Rice at Notre Dame - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rice logo Rice Owls at Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame, IN

 
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (14 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#69)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Notre Dame -45  (SP+ ND -39)
Projected Score: RICE: 5 - ND: 50 (55)
ND Win prob: 95% | Cover: 52%
RICE Travel: 974 miles, 1 hrs behind
Fighting Irish (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Marcus Freeman (43 - 12)
Avg Score : 42 - 18 (45 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 11.3 - 0.7 (#2)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 6)
 
Rice's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/12 Rice at Notre Dame+45

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
Notre Dame's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6 Notre Dame at Wisconsin-24.5
Sat 9/12 Notre Dame vs Rice-45
Sat 9/19 Notre Dame vs Michigan State-30
Sat 9/26 Notre Dame at Purdue-26.5
Sat 10/3 Notre Dame at North Carolina-24
Sat 10/10 Notre Dame vs Stanford-34
Sat 10/17 Notre Dame at BYU-8
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame vs Navy-23.5
Sat 11/7 Notre Dame vs Miami-5.5
Sat 11/14 Notre Dame vs Boston College-33
Sat 11/21 Notre Dame vs SMU-17.5
Sat 11/28 Notre Dame at Syracuse-31

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 5, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 5, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Notre Dame'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
ND#4 (.36)49% (10)4247% (25)3.05 (50)20451% (6)2554.79 (6)#12 (.04)36% (13)17.638% (20)36% (16)2.58 (6)53.10.81.9
 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
ND0%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
ND Defense1217.61836.4%2.581.9 - - - - - 43%56%38%36%18%.04
 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
ND Offense124244.749%4.790.8234602042555.953%45%47%51%13%.36

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
Notre Dame1229:1722.548%55%5.553.10.81.95.82.8732.5
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)
ND Defense1243% (7)38% (20) - - - - .04 (37)2.74 (39)71% (66)9% (77)0.89 (32)
 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)
ND Offense1253% (38)47% (25)34.8204.45.938 (11).25 (11)3.05 (50)62% (122)8% (36)1.16 (8)

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)
ND Defense1256% (133)36% (16) - - - - - - 21 (1).09 (8)1.6 (93)36% (9)26% (24).17 (17)9% (3)2.1 (84)
 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)
ND Offense1245% (95)51% (6)18.126.8255.19.514.125 (33)6 (34).45 (10)1.7 (25)29% (37)44% (2).65 (3)5% (35)2 (65)

Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -16.97  #124
Rice's Offense Rating: 0.93  #126
Rice's Defense Rating: 22.90  #111
2026 Talent Rating: 516.00  #107
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #81
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 542.57
Average Power Five Talent: 897.85
Average FBS Talent: 714.47

Power Ratings Matchup
Rice: -16.97   Notre Dame: 29.21

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rice: -14.8   Notre Dame: 24.4




Notre Dame's Power Ratings
Notre Dame's Power Rating: 29.21  #2
Notre Dame's Offense Rating: 30.81  #2
Notre Dame's Defense Rating: -2.58  #2
2026 Talent Rating: 1178.00  #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 87  #2
Notre Dame's 2026 Expected Record: 11.3 - 0.7
Notre Dame's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.4  #5
Notre Dame's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.0  #4
Notre Dame's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.3  #13

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 884
Average Power Five Talent: 897.85
Average FBS Talent: 714.47


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
Notre Dame 50
Rice 5

Projected Total Points: 55
Notre Dame Scoring
Offense: 42 PPG
Offense at Home: 44.7
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 18

Notre Dame'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
201408/30Notre Dame48Rice17Notre Dame -20.5Notre Dame52.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Notre Dame111 Overs
Rice000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#124) RICE at (#2) ND
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRICEND
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #124 #2
SP+SP+ #120 #5
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #107 #2
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #2
Notre Dame Notes
(1/29) DEs talented but need more, DT portals big adds
(1/29) Def is loaded, LB & Secondary both top CFB units
(1/29) OL great pieces, expecting a lot. RBs inexp'd
(1/28) ? at skill but loaded w talent. Portal WR's help
(1/28) QB Carr primed for big season. Will lead Offense
(1/25) Freeman, Denbrock, QB Carr all back. Big year.
(1/25) Losing DB coach Mickens is a big loss
Notre Dame Injury Report
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffND Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122 #13
ExplosiveExp #115 #85
PPAPPA #122 #12
PowerPwr #126 #2
SP+SP+ #119 #13
Pts POPPO #114 #6
HavocHav #109 #19
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114 #20
Run ExplRExp #53 #32
PPAExp #102 #37
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114 #39
Stuff RateStuff #102 #74
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132 #16
Pass ExplPExl #28 #93
PPAExp #122 #8
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134 #77
DB HavocDB #7 #3
Notre Dame on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatND OffRICE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #10 #49
ExplosiveExp #3 #136
PPAPPA #4 #120
PowerPwr #2 #111
SP+SP+ #4 #112
Pts POPPO #6 #73
HavocHav #36 #110
Notre Dame Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #25 #55
Run ExplRExp #8 #132
PPAExp #11 #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #50 #98
Stuff RateStuff #101 #93
TackleTak - NR
Notre Dame Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatND OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #6 #46
Pass ExplPExl #25 #134
PPAExp #10 #117
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #106
DB HavocDB #35 #102
Program Comparison
ND 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Notre Dame 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
Payton Matthews493023.354
Quinton Jackson474118.575
Tyvonn Byars253026.543
James Falk330010.020

View Rice's Full Roster

RICE's DC Jon Kay (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
AJ Brown (Tr)530000
Jo Chavez402011
Jack Kane380002
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chibby Nwajuaku253220
Joseph Mutombo122211
Cooper King82100
Daveon Hook163100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jack Kane380002
Jerrick Harper231002
Ahran Ogbor00001

ND's OC Mike Denbrock (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
C.J. Carr19529367%27412469.4
Jordan Faison11100%400040.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aneyas Williams2422459.354
Nolan James Jr.143702.615
C.J. Carr413330.828
Jordan Faison1-80-8.00
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Faison49640413.154
Micah Gilbert993110.326
Mylan Graham (Tr)693015.523
Luke Talich184184.084

View Notre Dame's Full Roster

ND's DC Chris Ash (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drayk Bowen675423
Adon Shuler522125
Jaiden Ausberry514250
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa488352
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boubacar Traore3710780
Drayk Bowen675423
Jaylen Sneed355330
Keon Keeley (Tr)133311
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Gray1810010
Leonard Moore310007
Adon Shuler522125