[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Rice Owls are set to take on the No. 12 Texas Longhorns in Week 1 of the college football season on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rice vs. Texas odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Owls finished with a 5-8 record in 2022 and coach Mike Bloomgren is entering his 6th year at the helm. Rice is also making the transition to the AAC this season and things aren’t going to be any easier with a season opener on the road against Texas.
Expectations are somewhat high for the Longhorns as they look to improve on an 8-5 record in 2022 as coach Steve Sarkisian enters his 3rd year with the program. QB Quinn Ewers returns as the starter under center, which has many expecting the Longhorns’ offense to take a leap forward this season. Texas is the No. 12 ranked team in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Rice at Texas odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:28 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rice +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | Texas -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rice +35.5 (-110) | Texas -35.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Rice at Texas picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 58, Rice 14
Moneyline
Even though the Longhorns should win with ease on Saturday, just AVOID wagering on the moneyline in this game. Betting on a team at -10000 odds isn’t advised as the return isn’t nearly worth the risk.
Against the spread
TEXAS 35.5 (-110) is the play in this game as the Longhorns look to get off to a blazing start in 2023. A season ago, Texas registered 34.5 points per game (20th in the nation) and were 5-2 ATS in home games.
Over/Under
BET OVER 58.5 (-110).
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Longhorns hit the Over themselves as Ewers and the offense are looking to build off of last season. Scoring points may not be easy for the Owls early in the contest, but they’ll get some garbage time scores late in the game to ensure the Over is achieved.
While Texas was 6-7 to the Over in 2022, Rice was 9-4 to the Over. On top of that, the Owls surrendered 36.2 points per game a season ago, which was the 11th-worst mark in the nation.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]
