Sam Houston State Bearkats vs Rice Owls Prediction, 8/31/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Sam Houston State Bearkats vs Rice Owls

Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024

Location: Rice Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (-10)

Total/Over-Under: 49.5

The Sam Houston State Bearkats (3-9 last year) are hitting the road to Rice Stadium on Saturday, August 31, 2024 where they will play the Rice Owls (6-7 last season). Sam Houston State opens this matchup as 10.0-point dogs. The total is 49.5.

The Sam Houston State Bearkats finished the year having earned a 3-9 record. In their last game, the Bearkats faced the MTSU Blue Raiders and walked away with a win by a score of 23-20. The Sam Houston State Bearkats ran the football 28 times and compiled 85 yards, which came out to an average of 3.0 yds per attempt. Overall, they tallied 77 plays which converted into 284 yds. Sam Houston State gave up 31 pass completions on 39 tries for 276 yards, and a completion percentage of 79.5%. On the ground, the Bearkats gave up 66 yds on 28 tries, which averages out to 2.4 yards per rush allowed.

The Bearkats earned 3,737 total yards over the course of last season. Sam Houston State compiled 16 touchdowns through the air and 13 rushing touchdowns. They gave the ball to the opposition 16 times. Sam Houston State recorded 220 1st downs, and they committed 61 infractions for 506 yds. Offensively they averaged 88.9 yards in the run game, which was 128th in D-1. When talking about scoring points, the Sam Houston State Bearkats averaged 20.0 PPG.

Concerning passing yardage, the Bearkats allowed 2,778 yds which ranked them 55th in college football. In their 12 games played last year, they allowed 231.5 yards per outing through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 64.7%. They relinquished 394.4 yards/game which had them sitting 88th in Division 1. They conceded 14 passing touchdowns as well as 25 touchdowns on the ground. They gave up an average of 4.4 yards per attempt on the ground and 162.9 rushing yards per game last year. Overall, they allowed 1,955 rushing yards through 12 games. The Bearkats ranked 65th in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 26.2 PPG.

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The Owls wrapped up their year having earned a 6-7 record. When they last played, the Owls went home defeated by a final of 45-21 against the Texas State Bobcats. Rice allowed 42 attempts on the ground for 148 yds (3.5 yds per rush). The Owls passing defense gave up a completion rate of 51.7%, relinquishing 152 yards on 15 for 29 through the air. The Owls finished the contest with 197 yds and they ran 57 plays (3.5 yds per play). Rice ran the ball for 2.7 yards per attempt, finishing with 85 yards on 31 attempts.

Concerning how much they scored, the Owls were 56th in college football with a maintained average of 29.5 points per contest. The Rice Owls maintained an average of 362.9 yards per outing, which had them sitting 84th in the nation. The Rice offense accrued 628 penalty yards on 74 violations, which was good for 68th in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards. They tossed 16 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 10 fumbles and they obtained 248 first downs. Last season, the Owls threw for a total of 3,283 yards via the pass as well as averaging 252.5 throwing yards per game, giving them a rank of 45th in Division 1. They held an average of 110.5 rushing yards per game and rushed for 1,437 yards for last year.

The Owls surrendered 28.1 PPG, which put them in 83rd in the nation. Rice conceded a total of 1,990 rushing yards (153.1 yards/game) and 23 touchdowns via the rush over the course of last year. Last season, they relinquished 365 total points. They allowed the opposition 17 touchdowns through the air and 211.6 yards/contest, which had them in 43rd in Division 1. The Owls defense participated in 862 plays, which had them ranked 75th in college football. Their defense had 7 fumbles recovered and 5 picks over the course of the prior season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Bearkats +10.0

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