Texas State Bobcats vs Rice Owls Prediction, 12/26/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Texas State Bobcats vs Rice Owls

Date: Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (+4)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

Gerald J. Ford Stadium is the site where the Rice Owls (6-6) will try to defeat the Texas State Bobcats (7-5) on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Rice is 4-point underdogs. The over/under comes in at 56.5.

The Texas State Bobcats come into this game with a record of 7-5 for this season. In their last contest, the Bobcats went up against the South Alabama Jaguars and notched a win by a score of 52-44. TJ Finley finished 19/28 with 368 yards passing and 3 TDs. He had a quarterback rate of 206.5 and finished the contest with 1 interception. Ismail Mahdi was the leader on the ground for the Bobcats with 23 attempts for 97 yds (4.2 yds per carry). When the final whistle blew, they had 69 plays which gave them a total of 479 yards. The Texas State Bobcats ended up running the ball 41 times and accounted for 111 yds, which is an average of 2.7 yds per carry. Against the run, the Bobcats conceded 77 yds on 34 attempts, which averages out to 2.3 yds per run surrendered. Texas State surrendered 36 pass completions on 45 tries for 399 yards, and a completion percentage of 80.0%.

The Bobcats have earned 5,650 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Texas State has amassed 24 touchdowns through the air and 29 touchdowns on the ground. They have given the ball to the opposition 23 different times. Texas State has earned 298 first downs as a unit, and they have been called for 84 penalties for 772 yards. Offensively they're averaging 189.9 yards via the ground game ranking them 23rd in Division 1. When talking about scoring, the Texas State Bobcats are averaging 36.0 PPG.

The Bobcats sit in 117th in college football regarding the opposition scoring, giving up 33.8 PPG. They are giving up 4.1 yards per rush and 157.3 yards on the ground per contest so far this season. Overall, they have allowed 1,888 yards via the running game in 12 games. When talking about yards via the pass, the Bobcats are giving up 3,084 yards which ranks them 113th in the country. They have yielded 257.0 yards per contest through the air in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 66.0%. During the season, they are surrendering 414.3 yards/outing putting them at 106th in the nation. They have conceded 23 touchdowns via the pass as well as 24 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Owls come into this game with a record of 6-6 for this season. In their last game, the Owls got the win with a final of 24-21 when they faced the Florida Atlantic Owls. AJ Padgett (3 touchdowns) finished the game with 255 yds on 24/37 through the air while his quarterback rate was 144.1. He had 1 pick and his average yards per attempt was 6.9. Dean Connors carried the rock 14 times for 75 yds, ending the game with 5.4 yds per attempt for Rice. Rice rushed for 5.0 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 211 yds on 42 attempts. The Owls finished the game with a total of 465 yds on 81 plays (5.7 yards per play). The Owls passing defense gave up a completion rate of 68.4%, relinquishing 128 yds on 13 out of 19 passing. Rice allowed 24 rushing attempts for 151 yds (6.3 yards per rush).

In terms of their ability to score points, the Owls currently sit 49th in Division 1 scoring 30.3 points per contest. The Rice Owls have an average of 376.8 yards per contest, which ranks them 73rd in D-1. The Rice offense has accrued 580 penalty yards on 67 infractions, ranking them 78th in college football in terms of making mistakes. They have given away 11 interceptions while letting opponents recover 8 fumbles and they have recorded 232 1st downs. For the season so far, the Owls currently sit at 3,170 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 264.2 passing yards per game, which has them sitting 39th in the country. They have an average of 112.6 yards via the ground game and have toted the ball for 1,351 yards overall.

Rice has surrendered a total of 1,842 yards rushing (153.5 yards per outing) and 19 touchdowns on the ground on the year. They have allowed the opposition 17 touchdowns from the passing game and 216.6 yards per outing, ranking them 53rd in D-1. Their defense has 7 fumbles and 5 interceptions on the year. The Owls defense has taken the field for 791 plays, which ranks 50th in the country. The Owls are surrendering 26.7 points per contest, ranking them 69th in college football. Overall, they have conceded 320 total points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Owls +4

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