The Houston Cougars (1-0) go on the road to square off against the Rice Owls (1-0) at Rice Stadium on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The Cougars are expected to win by double digits (currently -13.5) versus the Owls. The over/under for this game is 38.5 points.

Keep reading to check out our betting preview for this this game between the Cougars and the Owls, and uncover all of our betting picks here, too!

Houston vs. Rice betting lines

• Spread favorite: Cougars (-13.5)
• Moneyline: Cougars (-592), Owls (+431)
• Total: 38.5 points

Houston vs. Rice betting info and stats

Houston, through one game with a spread this season, has gone 1-0-0 against the spread. Houston is undefeated ATS (1-0) when favorites by at least 13.5 points. In one game as the moneyline favorite, Houston won. Rice, in one game with a set spread this season, is 1-0-0 against the spread. This will be the second game this year Rice is the moneyline underdog. The Owls won the first one.

Houston vs. Rice key players

Houston Cougars

• Last year Donovan Smith recorded 867 passing yards (108.4 per game), a 65.4% completion percentage, four touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also added 159 rushing yards on 65 carries with three rushing TDs (averaging 15.9 rushing yards per game).
• Re’Shaun Sanford II picked up 444 rushing yards (37.0 per game) and one touchdown last season. In the receiving game, he made 18 catches for 157 yards.
• Zeon Chriss ran for 381 yards on 113 carries (31.8 yards per game), with four rushing touchdowns last year.
• In the previous season, Stephon Johnson Jr. grabbed 32 passes (on 50 targets) for 402 yards (36.5 per game). He also found the end zone two times.
• Joseph Manjack IV tacked on 351 yards on 22 grabs with three touchdowns. He was targeted 29 times, and averaged 29.3 receiving yards per game.
• Mekhi Mews hauled in 29 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown, averaging 21.1 yards per game last season.
• Keith Cooper Jr. did his thing last season with a huge stat line of 3.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL and 41 tackles.
• Michael Batton was a wrecking ball on the field, collecting 85 tackles, 7.0 TFL, three sacks, and one interception last year.
• Last season Adari Haulcy had a huge stat line of five interceptions, 60 tackles and five passes defended.

Rice Owls

• E.J. Warner threw for 2,710 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
• Dean Connors racked up nine rushing touchdowns on 65.0 yards per game last year. Connors was also effective in the passing game, tallying 62 catches and two touchdowns over the course of the year.
• Quinton Jackson ran for one touchdown on 275 yards a year ago.
• Matt Sykes was targeted 8.3 times per game and racked up 795 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the course of 2024.
• Kobie Campbell hauled in 32 passes on his way to 372 receiving yards and one touchdown a season ago.
• Last year Ty Anthony Morris racked up 4.0 sacks, 5.0 TFL and 49 tackles.
• Last year Gabe Taylor intercepted three passes to go along with 39 tackles, 3.0 TFL, three sacks, and three passes defended.