SMU Mustangs vs Rice Owls Prediction, 11/4/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Rice Owls

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Location: Rice Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (+11)

Total/Over-Under: 58

The Rice Owls (4-4) host the SMU Mustangs (6-2) at Rice Stadium on Saturday, November 4, 2023. SMU opens this contest as 11-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 58.

The SMU Mustangs step onto the field holding a record of 6-2 for this season. In their last contest, the Mustangs faced the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and took home the win by a score of 69-10. Preston Stone finished 15/20 with 371 yards through the air and 3 touchdowns. He had a QB rate of 280.3 and finished the game without throwing an interception. Camar Wheaton was the rushing leader for the Mustangs with 9 carries for 80 yards (8.9 yards per attempt). On the day, they tallied 68 plays which totaled 638 yards. The SMU Mustangs ran the football 39 times and recorded 192 yds, which had them averaging 4.9 yards per carry. In the running game, the Mustangs gave up 123 yards on 47 attempts, which averages out to 2.6 yds per run allowed. SMU conceded 14 pass completions on 25 tries for a total of 124 yds, and a completion rate of 56.0%.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the SMU Mustangs hold an average of 40.5 points per contest. As a team they average 167.9 yards on the ground which is 52nd in college football. The Mustangs have racked up 3,703 yards in total for the year. With reference to scoring, SMU has amassed 22 touchdowns via the pass and 15 rushing touchdowns. SMU has amassed 192 first downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 36 infractions for 308 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 7 different times.

The Mustangs sit in 5th in the nation regarding team defense, allowing 14.0 PPG. They are allowing 3.0 yards per rush and 114.3 rushing yards per game for the season. For the season, they have conceded 914 rushing yards through 8 games. Concerning passing yardage, the Mustangs are allowing 1,332 yds which has them ranked 7th in D-1. They have yielded 166.5 yards per contest through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 57.5%. Overall, they are conceding 280.8 yards/game putting them at 12th in the country. They have conceded 10 touchdowns through the air in addition to 4 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Owls come into this game with a record of 4-4 this season. When they last played, the Owls took a loss by a final score of 30-28 when they faced the Tulane Green Wave. JT Daniels (2 touchdowns) finished the contest with 189 yds on 18/29 through the air while his quarterback rate was 132.7. He threw 1 interception and his Y/A was 6.5. Juma Otoviano carried the rock 9 times for 38 yds, finishing the game with 4.2 yds per carry for Rice. The Owls finished the contest with a total of 271 yds and they ran 48 plays (5.6 yards per play). Rice rushed for 4.3 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 82 yds on 19 carries. Rice conceded 40 rush attempts for 194 yds (4.9 yards per carry). The Owls passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 73.3%, surrendering 263 yards on 22 out of 30 through the air.

When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Owls sit 33rd in Division 1 by tallying 33.3 points per outing. The Rice Owls hold an average of 394.6 yards/outing, which ranks them 63rd in college football. The Rice offense has compiled 344 penalty yds on 43 violations, which ranks them 91st in college football in terms of helping out the opposition. They have given away 6 picks while conceding 5 fumbles and they have been able to earn 155 first downs. During the season thus far, the Owls have compiled 2,428 passing yards as well as holding an average of 303.5 passing yards per outing, putting them at 14th in D-1. They have an average of 91.1 rushing yards per game and have run for 729 yards in total.

The Owls are allowing 27.8 PPG, which puts them 85th in the nation. Rice has conceded a total of 1,181 yards rushing (147.6 yards per contest) as well as 12 touchdowns rushing so far this year. Over the course of the season, they have allowed 222 total points. They have conceded 13 touchdowns through the air and 245.1 yards per game, which puts them in 99th in D-1. The Owls defense has taken the field for 542 plays, which is 78th in the nation. They have 5 fumbles and 4 picks this year.

Who will win tonight's Mustangs/Owls college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Owls +11

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