Rice vs North Texas Prediction 11/7/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Rice Owls and the North Texas Mean Green meet in week 10 college football action from DATCU Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. 

Rice Owls vs. North Texas Mean Green Prediction

I’m on North Texas here. I know it’s a big time look ahead for North Texas with UTSA on deck and that’s going to be a massive game. The thing is though, I don’t know how Rice scores in this game as I just don’t trust this Owls attack. It’s not a game I’m rushing to bet necessarily, but I think this Rice defense is in trouble here. Give me the Mean Green.

Rice Owls Recap

The Rice Owls come into this game looking to rebound from their 51-49 loss at the hands of FAU last time out to sit at 1-7 this season. After this game, Rice will head home for a game against Tulane. Jacurri Brown has thrown for 478 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions while completing 48.2% of his passes to lead the Rice passing attack, backed by 40 completions on 83 attempts, with Gael Ochoa providing supplemental support via 160 passing yards and 1 score on 8 completions, and Patrick Crayton Jr. adding 29 passing yards on 2 completions. The Owls’ ground game is spearheaded by Jacurri Brown, who rushes for 669 yards and 6 touchdowns on 118 carries, followed closely by Tyvonn Byars with 465 yards and 2 scores on 97 carries, Gael Ochoa adding 278 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 25 attempts, D’Andre Hardeman Jr. chipping in 257 yards and 2 scores on 74 carries, and Max Mosey adding 163 yards and 1 score on 20 rushing attempts. Through the air, Jordan Clark leads the receiving corps with 257 yards on 20 catches, while Braylen Walker adds 111 yards and 1 score on 6 receptions, Barry Jackson Jr. logs 102 yards and 1 score on 7 receptions, Ben Grice adds 64 yards on 6 receptions, and Max Mosey rounds out key targets with 49 yards and 1 score on 3 catches. Defensively, AJ Brown anchors the Rice squad by logging a team-high 59 total tackles. Altogether, the Owls’ defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 12 sacks, 94 yards lost, and 24 pass deflections while also coming away with 3 total interceptions.

Why the Rice Owls will win

• The road team has covered the spread in each of the last three games between Rice and North Texas.
• Rice has won the first quarter in four of its last five games as an underdog.

North Texas Mean Green Recap

The North Texas Mean Green come into this game looking to add on to their 48-41 win over FAU last time out to sit at 6-2 this season. After this game, the Mean Green will head on the road for a game against UTSA. Tayven Jackson has thrown for 2,577 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while completing 72.3% of his passes to lead the North Texas passing attack, backed by 193 completions on 267 attempts, with Chaston Ditta providing supplemental support via 159 passing yards and 1 score on 14 completions, and Chris Jimerson Jr. adding 55 passing yards and 1 score on 2 completions. The Mean Green’s ground game is spearheaded by Jahiem White, who rushes for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns on 142 carries, followed closely by Brendon Haygood with 171 yards and 2 scores on 41 carries, Tayven Jackson adding 96 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 attempts, Chris Jimerson Jr. chipping in 91 yards on 15 carries, and Nick Osho adding 41 yards on 11 rushing attempts. Through the air, Justin Stevenson leads the receiving corps with 781 yards and 8 touchdowns on 50 catches, while Max Reese adds 335 yards and 3 scores on 24 receptions, Corri Milliner logs 325 yards and 1 score on 20 receptions, Kyle Koch adds 304 yards and 6 scores on 27 receptions, and Jahiem White rounds out key targets with 277 yards and 2 scores on 29 catches. Defensively, Zakye Barker anchors the North Texas squad by logging a team-high 62 total tackles. Altogether, the Mean Green’s defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 17 sacks, 137 yards lost, and 23 pass deflections while also coming away with 6 total interceptions.

Why the North Texas Mean Green will win

• North Texas has won each of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Rice has lost each of its last 11 games as an underdog.
• North Texas has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Rice has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as an underdog against teams from Texas.
• Rice has lost the first half in each of its last 11 games against conference opponents.
• North Texas has won the first quarter in seven of its last eight home games.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: North Texas -17.5