Houston vs. Rice Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 6, 2025
In this Houston at Rice prediction, the Cougars make the short trip to Rice to battle the Owls in a non-conference showdown. Houston, out of the Big 12, is 1-0 on the season as they continue their non-conference schedule this week. The Owls, from the AAC, are also 1-0 after squeaking out a week one win over Louisiana. The opening kick is scheduled for 7:00 pm EST. Don’t get sacked this football season! Try our College Football Picks!
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Houston readies for another non-conference tilt
The Houston Cougars prepare for season two in the Big 12 conference, playing their second straight non-conference game this week against Rice, before battling Big 12 foe Colorado next week. The Cougars opened up with a win in week one, down Stephen F. Austin 27-0 on Thursday night at TDECU Stadium in Houston.
“It’s big. It’s better than last year's first game…I know that. Some of the guys were disappointed, but I told them that it's hard to win games. SFA is a very good football program, and matter of fact, Coach [Colby] Carthel told me after the game that this is the first time he’s ever been shut out.” Head coach Willie Fritz said after the game.
The Cougars were led by a few newcomers on Thursday night. Quarterback Connor Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, led the way. He completed 15-of-24 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns. One of those touchdowns went to another newcomer, tight end Tanner Koziol, a transfer from Ball State. Koziol finished with seven catches for 63 yards. Wide receiver Amare Thomas, a transfer from UAB, also had a solid night, with three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. In all, the Cougars finished with 343 total yards of offense.
The Cougars’ defense helped the team to their first shutout win in a season opener since 1989. They were stout from beginning to end, holding Stephen F. Austin to just 144 yards of total offense. They held SFA to just 39 yards rushing in the game. CJ Douglas and Marc Stampley II both had interceptions for the Cougars. Houston had five tackles for loss, including two sacks in the game, one each from Brandon Mack II and Wrook Brown.
Key Injuries: WR Marquis Shoulders is questionable. RB Re-Shaun Sanford II is out.
Owls looking for upset against in-state rival
The Rice Owls started the season in the win column, thanks to a 14-12 non-conference win over Louisiana on the road on Saturday. New head coach Scott Abell picked up his first win as Rice’s head man, as the Owls scored 14 second-quarter points and the defense held up. They now prep for their home opener against city rival Houston.
“I loved our poise and composure as we opened the game. I think it’s really difficult for what we do offensively, going into week one, because the opponent has four or five weeks to prepare for our option schemes. That’s very advantageous for your opponents in our style offense. And so to have the composure and to execute at the high level we did to start the game in that first half, I’m incredibly proud of, and I thought our guys did a great job.” Abell said after becoming just the third Rice coach in team history to win his opening game on the road.
The Owls controlled the game with a rushing attack led by running back Quinton Jackson. Jackson set career-highs with 22 carries and 119 yards and added a touchdown. It was his first career 100-yard rushing game. Fellow running back Daelen Alexander added 15 carries for 74 yards. Quarterback Chase Jenkins was efficient, finishing 7-of-9 for 45 yards. Slot receiver Aaron Turner added the first rushing touchdown of his career, a 17-yard scamper in the second quarter to give the Owls a 14-3 lead. In all, the Owls finished with 251 yards of total offense. They won the time of possession battle, 36:24 to 23:36.
Defensively, the Owls' defense allowed the fewest points in a season opener since 2004. They held Louisiana to 239 yards of total offense, including just 88 through the air. Linebacker Andrew Awe led the way with seven tackles. They had three sacks in the game, one each by DL Tony Anyanwu, DE Michael Daley, and DL Joseph Mutombo. The defense forced two turnovers, including an interception from safety Jack Kane.
Key Injuries: No Injuries to Report.
Houston vs. Rice pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,778.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,716.00 |
| 3 |  David Hess | +1,326.00 |
| 4 |  Earle Sports Bets | +1,323.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +1,071.00 |
Spread Pick for Houston vs. Rice
- Houston -13.5 (4 units)
The Cougars and Owls continue their long-standing rivalry on Saturday night at Rice. The Cougars have won eight of the last ten meetings and covered the number in seven of the eight wins. The Owls are a team in flux this season with a new coaching staff and an offense that relies heavily on the run. The Cougars also have several new pieces, but those pieces looked explosive in the week one win. Weigman gives the Cougars a legitimate passing threat at quarterback, and he’ll test a Rice secondary that wasn’t forced to work terribly hard against Louisiana in week one. The Cougars’ ability to throw the ball will change the Owls’ game plan and force them into playing a style they aren’t comfortable with. The Cougars will build a lead and cruise to a win on Saturday.
Take Houston -13.5
Over/Under Pick for Houston vs. Rice
- OVER 39.5 (5 units)
While Rice won’t be comfortable in any kind of shootout, that is what is going to happen on Saturday, thanks to the Cougars’ passing attack. This matchup has gone over this number in each of the last ten meetings. In fact, the winning team has not scored fewer than 31 points in any of the last ten meetings. Houston will force Rice to play faster, and that will lead to turnovers and short fields. Rice doesn’t want to play that way, but the speed of the Cougars will force its hand.
Take the over
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