Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-3) vs Rice Owls (3-3)
Game Info: Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium)
Betting Odds: Tulsa Golden Hurricane -3.5 -- Over/Under: 57.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Rice Owls will play the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in an AAC game on Thursday night at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rice has lost two of their last three games, while Tulsa has won two of their last three games.
Rice Preview
The Rice Owls are 3-3 (1-1) this season after they lost to UConn by a score of 38-31 in their last game. Rice led 14-0 in the first quarter, but they trailed 20-14 at the half. In the second half, the teams traded scores, but Rice could never take the lead. The Owls out gained UConn by a total of 474-319, but they turned the ball over four times in the loss. Rice lost to Texas in the opener and South Florida in their fourth game, but they have defeated Houston, Texas Southern, and ECU. The Rice offense is averaging 32.7 points per game with 316.2 passing yards per game and 79.5 rushing yards per game, while going 42.9% on third downs. JT Daniels has thrown for 1,831 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions for the Owls this year. Dean Connors has rushed for 180 yards and one touchdown, while Luke McCaffrey has caught 30 passes for 514 yards and six scores. The Rice defense is giving up 30.3 points against per game this season.
Tulsa Preview
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are 3-3 (1-1) this year after they lost to FAU by a score of 20-17 in their last game. Tulsa trailed 17-7 at halftime, but they did cut the lead to 20-17 late in the game, but couldn’t get any closer. The Golden Hurricane were out gained by a total of 378-376 and turned the ball over two times in the loss. Prior to this loss, Tulsa did defeat NIU and Temple. The Tulsa offense is scoring 26 points per game with 192 passing yards per game and 194.2 rushing yards per game, while going 46.7% on third downs. Cardell Williams has thrown for 955 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions for the Golden Hurricane this year. Anthony Watkins has rushed for 367 yards and two touchdowns, while Marquis Shoulders (questionable) has caught 16 passes for 283 yards and five scores. The Tulsa defense is allowing 29.3 points against per game this year, but has allowed 17 points or fewer in two of their last three games.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Team Facts
- Tulsa has lost five of its last six games in October.
- Tulsa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven games in October.
- Six of Tulsa's last seven October games as a home favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Rice Owls Team Facts
- Rice has lost four of its last five games against conference opponents.
- Rice has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Four of Rice's last five October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Pick
Tulsa comes into this game with some skewed defensive numbers, as they played Oklahoma and Washington earlier in the season. Rice has played well at times this year, but they have been fairly inconsistent through their first six games. Rice does have a very good passing attack that is averaging over 300 yards per game, while Tulsa has been able to run the ball very well. I think Tulsa is the right side in this game, as they are at home and they already have experience against two very good passing attacks earlier in the year. Tulsa has played well in two of their last three games and I like them to cover here.
David’s Pick Tulsa -3.5
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
