Houston Christian at Rice - 2026 Matchup Preview
Houston Christian logo

Houston Christian Huskies at Rice Owls

Rice logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 AM EDT)
Rice Stadium - Houston, TX

 
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 7 - 59 (7 - 59 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: -13.5  (SP+ RICE -15)
HCU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Abell (5 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 33 (24 - 32 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2.1 - 9.9 (#112)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 5)
 
Houston Christian's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Houston Christian at Rice-13.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Houston Christian at North Texas-5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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 Houston Christian's Schedule
Rice's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Rice vs Houston Christian-7.5————
Sat 9/12Rice at Notre Dame+35————
Sat 9/19Rice vs Western Michigan+7————
Sat 9/26Rice at Fresno State+18.5————
Sat 10/3Rice vs UTSA+12.5————
Sat 10/10Rice at East Carolina+18————
Sat 10/17Rice vs Tulsa+10————
Sat 10/24Rice at Florida Atlantic+11.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Rice at North Texas+11————
Sat 11/14Rice vs Tulane+10.5————
Thu 11/19Rice at Temple+12————
Sat 11/28Rice vs Army+11.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 4, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 4, 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 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
HCU0%70%000%000%590%0%0000
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
HCU0%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
HCU Offense1770%00000000%0%0%0%0%
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
HCU Defense159590%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
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
Houston Christian10:000NAN%0%0000000100
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
HCU Offense10%0%000000%0%0
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
HCU Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
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
HCU Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
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
HCU Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
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)

Houston Christian's Power Ratings
Houston Christian's Power Rating: NR
Houston Christian's Offense Rating: NR
Houston Christian's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Houston Christian's 2026 Expected Record: -
Houston Christian's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Houston Christian's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Houston Christian's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average Southland Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston Christian:    Rice: -13.42

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston Christian:    Rice: -14.7




Rice's Power Ratings
Rice's Power Rating: -13.42  #127
Rice's Offense Rating: 6.36  #129
Rice's Defense Rating: 23.50  #126
2026 Talent Rating: 482.00  #104
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Rice's 2026 Expected Record: 2.1 - 9.9
Rice's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.7  #120
Rice's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #118
Rice's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.2  #110

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 513
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Houston Christian Scoring
Offense: 7 PPG
Offense on Road: 7
Defense: 59 PPG
Defense on Road: 59

Houston Christian'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
Rice 40
Houston Christian 20

Projected Total Points: 60
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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rice000 Overs
Houston Christian000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#) HCU at (#127) RICE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHCURICE
Game ControlGC #138 #124
Momentum ControlMCNR #122
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #127
SP+SP+NR #120
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #104
Blue ChipsBC%NR #83
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
Houston Christian on Offense
CategoryCat
HCU OffRICE Def
Game ControlGC #138 #117
Momentum ControlMCNR #121
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #49
ExplosiveExpNR #136
PPAPPANR #120
PowerPwrNR #126
SP+SP+NR #110
Pts POPPONR #73
HavocHavNR #110
Houston Christian Run Game
CategoryCat
HCU OffRICE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #55
Run ExplRExpNR #132
PPAExpNR #103
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #98
Stuff RateStuffNR #93
TackleTak - NR
Houston Christian Pass Game
CategoryCat
HCU OffRICE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #46
Pass ExplPExlNR #134
PPAExpNR #117
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #106
DB HavocDBNR #102
Rice on Offense
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCatRICE OffHCU Def
Game ControlGC #125 #139
Momentum ControlMC #109NR
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #122NR
ExplosiveExp #115NR
PPAPPA #122NR
PowerPwr #129NR
SP+SP+ #118NR
Pts POPPO #114NR
HavocHav #109NR
Rice Run Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCat
RICE OffHCU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #114NR
Run ExplRExp #53NR
PPAExp #102NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #114NR
Stuff RateStuff #102NR
TackleTak - NR
Rice Pass Game
Option Offense 71%, Pass: 28%
CategoryCatRICE OffHCU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #132NR
Pass ExplPExl #28NR
PPAExp #122NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #134NR
DB HavocDB #7NR
Program Comparison
RICE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

HCU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
HCU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jake Weir9819949%897264.5
Maddox Kopp6612055%795526.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Maddox Kopp549301.717
Jake Weir33-940-2.88
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tamarcus Gray Jr.1913807.313
Mason Graham53006.013

View Houston Christian's Full Roster

HCU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trent Zappe40000
Matthew Bess10000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trent Zappe40000
Matthew Bess10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trent Zappe40000
Matthew Bess10000

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