The Rice Owls and Arkansas Razorbacks meet Saturday in their season openers at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the Rice at Arkansas odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Owls are on the rise after many seasons in the doldrums. Head coach Mike Bloomgren is leading the resurgence. Rice had a losing record in a COVID-shortened 2020, going 2-3, but all three setbacks were by 10 points or less.
Rice QB Luke McCaffrey, brother of Carolina Panthers standout Christian McCaffrey, is expected to see time under center. He is a dual-threat option battling redshirt junior QB Wiley Green, who has nine starts under his belt.
Arkansas won three games in the SEC last season, as head coach Sam Pittman has the Hogs pointed in the right direction again. The Razorbacks were good for 25.7 points per game in the SEC, more than a touchdown better than the 17.5 PPG they posted in league outings in 2019. They hope that success spills over to this battle against a conference foe from back in the day.
Rice at Arkansas odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rice +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Arkansas -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rice +19.5 (-112) | Arkansas -19.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Rice at Arkansas odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Arkansas 34, Rice 17
Money line
Arkansas (-1200) will cost you 12 times your potential return, or $8.33 won for every $100 risked. That’s a lot of risk for not much reward.
AVOID.
Against the spread
RICE +19.5 (-112) has yet to name a starting quarterback, but that’s OK. Both McCaffrey and Green are talented players capable of keeping the Owls in the game. Rice won’t threaten to post the upset in this battle between old Southwest Conference rivals, but it will be able to keep the deficit under 20.
Over/Under
The lean is to the OVER 49.5 (-112), but go very lightly. It might not happen until late in the fourth quarter. Arkansas had an improved defense last season, and it will make life miserable for Rice. The Owls, though, have a dual-threat option in McCaffrey, and Green is experienced when his number is called. Rice will be able to find the end zone at least twice.
Speaking of scoring, look for Arkansas’ all-everything WR Treylon Burks to do big things Saturday, too.
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