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The Servpro First Responder Bowl will feature a matchup between the Texas State Bobcats and the Rice Owls.
Texas State vs. Rice Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 3.5 points, with sportsbooks listing Texas State as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Texas State has -168 odds to pick up the win, while Rice is listed at +135 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 59.5 points.
Game Info
How to Watch Texas State vs. Rice Live?
- Game Day: Tuesday, December 26, 2023
- Game Time: 5:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: University Park, Texas
- Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Betting Preview
Texas State
Texas State ranks 107th in total defense this year (415.3 yards allowed per game), but has been thriving on the other side of the ball, ranking 10th-best in the FBS with 473.0 total yards per game. While Texas State ranks 16th-worst in the FBS in scoring defense with 33.8 points allowed per game, the team has been better with the ball, ranking 17th-best in the FBS in scoring (36.0 points per game). While Texas State ranks 14th-worst in the FBS in passing defense with 256.4 passing yards allowed per game, it’s been a different situation on the other side of the ball, as the offensive unit ranks 23rd-best in the FBS (280.8 passing yards per game). Texas State owns the 80th-ranked defense this season in terms of rushing yards (158.8 rushing yards allowed per game), and has been better offensively, ranking 20th-best with 192.2 rushing yards per game. Texas State has struggled defensively in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS (48.0% third-down conversion rate) this season. With the ball, however, the Bobcats ranks 25th-best, putting up a 44.9% third-down conversion rate. Texas State has the 105th-ranked turnover margin in college football at -5, forcing 11 turnovers (89th in the FBS) while turning it over 16 times (101st in the FBS).
Rice
With 377.9 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Rice ranks 75th in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 57th, allowing 372.1 total yards per game. Rice is accumulating 30.3 points per game on offense this season (48th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing 26.7 points per game (68th-ranked) on defense. With 264.2 passing yards per game on offense, Rice ranks 37th in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 54th, surrendering 217.2 passing yards per game. Rice ranks 21st-worst in rushing yards per game (113.8), but it has been more productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 71st in the FBS with 154.9 rushing yards conceded per contest. Rice ranks 67th in the FBS with a 38.8% third-down conversion rate on offense, and 46th with a 36.6% third-down percentage allowed on the defensive side of the ball. At -5, Rice sports the 105th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with eight forced turnovers (119th in the FBS) and 13 turnovers committed (68th in the FBS).
Texas State vs. Rice Betting Analysis
Texas State Betting Insights
Texas State has registered a 6-6-0 record against the spread this season. Texas State is 2-2 ATS when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites. This season, Texas State games have hit the over five times. The Bobcats have a 5-2 record in games they were favored on the moneyline (winning 71.4% of those games). The Bobcats are 2-1 (winning 80% of their games) when they have played as a moneyline favorite of -168 or shorter.
Rice Betting Insights
Rice is 8-3-1 against the spread this season. Rice has an ATS record of 5-1 when playing as at least 3.5-point underdogs. Games involving Rice have hit the over on six occasions this year. This season, the Owls have been the underdog six times and won two of those games. The Owls are this season when entering a game as the underdog by +135 or more on the moneyline.
Texas State vs. Rice Against The Spread & Betting Records
Texas State
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 61.0 | 60.8 | 61.1 |
| Implied Total AVG | 35.6 | 36.5 | 34.7 |
| ATS Record | 6-6-0 | 3-3-0 | 3-3-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 5-6-1 | 2-3-1 | 3-3-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 5-2 | 4-0 | 1-2 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 2-3 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Rice
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 53.4 | 52.2 | 55.1 |
| Implied Total AVG | 32.5 | 32.1 | 33.0 |
| ATS Record | 8-3-1 | 5-1-1 | 3-2-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 6-6-0 | 5-2-0 | 1-4-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 3-2 | 2-1 | 1-1 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 2-4 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
Players to Watch
Texas State
- In addition to his 3,188 passing yards and 68.6% completion percentage this season, TJ Finley has connected on 24 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
- Finley has been a factor with his legs, rushing for 92 yards and five TDs in 12 games.
- As a runner, Ismail Mahdi has produced 1,209 yards on the ground with 10 rushing touchdowns in 12 games.
- The Bobcats’ air attack has been aided by the receiving ability of Mahdi, who has reeled in 18 balls (on zero targets) for 177 yards and one touchdown.
- In 10 games, Joey Hobert has converted zero targets into 71 receptions, 847 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bobcats.
- Kole Wilson has been targeted zero times for 61 receptions, 697 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games.
- The Bobcats’ defensive unit has been aided by the contributions of Brian Holloway, who has played 11 games and compiled 84 tackles, six TFL, one sack, and two interceptions.
- Shawn Holton has helped carry the Bobcats’ defense with 68 tackles and one interception in 10 games.
- Ben Bell has suited up for 10 games, delivering 44 tackles, six TFL, and eight sacks for the Bobcats.
- Kaleb Culp has been an important contributor to the Bobcats’ defense in 2023, with 58 tackles in 10 games.
Rice
- Luke McCaffrey has 68 catches for 963 yards (80.3 per game) and 12 touchdowns in 12 games.
- In nine games, JT Daniels has passed for 2,443 yards (271.4 per game), with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and a completion percentage of 63.1%.
- In 12 games, Dean Connors has rushed for 707 yards (58.9 per game) and five TDs.
- In addition, Connors has 42 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
- Juma Otoviano has run for 312 yards (28.4 per game) and four touchdowns in 11 games.
- As a tone-setter on defense, the Owls’ Plae Wyatt has posted 63 tackles, two TFL, and one sack in 10 games.
- Myron Morrison has registered 62 tackles and one TFL in 10 games for the Owls.
- Gabe Taylor has one sack to go with one TFL, 42 tackles, and two interceptions in nine games.
- On defense, Chris Conti has racked up 52 tackles, one TFL, and one interception in eight games.
Texas State vs. Rice Predictions and Pick
Texas State vs. Rice betting card
- Pick ATS:
Rice (+3.5)
- Pick OU: Over (59.5)
How to Bet on Texas State vs. Rice
You can bet on Texas State vs. Rice at every legal online sportsbook. For more college football odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as college football prop odds, check out the latest college football lines as well as our guide to the best college football betting sites.
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Our prediction to win this matchup is Rice, and we predict that Rice will cover the spread (Texas State -3.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 59.5 points.