)
Rice beat Florida Atlantic in 2023 (24-21)

  
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

FAU's OC Zach Kittley (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Caden Veltkamp34551467%365224177.1
Drew Devillier (Tr)102148%123105.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaden Shields-Dutton8346065.550
RJ Garcia II (Tr)261030.538
Easton Messer351117.039
Caden Veltkamp814540.618
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Easton Messer1001029610.355
Dom Henry40575414.490
RJ Garcia II (Tr)27283010.528
Antonio Johnson (Tr)20231511.630

View Florida Atlantic's Full Roster

FAU's DC Brett Dewhurst (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leon Hart Jr.835201
Khmari Johnson413020
Jayden Sweeney412034
Gavench Marcelin321111
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jay Crable (Tr)288644
Deshaun Batiste234430
Josh Roberts225320
Wilky Denaud295300
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayden Sweeney412034
Damarius McGhee300004
Jay Crable (Tr)288644